TekworkX Motorsport will field four cars for the first time in the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Championship as the squad looks to defend it’s 2022 victory at the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix.

The returning Max Vidau is joined by Thomas Maxwell in the Equity-One Pro class while Danny Stutterd and Kenny Habul will represent the team in SP Tools Pro-Am.

Vidau took four podiums from four races to secure the round win around the Albert Park circuit almost 12 months ago and is buoyed by continuity in the team ahead of his second season with TekworkX Motorsport and Tyrepower.

“It was a big off season for the team, we’ve been working hard to get everything prepared and really build from the speed we showed in 2022,” said Vidau.

“The car certainly feels like it is in a great place after our testing programme, and we nailed the setup at the Grand Prix last year so there’s a lot of confidence within the team. It’s great to have the consistency for myself, going in to my second year with the team and Tyrepower as major backers.

“The addition of F2 and F3 is great for the event, but it creates a challenging schedule for us. Friday and Saturday will be all about managing the energy levels and making sure we’re in a good spot mentally and physically when we get ready to hit the track late in the day.

“Rolling out with four cars is very exciting, it was a busy week and a half back at the workshop leading up to it, but it’s all part of taking 2023 bigger and better for TekworkX,” said Vidau.

Maxwell is set for his debut with the Gold Coast based squad after spending 2022 in the Dunlop Super2 Series. The Northern Territorian previously raced in Carrera Cup in 2019, during which he earned a top five finish on the Albert Park Circuit. The track has undergone significant updates since then, which Maxwell is excited to experience in his Bondi Carpets #5.

“I’m feeling extremely comfortable in the car and within the team after a strong pre-season programme,” said Maxwell.

“Heading to the Grand Prix we’re feeling confident and I’m excited to say the least. Kicking off the season at the biggest event in Australian Motorsport is pretty special and I know it’s going to be an electric atmosphere.

“The track layout was awesome back in 2019 and now there’s been some changes that have spiced it up even more. We saw in 2022 that it suits the new generation cars perhaps even better than the 991’s so I’m pretty eager to turn my first laps on the high speed layout.

“The event is pretty tight and compact on Thursday and then we wrap on Saturday. Getting started on the front foot is going to be paramount, especially with just the one practice, but it’s going to be fun and I’m confident the team and myself are well prepared for the challenge,” Maxwell concluded.

Stutterd steps up to Carrera Cup in 2023 with one previous round in the category to his name, which came in 2016. Since then Stutterd has raced a variety of cars and categories, most recently the 2022 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge where he made his debut for TekworkX Motorsport and proved himself a front runner with victories at Sandown and Phillip Island.

Joining Stutterd in Pro-Am for the opening round is Habul. The Sun Energy 1 owner/driver will make his debut in Carrera Cup but carries a wealth of experience in international competition. Habul has won the Intercontinental GT Challenge on three occasions, leads this year’s championship after two rounds and is the two time defending winner of the LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour. 

The 2023 Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Championship kicks off on Thursday with practice, qualifying and race one before solitary races on Friday and Saturday at the Formula One Rolex Australian Grand Prix.