Mark Sumpter brought out his trusty 911 Carrera at Brands Hatch as his new mount was not yet ready to race – and promptly took two wins to start his 2011 Porsche Club Champions campaign. Ben Demetriou on his return to the series took two second places, with Kevin Harrison and James Hilliard spending both races squabbling over third and ending up with a podium finish apiece at the end of an exciting afternoon’s racing in the opening two rounds of the season.

Reigning champion Chris Dyer started off his season with a maximum points haul after twice taking Class Two and running well up the top ten overall.

Qualifying

Sumpter came out on top in Saturday morning’s 15-minute qualifying session, heading the field and just pipping Pete Morris after a close and exciting session.

“There were a lot of cars out there and a couple came off, so you had to pick your time to do the time,” explained Sumpter. “There was a lot of gravel on the track up to Druids, but I’m really happy with the time and pole!”

“There was a lot of traffic at the end,” said Morris, “but I’m on the better side of the grid and my car is going really well, so I’m looking forward to the race.”

Demetriou in his Hartech 968 was third quickest, fractionally clear of James Hilliard’s similar car. Row three was also a pair of 968s, Miles Maserati taking fifth ahead of Richard Bennett, who ended the session in the Paddock Hill Bend gravel on his Class One debut. Engine damage to Bennett’s car saw him sidelined for the rest of the day.

With drivers’ second quickest times setting the grid for the second race of the day, it was the same top four heading the grid for the later race, with Dyer heading the Class Two runners on both grids.

Race One

Sumpter led the field away at the start, but the driver drawing the attention was Kevin Harrison, who in a storming getaway from eighth on the grid went round the outside of the lead bunch to hold second as they turned into Paddock Hill Bend. Harrison undid all his good work by running wide on the exit of Graham Hill Bend, and at the end of the opening lap it was Sumpter leading from Morris, Demetriou and Hilliard.

The top three were running close, and pulling away from the rest, with Demetriou looking for a way past Morris. It became two at the front when Morris slowed and then pulled off with a clutch issue, Demetriou showing his pace with a series of fastest laps as he looked for a way past Sumpter.

“I couldn’t get any gears,” explained Morris, “I went to change down from top gear and had no engine braking, that could have been a good finish.”

Together in the final laps, Sumpter never offered Demetriou, suffering with a clutch problem, a clean opportunity and the duo crossed the line half a second apart.

“There was a lot of pressure from Pete Morris early on,” said Sumpter, “then he had a problem and Ben was on my bumper. We had some issues with backmarkers, which always happens here, but it all worked out. It was a good race to win, the car was changing lap by lap.”

“It’s good to be back!” said Demetriou. “We had a clutch issue at the start, but got away and were part of the lead train. Then Pete disappeared, and it was good to stay with Mark right at the end, a great race.”

Maserati had been on course for his first podium finish before pulling off with three laps to go with a gearbox problem, elevating Harrison to fourth, with Hilliard on his back bumper. Try as he might Hilliard could not find a way past, and had to settle for fourth behind the fast-starting Harrison.

“That was a great battle with James Hilliard at the end,” said Harrison. “We were bumper to bumper. The plan at the start was to go round the outside, and suddenly I realised I was in second – then just lost it on cold tyres at Graham Hill Bend.”

Dyer started the defence of his title in the best way possible, taking Class Two and finishing seventh overall.

Race Two

Sumpter made another strong start in race two, which was shortened due to the proximity of Brands Hatch’s curfew, and missing Morris and Maserati, their race one woes beyond repair in time. Hilliard took advantage of the missing Morris to slot into second, with Demetriou, Harrison and Paul Winter behind.

As Hilliard came under pressure from Demetriou, Sumpter opened a gap, Demetriou moving into second at Paddock Hill Bend on lap four and setting off after the leader. Hilliard then had Harrison looking for a way past, resuming their battle for third from race one.

Demetriou kept improving on the fastest race lap as he closed on Sumpter, the pair working their way through the backmarkers with the gap varying, Sumpter still ahead as the flag flew after 18 laps as time ran out and the circuit deadline hit. Behind, Harrison had got past Hilliard at Druids on lap 12 for third, but Hilliard fought back with a big dive down the inside into Paddock Hill Bend with two laps to go to seal the final podium position.

“It was important to try to open a gap early while everyone else was tripping over each other,” said Sumpter, “the 968s seem to be more consistent over the race. When Ben started to get close I had to push hard – and was pleased to see the chequer flag. It’s a fantastic start to the season.”

“I was closing in,” said Demetriou, “and but towards the end it was my turn to have some bad luck with the traffic. I was hoping Mark might give me a bit of a chance at the start, but I couldn’t be happier with how the day has turned out.”

“It’s great to return to the series and get on the podium,” said Hilliard. “It was a big move on Kevin towards the end and a great race, we hope to be out again soon, we just don’t know when yet.”

Dyer won Class Two again for the perfect start to his title defence, making the most of cars going off ahead to take a fine fifth overall.

“I was running alone for much of the race,” said Dyer. “but that kept me out the way of all the dramas. It was a good race, but we’ve scored the points we set out to score, two wins will make it a happy drive home.”

Porsche Club Championship, Round One: 1 Mark Sumpter (3.2 Carrera) 28 laps; 2 Ben Demetriou (968 CS) +0.557s; 3 Kevin Harrison (964 C2); 4 James Hilliard (968 CS); 5 Tim Speed (968 CS); 6 Richard Ellis (993 C2); 7 Chris Dyer (944 S2); 8 Paul Follett (968 CS); 9 Mark Koeberle (968 CS); 10 Mike Salmon (968 CS). Class Winners: Sumpter; Dyer. Fastest Lap: Sumpter 54.275s (79.50mph).

Race Two:  1 Sumpter 18 laps; 2 Demetriou +1.108s; 3 Hilliard; 4 Harrison; 5 Dyer; 6 Follett; 7 Salmon; 8 Paul Winter (968 CS); 9 Malcolm Scott (944 S2); 10 Ellis. Class Winners: Sumpter; Dyer. Fastest Lap: Demetriou 54.207s (79.60mph).

Next Races: Croft, North Yorkshire, April 23rd and 24th.