TekworkX Motorsport’s three drivers in Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge will look to pick up where they left off last round, as the season resumes this weekend at The Bend Motorsport Park.

The team have won seven of the 12 races held so far in 2023, including the last six in a row. Aron Shields has taken two wins, while mid-season addition Nash Morris has won five of his six races so far. Hamish Fitzsimmons, in his first year of car racing, has quickly come to grips with the category and claimed podiums in the last two rounds.

The category heads to The Bend Motorsport Park, as part of the Shannons Trophy Series, for what will be the penultimate round of the season before the year concludes at the Bathurst International.

In his first year of racing, Fitzsimmons tackles a new track with each round. However, the teenager was able to test at the Tailem Bend circuit pre-season with the TekworkX team.

“The Bend is an awesome track, I thoroughly enjoyed the test there earlier in the year,” said Fitzsimmons.

“It felt like our cars were really well suited to the track, and it’s really technical which I enjoy. I’ve been working with the team a lot recently at the workshop and I went to Bathurst to work with the Carrera Cup crew, which was really cool, just helping out and learning as much as I can.

“Staying fit has been a big priority in between rounds, so I’ve been doing a fair bit of running lately, and also plenty of sim work to keep the mind sharp. It may take a session to get back into it, but come qualifying we’ll be ready to give it everything,” concluded Fitzsimmons.

Morris initially joined the team for a one-off appearance at Sydney Motorsport Park where he won two races. Post-event it was announced that Morris would contest the final three rounds of the season as well. Last time out at Queensland Raceway, Morris took a clean sweep of the weekend.

Shields sits second in the Championship, and withing striking distance of the points lead with two rounds to go. A trip to Tailem Bend marks a return to the scene of his best finish from the 2022 season of which he went on to finish in third.

“Feels good to be getting back into it after a little break,” said Shields.

“It’s a place that I’ve done a few laps at over the last couple of years, and I’m reasonably confident heading back there. I spent a couple of days in a kart to get ready, I feel my preparation to get back racing has been strong. We’ll need to shake out any ruse and get on with it pretty quickly.

“The car normally feels pretty nervous around there, it’s hard to gain time and you’ve got to take risks, and I really like that aspect. I’m not thinking too much about the championship, I just need to go out and put in the best results I can,” concluded Shields.

Round five of the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge season resumes at The Bend Motorsport Park from October 13-15, beginning with practice and qualifying on Friday.