Jones wins 2019 Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge

20-year-old Sunshine Coast racing driver Harri Jones has achieved back to back Australian titles by winning the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Championship at The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia this weekend. The Bend, where he sealed last year’s Australian Formula 3 title, has proved to be a winning track for Harri.

Leading up to the final round, Harri had been outstandingly consistent, steering his HeliMods Porsche to the podium in each of the 15 races. With 180 points on offer for the weekend, Jones had a 92-point margin to Western Australian Aaron Love and was 142 points clear of South Australian local Max Vidau in third position.

Harri had already secured the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy at the final endurance race at Sandown in September and was well prepared to add to the silverware.

An intense qualifying session on Friday put him 4th on the grid for the first of three races on Saturday. Harri drove intelligently with a very mature and considered approach, mitigating any risk of an incident, damage or penalty. Fourth place in each of the first two races secured him the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge 2019 Championship.

“I'm absolutely stoked to wrap up this championship and win my second Australian Title in two years. I’m so grateful to the entire McElrea racing team for all their hard work and support this year! It has been an exceptional season, a steep learning curve and I just can’t believe we have won another title!!” said an ecstatic Jones.

"I have gained so much valuable experience this season, learning from the likes of Leigh Geyer and Warren Luff. The racing all year has been intense, the best I’ve ever experienced, and I feel my driving has been taken to the next level.

It wouldn’t have happened without the support of my family, friends and my amazing sponsors.”

HeliMods are proud naming rights sponsors for Harri’s racing and the team has cheered him on from the sidelines at every race. Will Shrapnel, Founder and Managing Director of HeliMods says Harri’s dedication, drive and determination to be at the very top of his game in such a high-performance sport is closely aligned with the team values at HeliMods.

Harri’s win includes season entry to 2020 Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup, the top level of Porsche Motorsport in Australia. The series has 8 rounds at Supercars events including the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix in March. He has also won a trip to the Porsche Night of Champions Dinner in Germany in December.

Jones would like to acknowledge and thank his sponsors for their support of his 2019 Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Campaign:
 

HeliMods

MacKellar Mining

Classic and Race Storage

My Food Culture

Fluid Performance

Jones Motorsport

Jones wins 2019 Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge. Pic: InSyde Media