Races 4 and 5: Snetterton, 22/23 May 2004Richard Chamberlain made it four wins from four races in the Michelin Porsche Open Series at Snetterton on Saturday (22 May), but driveshaft failure put him out of round five race on Sunday and left the way open for Craig Rapp (911GT3) to score victory.

Race oneWith Rupert Lewin's 996 GT2R suffering engine dramas during pre-event testing only mechanical problems would come between Chamberlain and victory on his home track.  “I was looking forward to the battle as Rupert's 996 is quicker down the straights while I’m faster through the corners,” said Chamberlain of his rival’s absence.

Chamberlain duly romped to a fourth victory and even had time for a quick pit stop in the opening race. Rapp led the chase of the flame-spitting 935 and finished a secure class-winning second in his 911 GT3 Cup car.

Kevin Harrison (911 GT3) battled with Nick Staveley (911 GT3) once again for third until a gearbox problem sidelined Harrison. Meanwhile, a fired up Steve Donovan (911 GT3 RS) gave chase to Staveley and stole third position in the second half of the event.

Henry Firman (911 GT3) fought ahead of the similar car of Gerald Harrison and Tony Brown (964 RSR) to take fifth, despite a spin at Russell. Meanwhile. Harrison and Brown turned in an entertaining battle, and traded sixth place a number of times before the place went to Harrison by a few feet.

Eighth went to Gordon Matthew (944 Turbo), who took his second class win in the space of seven days, while the class four winning Alex Eacock (944) fought race long to pass Ragdan El-Akabi (Carrera RS). Eacock finally succeeded in grabbing ninth overall just two laps from the finish.

Race one – results (25 laps)

1 Richard Chamberlain (935) 30m05.635s (97.29mph); 2 Craig Rapp (911 GT3) 24 laps; 3 Steve Donovan (911GT3 RS); 4 Nick Staveley (911GT3); 5 Henry Firman (911GT3); 6 Gerald Harrison (911GT3); 7 Tony Brown (964 RSR); 8 Gordon Matthew (944 Turbo); 9 Alex Eacock (944); 10 Ragdan El-Akabi (Carrera RS). Class winners: Chamberlain; Rapp; Matthew; Eacock. Fastest lap: Chamberlain 1m08.886s (102.01mph).

Race twoChamberlain's perfect 2004 record ended on Sunday with a failed driveshaft on the warming up lap. “What’s annoying is we changed it for a new one last night,” he said. That drama left Rapp to romp clear of the pack on his way to victory.  “I was a bit lonely out there,” admitted the delighted winner.

Donovan dealt with Staveley’s early challenge to secure second place while Brown’s mid-race attempts to steal third were thwarted as Staveley upped his pace to ensure a podium position.

The most intriguing battle of the race involved Harrison and Firman. After many laps in his shadow, Harrison nipped ahead of Firman. However, Firman fought back and while noticeably quicker in the corners he couldn’t find a way past until the very last moment when he pulled out of his rival's slipstream to steal fifth place by inches. “A fabulous race,” said Firman afterwards.

Chris Egginton (968CS) won class three by twenty seconds from El-Akabi, who had another race long battle over eighth place with the class four winning Eacock.

Race two – results (24 laps)

1 Rapp 30m 33.623s (91.97mph); 2 Donovan 30m 43.135s; 3 Staveley; 4 Brown; 5 Firman; 6 Harrison; 7 Chris Egginton (968CS); 8 El-Akabi; 9 Eacock; 10 Tim Bevan (944). Class winners: Donovan; Rapp; Egginton; Eacock. Fastest lap: Rapp 1m14.091s (94.84mph).

The Open Series returns to Snetterton in mid-June for another double-header weekend.