at Donington Tim Bridgman took two pole positions at Donington Park yesterday for rounds five and six of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB this weekend. In an incredibly competitive qualifying session, Bridgman (Team Parker Racing) set the fastest lap ever at Donington for a 911GT3 Cup car when he lapped more than a second beneath the existing lap record. However, it took a second push from Bridgman to take pole back from his team mate Michael Caine in what proved to be a tremendous day for Team Parker Racing. During an enthralling qualifying session, Bridgman set the early pace by twice breaking into the 1m8s bracket. “They were both good laps, but not perfect,” said Bridgman. But then Caine threw down the gauntlet with a lap in 1m08.788s to take pole. That sent Bridgman back onto the track and he set a stunning best of 1m08.540s to make sure of pole for round five, while his second best lap earned him pole for round six. “I was smiling in the car because I thought 1m8.7s would get it, but Tim’s time is amazing,” said Caine. “Team Parker Racing has done a fantastic job.” To complete a near perfect day for the team, Charles Bateman turned in the performance of his career to date to be fourth for round five and then third fastest for round six, ensuring a TPR one-two-three on the grid for round six on Sunday afternoon. “That’s definitely good progress,” said Bateman, and his pace drew praise from team boss Stuart Parker. “The performance of the day is from Charles; I’m absolutely over the moon for the team to get a one-two-three for round six,” said Parker. Splitting the TPR cars in third on the grid for round five will be Tim Harvey (Red Line Racing). “The pace was unbelievable; I was pleased with an 8.8s,” said Harvey. Close behind Harvey for round five was Sam Hancock (Jota Sport) and their positions are reversed on the grid for round six. Also showing well was Callum MacLeod (PCGB), who claimed sixth and seventh grid positions as he continued to learn about the 911GT3 Cup car. Phil Quaife (Jota Sport) took seventh and sixth places, having lapped within seven-tenths of a second of Bridgman’s pole times, and he headed pro-am1 pacesetter Nigel Rice (Red Line Racing). Even though he broke the 1m10s barrier, Rice believed that a better lap had been possible. “I should have gone better, but I had to pass a car at McLeans on my best lap,” he said. Leading the chase of Rice in pro-am1 was Tony Gilham (ReDesign Racing), while Nick Whale (Team RPM) was also showing strong pace to be third in pro-am1 ahead of his Carrera Cup debut. In pro-am2, John Quartermaine (PCGB) continued to up his pace, but admitted to a couple of spins during the half-hour session.