The inaugural Famous Fitzy Cup proved to be one of the standout attractions of the Winton Festival of Speed, July 24 to 26, delivering a spectacular tribute to one of Australia’s most influential Porsche racing figures, Peter Fitzgerald, while showcasing an extraordinary collection of Stuttgart’s finest competition machinery.
Over three days, Winton Motor Raceway became a living museum of Porsche motorsport history, with enthusiasts treated to an unforgettable display of race cars spanning multiple generations of the marque’s rich competition heritage.
From rare global GT icons to championship-winning Australian legends, the Famous Fitzy Cup brought together a field rarely seen assembled in one place.
The paddock and circuit came alive with the unmistakable sights and sounds of Porsche racing pedigree. Internationally significant machines such as the mighty 993 GT2 and the revered 996 RSR transported fans straight to the atmosphere of Le Mans and global endurance racing, while several cars with deep Australian motorsport roots reminded spectators of the marque’s remarkable local success story.
Among the crowd favourites was the legendary Porsche 968 CS, forever etched into Australian motorsport folklore. Tim Wolfe brought along the car Peter Fitzgerald and Jim Richards piloted the car to second place in the 1994 Bathurst 12 Hour.
Nations Cup-era machinery also featured prominently, including Tony Quinn’s first-ever Porsche race car, a rare 996 GT3 Clubsport of which only around 300 examples were produced worldwide.
The display continued through the evolution of Porsche customer racing, featuring several generations of 996 and 997 GT3 Cup Cars, culminating in what many enthusiasts regard as one of the ultimate Porsche racing derivatives: the 997 GT3 Cup S.
Originally developed to compete in FIA GT3 competition around the globe, the Cup S represented the pinnacle of Porsche’s customer racing program during its era.
While the machinery itself was enough to attract attention, it was a deeply personal story that truly captured the spirit of the Famous Fitzy Cup.
One of the most touching moments of the weekend came when Christian Fitzgerald was reunited with one of his father Peter Fitzgerald’s most iconic race cars, affectionately known throughout the Porsche community as the “Guinea Pig.”
Far more than just another race car, this machine occupies a unique place in Australian Porsche motorsport history.
Delivered directly from Porsche Motorsport in Germany during 2002, the car effectively served as a beta-test Carrera Cup machine sent to Australia ahead of the official launch of the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Championship in 2003.
Peter Fitzgerald, widely regarded as one of the driving forces behind Porsche racing in Australia, campaigned the car throughout the 2002 Nations Cup Championship.
Wearing its instantly recognisable Falken Tyres livery and supported by VIP Petfoods, the striking blue and green Porsche quickly became one of the most memorable race cars of the era and remains a fan favourite more than two decades later.
Fitzgerald teamed with Matthew Coleman at the prestigious Sandown 500 endurance race, guiding the car to an impressive fourth-place finish and narrowly missing a podium position. The following season, with Carrera Cup officially commencing in Australia, Fitzgerald moved into a newer 996 Cup Car, but the legacy of the original Falken machine had already been cemented.
Seeing Christian Fitzgerald behind the wheel of the same iconic car at Winton provided a powerful connection between generations, reminding everyone why Peter Fitzgerald’s influence on Australian Porsche motorsport remains so significant today.
The Fitzgerald family’s racing story was further celebrated through the presence of Xander Pickering, who journeyed from South Australia with his beautifully presented 2003 ENJO liveried Porsche 996 Cup Car.
For many attendees, the collection of cars represented not only the evolution of Porsche racing technology but also the people, teams and personalities who helped shape the sport’s history in Australia.
It was a fitting tribute to Peter Fitzgerald, whose contributions extended far beyond the driver’s seat and helped establish many of the foundations that Porsche competitors continue to benefit from today.
The on-track action was every bit as impressive as the stories behind the cars. Leading the outright pace was Jamie Lovett aboard his Porsche 997.2 GT3 Cup, recording a blistering lap of 1m 25.8s around Winton Motor Raceway.
Close behind was Sven Burchartz in the formidable 997 GT3 Cup S, stopping the clocks at 1m 26.2s and highlighting the exceptional versatility and enduring competitiveness of the 997 generation platform.
Yet among the modern machinery and outright pace, Christian Fitzgerald’s performance behind the wheel of the historic Falken-liveried 996 captured plenty of attention. Recording a highly respectable 1m 28.9s, Fitzgerald demonstrated that the famous “Guinea Pig” still had plenty of life left, much to the delight of the assembled Porsche faithful.
As the weekend drew to a close, competitors gathered to celebrate not just speed and competition, but the values Peter Fitzgerald embodied throughout his life – passion, friendship, commitment to the Porsche community and an unwavering willingness to help others.
To honour those qualities, drivers collectively voted on a special “Spirit of Fitzy” Award, presented to the competitor who best represented the enthusiasm and camaraderie that Peter brought to motorsport.
The trophy itself was a unique creation by Emma Deane, crafted in the shape of a skateboard deck and featuring artwork inspired by the iconic Falken 996 Porsche, a fitting and distinctive tribute to one of Australian Porsche racing’s most beloved figures.
The inaugural Famous Fitzy Cup achieved far more than showcasing incredible machinery. It brought together generations of competitors, enthusiasts, friends and family to celebrate a shared passion for Porsche and to honour the legacy of a man whose contribution to Australian motorsport continues to inspire.
If the success of this year’s event is any indication, the Famous Fitzy Cup is set to become a cherished fixture on the Australian Porsche calendar for both brand enthusiasts and motorsport fans.
