The stage is set for a thrilling title conclusion after Michael Caine and Tim Harvey set the pace in testing ahead of the final two rounds of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at Brands Hatch today (Friday 8 October).
The two overall title contenders headed the time sheets with Caine (Motorbase Performance) going fastest by 12-hundredths of a second from championship leader Harvey (Red Line Racing). Ollie Jackson (Addison Lee Motorbase) blitzed to the top of pro-am1 with fifth fastest overall while Glenn McMenamin (Red Line Racing) set the pro-am2 pace. In an incredibly competitive field, less than one and a half seconds covered the top 22 cars from the 24-car field.
"It's where we need to be, with Tim behind me," said Caine after setting a best of 47.206s in the day's second test session. Both Caine and Harvey went out on new tyres mid-way through the afternoon session and ended the day separated by 0.124s. However, Harvey was disappointed not to have been fastest. "There was definitely a 47.1s in the car, but I got traffic on my new tyres. The car is fantastic and our goal is to get two poles."
Harvey goes into qualifying with a 19-point lead over Caine, but with 44 points on offer across two races the matter is far from settled. Pole positions for each race is worth one point, so qualifying early on Saturday afternoon will have even greater importance than ever. Equally, with overtaking so tricky on the Indy circuit, the two title contenders are determined to start both races from the front of the grid.
Third fastest in his bid to clinch third place in the final championship standings was Glynn Geddie (Team Parker Racing). "We're where we need to be for third," said Geddie, who was less than a tenth of a second behind Harvey and just ahead of his Parker team mate Stephen Jelley.
Fifth fastest and pro-am1 leader was Jackson after a mighty performance on old tyres. "We came here testing on Wednesday and that definitely paid off," said Jackson. "I'm very happy with that, but I could have found a bit more time at Surtees." Behind Michael Meadows (Red Line Racing) and Tom Bradshaw (JHR) was Ahmad Al Harthy (Red Line Racing), who was second in pro-am1. "It's just a matter of finding space in qualifying," said Al Harthy. "We know we have good pace."
In pro-am2, McMenamin jumped to the top of the times once he went for new tyres in the cooler afternoon session. However, he was cautious about qualifying as he goes head to head with George Brewster (Celtic Speed) for the pro-am2 title. "I've learnt not to get too excited about testing and wait and see what happens in qualifying," said McMenamin. Splitting them in testing was George Richardson (Motorbase Performance), who lost his best time on new tyres to traffic.
