Qualifying the Focus for O’Keeffe at The Bend

Dylan O’Keeffe has identified qualifying as an area of priority for this weekend’s fourth round of the Porsche Equity-One Carrera Cup Australia at The Bend AirTouch 500.

After a couple of rounds where O’Keeffe achieved qualifying results uncharacteristically towards the back of the top 10, he and the RAM Motorsport/GWR Australia squad headed to the South Australian venue last week to try and unlock some one-lap speed from the Dexion Porsche, also taking the opportunity to learn the 3.41km West Circuit that will host this weekend’s race meeting.

“The West Circuit is good – overall, not quite as technical as the longer International Circuit we’ve raced on in the past, but it will keep the cars closer together and there are some good overtaking spots,” O’Keeffe said.

“Our plan was to do some qualifying simulation runs, but both times we bolted a set of greens on, there were red flags! However, I think our one-lap speed will be decent, because the track surface has suited us in the past.”

This weekend’s event will use the same format as the last two rounds, with a pair of 45-minute races. Each driver’s fastest time in qualifying will set the grid for Race 1, while second-fastest times will set the Race 2 order; this makes it imperative for drivers to set a couple of fast laps.

All this weekend’s sessions will be shown live on Kayo Sports.

Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Round 4 Schedule

All times are Australian Eastern Standard Time – South Australian times are 30 minutes behind.

Friday, 11 September

11:15am – Practice 1 (25 min)

3:30pm – Practice 2 (25 min)

Saturday, 12 September

11:45am – Qualifying (30 min)

4:00pm – Race 1 (45 min)

Sunday, 13 September

12:45pm – Race 2 (45 min)