McLaughlin eyeing more Porsche success (includes video)

Last year, Grove and McLaughlin won Carrera Cup’s Pro-Am mini-endurance race at The Island – and the McLaughlin says pair are aiming to back-to-back this weekend.

“It’s hard, because it’s his car,” said the Volvo V8 Supercars driver.

“Every time I get out in the car, I always try and be the fastest. And that won’t change no matter what I do. But it’s very important for me to bring home the car straight, because I’m also racing for this guy’s championship as well.

“We had a great round here last year, we won here last year, and got out of this result a championship lead, and he didn’t get beaten after that. Hopefully we can do the same this year.”

McLaughlin isn’t the only V8 driver that will be in action in the 44-car Carrera Cup field this weekend, with Walkinshaw Racing driver Tim Slade joining Adrian Mastronadro, and LD Motorsport’s Nick Percat teaming up with Shane Smollen.

V8 aces also join GT field

Phillip Island will also play host to a GT mini-enduro this weekend, with Holden Racing Team driver Garth Tander looking to defend his Phillip Island 101 crown alongside Anthony Quinn in Quinn’s McLaren 650S.

Nissan Motorsport’s James Moffat will race a Ford GT with Kevin Weeks, while Super Black Racing driver Andre Heimgartner will make his Australia GT debut in a Porsche alongside Simon Ellinghham.