Defending champion Pete Morris and fellow 996 C2 racer Mark McAleer took a race win apiece in the opening Fuel Protect Porsche Club Championship with Pirelli on Saturday May 2nd, but it was double Class Two winner Tim Speed who left Brands Hatch as the early championship leader with his Dorset Sportscars 968 CS.
QualifyingThe 20-minute session saw a host of drivers claim the top spot on the timing screens round the Brands Hatch Indy circuit, but it was Morris who was on top as the session closed, his Strasse-tended 996 C2 half a second clear of McAleer, with Kevin Harrison and Karim Moudi – his best qualifying slot on his return to the series – fourth.
In Class Two David Botterill put in a late flying lap in his Strasse 964 C2 to just head Speed to class pole, with Jake McAleer and Stuart Ings just behind in their Boxsters.
Race OneMorris made the best start, holding off McAleer into Paddock Hill Bend at the front of the pack, with Harrison and Craig Wilkins behind. Speed headed Class Two despite a slow getaway, the outside line round Paddock Hill Bend paying off.
An early Safety Car period saw the field circulating slowly for several laps, and when the action restarted the front two broke clear, leaving Harrison to fight off his pursuers in third. For lap after lap McAleer looked for a way past, several times getting alongside through Druids, Morris holding the inside line on each occasion and pulling clear again at the exit.
Despite McAleer’s efforts Morris held on to start his title defence with a win, Harrison staying clear of Wilkins and Paul Winter to hold onto third. The Class Two battle was equally tight, Speed having to defend from the ever-present Botterill as they worked their way through the back-markers. Again, the car in front held sway, Speed taking the win and Jake McAleer, who had started from the pit-lane, coming through to third.
“That was a cracking race,” said Morris. “I was having to defend a lot from Mark, but you can do that really well here, I had the pace of him down the straight and into Paddock Hill Bend. It all went to plan, a brilliant start to the season.”
“It’s good to know we have the pace to run with the reigning champion,” said McAleer. “He knew what he had to do to make it difficult for me, all I could do was try to pressurise him into a mistake and capitalise on it – but he was a bit too wily for that.”
“I’ve been waiting a while for a podium,” said Harrison. “I was having a few car issues but it was going well, then when we had the Safety Car restart the two in front went for it in second gear and I tried third…and they opened a gap. It’s encouraging, the car is good and we have the pace.”
“I had to work for that,” said Speed, “Dave Botterill kept me more than honest. I got sideways off the line but held it together and got round people. We had a great battle, he got back to me, was right alongside once, and it was an enjoyable race.”Race TwoThis time it was McAleer who got the best getaway as Morris’s car stepped out of shape as the lights went out to start the race, Morris holding off Harrison to take second as the field sped away. Immediately Morris was looking for a way past McAleer, the two running close together in the early laps.
Behind, Winter took third from Harrison on lap ten, though the front two were well clear at this point. All bets were off, however, on lap 15 when the Class Two lead with backmarkers, again bringing the Safety Car out with cars off on both sides of the track at Druids.
Released for a three lap dash to the flag, McAleer held sway to turn round his defeat by Morris from earlier in the afternoon, with Winter delighted with third on his return to the series. In Class Two, Speed again worked his way through to lead, this time heading home Jonathan Evans in his AFF Boxster.
“That was just race one but in reverse!” joked McAleer. “Pete was pushing very hard and I was just defending and putting the car where I had to. It’s a great start to the season, really pleased with a win and second.”
“I made a poor start and he got ahead,” said Morris, “and it was just so hard to get past. Mark and I respect each other and can race close like that. I left here last year with a win and a second place and went on to take the title, so I’m happy to do the same today.”
“Delighted to be back and take a podium,“ said Winter. “We’ve put a lot of hard work in and I’m just ecstatic to get this result, it’s been a great weekend for us and good to go home with a trophy.”
“That was hard work again, “said Speed. “I messed up the start but once more found I could gain places right round the outside at Paddock. Then we had the Safety Car come out and I was able to get round the outside again, and survived a moment on the grass when a backmarker didn’t see me. “
Fuel Protect Porsche Club Championship with Pirelli Round One (26 Laps): 1 Pete Morris (996 C2); 2 Mark McAleer (996 C2) +0.328s; 3 Kevin Harrison (996 C2); 4 Craig Wilkins (996 C2); 5 Paul Winter (996 C2); 6 Karim Moudi (996 C2); 7 Mike Johnson (996 C2); 8 Chris Dyer (Cayman S); 9 Tim Speed (968 CS); 10 David Botterill (964 C2). Class Winners: Morris; Speed; James Cameron (911 Carrera). Fastest Lap: McAleer 52.246s (83.23mph).
Fuel Protect Porsche Club Championship with Pirelli Round Two (21 Laps): 1 Mark McAleer (996 C2); 2 Pete Morris (996 C2) +0.157s; 3 Paul Winter (996 C2); 4 Kevin Harrison (996 C2); 5 Chris Dyer (Cayman S); 6 Karim Moudi (996 C2); 7 Tim Speed (968 CS); 8 Jonathan Evans (Boxster S); 9 Stuart Ings (Boxster S); 10 David Botterill. Class Winners: McAleer; Speed; Cameron. Fastest Lap: Winter 52.687s (82.53mph).
Next Rounds: Silverstone Grand Prix circuit June 20th.
