PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE Australia presented by Mission Foods series' drivers hopeful of wrestling the title away from Mathew Kingsley now have every right to now be very, very worried.

Photo: The field gets underway at Symmons Plains today.

Photo: Jeff Bobik and Sven Burchartz had a big dice for second place for most of today's 18 lap race.

That’s because Kingsley’s 2010 season is looking more and more like his title winning year in 2009, a year that saw him recover from a disastrous first round to win the title at a canter.

After scoring no points at Bathurst in February this year, the Action Tyres & More driver rebounded brilliantly today at Symmons Plains Raceway in Tasmania to score pole and a lights-to-flag win in race one of the series’ second round this year.

And all of a sudden, his title campaign is back on track – just like 2009.

“The car has been really good and for me it was a trouble free race,” Kingsley said.

“The rain came at the end and it was just a case of being careful and looking after the lead we had. After the tough start to the year at Bathurst this is a nice way to bounce back so hopefully that can continue tomorrow.”

Behind Kingsley a mighty battle was being waged for second place, with Jon Trende – who started from a career best second – fighting with Jeff ‘ballerina’ Bobik and Sven 'the Princess' Burchartz for a majority of the race.

Trende’s position was looking strong until a rain shower fell five laps from home, the added moisture catching the Sonic pilot out wide at turn two.

He later ended his race buried in the sand at the hairpin, though his pace will give him confidence to come through the field tomorrow.

“I just overestimated as to how much grip there was at turn one,” Trende said. “It’s a shame but we’ll whack some new rubber on it tomorrow and have a go!”

The race was called two laps from home due to the stranded Trende car, the abbreviated finish allowing Jeff Bobik to stave off the pressure applied from behind by Burchartz.

“I’m really glad they called it!” Bobik, who gained his nickname thanks to his Bathurst spin at turn one, grinned.

“Sven was giving me a good working over and when Trende was in front I was in a Sonic sandwich!” Naturally, Burchartz disagreed.

“I wanted the two laps – I had him in those conditions and he was getting a bit ragged so I wanted the extra laps and I think I would’ve got him! It’s good points for us, though, after the tough first round so that’s a bonus.”

There were some movers and shakers behind the leading pack. Yuey Tan flew to fourth whilst Roger Lago was a consistent fifth.

The biggest mover was Launceston driver Bill Fulton, who took his ex-Asian Carrera Cup title winning car to a strong sixth place from thirteenth on the grid and becomes a strong candidate for the Hard Charger award this weekend.

Two races, including a 40-lap finale, will complete round two of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Mission Foods series tomorrow as part of the Shannons Nationals at Symmons Plains.

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