Jim Geddie claimed victory in the opening two rounds of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, the long-time Porsche supporter winning the inaugural races in the new series at Brands Hatch on Saturday 10th April. The Scot used his pace and experience to stay clear of the field, with Stephen Ritchie putting on a strong display on his race debut to take second in both races.

Peter Smallwood claimed both Class Two victories in his 996 GT3 Cup.

Qualifying

Geddie set the qualifying pace on Saturday morning, outpacing Ritchie and Bertie Carruthers to claim pole for both races. Smallwood headed up Class Two, ahead of the 996 that Marcus Fothergill and Dave Benett were sharing.

“Qualifying was good fun,” said Geddie, “this will be a good series, and if we get full grids then it could be spectacular. It’s all equal cars, with equal power – it’s down to the driver.”

Race One

A good start from Geddie saw him into the lead for the opening race of the new series, while Ritchie was slow away, and was tagged by Fothergill powering through from further back on the grid. The contact did not slow Ritchie’s car, but Fothergill was later to retire with radiator problems.

Carruthers was in second behind the flying Geddie, but Ritchie was closing in and took second on the exit to Clearways on lap eight. He then started to close on Geddie, who promptly got the signal from his pit to push on and set a series of fastest race laps as he eased away for the field.

At the chequered flag it was Geddie for the win, clear off Ritchie and Carruthers, with Smallwood taking Class Two.

“I got a message from the pit wall to push when he was coming back at me,“ explained Geddie. “Then I was just trying to be consistent. It’s good to be back out with the Club.”

“I gave it just too much off the line,” said Ritchie, “then felt a little hit from behind. I was happy in third behind Bertie early on, then felt I could just go a little quicker. I was surprised to catch him at Clearways as I had never felt comfortable there all day, but realised that I had the chance and went past. I was so pleased to be second I lost a little concentration, but Jim was away and gone in the lead.”

“That was a hot race – but very enjoyable,” said Carruthers. “I made a mistake into Clearways and he was on the power much earlier and got away.  He was good through Druids on the brakes, so I could never get back at him. We are here to enjoy our racing and I did in that race.”

“That was hard work,” said Smallwood, “I had to be careful on the opening laps as the other 996 had split his radiator and was dumping coolant everywhere, and I had to bide my time as I knew he couldn’t last. But that meant everyone had gone and I was on my own. You are flat out all the way round here, nowhere to take a breath.”

Race Two

Some rapid laps in the early part of the race put Geddie into an unassailable position in race two, and the rapid Scot lowered the GT3 Cup lap record as he kept up a relentless pace to take his second win of the day. The attention was on the battle for second, Ritchie getting away well this time, but Carruthers was closing in.

They circulated lap after lap, Carruthers a length so behind, but he spun on the exit to Graham Hill Bend on lap 14 handing Ritchie a handy lead. Three laps later it looked like the action would be resumed as Ritchie contrived to spin at the same place, but a quick recovery kept him clear of Carruthers and on course for his second runner-up slot of the day.

“I was pleased to take second, it was a great battle with Bertie,” said Ritchie. “These cars are just amazing and so much fun to drive – it’s all about the driver and I still have so much to learn.”

“He got a brilliant starts and I tucked in behind him,” said Carruthers. “He pressured me in the first race, so I thought it was my turn and we had a great race. We were close for seven or eight laps but I lost a third of a lap with a spin. Then I realised he had done the same – but he was still out of reach.”

Thomas Boettcher took fourth in his 997 – having ended race one in the Druids gravel – while Smallwood took Class Two for the second time in the afternoon.

Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Race One (30 Laps): 1 Jim Geddie (997 GT3 Cup); 2 Stephen Ritchie (997 GT3 Cup) +26.619s; 3 Bertie Carruthers (997 GT3 Cup); 4 Peter Smallwood (996 GT3 Cup); 5 Richard Lambert (964 C2). Class Winners: Geddie; Smallwood; Lambert. Fastest Lap:  Geddie 49.387s (87.37mph).

Race Two (25 Laps): 1 Geddie; 2 Ritchie +43.977s; 3 Carruthers; 4 Thomas Boettcher (997 GT3 Cup); 5 Smallwood; 6 Dave Benett (996 GT3 Cup). Class Winners: Geddie; Smallwood; Lambert. Fastest Lap: Geddie 48.776s (88.46mph).

Next Races: Silverstone, Northants. June 26th / 27th.