Jones primed to take racing to new level
While it’s his maiden season, Harri Jones is optimistic of not just mixing it with the best in the Porsche Carrera Cup but snaring podium glory too.
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MOTORSPORT: While it’s his maiden season, Harri Jones is optimistic of not just mixing it with the best in the Porsche Carrera Cup but snaring podium glory too.
The 20-year-old Buderim racer enjoyed a stellar season last year, taking out Porsche’s second-tier GT3 Cup Challenge and will step up into the Carrera Cup this year.
He’s raring to go, unveiling his striking, new-look HeliMods Porsche GT3 yesterday ahead of the season-opening Adelaide Superloop 500 this weekend.
“I can’t wait, it’s going to be awesome,” Jones said.
“I raced at the Gold Coast last year in Carerra Cup and that was a one-off thing but to be joining the series full time this year is pretty exciting”
While Jones has never raced at the South Australian track, he’d put in plenty of work to ensure he was ready.
“I’ve been doing heaps of time in the simulator to get familiar with it all and then just watching heaps of videos from last year’s race with on-board videos as well,” he said.
“It’s (track) pretty tricky, there’s a really famous corner called Turn 8 and if you can make it through that you can make it through any corner in any track in the world.
“It’s pretty daunting, but hopefully we can get through it all and come out in one piece.”
Jones was hopeful he’d be quick to find his feet in the category and was even eyeing up some podium success in the eight-round series.
“This year is a learning year for us and there’s obviously a lot of tracks we haven’t driven yet but by the end of the year if we’re not winning races I’d be pretty disappointed,” Jones said.
He was wary of a highly skilled field, but still remained optimistic he could match it with the best.
“It’s pretty huge (step up), there’s 15 pros on the grid this year and their experience is pretty up there,” he said.
“You’re looking at guys like Dale Wood who is a Supercars driver and a lot of guys who will be racing in enduros this year.
“So, it’ll be a tough competition but no doubt we can work hard and get the job done.”
It won’t just be a step up in competition but speed too.
“We’re racing the new generation of car this year,” he said.
“The difference between last year’s car is basically 25 extra horsepower, a bit more torque and a bit more front downforce. You’re looking at half a second a lap quicker.”
Looking further ahead, Jones was eager to continue his climb in the sport and one day race in Europe.
His ultimate dream was to race in the World Endurance Championship at events including the Le Mans 24hr.
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