In a fine demonstration of one of the key aspects of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge – the ability for teams and drivers to move between the series and the headlining Porsche Carrera Cup GB – both GT3 Cup Challenge wins went to Carrera Cup drivers seeking to gain track time before their own series raced at Snetterton, Mark Hazell taking the race one win with George Richardson taking race two.
Qualifying
Hazell took pole, outpacing Richardson as the Carrera Cup racers locked out the front row. Carruthers was third quickest, ahead of Stephen Ritchie with Peter Smallwood heading up Class Three. Thomas Boettcher hit gearbox problems and was out for the rest of the meeting.
“We are taking the opportunity to get some track time before the Porsche Carrera Cup comes here – I haven’t raced here for four years,” said Hazell.
Race One
As they set off on the green flag lap Richardson pulled off, a warning light ablaze on his GT3, leaving Hazell with the front row to himself. At the start Hazell led away, with Ritchie making a strong initial getaway before the car appeared to bog down going into second gear and he lost ground. At the end of lap one it was Hazell clear of Carruthers, Ritchie and Smallwood – with Richardson blasting out the pit lane and rejoining a lap down but keen to make up ground.
Hazell eased out a lead in the early laps, Carruthers in turn clear of Ritchie, the latter dropping back after a spin at the first corner after sitting it out with Richardson who was unlapping himself. The leader stayed clear and was never headed, Carruthers a fine second, with Smallwood taking Class Two and third overall after Ritchie retired with a clutch problem that would also see him out of race two.
“That was a hot race,” said Hazell, “and we have got the track time we wanted. I had a warning light too at the start, but took a chance and it was good to take the win.”
The excitement in the final laps was from the flying Richardson, who was reeling in Smallwood. The latter reacted and upped his pace – staying just clear of Richardson at the end who fought his way back through to fourth.
“That was a good race,” said Carruthers, “it’s nice to have the two Carrera Cup guys out today, it gives us a benchmark to give us something to aim for. I went quicker here than I have ever done before in qualifying which was pleasing, then it was just keeping the car on the track and staying sensible – and was good to take second.”
“That was my first overall podium result – so with the class win as well I am really happy,” said Smallwood. “I spun on lap two when I was hanging onto the Class One guys, but they were just so quick down the straight. I had a good time, and brought the car home in one piece.”
“I got a water pressure warning light at the start,” explained Richardson, “so we had to be careful. After that it was a hot and exciting race, good training for me, some good mileage under my belt here!”
Race Two
Richardson had the front row to himself for race two, Hazell and his team electing to save their car after the warning lights of race one. That saw Richardson make a good start and open a gap to dominate at the front, putting in a series of rapid laps as he eased away to take a well earned win.
Behind, Carruthers was in second, but started having clutch problems, and fell back towards the pressing Smallwood. Just as they were together, Carruthers slowed with a lap to go, and came to halt on the Revett Straight, allowing Smallwood to blast past and take his best ever GT3 Cup Challenge finish.
Carruthers was not included in the final results, not having taken the flag, which on a day of attrition raised the Class Three 928 GTS of Adrian Clark to third.
“It is never east to go easy in a race,” said Richardson after his win, “so I wanted to push hard and be consistent, so this is a good result. It is a shame that Mark didn’t start, but we have had a great day here with the Porsche Club who have really looked after us. They are some good guys in this series.”
“Third last time, second this time – be nice to be on the top step soon!” joked Smallwood after the hot race. “I was having a great battle with Bertie before he had a problem, which as a shame as we were having a great time. We were neck and neck the whole time but I couldn’t quite drag him in. I had some bad luck at Silverstone – so it is nice to have some good luck now.”
At the end of the first lap I started getting a warning light,” said Carruthers, “and I started having trouble getting gears. I thought I had done a great job getting the car round, but as the race progressed it got worse and then I lost the clutch on the last lap.”
Porsche GT3 Cup Race One: 1 Mark Hazell (997 GT3 Cup) 21 laps in 25m53.220s (95.0mph); 2 Bert Carruthers (997 GT3 Cup) +26.629s; 3 Peter Smallwood (996 GT3 Cup); 4 George Richardson (997 GT3 Cup); 5 Adrian Clark (928 GTS); 6 Peter Erceg (968 CS). Class Winners: Hazell; Smallwood; Clark. Fastest Lap: Hazell 1m11.242s (98.63mph).
Race Two: 1 Richardson 21 laps in 25.48.197s (95.31mph); 2 Smallwood +1m14.952s; 3 Clark; 4; Erceg. Class Winners: Richardson; Smallwood; Clark. Fastest Lap: Richardson 1m11.979s (97.62mph).
Next Races: Oulton Park, Cheshire, August 14th.
