David Russell and TekworkX Motorsport have put together a comprehensive weekend to take out overall victory in round two of the 2024 Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Championship at Taupo Motorsport Park in New Zealand.

Qualifying was the first look at wet conditions in 2024, and Russell was quick to adapt as he set the fastest time early on in the session. The track dried and times subsequently improved across the 30-minute session, which left Russell to set a late flyer to reclaim the top spot and take his first Pole Position with TekworkX.

Conditions for race one were significantly worse, with the race starting behind the Safety Car. After a few laps, Russell was released and led the field to green flag racing as the pioneer in the challenging weather. Despite the pressure of setting the pace up front, Russell remained unfazed as he led every lap to take his first win of the season.

The second race of the weekend, the 45-minute Endurance Cup race, took place on slick tyres. The track was not completely dry at race start however, with the field sliding through the opening laps.

With the grid for race two set by the second-fastest laps in qualifying, Russell started from fourth place. It took just three green flag laps for the Hire A Hubby Porsche to hit the front once again, from which Russell cruised to a second consecutive race victory.

Race three finally brought completely dry conditions for the field, with Russell starting from pole position. After getting pipped on the run to turn one, Russell consolidated his position in second place, with an eye to the round and overall points scores, and secured another podium finish.

The results gave Russell his first ever round victory in Carrera Cup, in his 60^th attempt, while TekworkX took their second (Max Vidau, AGP 2022). Russell has also leapfrogged a number of drivers to claim second in the Pro Class standings, just 10 points off the series lead.

Round three takes place in Darwin from June 14-16, as part of the betr Darwin Triple Crown.

Quotes:
“If you told me going to a track I’ve never been to before that we’d come away with pole and the round win, I wouldn’t have believed you to be honest,” said Russell.

“To be able to learn the track and put together a weekend like that was awesome. The changeable conditions helped us, especially with my experience in wet weather conditions, to get pole and put us in good stead for the weekend. We had samples of a full wet track, an intermediate track and full dry so we’ve had Taupo in all conditions.

“It’s awesome, to get that round win, it’s been a long time coming. I’ve had top three Championship positions without winning a round which is a bit crazy. To be able to get that one and get that in the stats is pretty good, hopefully we can roll on and get a few more now.

“For me it was the tyre management, warming the tyres and the brakes, know where the track has got grip and sample that in the rollout laps, and try to be strong in those areas. In that second race to get a good start and then get in front and control the race was a good thing, and great for the championship points as well.

“Darwin next, it hasn’t been to kind for me in the past couple years, but a new team and a new environment this year, we will make a plan and try to execute it like this round,” concluded Russell.