CLAY OSBORNE drove the race of his life, but the results will show Oscar Targett as the winner of the first Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia race at Sydney Motorsport Park this weekend. 

In sultry and increasingly wet conditions, Osborne raced his way into the lead in Friday night’s sprint race that kicked off the final round of the 2024 Sprint Challenge season – however a five second penalty applied post race for a start line infringement handed the win to Targett.

Ramu Farrell claimed the Pro-Am class victory in style over Lachy Harburg – who provisionally claimed the Pro-Am title in the process – while newcomer Daniel Quimby took out the Class B win and finished an outstanding 10th outright on his Porsche debut.

The 25-minute race started with heavy skies over Sydney Motorsport Park with rain expected at some point throughout the race.

Starting from pole, Targett led the field into turn one however as the rain began to fall, Osborne began making moves and gradually worked his way to the rear of the championship leader out front.

Fourth at the end of lap one, Osborne passed Brock Gilchrist for third on lap five and Ryan Suhle for second one lap later.

He then got down the inside of Targett at turn four on the ninth lap to take the lead, however Targett remained in close company for the remainder to ensure he secured the win.

The race proved a show of skill from the 24-strong Porsche field, running the full distance without interruption despite the conditions being extremely wet by race’s end and a vast majority of the field remaining on slicks.

With penalties applied, Targett claimed the win over Gilchrist, who keeps his title hopes alive by only ceding a further 6 points to his year-long rival heading into tomorrow’s two races.

Provisionally the gap now sits at 98 points, with 120 up for grabs on Sunday.

Suhle finished third and Osborne fourth, narrowly ahead of Jake Santalucia in fifth position. Ayrton Hodson was another to cop a five second penalty but retained sixth position, while Conor Somers was a star – charging through the field following a 10 grid position penalty post-qualifying.

Aron Shields, Tyler Greenbury and Class B winner Daniel Quimby rounded out the top-10, the latter doing so on his debut race.

Ramu Farrell won Pro-Am while Lachy Harburg’s second in class was enough to ensure he can no longer be beaten for the class title tomorrow.

Harburg’s success doubles up on his Class B title, claimed two years ago.

Farrell and Harburg battled for the lead in the class all race with the pair drag-racing to the line; Harburg narrowly missing his first race win of the year by 0.05 seconds. 

Tomorrow will see the overall Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia series title decided across two races. 

The Jim Richards Enduro trophy will be settled first before the final race of the season on Saturday afternoon at Sydney Motorsport Park – the 2:10pm AEDT encounter to be broadcast live on 7mate and 7 Plus Sport.