MEDIA RELEASE: Harri Jones takes on Bathurst and comes out on top
After an incredible weekend of racing at the one and only Bathurst, young dynamo Harri Jones came away with a maiden race win and a podium finish for the overall 2021 Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Championship.
It was an almost surreal experience to see thousands of people gathered once again at the holy grail of racetracks, Bathurst, this weekend. For rising talent, Harri Jones, it was the best way to break the five-month COVID-induced hiatus from racing – and his performance did not disappoint.
Jones came away from Mount Panorama with his first Carrera Cup race win in what was a nail-biting victory on Saturday. He led the pack from start to finish in the race of his career - an action-packed battle to remain unseated from pole position, despite the relentless pressure from behind him for the entire 15 laps.
“I’m absolutely speechless”, said Jones.
“It was honestly one of the best races of my life. The team gave me an incredible car. There was pressure from behind the whole time - but we held our nerve, we stayed in front, and we did what we needed to do.”
Saturday’s win was the pinnacle of the weekend for Jones, with the Round 4 races on Thursday and Friday both finishing in fifth position. Sunday’s final race, held as a prelude to the infamous Bathurst 1000, saw some front tyre damage and a weakening of Jones’ pace, but he remained focused and crossed the line for another Podium finish in third place.
“It was disappointing in the final race on Sunday to not be racing at full speed, but it was just a matter of resetting, refocusing and making the most of what we had,” said Jones.
“It was an amazing experience as well knowing that we were racing just before the Great Race, with over one million people watching either live or on TV as we tackled the Mountain – just incredible.”
Bathurst marked the final round for the season, with Harri taking home 3rd Place overall in the 2021 Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Championship - an incredible result after a tough year of racing, and a sign of what’s to come for the 2022 Season ahead.
“I am absolutely stoked with the weekend,” said Jones.
“I’ve shown myself what I am capable of now. And we’ve positioned ourselves perfectly for a full-blown championship attack in 2022. Bring it on!”
Jones will campaign in the 2022 Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup in the new 992 Generation Cup Car alongside 31 other drivers, making it the largest and most competitive grid in Australian Carrera Cup history.
Stay up to date with Jones’ personal race reports and other news via his Website (www.harrijones.com.au) and through his Facebook (facebook.com/harrijonesracing/) and Instagram (@harrijones99/) pages.
Bathurst Weekend Race Stats
Qualifying Round 4 – 3rd place
Qualifying Round 5 – 1st place
Race 1 – 5th place
Race 2 – 5th place
Race 3 – 1st place
Race 4 – 3rd place
2021 Season Summary Results
Overall Championship Position - 3rd place
Michelin Junior Championship Position - 2nd place
Porsche Fastest Lap Award
Images
Attached images - Harri Jones celebrates maiden race win at Bathurst
Further images from the weekend accessible via the following image library: https://www.harrijones.com.au/gallery2021
ENDS
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Contacts
Harri Jones
Sandra Brodie (Manager)
0407 854 983