Shields returns for title tilt amidst three-car DNA Sprint Challenge debut
A RUNNER-UP finish in last year’s series has Aron Shields fired up for a tilt at this year’s Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia title – and he’s doing it in a new team and with a hot new livery and sponsor.
Shields, a Porsche Michelin Junior, joins forces with Sydney-based DNA Autosport this year as part of a three-car team locked in to contest the ultra-competitive one-make Porsche championship which this week commences its 18th season.
The new year launches at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit this weekend, a track where Shields was a race winner in 2023.
He’ll be joined at the squad by teammates, Jacque Jarjo – who will race the #5 Jacque Fine Jewellery entry in Class B, and Andrew Georgiadis, who enters the Pro-Am class in his Bondi Carpets 991.2 GT3 Cup Car.
Shields, meanwhile, will shoot for outright honours with the new backing of Astrontech, Paragon Group Services and Jacque fine Jewellery aboard his Orange GT3 Cup Car.
The young Sydneysider scored several wins across the 2023 season on his way to second in the standings behind only Marco Giltrap, who has stepped into Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia this season.
The team has shown off their new colours for the season with all three cars unlikely to be missed amidst a strong Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia grid this year.
The opening round will be held alongside the Shannons SpeedSeries ‘Race Phillip Island’ this weekend at the iconic Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in the state’s South.
Sprint Challenge will race three times across the weekend with live broadcast coverage on the screens of the Seven network this weekend.
ARON SHIELDS:
“I’m super excited to come back to Sprint Challenge again this season! This year, I will be joining up with DNA Autosport, a Sydney-based team new to Porsche racing that have put together an exciting and competitive program.
“Although it will be my first time with DNA running the car, I’ve previously worked with team owner/race engineer, Andre Nader. We have already shared success together with a pole and multiple race wins last year and will be looking to add to that tally as the season progresses.
“Obviously, I’m very aware of how competitive this series is and have been working extremely hard in the offseason to improve my level.
“I’m very honoured to welcome Astrontech, Paragon Group Services and Jacque Fine Jewellery as new partners and to have Kyles Hire Services and Bondi Carpets back onboard this racing season.
The car looks incredible thanks to Ben Mackenzie from BPM livery & design and won’t be missed out on track. Looking forward to representing all my partners this Season and going for the championship win that I just missed out on last year.”
JACQUE JARJO:
“I’ve been a Porsche enthusiast for a number of years and after being a regular at track days I’m looking forward to a new challenge. I hope to be competitive throughout the series, even at the tracks I haven’t been to, but most importantly I want to have an enjoyable year in the car.
“The Team at DNA have really helped me progress in my driving and have enjoyed actually being part of a team. We’ve all become good mates with similar interests and looking forward to race with likeminded people. It’s great to race at the level created by Porsche Motorsport Australia. The team at Porsche have created a very professional series that is well organised.”
ANDREW GEORGIADIS:
“After a lot of peer pressure from my buddy Jacque, I figured it’s time to join Sprint Challenge. There was an opportunity to join a growing team and figured there was no better time.
“I want to have the most fun of anyone in the whole field. I really enjoy the camaraderie at Team DNA and the opportunity to race at various tracks throughout the year.”
ANDRE NADER – Team owner
“This year, DNA Autosport is honoured to enter Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge with 2 Pro-Am contenders and 1 Pro class contender.
“This is a great opportunity for our team to step up and race at the national level, giving our staff access to another facet of the great racing that is available in Australia.
“The Porsche categories are so well put together and the teams that commonly enter them are veterans of the sport. Both I, and the dedicated team behind me look forward to the challenge ahead.”