Rounds 4 and 5: Snetterton, 22/23 May 2004

Chris Egginton and Peter Morris made it a great weekend for Team GVR by taking a win each in rounds four and five of the Michelin Porsche Club Championship at Snetterton over the weekend (22/23 May).

In each race, the pair of 968s was split by less than a second at the end of 30 minutes of flat-out racing. “It’s a great result for the team,” said a jubilant Morris after his victory in Sunday's race. In the classes, there was double success for Rob Williams (Carrera) and Fraser Robertson (944).

Race oneMorris led the early laps of the opening race with Ian White (3.2 Carrera) in his wheeltracks and when Craig Rapp (3.2 Carrera) pitted on lap three with a throttle problem, Egginton was able to close in on the leaders.

However, while lapping slower cars at Coram on lap seven Morris lost track position and White and Egginton dived ahead in the resulting melee as the Club racers turned in another enthralling contest.

Attempting to depose White at the Esses, Egginton fell back to fourth behind John Williams (Carrera RS) but soon powered back into contention before driving around White at Riches to grab a decisive lead.

Morris following through into second place for a Team GVR one-two, finishing less than a second behind his team mate. “The 968 handles better over a race distance so I knew the move would work,” explained Egginton of his race-winning move.

Behind White and Williams the class winning Rob Williams fought off Tom Segrue (944S2) and Richard Lambert (Carrera 3) to win class two after another excellent battle. Splitting the class two leaders, in only his second race in the championship was Marcus Holden (3.2 Carrera).

Rounding out the top ten were Alvaro Crego (944 S2) and Colin Ingram (911 SC) who had a race long battle for position, while Robertson continued his superb winning sequence in class three.

Results – race one (22 laps):

1 Chris Egginton (968 CS) 30m00.721s (85.85mph); 2 Peter Morris (968 CS) 30m01.610s; 3 Ian White (3.2 Carrera); 4 John Williams (Carrera RS); 5 Rob Williams (Carrera); 6 Marcus Holden (3.2 Carrera); 7 Tom Segrue (944 S2); 8 Richard Lambert (Carrera 3); 9 Alvaro Crego (944 S2); 10 Colin Ingram (911SC). Class winners: Egginton; Rob Williams; Fraser Robertson (944). Fastest lap: Egginton 1m19.858s (87.99mph).

Race twoMorris made a perfect start in Sunday's race to open up a good lead while the chasing Williams was tipped into a spin at the Bombhole by White.  White and Egginton (after a tardy start) quickly closed in on the leader but White was soon heading to the pits with a broken rear screen.  “A flying stone smashed it and the crew removed it as quickly as possible,” explained White.

This left Egginton to shadow his team mate to the finish. Meanwhile White was on a mighty charge having rejoined in eighth place. The Somerset raced stormed up the race order until he was on Williams’ tail again at the start of the final lap and challenging for third. “I thought he was the leader, so I let him through, not realising I was in third place at the time” said an amazed Williams. “I’m kicking myself!”

Fifth went to Holden after another impressive drive in close company with class two winner Rob Williams, while Segrue claimed second in class and seventh overall. Lambert came out on top of a three-way contest for eighth with Mark Rogers (911SC) and David Botterill (924 Carrera GT), while Robertson completed a class three double ahead of Chris Berry (911E).

Race two – results (23 laps):

1 Morris 31m07.591s (86.54mph); 2 Egginton 31m08.133s; 3 White; 4 John Williams; 5 Holden; 6 Rob Williams; 7 Segrue; 8 Lambert; 9 Mark Rogers (911SC); 10 David Botterill (924 Carrera GT). Class winners: Morris; Rob Williams; Robertson. Fastest lap: Egginton 1m19.830s (88.02mph).

The Club Championship returns to Snetterton in mid-June for another double-header weekend.