Turning up the Heat at The Bend

Ruairi returned to the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge at the Shell V-Power Motorsport Park in South Australia for Round 2, and delivered a weekend that underlined his progression through the field.

Qualifying in P10 from 23 cars, Ruairi set about improving on that position across three races. A wet Race 1 saw him charge to P5 before an incident pushed him wide in the closing stages, ultimately finishing P8. Race 2 in dry conditions told a more complete story executing clean, measured overtakes to climb to P6 with his data revealing lap times competitive with the race leaders. Sunday's 45-minute Enduro mirrored that pace, with Ruairi running strongly inside the lead group until avoidance of an incident ahead cost him two positions, leaving him P8 at the flag.

The results don't fully capture the performance. Three consistent, high-pace outings, strong overtaking throughout, and the composure to race in wet conditions for the first time in the GT3, the upwards trajectory in his competitive driving is unmistakable.

Ruairi jumps up to sit 8th overall in the championship and 4th in the Jim Richards Enduro Trophy heading into Round 3.

"My pace is right there with the leaders," said Ruairi. "A couple of incidents didn't go my way, but the speed and the confidence are both growing. I can't wait for Round 3."