THE FIRST ROUND of the 2010 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia Series presented by Mission Foods did not end well for Matt Kingsley.

The defending champion ended the race at Bathurst in February this year with a bent car and zero points, after a substantial start-line crash with Sven Burchartz.

Four rounds later, things are very different after the Gold Coaster took his Action Tyres and More 996 GT3 Cup Car to its third consecutive round – and ninth consecutive race – win at Morgan Park Raceway in Queensland.

Kingsley was at his dominant best at the weekend as he took pole position and won each of the three races, with Roger Lago finishing second overall and winning the 997 class.

Sven Burchartz consistent results secured him third overall, with Jeff Bobik fourth and Kingsley’s team mate Terry Knight 5th in a career best round result.

The results at his home track ensured Kingsley went one better than last year – where he ‘only’ won two of the three races – and extended his already substantial points lead with two rounds remaining.

“To win nine races in a row is just a dream,” Kingsley said.

“The car has been fantastic all weekend long and it’s very satisfying to be able to put these kind of results together like we have been lately.

“In a way we were lucky that the final race was shortened (to twelve laps, due to a track surface issue) because we were having a brake issue in the left hand front calliper. The brakes were overheating and I think Roger may have caught us.

“Eastern Creek is going to be a challenge,” he added.

“Shaun Juniper was fantastic there last year in his 997 and that track suits the newer cars. It’s going to be a great fight and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Jeff Bobik and Jon Trende will be two drivers returning to Victoria perhaps thinking Morgan Park was a case of ‘what could have been’.

Bobik spent Sunday charging through the field after enduring a spin in Saturday’s first race. Starting ninth, Bobik raced to fourth in race two before engaging in a mighty battle with Sven Burchartz in the finale’, eventually passing the former champion for the final podium position with three laps to go.

Trende was electrifying on Sunday and raced his way to contention for a possible podium in the finale, but was later penalised 30 seconds for contact with another competitor in a mid-race incident.

With Trende sixth for the round, South Australian John Goodacre finished seventh thanks partly to a career best sixth place in race two – but not after a 12-lap long stoush with Terry Knight in a battle of the 996s.  

In another bonus to add to an already good weekend, Goodacre won the Xtreme industries Best Presented award for his immaculately presented green, black and white 996 GT3 Cup Car.

Brad Rankin was ninth, and was having a good weekend until being turned around and beached in turn two after contact with Jon Trende as the pair fought over position.

Tony Quinn was ninth despite withdrawing from the final race, whilst quiet achiever Paul Bolinowsky finished 10th.

Sydney driver Anthony Skinner returned to the series at the weekend and secured Class A honours, whilst Indiran Padayachee won class D.

GT3 Cup Challenge Australia Series Presented by Mission Foods category administrator Jodi Zylstra said that the series’ return to Morgan Park was worth the wait.

“We have had a great weekend, congratulations to everyone involved in the meeting for making it such a good one for our competitors,” Zylstra said.

“The new track received almost universal praise from our competitors and everything from the organisation in general to the fantastic service – and prices – in the canteens were commented on. We can’t wait to return with an even bigger field in 2011.”

Then next round of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia Series Presented by Mission Foods will be contested at Sydney’s Eastern Creek Raceway on September 11-12, with the Shannons Nationals.

Action from this weekends’ round can be seen on SBS Speedweek this Sunday afternoon from the new time of 12:30PM.