Rupert Lewin looked set to stamp his authority on the Porsche Open series with a win in Sunday's (April 16) opening race at Norfolk's Snetterton circuit, but when mechanical failure sidelined him in Monday's event, Peter Morris stepped up to take victory. A second place on Sunday sees Morris the early leader in the race for the prize drive on offer in Class Two, while Gerry Harrison, Mike Johnson, Charles Winterhalder and Frank Cortes all took class wins.
Qualifying
Despite battling with flu and brake problems. Lewin put his mighty 911 GT2R on pole for the opening race, a second and a half clear of Morris. "The ABS is intermittently operating," explained Lewin, "we're getting typical 'first meeting' problems". Harrison and Brian Robinson made the second row a Class One lock out, while Johnson was tenth overall and quickest in Class Three and Winterhalder headed Class Four.
Race One
Morris took the lead at the start of Sunday's 15-minute race, Lewin making a careful get away after a previous race had left an oil trail on his side of the circuit. He went inside Robinson to take second into the first corner, then powered past Morris as they reached the Revett straight for the first time to take the lead. Never headed, Lewin got quicker as the race went on, picking his way through back-markers on the way to opening his 2006 account with overall and Class One victory.
"There was cement dust all over the track so I made a careful start," said Lewin. "The brake problem was getting was getting worse as the race went on, but the back-markers were very good and all saw me coming."
"It's the first time I have done a standing start in a GT3 Porsche," said Morris, "so I was pleased to lead into the first corner, but Rupert has awesome speed and there was nothing I could do. I'm hoping it rains tomorrow!"
Robinson ran in third early on, with Harrison's GT3 RS closing in. Harrison found a way past on lap seven but couldn't shake off Robinson's 993 RS and was less than a second clear as they took the chequer flag. Martin Harvey took fifth and second to Morris in Class Two. Johnson worked his way up to tenth and first in Class Three, while Winterhalder just held off John Coyle to take a closely contested Class Four.
Race Two
In Monday's race Lewin was careful off the line once more but again was swiftly into the lead, deposing Morris as they reached the first corner using the sheer power of his car. Over two seconds clear at the end of the first lap, his victory charge came to a halt as he reached the Esses for the second time, the 911 GT2R pulling off trailing smoke.
"It seems to be engine failure," explained Lewin. "There was a white smoke so I switched it off and parked up. This is a win that got away."
Morris happily accepted the lead and was already clear of Harrison and Robinson, and took the win despite a brief light rain shower at half distance. The pair behind once again battled for position almost race long, Harrison making the decisive move on the final lap, just leading his rival over the line.
"I damaged the clutch in yesterday's race and team did a great job to get a new one in for me," said Morris. "When I saw Rupert blow up I knew I had a chance, but this win is really thanks to the work of the team."
"That was a good race," said Class One winner Harrison, "I think we both went off at different times but I can race close with Brian know it will be clean."
Mark Stephenson was a lonely fourth ahead of Steve Russell and Mark Albutt, while Mike Johnson claimed Class Three and seventh overall. Henry Firman made a one-off return to the series and took eighth from the back of the grid, easing off on his charge through the field as the rain fell.
A drive of note was that of Malcolm Spendlove to ninth, his first ever race finish from only his second ever race. Having started at the back of the grid after a spin damaged a tyre on Sunday, he brought his GT3 Cup through the field.
Winterhalder and Cortes fought for Class Four victory, the latter coming out ahead.
Results Race One - 11 Laps:
1 Rupert Lewin (911 GT2R 13m39.732s (94.29mph); 2 Peter Morris (996 GT3 Cup) +28.507s; 3 Gerry Harrison (996 GT3 RS); 4 Brian Robinson (993 RS); 5 Mark Stephenson (GT3 Cup); 6 Steve Russell (GT3); 7 Mark Albutt (GT3 Cup); 8 Mike Johnson (911 SC); 9 James Neal (964 Carrera 2); 10 Mark Chilton (928 GTS). Class Winners: Lewin; Morris; Johnson; Charles Winterhalder (944). Fastest Lap: Lewin 1m12.699s (96.66mph).
Results Race Two - 15 Laps:
1 Morris 19m52.153s (88.41mph); Harrison +1.574s; 3 Robinson; 4 Stephenson; 5 Russell; 6 Albutt; 7 Johnson; 8 Henry Firman (911 GT3); 9 Malcolm Spendlove (GT3 Cup); 10 Peter Garrod (944 Turbo). Class Winners: Harrison; Morris; Johnson; Frank Cortes (944). Fastest lap: Morris 1m15.479s (93.10mph).
Next rounds: Castle Combe, Wiltshire, May 1st
