Tim Harvey makes it nine wins from ten racesOllie Jackson wins pro-am1 thrillerGlenn McMenamin clinches pro-am2 victoryGreat battles all down the field
Tim Harvey completed a marvelous day at Croft today (Sunday 20 June) in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB when he made it nine wins from ten races and built his championship lead to 39 points. In a race full of fierce battling, Ollie Jackson won pro-am1 and Glenn McMenamin won pro-am2.
In front of a packed Croft crowd and live on ITV4, Harvey (Red Line Racing) once again made the start the decisive moment of the race as he out-dragged polesitter Euan Hankey (Team Parker Racing) on the rush to the first corner. However, Harvey was not able to pull away as Hankey mounted a dogged pursuit as he fended off Michael Caine (Motorbase Performance) and Stephen Jelley (Team Parker Racing).
In the early laps, there was little to chose between the leading trio, but as Caine launched his challenge on Hankey, Harvey got his chance to edge clear. Finally, on lap 12 Caine dived inside Hankey at Hawthorns and as they both oversteered through the corner, Caine came out ahead. However, their battle had made life easier for Harvey, who was nearly four seconds clear at the flag. "That was a bit harder and Euan was close at the start," said Harvey. "But I looked after my tyres at the start and I couldn't fault the car."
Caine clinched second, but was frustrated to see Harvey extend his championship lead. "Qualifying cost us," admitted Caine. "We had pretty much the same pace as Tim in the race." Hankey completed the podium, but team mate Jelley was right behind to complete a good weekend.
Jackson had to race very hard to claim both fifth overall and first in pro-am1, running many laps in a mighty contest with Michael Meadows (Red Line Racing), Jonas Gelzinis (Juta Racing) and Charlie Bateman (Motorbase Performance). However, at the hairpin on lap 10 Meadows pushed Bateman wide onto the grass and Meadows dropped to the tail of the field. Meanwhile, Tom Bradshaw (JHR) dived ahead of them both in a fantastic drive from the very back of the grid to seventh at the finish.
Once Gelzinis got clear of the battle he was able to close the gap to Jackson, and only half a second split them at the finish. "Jonas had a lot more pace than me at the finish," said Jackson after a hard-earned victory. Third in pro-am1 went to Tony Gilham (Collins ReDesign Racing) who battled against budget restrictions to claim another podium finish and take the 'driver of the weekend' award, as the Collins ReDesign Racing squad earned the 'team of the weekend' award.
Pro-am2 was just as hard fought and it was McMenamin (Red Line Racing) who tigered through to victory after a well-judged performance. However, early on it was Paul Mace (GT Marques) and George Brewster (Celtic Speed) battling for the lead until a tangle at the Hairpin pitched Mace into retirement and dropped Brewster down the order. McMenamin managed to steer around the drama to take the lead and stayed ahead as Mark Hazell (JHR) drove a fine race to take second from George Richardson (Motorbase Performance), who just pipped the recovering Brewster at the flag. "You've just got to bide your time," said McMenamin of a cracking performance.
