Championship race report Round 3: Silverstone, 15 May 2004

Peter Morris (968CS) drove a superbly calculated race to claim round three of the Michelin Porsche Club Championship at Silverstone on Saturday (15 May).

In one of the best races in the history of the championship, up to seven cars battled for the lead in a fabulous contest that raged throughout the 25-minute race. Tom Segrue (944 S2) and Fraser Robertson (944) clinched the other classes in a truly memorable race.

Team GVR locked out the front row of the grid with the 968s of Chris Eggington and Morris. "It's going to be a struggle getting the 968s off the line, but we've got time to get it back," reckoned Morris after qualifying. Third fastest was Ian White (3.2 Carrera), but he knew he faced a tough battle in the race. "Silverstone is a 968 circuit and I've never really done that well here. I'll be happy to get on the podium," he admitted.

Craig Rapp planted his 3.2 Carrera fourth from John Williams (Carrera), while Rob Williams headed class two in his Carrera from Segrue. Robertson topped class three, which included Chris Berry back in his former 911E for the first time in four seasons.

Race – 22 lapsThe race was to be an absolute thriller and the drama started as Eggington headed the pack into Copse. "I had an amazing start," reckoned Eggington. However, a brush from behind at Copse sent the 968 spinning and with the engine stalled, he dropped to the very tail of the pack.

Through the drama, John Williams grabbed an early lead from Rapp, White, Rob Williams and Morris. For the next 10 laps, the lead pack raced incredibly closely, trading places constantly in an epic battle. Rapp and White both had turns at the head of the pack, but places were changing at almost every corner. At one point the lead group grew to seven cars as Segrue and Mark Lillington (968CS) towed up into contention.

All the time, however, Morris was biding his time and moving slowly up the order and was up to second behind White when Rapp picked up a puncture. That split the pack a little and as Morris and White edged clear, John Williams was left battling against Lillington and Eggington. The drive from the back of the grid to move into the leading group by Eggington was one of the highlights of the race.

Meanwhile, the battle for class two was equally close as Rob Williams and Segrue ran neck and neck for many laps. Eventually, after a fabulous contest Segrue claimed the class by only two seconds from Rob Williams while Richard Lambert nursed his Carrera home third despite concerns that the engine might not last the race.

Back up front, Morris had finally made a decisive gap. "It was a brilliant race," he said. "I knew the 968s would be good later in the race so I was just biding my time. I just picked the moments," he said after a classy victory.

However, second place was far from resolved as White was caught in the closing laps by John Williams and Eggington. Down to Brooklands for the last time, Williams went very late on the brakes in a bid for second. But he slid wide in a monster oversteer and Eggington capitalised by diving ahead as they turned through Brooklands. Lillington, after a cracking drive, was only just behind them in fifth.

"That's the best race ever," reckoned an elated White. "We were swapping the lead all the time!" Eggington, meanwhile, claimed third at the expense of John Williams. "Last to third will do me, but I really wanted second for the team," said Eggington after the drive of the race.

Finally, Robertson romped to class three spoils as Chris Stewart (911E) fended off the similar car of David Fissenden for second in class.

Results– 22 laps:1 Peter Morris (968CS) 25m17.861s (85.63mph); 2 Ian White (3.2 Carrera) 25m23.394s; 3 Chris Eggington (968CS); 4 John Williams (3.2 Carrera); 5 Mark Lillington (968CS); 6 Tom Segrue (944 S2); 7 Rob Williams (Carrera); 8 Richard Harrison (3.2 Carrera); 9 Richard Lambert (Carrera 3); 10 Alvaro Crego (944S2). Class winners: Morris; Segrue; Fraser Robertson (944). Fastest lap: Eggington 1m07.133s (87.89mph).

The Club Championship season continues at Snetterton next weekend (22/23 May) with a double-header weekend.