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13 entries for the Sixth Round of the 2024 944 Challenge Championship, which marks the final round of the 2024 Victorian State Racing Championships as the series returns to Calder Park after the first venture on the rejuvenated historic race track last year.

This round of the Championship is proudly presented by Butchers Diner, and in the State series final round, only three points separate leader Chris Lewis-Williams (#37) from second placed Cameron Beller (#55) going into the round.

Beller took home the chocolates at Phillip Island three weeks ago with 2 race wins to close the gap while Chris came home in third position for the round, but Chris scored the better round results of the two last year when he wrapped up the Vic State Championship crown in 2023.

There will be plenty of eyes on these two as they tussle for the top spot!

Not to be forgotten about in third position is Adam Brewer (#3) with Brewer only 20 points behind Lewis-Williams in the State Championship - and with 100 points on offer this weekend! - it would only take the front two to have a slight issue to catapult Brewer right into the title hunt at Calder Park.

Also in a similar position, albeit further back in the pointscore and thus requiring more to go his way to make an impact is Mark Verdino (#44).

Verdino sits a further 24 points behind Brewer, and while coming from fourth to first in the final round might seem unlikely, it is most certainly possible – and a top three finish is certainly something that could easily happen – especially given that Verdino took the Round win and his first race win at Calder Park last year.

Technically still in contention for the State Championship in fifth position is Jamie Westaway# (28).

Jamie would have been still in the mix, and would have moved up to fourth had he not lost all clutch pressure on the final lap of the final race at Phillip Island, whilst leading.

He now sits 82 points behind Beller and would need bad luck to fall the way of all of the top four to be able to overcome the deficit. Having missed this race last year, Jamie will be using Friday to get himself familiar with the Calder Park circuit before Saturday action starts.

In sixth position in the State Championship Points is Mark Taubitz (#71).

Taubitz was happy with the handling of his new car at the fast PI circuit but still lamenting the lack of performance from the drivetrain and exposed a couple of shortfalls with the new car that hurt his results on the Sunday races at Phillip Island. With those exposed issues now rectified, Taubitz will hope for a good weekend and some strong results at Calder Park as he looks to retain his top five in the 944 Challenge Championship ahead of Westaway.

Returning to the circuit after having to withdraw from Phillip Island due to contacting COVID during race week is veteran Dick Howe (#8) unfortunately Dick was entered, but unable to make the trip - but he is now well and truly recovered and we look forward to seeing him return to the venue he has competed at many times, albeit on the banked Thunderdome!

Currently sitting in 14th position in the State Championship in his rookie season is Nick Carpenter behind the wheel of the #14 machine, Nicks expected debut at Phillip Island unfortunately didn't go the way he was hoping after encountering fuel pump issues during on Saturday qualifying meaning he did not get to turn a lap in anger during the races. Nick will be hoping he has sorted those issues this weekend at Calder, and he has the opportunity to leapfrog up to 8th position in the State Championship if he can have a strong outing!

Having one of his most enjoyable weekends for some time was John Vainoras (#32), beaming after having a weekend long tussle with Jack Atley where the two were able to share the triumphs over each other on Sundays races. John also has the opportunity to move up into the top ten of the State Championship points this weekend if he can string together a good trio of results!

Setting up for his first outing at Calder Park with his 944 is Peter Grant behind the wheel of the #84 car.

A strong weekend at Phillip Island for Peter sees him close behind Carpenter in the 944 Championship points, an important factor when looking at the Rookie of the Year standings for this year!

A welcome sight on the grid for the first time this year was the Yellow & Black #7 machine of Carter Fox, although Carter has been at a couple of events behind the wheel of the Andrew Jackman car.

The cars return wasn't without drama however, Carter incurring a damaged windscreen after hitting some debris which smashed the wiper onto the screen, and a scare with a gear selection on Sundays race before a strong showing in the final race.

Carter showed some good speed and will hope to match that with consistency to chalk up a good outing this weekend at Calder Park.

Back behind the wheel of his faithful car #20 will be Andrew Jackman, having had his first race meeting since his Bathurst 6 Hour class win at Easter.

Jackman was quick in the wet conditions on Saturday, but a couple of spins at MG corner hurt his results. He returned strong on Sunday, dicing with Tony Westaway and Taubitz before having a lose at Honda corner which dropped him down. His car was again quick at Calder last year in the hands of Taubitz, and Jackman will be looking to continue to show that strong speed on his first race meet at the Melbourne circuit.

Also returning to the series after an even longer hiatus was Jack Atley – exchanging the microphone for the steering wheel, Jack was behind the wheel of the Pit Lane Clothing #35 944 again this weekend after he acclimatized himself at Phillip Island. A spin and resultant DNF after getting bogged in the wet grass and mud ended his Saturday early, but Jack had a ball dicing with Vainoras for the minors on Sunday, and will have his eyes set on some top ten finishes this weekend.

Unfortunately we will be missing the Westaway brothers, Tony & Michael this weekend but both will be back for the final round at Island Magic, as will Josh Brisbane and Toni Andreevski, as well as the returns of Andrew Goldman with a fresh engine after his dramas at The Bend, and the expected return of Keith Marriner fresh from his commentary duties at Phillip Island last time out!

If you like what you see on the circuit and want to get on board with the Porsche 944 Challenge series, the series is enjoying a resurgence with a couple of cars available for purchase and others returning to competition, along with some freshly built cars being finalised with some of those for lease, or sale.

Get in touch with the guys in the series if you would like to get on track and join in the action.