William Exton rewarded a frenetic pre-event turnaround from TekworkX Motorsport with overall victory in the opening round of Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge.

The TekworkX squad were met with the enormous task of repairing and preparing Exton’s car within just one week in the lead-up to the season opener at Phillip Island. Due to delays from Cyclone Alfred, Exton’s car was delivered from New Zealand on the 26th of March, with the team transporter setting off from its Gold Coast base just 7 days later.

Alongside Exton’s Porsche 911 in the workshop was the sister Sprint Challenge entry for fellow Kiwi Jackson Rooney, and the team’s two GT4 entries which also competed at the same event – where Ryder Quinn and Steve Jakic scored a class podium on Saturday.

The TekworkX staff worked around the clock, notably replacing the front tub while repairing and elevating the car to the race-winning squad’s high standards, with the results speaking for themselves on the racetrack.

Exton stormed his way to pole position and a pair of commanding victories in the first two races of the weekend. A sixth-place result in the 45-minute Endurance Cup race helped secure the overall round victory and series lead for the 20-year-old.

After a last-minute deal to join the grid, Rooney quickly made up for lost time as he progressed over the weekend to record a top five finish in Race 2.

In Monochrome GT4 Australia, Zoe Woods and Nash Morris combined for a pair of second-row starts in their Ceilings by Design Porsche Cayman GT4 RS. The 4th place effort marked a new personal best qualifying result for Woods.

The pairing looked comfortable amongst the leading pack all weekend, notching a fourth-place result in Race 1 and fifth in Race 2.

In the Black Diamond Constructions entry, Quinn and Jakic came through the field from 13th on the grid to earn third in Silver-Am class in the season’s opening race. The BMW duo were on course to repeat their efforts before late trouble in Race 2.

Round two for both Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge and Monochrome GT4 Australia takes place from May 2-4 at Sydney Motorsport Park.

Quotes:
Rob Woods – Team Owner, TekworkX Motorsport
“It cannot be understated the huge task the team have been able to undertake, leading into the round. Apart from getting two GT4’s ready for the weekend after testing at Phillip Island only a week prior, we also had to get Jackson Rooney’s Porsche ready with his late inclusion into the team.

“To get the results of pole position, two race wins and the round win really sets the start of the season off well for Willie and TekworkX in Porsche Sprint Challenge.

“By far the biggest task the team in the workshop faced was with Willie’s car being shipped over from NZ, it got held up due to the cyclone in South East Queensland and also customs clearance, so the car only arrived on Wednesday 26th March.

“Once the crew in the workshop stripped the car down and put it on the hoist, we found some underlying issues, one being the front tub was damaged and required replacing. It was a scramble and some long days put in by the team in the workshop, but there was never any doubt the car was going to be ready with the dedication of our TekworkX mechanics who just put their heads down and got into it.

“I really want to thank Tim, Pat, Caity, Josh & Ben for the tireless week and making sure all the TekworkX drivers had the best cars possible, ready for round one.

“It also makes Rachelle and I as team owners very proud of the team we have and the drivers. Steve and Ryder getting a podium in race one in Silver-Am in GT4, Zoe and Nash finishing outright fourth and fifth in both races after outstanding qualifying by both of them and being in the top 5 of the championship after round one. Plus Jackson after joining the team so late and having never driven at Phillip Island or a Porsche Cup car, to improve like he did all weekend.

Willie Exton – Tractor Repairs & Spares / TekworkX #42
“From practice one the car was amazing, the team did so much work to get the car up to their high standard and it obviously paid off being on the pace from the first session. I’m so happy to start the season off strong and I believe we will only get stronger as the season goes on!!

“It was super tight and tough racing, I really enjoyed being in a one-make series again. I’ve always dreamed of doing this series one day and its finally coming true which is super exciting!!!