Nathan Sticklen and Zoe Woods will line up for TekworkX Motorsport in Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge and Australian Production Cars this weekend at The Bend Motorsport Park.

The duo are both in their first season of racing, with Sticklen competing in Class B in Sprint Challenge while Woods races a Hyundai i30 in Class C of Production Cars. Their maiden seasons have progressed in a similar fashion, thanks in part to the two categories running at the same events. Both Sticklen and Woods have claimed podiums in each round, with Sticklen finishing top three in multiple races and Woods finishing second in both her rounds so far.

Earlier this year Sticklen enjoyed a two-day test at the Tailem Bend circuit with the team.

“I’m really looking forward to this weekend, it’s a really exciting track,” said Sticklen.

“Last time out at Sandown I think proved to myself that I deserve to be in this field. It’s still about gaining experience and having fun but I was able to really start battling and holding my own.

“I was pleasantly surprised with how I drove in the rain so if we get a bit of water on the track again then I say bring it on. In terms of the track itself I love the proper GP circuit feel that it has. Everything is bigger, the surface is newer and it’s got some awesome fast and flowing sections.

“We tested pretty well down there earlier this year, and my driving has progressed ten-fold since then so I’m hoping we can be pretty competitive,” concluded Sticklen.

Woods has never been to The Bend Motorsport Park before, however TekworkX Motorsport’s Carrera Cup drivers Luke Youlden and Max Vidau will be on hand to provide guidance.

“This will be my first time ever at the track, let alone racing on it, so I’m quite excited to see what the whole facility is like because I’ve only heard good things,” said Woods.

“We were a bit unlucky in Sandown with some technical issues, but I drove a clean weekend and gained experience which is the big focus for this year. This will be my third round now so I feel a lot more comfortable going in then I did just a couple months ago, but certainly I’ll be utilising Max and Luke to help me get up to speed quickly. It’s invaluable having two professional drivers on hand to offer their experience.

“We have done a great job of being on the podium from the outset, and we’re hoping to continue that this weekend,” concluded Woods.

Round four of Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge and the Australian Production Cars will take place from October 21-23 at The Bend Motorsport Park as part of The Bend AutoFest.