Michael Caine made it a perfect weekend by winning round 14 of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at Silverstone today (Sunday 22 August). Caine had to fight ahead of Tim Harvey to make sure of victory, but a hard-earned second place keeps Harvey at the head of the title race with six races to run.
Jonas Gelzinis won pro-am1 despite big pressure from Ollie Jackson, while Glenn McMenamin completed a tremendous day by winning pro-am2 for the second time.
Harvey (Red Line Racing) made a great start from pole and went clear on the opening lap as Caine (Motorbase Performance) fended off Stephen Jelley (Team Parker Racing) to take second. But it was soon clear that Caine had exceptional pace as he closed in on Harvey and they ran nose-to-tail until lap nine when Caine saw his chance at Luffield and squeezed through into the lead.
Once ahead, Caine quickly built his lead while Jelley reeled Harvey in, as Michael Meadows (Red Line Racing) and Glynn Geddie (Team Parker Racing) ran in Jelley's wheel tracks. Rather than try and go after Caine, Harvey had to concentrate on the growing challenge. Then, on lap 15 the safety car was deployed while Paul Mace's car was moved clear.
Caine shot clear again at the re-start, but Harvey now had a queue of cars behind him and spent the rest of the race under intense pressure. Jelley even dived ahead as they braked for Brooklands, but with the medical car on course after Richard Denny (Parr Motorsport) went off at Luffield, Jelley dropped back in behind Harvey until they cleared the incident. That was how they finished, with Jelley, Meadows and Geddie crossing the line in close formation behind Harvey.
However, Caine had been the dominant force of the weekend. "We just had the best car out there," said Caine. "It's a bit easier when your car is so good." Caine earned the 'driver of the weekend' award for his performance. Harvey had to fight to the line for second and the championship lead, while Jelley claimed another podium finish. "Our car was really good and we had the pace for second," said Jelley.
Gelzinis (Juta Racing) had to work hard to get ahead of Euan Hankey (Team Parker Racing) and then ran a fine sixth overall chasing Geddie while defending his place from pro-am1 rival Ollie Jackson (Addison Lee Motorbase). "It's been a difficult day and I tried a few times to overtake Euan Hankey," said Gelzinis. Jackson was close behind at the flag to maintain his pro-am1 title lead. "I lost two places with a terrible start," said Jackson. "I tried to get past Gelzinis when he was behind Hankey," said Jackson as Ahmad Al Harthy (Red Line Racing) completed the pro-am1 podium.
McMenamin (Red Line Racing) completed a great day by leading pro-am1 throughout, keeping George Brewster (Celtic Speed) and George Richardson (Motorbase Performance) at bay. "I can't ask for more than that; it's been a big day for the championship," said McMenamin. "Luckily I got away cleanly at the re-start," added McMenamin as Brewster held off Richardson for second. Celtic Speed took the 'team of the weekend' award.
