THE 2023 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia Series will launch into life at the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit this weekend, a 24-strong field set to be among the series’ most competitive yet.

Nine drivers will make their PMSC debut this weekend, including a remarkably strong Michelin Junior class that points to incredibly close competition at the top of the field.

Meanwhile, two defending class champions return in an effort to defend their respective Morris Pro-Am and Class B victories last year.

The 9 Porsche rookies include a host of second – or third – generation drivers all making the next step in their racing careers.

As well as Ronan Murphy, the son of four-time Bathurst champion Greg, Sonic Motor Racing will have the services of teenager Marcos Flack this year. Flack is the son of noted Carrera Cup racer Damien and returns to Australia after tackling open-wheel racing overseas.

Team Porsche New Zealand’s two-car attack includes Zac Stitchbury, is the son of Kiwi racing great, the late Ashley, while Marco Giltrap is the grandson of legendary New Zealand motoring and motorsport figure, Sir Richard Giltrap.

Caspar Tresidder is the son of well-known Sydney Porsche racer Paul, who has raced Carrera Cup Australia and Asia extensively, and makes his national racing debut this weekend.

2023 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia, Round 1 Preview: Hamish Fitzsimmons

Also joining the field are Perth teenager Caleb Sumich, who graduates from Radical Cup competition with McElrea Racing, Wall Racing’s Brayden Taylor – who will race David Wall’s 2017 Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia title-winning car - Tim Wolfe and Hamish Fitzsimmons.

In the Pro class, returning drivers Harrison Goodman (Sonic), Lachlan Bloxsom and Tom McLennan (McElrea) and Tom Taplin will hope to use their Porsche experience to get an early advantage over the fleet of newcomers.

In Morris Pro-Am, Queenslander Brett Boulton returns to defend his hard-won 2022 title having finally make the breakthrough last season.

Boulton, who had twice finished runner-up in the Sprint Challenge ‘race within a race’, claimed the title last year over Sam Shahin – who also returns this year.

Andrew Goldie and David Grieg continue their ongoing battle, while Richard Cowen, Jonathan Glicksten, Matt Slavin, and Travis Knipe all add to the Pro-Am battle.

2023 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia, Round 1 Preview: Caspar Tresidder

In Class B, Lachlan Harburg returns to commence the defence of his own class title from 2022 this weekend, however will again face strong competition in the category for the generation-1 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car, including newcomer Brayden Taylor and the experienced Phil Morriss.

The addition of nine further names to Porsche one-make competition this weekend takes to 26 the number of debutants in the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge in the last seven rounds.

This weekend marks the 15th time that the series, a key part of the Porsche Pyramid, will have visited the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit and the second time in as many rounds – the famous Victorian circuit having hosted the 2022 season finale’ last November.

There, Thomas Sargent claimed the title while Ryan Wood won both races and the round for Team Porsche NZ / EBM.

Sargent will tackle Porsche Carrera Cup North America this year, while Wood progresses to the Super2 series.

2023 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia, Round 1 Preview: Caleb Sumich

The 24-strong Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge field will practice and qualify this Saturday at Phillip Island, with three races to be held on Sunday morning – culminating in the first Jim Richards Endurance Trophy race of the season.

Qualifying and all three races will be streamed live and free from the Island, with further details to follow.

ENTRY LIST – Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge, Round 1.

No Car # SPONSOR C/L DRIVER SURNAME STATE

1. 2 McElrea Racing (Pro-Am) Richard Cowen QLD
2. 3 Racing to Beat FA (Pro-Am) Jonathan Gliksten VIC
3. 12 Ares Group (Pro-Am) Matt Slavin VIC
4. 13 The Bend Motorsport Park (Pro-Am) Sam Shahin SA
5. 14 McElrea Rscing (Pro) Caleb Sumich WA
6. 16 TekworkX Motorsport (Pro) Hamish Fitzsimmons QLD
7. 18 Favrte Racing / Pinnacle Road & Race Works (Pro-Am) Travis Knipe VIC
8. 19 Wall Racing (Class B) Brayden Taylor NSW
9. 22 Cirrus Aircraft (Pro-Am) Andrew Goldie WA
10. 23 McElrea Racing (Pro) Lachlan Bloxsom QLD
11. 26 Taplin Group (Pro) Tom Taplin SA
12. 34 Wall Racing / Hillcrest Merimbula (Pro-Am) Caspar Tresidder NSW
13. 64 Team Porsche New Zealand / EBM (Pro) Marco Giltrap NZ
14. 66 Per Equipment Rentals (Pro-Am) Tim Wolfe
15. 72 Team Porsche New Zealand / EBM (Pro) Zac Stitchbury NZ
16. 77 Sonic / Dayle ITM (Pro) Ronan Murphy NZ
17. 78 Sonic Motor Racing / Rosche Paper / Supa Straws (Pro) Marcos Flack QLD
18. 81 McElrea Racing / McLennan Motorsports (Pro) Tom McLennan QLD
19. 84 Bold Living (Pro-Am) Brett Boulton QLD
20. 86 Morriss Racing Service (Class B) Phil Morriss VIC
21. 87 DW Motorsport (Pro-Am) David Greig VIC
22. 88 Sonic Motor Racing / Bob Jane T Marts / True Grid (Pro) Harrison Goodman VIC
23. 91 Autohouse Racing (Class B) Lachlan Harburg QLD
24. 116 TekworkX Motorsport (Pro) Aron Shields QLD