Winning ways

Long recognised as one of the most talented group of performance motoring instructors, members of the Audi Driving Experience instructor team have again stamped their authority on a range of Australian motorsport classes in 2018.

With the season now wrapping up for another year, the ADE instructors showed just why they are considered amongst the best in the business.

In the Dunlop Super2 Series, Chris Pither wrapped up the championship at the Newcastle 500. Driving for Garry Rogers Motorsport, Pither set pole position on the Newcastle street circuit and was well out in front when the race was flagged after 10 of the 20 laps and not restarted.

The Super2 title is the Kiwi’s fifth championship win, having previously won the New Zealand HQ Holden Series in 2003 and 2004, the NZ V8 Utes in 2010 and the Australian V8 Utes in 2011.

In the Touring Car Masters, Steven Johnson likewise wrapped up the season in Newcastle, making it back-to-back Touring Car Masters titles for the Queenslander. He finished the season nearly 60 points ahead of his closest rival, John Bowe.

One of the newer members of the ADE team, Tim Brook, also had cause to celebrate at the end of the Australian motorsport season, wrapping up the Toyota 86 series with three strong races in Newcastle. Brook had been a contender in 2017 before an accident towards the end of the season ended his chances for 2017.

Last year’s Bathurst 1000 winner, Luke Youlden came frustratingly close to making it back-to-back victories in 2018, but through a cruel twist of fate that wasn’t to be. Nevertheless, at the final round of the Toyota 86 season, Youlden was offered a guest drive in the growing series, and produced the best result ever recorded by a Supercar driver, putting his car second in qualifying and coming second in each of the three races over the weekend.

Other ADE instructors were also in the thick of competition throughout the year, with Dean Canto behind the wheel of GT cars and Supercars again this year. While Daniel Gaunt spent plenty of time behind the wheel of Audi R8 LMS cars, including the Bathurst 12 hour, the NSW Production Car Championship and in the Australian Endurance Championship, securing the runner-up position in that championship. 

Congratulations to all of the Audi Driving Experience instructors for their outstanding achievements again in 2018.