The Porsche Carrera Cup GB will start at Thruxton on Easter Sunday, 11 April, when the field of 911 GT3 Cup cars contests the first pair of 2004 races in front of the BTCC crowds.
The Carrera Cup features a 20-race programme at all of the major UK tracks, and the opening two races will pit drivers against the unique high-speed challenge of Thruxton. Three drivers stand out as the most likely pacesetters for the opening two races, while a gaggle of quick racers will be battling for a place on the podium.
Topping the field is former BTCC champion Tim Harvey (RPM Motorsport). Harvey, a former Porsche Supercup racer, is back racing a Porsche for a full campaign and will be a favourite, both in pre-season predictions and with the big crowd expected at Thruxton over the Easter weekend.
Other strong contenders include Richard Westbrook (BEAST Racing), who was championship runner-up in 2003 and Jason Templeman (Team VLR), who finished third last season. Both are determined to make 2004 their title season, and both are eager to get their campaigns off to flying starts.
However, amongst their rivals will be David Pinkney (BEAST Racing), a race winner at Thruxton last year. Pinkney rates Thruxton as one of his favourite tracks, and his pace at the venue is legendary.
A real dark horse, and another driver who loves the high-speed challenge of Thruxton, is Jonathan Fildes, the reigning Renault Clio champion. The Irishman is new to Porsches, and knows that he is on a learning curve with the TCR squad, but will surely develop into a strong contender over the early races of the season.
Red Line Racing and Team Parker Racing will head to Thruxton with very strong three-car squads. RLR has Yorkshiremen Nigel Rice and Des Winks, both returning to racing after a break due to injury and illness, respectively. They are joined by Jason Young who is back for a full Carrera Cup campaign this season.
Having guided Barry Horne to the 2003 title, Team Parker Racing has two Porsche newcomers in the form of Caterham aces Chris Cooper and Martin Rich, while Mark Hazell returns to Porsche racing after a year out in 2003.
Racing brothers Andy Britnell and Gary Britnell (Motorbase Performance) are back to build on the experience gained in 2003, and will be bidding for podium finishes, while series newcomer Marcus Thomas lines up with Templeman in the VLR squad. Though relatively new to racing, Thomas should prosper under the wing of Vic Lee and his team.
