Season Opener
The 2009 Porsche Club Championship bursts into action at Donington Park on Saturday April 5th with a bumper 25 cars already entered for the opening round – and more expected in the days leading up to the first races of the season. Class One has attracted the lion’s share of runners and looks to be hugely competitive with the 993 model joining the series for the first time, four former Porsche champions and 17 confirmed runners.
“We are very pleased with the entry and it shows the commitment of our competitors,” said series co-ordinator Steve Kevlin. ”All the 993s are brand-new and we have more 964s than last season – we have 911 models from 1972 to 1995 represented. The series looks very strong in number and models.”
There will be three 993 models on the Donington grid, the latest to become eligible for the series for the first time, with Gary Duckman, Richard Ellis and now Scott Kavanagh all out to pit the car against the series regulars. Duckman was an overall race winner in a 968 CS last year, while Kavanagh dominated Class Two, and with series regular Ellis all should be able to prove the potential of the new addition to the series. The 993 will be by far the most powerful car on the grid –but has been given the heaviest minimum weight to ensure close racing.
2009 Champion Jeremy Clark steps up to a Class Two 944 S2 as he seeks to defend his title, while 2004 champion Richard Lambert makes a welcome return to the series in a Class One 964 C2. 2007 champion Mark McAleer will be back out in his 968 CS, the Yorkshireman always quick in the front-engined car. Rounding off the tally of former champions is Porsche Classic and Club champion John Williams, who aims to prove that newer is not necessarily quicker with his classic 1972 911 Carrera RS - easily the oldest car in Class One.
Class One is packed with leading Porsche racers in addition to the former champions, with front runners Ben Demetriou, Marcus Carniel and Kevin Harrison all entered, the latter two in the 964 C2 model that was the car to beat in 2008. Demetriou has stayed faithful to the 968 CS, with front-engined regulars Peter Erceg, Richard Higgins and Adrian Stock also back out.
In Class Two Clark takes on category regulars Alan Newbold, Ian Balaam and Chris Dyer in similar 944 S2s, with John Gilmore and Tim Bates out in 911 SCs. Class Three sees Anthony Oliver and Mark Taylor challenging in their 911s.
Saturday’s opening meeting features two 30-minute races, with a 15-minute qualifying session in the morning. The first race is scheduled for 13.30, with the second at 17.20.
