The high-speed Thruxton circuit in Hampshire is the venue this coming weekend, June 11th and 12th, for rounds seven and eight of the 2011 Porsche Club Championship, with the two races expected to continue the close and exciting racing seen so far in the competitive series. Mark Sumpter took the wins in the first four races, but his reign was over at Donington last month where Pete Morris took the first win for a front-engined car in 2011, and then Sumpter’s team-mate Andy Purdie won race two in his first meeting with his newly built-up 964 C2.

The racing at the front of the field has been close all season, with Sumpter having to work ever harder for his wins prior to Donington. As well as the challenges from Purdie and 968 CS mounted Morris, both Ben Demetriou, 2009 Class One champion and winner of both races the least time the series was at Thruxton, and 2007 overall champion Mark McAleer, twice second to Demetriou when the series visited in 2009, are out in new 968s, and will be running at the front, the 968 suited to the long fast Thruxton sweeps.

Other Class One challengers include the fast-starting Kevin Harrison in his 964, the consistent and quick Miles Maserati, Paul Follett, due a strong finish in his 968, and Richard Ellis, the 993 C2 proving competitive at Thruxton two years ago.

The Hampshire circuit often sees the Class Two cars getting amongst the more powerful runners, the fast corners allowing the 944s in particular to carry their speed and momentum round the major part of the lap. 2010 overall champion Chris Dyer is always a challenger, though was headed home at Donington by former Class One race winner Marcus Carniel on a rare 2011 outing.

Qualifying for the Porsche Club Championship runners is at 14.15 on Saturday afternoon, with the first of the two 25-minute races at 17.00. Sunday’s race is scheduled to start at 12.05.