Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge

Sandown International Raceway

We had done a test day at Sandown the week before. Despite running on a wet track all day, it was valuable for our two rookies Kent and Tim, plus Lockie and John. Unfortunately, Kamal and Daniel were planning to test as well but a transportation incident left them sitting on the sidelines.

In any case we were looking forward to the final Michelin Sprint Challenge round of 2025 and the opportunity to chase more trophies.

McElrea Racing drivers at Sandown International Raceway 2025
Daniel Quimby

Daniel Quimby #24

B Class
Race Engineer
Craig Russell
#1 Mechanic
Mark Shafto
QUAL
P1
R1
1
R2
1
R3
DNF
Rnd
1st

Being competitive against the faster Gen-2 cars was more of a challenge than normal, due to the drag strip nature of the Sandown circuit. Despite that disadvantage, it was another outstanding weekend for Daniel taking 2 B Class wins but more importantly, taking an exceptional 4th outright in race 2 against the A Class cars.

Daniel Quimby #24 racing at Sandown International Raceway 2025
Daniel Quimby #24 racing at Sandown International Raceway 2025
Daniel Quimby #24 racing at Sandown International Raceway 2025
Kamal Mrad

Kamal Mrad #7

Pro
Race Engineer
Craig Russell
#1 Mechanic
Rob Clark
QUAL
P5
R1
13
R2
2
R3
2
Rnd
3rd

Kamal had an impressive qualifying session but was unceremoniously punted off at turn in race 1. In race 2 he did an amazing job to charge through the field from grid 23 to take 4th which was later elevated to 2nd after penalties for others. He help off a forceful charge from Lockie to hold 2nd in race three and take another podium for the team.

Kamal Mrad #7 racing at Sandown International Raceway 2025
Kamal Mrad #7 racing at Sandown International Raceway 2025
Kamal Mrad #7 racing at Sandown International Raceway 2025
Lockie Bloxsom

Lockie Bloxsom #23

Pro
Race Engineer
Leigh Geyer
#1 Mechanic
Tim McCumstie
QUAL
P4
R1
6
R2
4
R3
3
Rnd
3rd

Ater qualifying 4th Lockie had had contact at turn 1 bending his steering so he had to nurse a sub-optimal car home in race 1. In race 2 he started 5th and was in the middle of a frantic top-6 battle for position eventually forcing his way through to 4th. He tried everything he could in race 3 to pass Kamal but had to settle for 3rd equal, losing the podium on count back.

Lockie Bloxsom #23 racing at Sandown International Raceway 2025
Lockie Bloxsom #23 racing at Sandown International Raceway 2025
Lockie Bloxsom #23 racing at Sandown International Raceway 2025
Tim Farrell

Tim Farrell #51

Pro-Am
Race Engineer
Louis Kapitsas
#1 Mechanic
Jeremy Mattea
QUAL
P5
R1
7
R2
7
R3
5
Rnd
5th

Tim did a great job to qual 5th in his first time at Sandown. After a quick spin in race 1 he recovered to 7th. Tim was having a great race until a slight misjudgement clipped the back of another car and accidentally turning him around. He was issued a drive through penalty. In race 3 he did a great job to get back to 5th in Pro Am giving him 5th also, for the round.

Tim Farrell #51 racing at Sandown International Raceway 2025
Tim Farrell #51 racing at Sandown International Raceway 2025
Tim Farrell #51 racing at Sandown International Raceway 2025
Eric Constantinidis

Eric Constantinidis #11

Pro-Am
Race Engineer
Hayden Morris
#1 Mechanic
Dan Ensor
QUAL
P4
R1
4
R2
9
R3
8
Rnd
7th

Eric qualified a solid 4th and had a great first race with Moylan but needed one more lap to get to 3rd. In race 2 Eric was doing a great job running third in Pro Am until he locked his rear tyres into turn 1 and got himself beached. He was rescued and continued to the finish. He progressed one place in race 3.

Eric Constantinidis #11 racing at Sandown International Raceway 2025
Eric Constantinidis #11 racing at Sandown International Raceway 2025
Eric Constantinidis #11 racing at Sandown International Raceway 2025
John Papantoniou

John Papantoniou #96

Pro-Am
Race Engineer
Leigh Geyer
#1 Mechanic
Riley Conroy
QUAL
P8
R1
9
R2
5
R3
9
Rnd
8th

John qualified 9th and was having a good run in race 1 until a spin dropped him to 9th. John had a great battle in the Pro Am mis pack until making slight contact with another car leading to a quick spin. He did a great job to recover to 5th.

John Papantoniou #96 racing at Sandown International Raceway 2025
John Papantoniou #96 racing at Sandown International Raceway 2025
John Papantoniou #96 racing at Sandown International Raceway 2025
Kent Leicester

Kent Leicester #14

Pro-Am
Race Engineer
Hayden Morris
#1 Mechanic
Stuart Martin
QUAL
P10
R1
8
R2
DNF
R3
DNS
Rnd
10th

Kent qualified 10th and has a great first race, making two places. In race 2 Kent got a cracking start and was in position to capitalise on a the melee at turn 1 when he got run onto the grass, spinning his car and then he was collected by a back marker damaging the rear chassis rails.

Kent Leicester #14 racing at Sandown International Raceway 2025
Kent Leicester #14 racing at Sandown International Raceway 2025
Kent Leicester #14 racing at Sandown International Raceway 2025

Team Corner

McElrea Racing crew at Sandown International Raceway 2025
McElrea Racing crew at Sandown International Raceway 2025
McElrea Racing drivers and crew at Sandown International Raceway 2025
McElrea Racing crew at Sandown International Raceway 2025
McElrea Racing crew at Sandown International Raceway 2025
McElrea Racing at Sandown International Raceway 2025
McElrea Racing at Sandown International Raceway 2025

Summary

Obviously it was awesome to have Daniel and Kamal on the podium again. It was a shame for Lockie who tied with Kamal for 3rd for the round but lost a podium trophy on count back. The Pro-Am boys all had a mixed weekend, but Kent and Tim are looking forward to returning next year.

This was the last race weekend for the 2025 Sprint Challenge season. This would have never been possible without the incredible effort, energy, passion, attention to detail, late nights and amazing comradery of the awesome MR crew.

We also want to sincerely thank our drivers, their families, sponsors and supporters.

McElrea Racing crew at Sandown International Raceway 2025