Bill Taylor Battle for Porsche Open Racers

Brands Hatch hosts the second one-hour race of the 2006 season for the Porsche Open racers this coming weekend - the event the famous Bill Taylor Memorial race that has been a feature of Porsche competition for many years. The tight Brands Hatch Indy circuit layout ensures the race - featuring a compulsory pit-stop, will be a tight and action-packed affair with the quicker cars having to pick their way through the other classes.

Silverstone was the venue for a one-hour race in June, won by series regular Gerry Harrison who shared his 911 GT3 RS with John Bussell, a superbly timed pit stop putting the duo in control in the second half of the race. They were chased home by the Class Two Porsche GT3 of Mark Stephenson and Aaron Scott, making for an exciting final few laps, while third went to the rapid pairing of Peter Morris and Henry Firman, who lost out in the pit stops and will be keen to make amends at Brands.

Stephenson won Class Two, his first class victory, while Mike Johnson and Peter Garrod battled in Class Three, Johnson coming out on top, which should leave Garrod eager to show his one-hour form at Brands. The Class Four fight was a classic at Silverstone, Charles Winterhalder and Frank Cortes closely matched all race, Winterhalder coming out on top.

Others to watch for will include Peter Fairbairn and Paul McLean, who dominated the early laps at Silverstone only to lose time with a lengthy pit stop, and Scots racer Jim Geddie, another to lead only to lose ground when forced to pit. The GT3 of Jean-Marc Rotseart and John Gaw was on pole at Silverstone, but mechanical failure pitched them out the race before they could show their true pace.

The race is scheduled for a 16.32 start on Saturday afternoon, with drivers electing to complete the whole distance themselves having to make a compulsory pit stop - including a 30-second period held stationary in the pit lane. A portion of each driver's entry money goes directly to the Bill Taylor Memorial Fund.