The Porsche Open visits Oulton Park this weekend and the rolling Cheshire circuit is one that always suits the powerful Porsches that make up the field. The battle at the front should see the refined handling of the modern 996 GT3 cars taking on the raw power of the older 993 GT2s over the 30-minutes of the race.

Often more than 200bhp down on the power to the 993s with just 400bhp, the better handling GT3s can often match their older rivals through the corners and have better traction when applying their power. Leading the 993 challenge should be the silver GT2-R of Paul McLean, while the always entertaining Mike Johnson should be the quickest of the 996 GT3 cars.

Class One is numerically the biggest this weekend, with nine of the crowd-pleasing powerful cars entered. Mark Chilton will be back out in his dramatic looking 993, the gold machine still in early stages of its development, while Pat O'Sullivan starts his Porsche Open season in what should be a very quick 996 GT.

Paul Winter claimed Class Two victory at Donington in his immaculate 996, and this weekend faces class opposition from the RSR's of David Whelan and Paul Howells. Former Porsche Club champion Tony Brown is usually a pace setter in Class Three, but he failed to finish at Donington and will be keen to make amends at Oulton Park. Plenty of class rivals will be determined to make sure that Brown does not have an easy run, Tim Bryan taking the win at Donington in his 928 GTS.

The Porsche Club Championship Class Two runners join the Open field due to pressure of numbers, adding 12 cars to that race. With a separate start, they have a rare opportunity to have their own race and should provide a good battle.

Qualifying will be at 12.00 and the race at 17.25 on Saturday.