Silverstone decider for Porsche Carrera Cup GB

The Porsche Carrera Cup GB heads to Silverstone (15/16 October) for the closest finish in the history of the championship. Just three points split Michael Meadows, Stephen Jelley and James Sutton going into the final two races of the 19-round season and with a fabulous 27-car grid it promises to be a sensational conclusion to a fabulous season.It is not only the overall title that is to be resolved among the stunning field of 450bhp 911 GT3 Cup cars. Although Jonas Gelzinis is now secure as Pro-Am1 champion, George Brewster and Keith Webster are battling for the Pro-Am2 title and the prestigious teams’ championship will also be decided at Silverstone. SAS/Redline has a useful advantage and strong finishes for Meadows and Sutton in the opening race will seal the title for the Cleveland-based squad.With the kudos of a Carrera Cup title and over £60,000 in end of season prize money awaiting the top drivers and teams, there is going to some dramatic action. In addition, the overall champion, Pro-Am1 champion and winning team manager will all collect the keys to a road-going Porsche 911 to use for a year. There really is a great deal at stake as the final two rounds run in quick succession on Sunday, with barely two hours for teams to re-prepare cars for the second race.The big story for Silverstone is the overall title race as Meadows and Sutton from the SAS/Redline team go head-to-head with Jelley (Parker with Juta). With one score to drop, it leaves Meadows and Jelley level on points with Sutton just three behind. It really is that close and if either of them finishes ahead in both races, that should be enough to settle the title.“It’s going to be very tough,” said former Carrera Cup Scholar Meadows, who has enjoyed a superb season. “We’re all going to be giving it everything,” added Meadows. Jelley, meanwhile, is revved up to take the fight to the SAS twins. “It’s really winner takes all, which is fantastic,” he said. “It’s going to be a hell of a weekend.” Sutton reckons that the weekend will throw up a surprise or two. “It never runs smoothly and there is always one final twist,” said the 2007 champion. “I can’t imagine that this one will be any different.”Of course, there are plenty of other drivers who simply want to win races this weekend, none more so than Bedford’s Nick Tandy who arrived in the championship in style at Brands Hatch in the Nationwide/Motorbase entry. The Porsche Supercup racer will be very hard to beat. Add in young chargers Euan Hankey (Parker with Juta), Richard Plant and Sam Tordoff from Team Parker Racing, Ben Hetherington (Oman Air/Redline) and Kieran Vernon (Nationwide/Motorbase) and the stage is set for two epic races on Sunday.But this is not only about the overall contest. In Pro-Am1, Gelzinis (Juta Racing) is confirmed as champion but Rory Butcher (Celtic Speed) and Ahmad Al Harthy (Oman Air/Redline) are battling hard for second. However, it is still very close in Pro-Am2 where Brewster (Celtic Speed) has a slender advantage over Webster (Redline Racing). “Nothing is won, but we’re in good shape and it is for us to lose,” said Brewster. “It’s all on Silverstone and I think we’ll have a good clean fight there,” countered Webster. Other leading runners in Pro-Am2 include Steve Parish (Motorbase Performance), Yucel Ozbek (Redline Racing) and Richard Denny (Parr Motorsport).After qualifying at 12.05 on Saturday, round 18 will start at 12.25 on Sunday followed by round 19 at 15.45. Both races will be broadcast live on ITV4 during the extensive BTCC programme, which starts at 11.00 on Sunday.The overall points’ situation is:Michael Meadows; currently on 282 but has to drop a score of 10 pointsStephen Jelley; currently on 272 with zero to dropJames Sutton; currently on 270 but has to drop a score of 1 pointOverall scoring system: 20-18-16-14-12-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 to the first 15 finishers plus 1 point for pole position for each race a 1 point for fastest lap in each race.The Pro-Am2 points’ situation is:George Brewster; currently on 121 but has to drop 11 points at SilverstoneKeith Webster; currently on 118 but has to drop 13 points at SilverstonePro-Am2 scoring system: 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 to the first 10 Pro-Am2 finishers plus 1 point for Pro-Am2 pole position for each race and 1 point for Pro-Am2 fastest lap in each race.

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