Mark Cole and Team RPM set the pace in the major pre-season Porsche Carrera Cup GB test at Silverstone on Monday. With the fastest 11 cars covered by less than a second, the stage is set for a superbly competitive season of racing.
Cole stormed to the top of the times during a very cold but dry day as teams took advantage of over five hours of testing time on the National circuit. As the only major group test before the opening races of the season, the test and media day pitted the teams against each other for the first time this year.
"I'm very pleased to be quickest," said Cole. "But I do feel there is more to come. This is great for both me and for Team RPM as it's only our second day with the car. We ran the car in at Pembrey on Saturday. Porsches suit my style and I'm pleased to be back in one!"
Cole's best time came under fierce attack as the day drew to a close, with both Team Parker Racing and Motorbase Performance pushing hard in the final 15 minutes of testing. Ultimately, it was Jason Templeman for Team Parker Racing who went second, lapping less than a tenth of a second slower than Cole. "We've had a decent day," reported Templeman.
Tim Sugden posted third best time as he spent the day driving the Vertu-backed Porsche Cars GB VIP entry. As well as running passenger laps for journalists, Sugden ran strongly in the times and was only a tenth slower than Cole.
Motorbase Performance claimed fourth and fifth best times, as new signings Tim Harvey and Michael Caine produced impressive form. "It's been one of those learning days," said Harvey, who edged his teammate by seven-hundredths of a second. "That's a good start to our campaign," added Caine, who had his first day driving the new 997-model Carrera Cup car. "I've learnt so much about the car today – and it's a fantastic car!"
Having flown back overnight from contesting the Porsche Supercup race in Bahrain, Damien Faulkner was suffering from a lack of sleep and the bitingly cold British weather. Nevertheless, the defending champion was well in contention. "I'm very happy with the day and I did my time on old tyres," he said after posting sixth fastest time.
Danny Watts continued his testing work for IN2RACING and was seventh fastest. "I'm working flat out on a deal for this year and I'm getting some mileage in, in case the deal comes together," explained the former F3 ace. Just behind Watts was Sam Edwards (Team Parker Racing), who ran strongly into eighth fastest, while Phil Hindley was ninth fastest in the Tech 9 entry. "It's really good to be back in the car," said Hindley, who has arranged a late deal to contest around half the races alongside his team's international GT racing programme. "It's good to be back. The car feel good – more like a 911GT3- RSR GT car!"
Piers Masarati completed the top 10 times for Trackspeed, driving the car of David Ashburn for the day. "We're just doing some testing to get the car in the ball park," said the Trackspeed team manager.
With incredibly close times, 17 cars testing at Silverstone and at least five more due to join the entry, the stage is set for a fabulous season in the Carrera Cup when the racing starts on 8/9 April at Brands Hatch. Cole and Team RPM have set the opening pace, but they have plenty of very strong opposition!
Leading times:1 Mark Cole (Team RPM) 57.044s2 Jason Templeman (Team Parker with SAS) 57.130s3 Tim Sugden (Porsche Motorsport) 57.162s4 Tim Harvey (Motorbase Performance) 57.202s5 Michael Caine (Motorbase Performance) 57.279s6 Damien Faulkner (Team Parker with SAS) 57.317s7 Danny Watts (IN2RACING) 57.353s8 Sam Edwards (Team Parker Racing) 57.358s9 Phil Hindley (Tech 9 Motorsport) 57.668s10 Piers Masarati (Trackspeed) 57.731s
