Porsche Club Championship

Races 1 and 2, Snetterton, Norfolk  -  16 / 17 April 2006

Ian White and Mark McAleer took first and second in the opening Porsche Club Championship race of the season at Snetterton on Sunday (April 16), then reversed the placings to make it a win each from the weekend in Monday's 20-minute race. Richard Lambert claimed both Class Two wins and third overall in both races, while Chris Berry and Chris Stewart had a win apiece in Class Three.

Qualifying

White set the pace in qualifying, clear of McAleer's 968CS and the Carrera of Ian Oliver. "It's my first time in the car since last season," said White, his car bearing a 'for sale' sign, "and I'm here because Snetterton is my favourite circuit. I thought I was off the pace as we have been much quicker round here, but the track seems slow today." Colin Ingram's 911SC headed up Class Two while Berry was quickest in Class Three. A casualty of qualifying was the Boxster of Marcus Holden, which was towed in at the end of the session.

Race One

The drama started even before Sunday's 15-minute race for McAleer, a tyre deflating shortly prior to the race and seeing a tyre and rim re-mounted with minutes to spare. He was slow off the line, White taking his 3.2 Carrera ahead and Lambert blasting through from sixth on the grid to be second at the end of the first lap.

McAleer was soon in second and closing on White, as fluid down at the quick Coram corner made life hard for the 22-strong field. White went wide there on lap three and McAleer went past, and the two then stayed close until it was McAleer who went wide and White led once more. Despite setting the fastest race lap just before the end, McAleer couldn't get past into the final chicane and the win was White's.

"That was a good hard, clean race," said White, "the fluid down at Coram made things hard, but it got better and it's good to win the first race."

"It was a last minute thing to get us on the grid," explained McAleer, "and it was a good race but it would have been better to win it. I need a better start tomorrow."

Lewis Tootell worked his way up the order after a poor opening lap to challenge Lambert for third, and went past before a spin dropped him to fourth. Second to Lambert in Class Two was fifth-placed Ingram who finished just ahead of Oliver and Richard Harrison. Class Three went to Berry's 911E, with Stewart second.

Race Two

White led the field away from pole in Monday's race, McAleer and Lambert slotting into second and third. McAleer claimed the inside into Riches at the start of lap two, and moved ahead, setting a series of fastest laps on the way to opening up a winning gap at the front. White was never able to get on terms to challenge, but was secure in second as the race progressed.

"I got a good start today," said McAleer. "My car was strong in the opening laps and I was quick into certain corners all race. It's not a bad result for the first weekend, and even though there is a long way to go, I'm hoping I can be a front runner."

"He was quick today," said White, "and yesterday it seemed the backmarkers all benefited me, while it was the opposite today. I was only racing this weekend as I love Snetterton, but now I think I'm here for the season."

Lambert had a battle on his hands for third and Class Two honours, reigning champion Tom Segrue briefly snatching the place and running close until losing ground with a missed gear.

"It's a perfect to start to the season," said Lambert. "I couldn't have done better and the car is one piece!"

Tootell was again in the thick of the action and survived battles with Oliver and James Neat to take fifth. This time Stewart got the better of Berry to claim Class Three in his 911.

Results Race One - 11 Laps:

1 Ian White (911 Carrera) 15m38.200s (82.39mph); 2 Mark McAleer (968 CS) +0.680s; 3 Richard Lambert (911 Carrera); 4 Lewis Tootell (968 CS); 5 Colin Ingram (911 SC); 6 Ian Oliver (911 Carrera); 7 Richard Harrison (Carrera); 8 Gordon Matthews (968); 10 Ben Demetriou (911 SC), Class Winners: White; Lambert; Chris Berry (911E). Fastest Lap: McAleer 1m21.614s (86.10mph).

Results Race Two - 15 Laps:

1 McAleer 20m34.207s (85.40mph); 3 White +2.953s; 3 Lambert; 4 Tom Segrue (944 S2); 5 Tootell; 6 James Neat (964 Carrera 2); 7 Oliver; 8 Harrison; 9 Marcus Carniel (911 SC); 10 Ingram. Class Winners: McAleer: Lambert; Chris Stewart (911). Fastest Lap: McAleer 1m21.098s (86.65mph).

Next rounds: Castle Combe, Wiltshire, May 1st