Porsche Open

Races 3 and 4, Castle Combe, Wiltshire - 1st May 2006

Pete Morris took both wins as the Porsche Open series had a double-header meeting at Castle Combe's Bank Holiday meeting. Both races saw him battling hard with the similar car of Pete Chambers, the pair taking a Class One and Two win apiece, Morris now heading that Class Two points. Mike Johnson doubled up in Class Three, as did Charles Winterhalder who took both Class Four wins.

QualifyingPete Morris and Peter Chambers battled for pole in the 15-minute qualifying session, the former coming out on top to take Class Two and quickest overall. "I was on old rubber and it was pretty greasy out there," said Morris. "I've never qualified here before so I'm pleased with pole, and the battle with Peter Chambers should be good."

With Chambers heading Class One, a strong performance from Class Three's Paul Howell's saw him fifth on the grid behind Mark Albutt and series returnee Tony Brown, who couldn't believe how far up the grid he was - "There is no way I've qualified fourth!" he exclaimed.

Charles Winterhalder was quickest in the seven-car Class Four.

Race OneMorris converted his pole to the lead at the start of the 20-minute race, Chambers tucking in behind and the pair quickly opening a gap on the rest. Into second at the end of lap one was the fast-starting Malcolm Spendlove, the rookie having a blinding opening tour from 10th on the grid.

Chambers held station a second or so behind Morris, but took advantage as they reached a backmarker at Tower on lap 12, the lead pair going either side and Chambers gaining the advantage. Morris was looking for a way past into Camp, briefly nosing ahead there but Chambers had the inside line. Into Camp for the penultimate time Class Two runner Morris looked to the inside, but then made a good exit and got inside Chambers into Folly and took the lead on the final lap, staying clear for the win.

"Pete got past me when I lost out in the backmarkers," said Morris. "Then I had a couple of goes into Camp before getting a great exit - it was a good battle."

"He drove well," said Class One winner Chambers, "There was a backmarker in the middle of the road at Tower and I got the inside, but he got me back - an enjoyable race."

Gerry Harrison took third in his 911 GT3 RS after getting past Mark Stephenson, who in turn had demoted Spendlove earlier in the race, the three dicing as they went through backmarkers.

"We had a good battle, none of us wanted to give way," said Harrison, "and the backmarkers made it interesting."

Mike Johnson continued his perfect run of Class Three wins by bringing his 911SC home seventh overall, describing his race as: "All good fun!"

Class Four went to Charles Winterhalder, who took a team SPC one-two with team-mate Andy Brown. "The team did a great job with the car," said Winterhalder, "I had no problems over the bumps other than they kept knocking my visor down. I was only fourth off the line, but in the lead two laps later."

Race TwoThe second race of the afternoon saw the Morris - Chambers battle continue, the latter briefly taking the lead on the opening lap before Morris went back past. On lap two it was Chambers again back ahead, the pair nose-to-tail until lap eight when Morris made the telling move down the inside as they braked for the Esses and again moved ahead, this time to open a gap over the remaining laps.

"I missed a gear at the start," said Morris, "but ABG have given me a superb car and I could lap really quickly. It's my wife's birthday today and I haven't bought her any flowers yet - now I can give the winner's garland!"

"I'm disappointed to be second again, " said Chambers, "but Pete was very quick today."

Stephenson had slotted his GT3 into third on the opening lap, and held that place race long. "I tried really hard in that race," said Stephenson, "I was disappointed to lose third in the first race, but I really leant on the car in this race it's a good result on my first time here."

Steve Russell went past Gerry Harrison on the final lap to take fourth, with series visitor Tony Brown bringing his 964 RSR home sixth. Johnson took his fourth Class Three win of the season and took ninth overall despite bouncing across the grass exiting Camp on lap ten.

Class Four went to Winterhalder's 944 again, but this time he had a tight battle with Frank Cortes that only ended when the latter spun.

Result Race One, 17 Laps:

1 Peter Morris (GT3 Cup) 20m55.381S (90.18mph); 2 Peter Chambers (GT3 Cup) +0.969s; 3 Gerry Harrison (911 GT3 RS); 4 Mark Stephenson (GT3 Cup); 5 Malcolm Spendlove (GT3 Cup); 6 Tony Brown (964RSR); 7 Mike Johnson (911SC); 8 Paul Howells (993RS); 9 Steve Russell (GT3 Cup); 10 Paul Hogan (996). Class Winners: Chambers; Morris; Johnson. Fastest lap: Morris 1m11.762s.

Result Race Two, 17 laps:

1 Morris 17 laps in 20m44.313s (90.99mph); 2 Chambers +12.895s; 3 Stephenson; 4 Russell; 5 Harrison; 6 Brown; 7 Mark Albutt (GT3 Cup); 8 Howells; 9 Johnson; 10 Spendlove. Class Winners: Chambers; Morris; Johnson. Fastest lap: Morris 1m11.807s.

Next rounds: Silverstone, Northants, May 13th / 14th