Richard Chamberlain was in dominant form in the Michelin Porsche Open Series double-header at Thruxton over the weekend (20/21 August). In the classes Mark Albutt, John Allen and Charles Winterhalder each took a brace of victories at the challenging Hampshire track.QualifyingAlthough he set pole, Chamberlain had a big scare in qualifying when the 935 shed a rear wheel at the high-speed Church Corner. "I was just starting to wind it up! It was my job to tighten the wheel nuts and I forgot," admitted Chamberlain. Fortunately, there was no damage and the car was ready for the race.Racing at Thruxton for the first time, and using a standard H-pattern gearbox, kept Rupert Lewin some way adrift in second in his 996GT2R, as Paul Howells (993GT2) and Tony Brown (964RSR) completed the top four. John Allen (993 Supercup) headed class three on his first visit to Thruxton, while Charles Winterhalder (994) topped class four.Race oneChamberlain romped clear on the opening lap to lay the foundations of victory. His prodigious pace quickly took him clear of Lewin who, in turn, edged clear of Howells. However, Lewin was not destined to finish as a water leak developed in the closing stages and he parked up rather than risk major damage. "It was running hot from an early stage and then the temperature went through the roof, so I switched it off," explained Rupert.

Meanwhile, only Howells stayed on the same lap as Chamberlain. "It was a bit slippy out there after the trucks, but the car is going well," reported Chamberlain. Howells moved up to second as the dice of the race developed between Tony Brown and Allbutt (911GT3 Cup) over class two honours. It was nip and tuck throughout, with the place changing many times. Eventually, Allbutt was just ahead when it mattered. "That was a very tough race," he said after his Thruxton debut. "Tony made it very difficult to pass!"Allen took class three, but had to watch his mirrors for Mark Lillington (968CS) who gave a spirited chase. "All I had to do was keep in front of him," admitted Allen. The final class win went to Winterhalder over the similar car of Andy Brown. "I had a great tussle with Andy in the first few laps and he was keeping me very honest," said Winterhalder.Results race one – 12 laps:1 Richard Chamberlain (935) 15m55.382s (108.53mph); 2 Paul Howells (993GT2) +1m14.640s; 3 Mark Albutt (911GT3 Cup; 4 Tony Brown (964RSR); 5 John Allen (993 Supercup); 6 Mark Lillington (968CS); 7 Charles Winterhalder (944); 8 Andy Brown (944). Class winners: Chamberlain; Albutt; Allen; Winterhalder. Fastest lap: Chamberlain 1m17.585s (109.32mph).Race twoIt was Chamberlain in dominant form at the front again in race two, this time lapping the entire field as the high-speed sweeps of Thruxton allowed him to stretch the legs of his 935. Howells actually led through the first corner before Chamberlain blasted by and was second until Lewin, starting from the back of the grid, went past on lap five.

Lewin was struggling for grip in the latter laps and could mount no further chase of the flying leader, and was himself lapped on the final tour. "It was a lot of fun to put on a show like that for such a good crowd," said Chamberlain afterwards.

Howells took third, while Tony Brown held off class two leader Albutt all race only to lose momentum exiting the chicane for the final time and lose the drag race to the line – and with it fourth place. "I got a good run through from the back," said Lewin. "But by the time I was into second my rear tyres had gone. With that and the fact the track was slippery from the trucks that had races before us, there was nothing more I could do."

Both Allen and Winterhalder again won their classes to complete perfect weekends.Results race two – 12 laps:1 Chamberlain 15m40.319s (108.23mph); 2 Rupert Lewin (GT ZR) +1 lap; 3 Howells; 4 Albutt; 5 Tony Brown; 6 Allen; 7 Lewis Tootell (968CS); 8 Lillington; 9 Winterhalder; 10 Andy Brown. Class winners: Chamberlain; Albutt; Allen; Winterhalder. Fastest lap: Chamberlain 1m16.56s (110.78mph).The next rounds of the series are at Brands Hatch during the Porsche Festival on 28/29 August.