Leeds-based motor racing driver Sam Tordoff will debut in the 2011 Porsche Carrera Cup GB this weekend (3 April), competing against some of the UK’s leading motor racing drivers.
Former British Karting Champion Sam, who works for his family’s Bradford-based car retail business JCT600, follows in the footsteps of his grandfather Jack Tordoff who also competed at a professional standard. Jack competed successfully in a long rallying career winning the International Circuit of Ireland Rally in a Porsche 911 in 1973.
Twenty one year old Sam scored several race wins in his last season’s racing in the 2010 Elf Renault Clio Cup, taking third place in the overall championship and winning the Graduate Cup for drivers under the age of 24.
He also made his debut in the British Touring Car Championship at the final round at Brands Hatch in October and stunned onlookers by qualifying in 8th position and taking a top 10 finish, and was named one of motor racing’s hottest prospects when he was selected for the British Racing Drivers Club ‘Rising Stars’ programme.
In October he was selected by Porsche GB as one of six finalists for its scholarship programme, and was subsequently signed by Leicestershire motor racing team Parker Racing and will compete in all 20 races of the 2011 season that starts on 3 April at Brands Hatch.
Tordoff said: "It's obviously a huge step up from the Clio Cup I've driven for the last two years. The driving style is completely different and the technique of driving the 911 takes a bit of getting used to, but to compete in the Carrera Cup series with a race-winning team such as Team Parker Racing is a massive step in my racing career."
Stuart Parker, principal at Team Parker Racing is very pleased to have signed the Yorkshire youngster. "We are very much looking forward to working with Sam in 2011," said Parker. "It is always fantastic when you get young and motivated drivers in the team as their enthusiasm helps to push the team on ahead of what is going to be a very hard fought season."
The Porsche Carrera Cup GB races that support the British Touring Car Championship fixtures will be shown live on ITV4 throughout weekend the spring and summer.
