Two races on opening day for Porsche racers
The 2007 Apex Tubulars Porsche Club Championship blasts into action at Oulton Park, Cheshire, this Saturday (April 14th) for what should be another exciting season of action-packed racing. With over 30 drivers registered for the 10-meeting season, Oulton Park will be the first chance to see which of the influx of new racers has the pace and skill to take on the rapid series regulars.
While the racers at the front will be battling for outright honours, the overall champion can come from any class so the action should be close all down the field. Classes are divided by power-to-weight ratio, so some of the latest Porsche models can be seen dicing with potent Porsches of an older vintage.
Class One is well subscribed for Oulton Park, with 2006 class runner-up Mark McAleer looking a man to beat. The Yorkshireman won the opening round last season, but faces stiff opposition, including 2005 outright champion Tom Segrue who has moved up to Class One with a 968CS similar to McAleer's.
The 968 looks to be the model of choice this year in Class one, with Mike Clapham, Peter Erceg (2006 Porsche Speed Champion), Chris Dyer and Richard Higgins all likely to out in the model at Oulton, while Ian Oliver, on pole at Oulton last year, and James Neal, head up the rear-engined runners.
Class Two looks to be a close run thing at the opening meeting, with returnees Marcus Carniel, Ben Demetriou and Chris Milne up against Fraser Robinson (quick on his limited 2006 outings) and a host of newcomers to the class, including the rapid Brian Robinson. Alan Newbold steps up a class after racing in Class Three in 2006, while John Gilmore will be out in a 911 SC, having previously raced in sports cars in his Australian homeland.
Charles Winterhalder has moved across from the Porsche Open to contest Class Three, and his 944 was rapid in the Open and he could be a dark horse for the overall title this year. Class opposition at Oulton comes from Adrian Stock, making his race debut.
Porsche Club Championship qualifying is at 9.34am with the first of the two 20-minute races at 1.00pm and the second scheduled to start at 4.12pm.
