Steve McLaughlan has wrapped up the 2017 CAMS Australian GT Trophy Series presented by Pirelli, the second time he’s won the title.
McLaughlan entered the final round of the season at Wakefield Park holding a slender margin over fellow Audi driver Rod Salmon, the Valvoline Jamec Pem Racing driver eventually taking the crown by 189-points.
“We’ve got to be happy with that,” said McLaughlan after the final race at Wakefield Park.
“When you’re racing against exactly the same car, it presents a level playing field.
“As we’ve seen with the Lamborghini, it’s strong at some tracks and the Audi’s strong on others.
“I couldn’t be happier.”
McLaughlan won the Trophy Class title in 2013, when it was run within the CAMS Australian GT Championship.
His efforts throughout 2017 saw the Audi driver claim six race wins, equalling the record set by Greg Taylor in 2016.
McLaughlan headed the title fight from the opening round of the year, holding that advantage courtesy of a near-perfect weekend at Winton where he scored 218 of the 220-points on offer.
Two more solid points rounds followed at Queensland Raceway and Phillip Island leaving the Valvoline Jamec Pem Racing driver in control of the points race heading to Wakefield Park.
In Challenge Modern, Mark Griffith sealed the title in his Griffith Corporation Ferrari F430 after a tense battle on the final day of competition.
Joining the class mid-season, Griffith proved a dominant force to score maximum points at Phillip Island before encountering stiff competition from John Nikolovski and Jamie Arratoon at Wakefield Park.
All three remained in contention heading into the final race of the year, with Griffith hanging on to record a second place which ensured him the title.
A former Trophy Class winner at the wheel of a Ginetta, it’s Griffith’s second Australian GT title.
The Wakefield Park round draws the 2017 Australian GT season to a close, with the title winners set to be acknowledged at the end of year awards night in Melbourne later this month.
Trophy Class Points Score
Steve McLaughlan 893
Rod Salmon 704
Richard Gartner 641
Wayne Mack 514
Rick Mensa 422
Jan Jinadasa 388
Rob Smith 377
Travers Beynon 327
Rio Nugara 318
Con Whitlock 214
Challenge Class Points Score
Mark Griffith 532
John Nikolovski 482
Jamie Arratoon 430
Scott Hookey 367
Andrew Clarke 182
Ant Basile 127
Todd O’Brien 127
Garry Mennell 44
Kean Booker 44
Media Manager
Mat Coch
