Richard Chamberlain and Rupert Lewin shared a win each in the Michelin Porsche Open Series double-header at Rockingham on Sunday (3 July). For Lewin, victory over Chamberlain in the opening race was a very special result.
In the classes Mark Albutt, Steve Burtt and Charles Winterhalder each took a brace of victories.QualifyingAlthough Chamberlain (935) and Lewin (996 GT2R) headed the qualifying times, the session on Saturday afternoon was not straightforward for either of them. Chamberlain had a rear tyre dragging on the bodywork, notably through the high-speed Turn 4 and pitted to have a 5mm adjustment made in the car's ride height. Lewin, meanwhile, had a water leak from a ruptured hose. "The cockpit filled up with steam; I was out like a rocket," reported Rupert, having switched the engine off immediately to avoid any drama.
Albutt (911 GT3 Cup) was the sole class two runner, while Burtt (993 Supercup) topped class three times on his first visit to Rockingham. "I quite like it; Turn 4 is a big thrill!" Alex Eacock (944) topped class four, which marked the return to racing of his father Kevin after a five-year break. A rear wheel bearing failure on his 944 in qualifying hampered his progress, but all was sorted for the opening race on Sunday morning.Race oneDisaster struck at the very beginning of the opening race when a starting lights failure caused mayhem on the grid. Keith Butcher (911GT3RS), Marcus Clutton (3.2 Carrera) and Alex Eacock were all destined to miss the restart after sustaining damage in the confusion.Lewin led through Turn 1, but Chamberlain stormed ahead into Deene. Paul Howells (993 GT2) managed to stay in sight of the lead duo for the first couple of laps, with Albutt fourth and Wayne Jackson (944 Turbo) setting his sights at Burtt’s fifth place.
The race was suddenly sparked into life when Jackson dropped oil through Turn 4 before making a smoky exit. Lewin closed on Chamberlain with a lap to go and pounced to snatch a last corner victory. "I went for the high line as I could see Richard was slowing. I just went for it even though my rear tyres were shot. I love it here at Rockingham," said Lewin after scoring a dramatic victory. "The car was very loose and I was worried about that oil. I had so much opposite lock through Turn 4 so I slowed. It’s nice to see Rupert win," said Chamberlain.Howells, Albutt and Burtt held station behind, with the 944s of Winterhalder, Frank Cortes and Kevin Eacock running in that order in class four.Race twoLewin’s challenge for an early lead was his undoing in the second race on Sunday afternoon. A trip across the grass out of Gracelands on the opening lap filled his radiators with grass and brought a third lap retirement. "I knew I was going wide so I thought I would run along the grass and back on. The grass was longer than I thought and the temperatures went sky high," he explained.
With his big rival out of the race, Chamberlain was left to take a comfortable victory, with Howells, Albutt, Burtt and Winterhalder holding station for the next places.
The highlight of the race was the battle for second in class four as Cortes and Eacock traded the place numerous times in a highly entertaining battle. It was only in the closing laps that Cortes finally got a break to secure the place.Results race one – 9 laps:1 Rupert Lewin (996 GT2R) 15m31.365s (84.98mph); 2 Richard Chamberlain (935) +0.220s; 3 Paul Howells (993 GT2); 4 Mark Albutt (GT3 Cup); 5 Steve Burtt (993 Supercup); 6 Charles Winterhalder (944); 7 Frank Cortes (944); 8 Kevin Eacock (944); no other finishers. Class winners: Lewin; Albutt; Burtt; Winterhalder. Fastest lap: Chamberlain 1m40.491s (87.51mph).Results race two – 13 laps: Race two: 1 Chamberlain 22m12.213s (85.82mph); 2 Howells +1 lap; 3 Albutt; 4 Burtt; 5 Winterhalder; 6 Cortes; 7 Eacock; no other finishers. Class winners: Chamberlain; Albutt; Burtt; Winterhalder. Fastest lap: Chamberlain 1m40.862s (87.19mph).The next rounds of the series are at Thruxton on 20/21 August.
