Carrera Cup - Young Guns join forces for 2003

Young Guns combine forces for Carrera Cup.
Dutton and Coleman join resources for 2003 season

In a bid to move up the Carrera Cup Australia field, two of its young guns have linked forces for the 2003 racing season.

Victorian drivers Matt Coleman and James Dutton have formed 'Dutton Coleman Racing' and will work together as a two-car operation in this year's inaugural nine-round championship, which begins at Phillip Island on April 11-13.

"Two heads working towards one goal makes it easier," says Coleman, the 2002 Porsche Cup Champion. "And the running costs come down because you're transporting two cars together rather than separately. You can share equipment, and both of us are working together at chasing sponsorship."

Both of the team's Porsche GT3 Cup race cars will be based at Dutton's showroom in Church Street, Richmond in Melbourne, and will be on display to the public when not racing at speeds approaching 280 km/h on the racetrack in the highly-competitive Carrera Cup.

"It's a great promotion for not just our team but the series as well," said Dutton, who has had his car repaired in time for Phillip Island after a multi-car accident damaged it at Albert Park.

Dutton said that his car had been repaired well and he is aiming for a Top 10 result at Phillip Island's opening round, which features three 20-minute races.

"For Phillip Island I'll be sniffing around the top 10 bracket," he added. "I'm not going to aim too high too early, getting some finishes is more the priority."

Coleman, meanwhile, is confident of moving up the order after a recent test at Winton.

"I'm expecting a good result. We threw ourselves in the deep end at the Grand Prix without testing but I think come Phillip Island there'll be a change of scenery at the front end. I'd expect to be a lot closer to the front."

-www.cupcar.com.au