Callum Hedge takes maiden victory in Townsville

Kiwi young gun Callum Hedge’s maiden Paynter Dixon Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Championship victory highlighted Earl Bamber Motorsport’s trip up north for Round 4 in Townsville.

Hedge had a breakthrough weekend where he achieved a clean-sweep of podium finishes.

Making his debut appearance on the hybrid street-permanent Reid Park circuit, Hedge made a steady start in practice to end Friday in eighth, but qualifying proved disappointing. Callum was blocked by another competitor on his fast lap, and could only manage 11th in qualifying.

As Race 1 got underway around the Townsville Street Circuit, it wasn’t long before carnage unfolded. A “car park” at turn 2, lap 1 claimed the first eight drivers, and heads-up driving by Callum allowed him to move through to 3rd. Hedge held this podium position until the end of the race, which finished under safety car.

Drama unfolded overnight, where the top 3 were disqualified due to an automatic timing trigger from running behind the safety car. Thankfully, common sense prevailed, and this was overturned in time for Callum to line up 3rd for Race 2.

The 28 lap ‘mini enduro’ opened up Sunday’s action for Paynter Dixon Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Championship and Hedge held off more experienced drivers to take second, setting up an attack in the final.

Starting from the front row, Hedge made the best jump in the final race, but had to battle to take the lead where did so entering Turn 5. A fast charging David Wall was hot on the heels of the Porsche New Zealand rookie, however Callum was able to hold off the experienced driver on green tyres, to take his first race win in the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Championship.

A trio of podium finishes across the weekend also sealed Callum the overall round victory. This resulted in the 2nd consecutive round win for the Earl Bamber Motorsport team.

Callum now sits 7th in the 2022 Paynter Dixon Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Championship and 3rd in the Michellin Junior Driver standings.

Callum Hedge and Team Porsche New Zealand Earl Bamber Motorsport now prepares for Round 5 of the Paynter Dixon Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Championship at The Bend Motorsport Park on July 29-31.