MOTORSPORT: Porsche Supercup glory for Matt Campbell
Young Queenslander scores his first win in series that is a support act to Formula 1 in EuropeWarwick youngster Matt Campbell wins Porsche Supercup round in Austria
Another Australian was even more successful than Daniel Ricciardo at Austria’s Red Bull Ring at the weekend – Matt Campbell won the Porsche Supercup round.
It was the first victory in the series for the 22-year-old winner of last year’s Carrera Cup Australia who is competing in his first season overseas as a Porsche junior scholarship winner.
While Ricciardo was on the podium after third place in the Austrian Formula 1 Grand Prix, Campbell – from Warwick in Queensland – took pole position and a commanding lights-to-flag victory in the series for Porsche 911 GT3s.
Among the 31 drivers he beat in the fourth round of the series were experienced German Michael Ammermuller, winner of the first three rounds and still the championship leader.
“I was a little relieved when I crossed the finish line. When you start from pole position you want to win. I managed to do this and I’m thrilled,” said Campbell, whose parents were on hand to witness his success.
He is now up to third in the points, with Norwegian Denis Olsen between him and Ammermuller.
Campbell is racing for Swiss team Fach Auto Tech.
He had some experience of the 4.326-kilometre Red Bull Ring, having driven there in a recent round of the German Carrera Cup, winning a race and finishing on the podium in another.
Campbell is already contracted by Triple Eight Race Engineering to partner Shane Van Gisbergen in the Supercars endurance season in October-November at Sandown, Bathurst and the Gold Coast.
Continued success in Europe could open doors for a sports car drive for him in the World Endurance Championship, in which Mark Webber finished his career and like New Zealand’s 24 hours of Le Mans winners Earl Bamber and Brendon Hartley.
Campbell’s fellow Queenslander Will Power was fourth today in the latest IndyCar round at Iowa Speedway, behind one of his three Team Penske teammates Helio Castroneves.
Brazilian Castroneves broke a three-year victory drought and is now within eight points of NZ’s championship leader Scott Dixon.
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