The 2011 Porsche Carrera Cup GB will burst into life at Brands Hatch over the weekend of 2/3 April with the first two races of the 19-race schedule. The signs are that the 2011 season is going to be the best yet, with a fleet of new 450bhp 911 GT3 Cup cars and a host of strong contenders across all three categories.Proudly carrying number one on his car as reigning champion is Tim Harvey (Team Nationwide/Motorbase) and the Oxford-based racer knows that he faces a massive challenge in his bid for a third Carrera Cup title. Harvey has his key rival from 2010, Michael Caine, as his team mate, and has at least five more drivers all aiming to win races.As well as a gaggle of new young challengers, Harvey and Caine have a new model car to get to grips with and Harvey is already buzzing about the latest 911 GT3 Cup. “The car is a big step forward over the previous car,” said Harvey. “The pleasure in driving is up another notch this year and the new car feels quick, even on old tyres. These cars are seriously quick.”Caine joins Harvey in the Nationwide/Motorbase line-up and is determined to go one better than his championship runner-up slot of 2010. Both drivers know that winning titles is all about consistency across the 19-race season and will be eager to scoop two major points’ scores when the season opens with two races on the tight Indy circuit at the Kent venue.Pre-season testing has shown just how big a challenge Harvey and Caine face and in the major group test it was SAS/Red Line duo of James Sutton and Michael Meadows setting the pace. Sutton, the 2007 champion, is back for another shot at the title, while Meadows looks strong as he capitalises on the experience from his debut Carrera Cup season last year.Over at Team Parker Racing, two exciting championship newcomers showed sparkling form in testing and both Sam Tordoff and Richard Plant will go to Brands aiming for at least a place on the podium. Joining them as another exciting newcomer is Carrera Cup Scholar Ben Hetherington, who races alongside Sutton and Meadows at Red Line Racing.While much of the focus will be on the Pro drivers, the battles in Pro-Am1 and Pro-Am2 will be every bit as competitive as the overall contest. In Pro-Am1, it was Red Line Racing’s Ahmad Al Harthy on top during the Snetterton test day and that was a significant confidence boost for the Omani racer. However, Jonas Gelzinis (Juta Racing) and young Scot Rory Butcher (Celtic Speed) were close behind and it is Gelzinis who is expected to be the Pro-Am1 benchmark given his prodigious pace during 2010. In Pro-Am2, George Brewster set down an early marker at Snetterton by going top of the times for Celtic Speed, but was chased hard by impressive Carrera Cup newcomer Keith Webster (Red Line Racing) and Steve Parish from the Motorbase Performance team.After qualifying at 11.55 on Saturday, round one will start at 17.45 on Saturday, while round two will be at 13.15 on Sunday and will be broadcast live on ITV4 during the extensive BTCC programme, which starts at 11.00.