So let's have a recap as we wait for Master Class Free Practice 3 to unfold...
This round is the sixth of eight races on the 2017 calendar and the battle for the title this year is the most fiercely contended, with many of the 14-pilot field able to lay claim...
After an astounding return to form, American Kirby Chambliss is riding high after back-to-back wins in Budapest and Kazan, putting him at the top of the standings on 40 points...
Just behind Chambliss, tied on 39 points each are Yoshi Muroya and Martin Sonka – both of whom have claimed victories in 2017 and are firmly in the title hunt
Pete McLeod is the one to watch here in Porto after impressing in Kazan and Budapest, where he secured two second places and has been fastest on Qualifying on more than one occasion this season
The Canadian is in fourth place with 38 points and as there are still a maximum of 45 points to take before the end of the season, this is wide open!
As we get closer to the action and what is set to be a scorching Qualifying round in Porto, let's talk about the racetrack here...
This racetrack has 17 Air Gates and is flown in two laps – it's already proving to be a very fast track and the start speed has been reduced to 180kts to allow for the fact that there are very few opportunities for the pilots to decelerate, increasing the risk of over G
There are 3 Vertical Turning Manoeuvres (VTMS) that the pilots must navigate, and these provide the real opportunities to gain an advantage
Free Practice 3 is done now so we'll share this morning's results now as we gear up for Challenger Cup Qualifying...
OFFICIAL CHALLENGER CUP FREE PRACTICE 3 RESULTS:
MURPHY
BERGER
COLEMAN
ASTLES
GENEVEY
CHIANG
OFFICIAL MASTER CLASS FREE PRACTICE 3 RESULT:
SONKA
IVANOFF
HALL
VELARDE
BRAGEOT
DOLDERER
MUROYA
CHAMBLISS
KOPFSTEIN
LE VOT
GOULIAN
MCLEOD
BOLTON
Almost time for the Challenger Cup Qualifying! Who's excited that race weekend is here?!
OFFICIAL STARTLIST FOR CHALLENGER CUP QUALIFYING PORTO:
BERGER
ASTLES
CHIANG
GENEVEY
MURPHY
COLEMAN
German pilot Florian Berger is first today to set the pace for the Challengers...
He's the current standings leader and defending champion from 2016 – he's on 28 points and has already secured two wins this season in San Diego and Budapest so will be looking to claim a third victory here this weekend
Berger was second in FP3 earlier, just behind Ben Murphy of Great Britain although he was a force to be reckoned with in yesterday's sessions and dominated the track
He makes light work of the Qualifying and while his time isn't as fast as in FP3, he stops the clock in 1:20.742
Next up is Melanie Astles...
It's not a great start for Astles as she picks up 2s at Gate 6 for incorrect level
She's red on the spit times and this isn't looking great as she collects another 2s penalty at Gate 13 for climbing
So let's have a recap as we wait for Master Class Free Practice 3 to unfold...
All ready and set to watch the stream from Australia!!
