Tom Bradshaw was in dominant form for the visit of the Baylis & Harding Porsche Club Championship with Pirelli to Cheshire’s Oulton Park circuit, taking two race wins, two pole positions and two fastest race laps. Championship leader Pete Morris continued his run of podium finishes following up a third place in race one with a second in the final event of the day – while Stuart Ings matched his Hartech team-mate Bradshaw with two Class Two wins.
QualifyingBradshaw was quickest in the early morning qualifying session, his Hartech 996 C2 just pipping Mark Sumpter’s 964 C2 to pole. The track was slippery early on, the quickest times coming later in the session, Morris third quickest with Sumpter’s Paragon team-mate Adrian Slater fourth.Ings headed the Class Two times, class points leader Mark Koeberle next up ahead Brian Robinson and Andy Toon.
Race OneThe front of the grid got away cleanly in race one, but the midfield descended into chaos through the first corner as Stuart Ings was eased into a spin and several of his Class Two rivals went off in avoidance – ending the races of Hugo Holmes, Mark Koeberle and Andy Toon. Race control despatched the Safety Car, Bradshaw leading the pack, Ing the rearmost car of the train.
Released at the start of lap four, Bradshaw began to ease away from the chasing Sumpter, while in third Slater was battling with Morris, these two just clear of the chasing John McCullagh who was running fifth. Morris moved into third on lap seven, the championship leader intent on yet another podium position, while at the front, Bradshaw was leading on the road, but that was not the situation on the timing screens…
The race leader was adjudged to have started out of position in the grid and was given a ten-second penalty, which was being shown on the timing screens where he was now second to Sumpter. Bradshaw took the chequer flag with Sumpter initially shown as the winner, but the penalty was rescinded moments after the race – giving Bradshaw his third consecutive victory.
“There was some confusion at the start of race one and thought I had made a clean start,” said Bradshaw, “I didn’t know why the guys on the pitwall were waving me to push on! Luckily the officials revoked the penalty, so happy days!"
“That’s as fast as we can go,” said Sumpter, “I was happy with qualifying, we were a second and a half of quicker than last year. I really enjoy the circuit and the car is going well, it would have been good to have actually had someone to race, but I am sure we will in race two.”
“I’m pleased with another podium,” said Morris, “I had a great battle with Adrian Slater but I finally got past him, and it was a really good race. I have new tyres for race two so should be quicker then.”
Further back Ings was on a charge, the handling of his Boxster improved after a productive test at Oulton the day before racing, and he had fought back to lead the class from Paul Livesey and Brian Robinson by lap nine and take the win.
“I had a gearbox problem testing yesterday so we didn’t get too much done,” said Ings, “but we did sort a few problems. I have to say a big thank you to everyone for missing me in the first corner, it all bunched up and I thought I had held the car but spun. I was last in the queue behind the safety car but was able to pick them off – the car was brilliant.”
Race TwoBradshaw led the field away in race two, Sumpter into second and a strong start from Morris saw him slot into third at the first corner from fifth on the grid. This time Slater, fourth at the end of lap one and Class Two points leader Koeberle were judged to have startline penalties, and given ten-second penalties that stayed enforced.
Bradshaw started to ease away once more, putting in a series of fastest race laps to open a five second gap, while behind the excitement came from the battle for second, Morris right with Sumpter for lap after lap, looking either side of the Paragon 964 into Old Hall without being able to find a way past. The decisive moment came on lap 11, the cars side-by-side out of Cascades on the run through Lakeside, Morris emerging from the far reaches of the full Oulton Park layout ahead.
That settled the order at the front, Bradshaw taking the win from Morris and Sumpter, Slater fourth on the road but getting dropped to fifth behind McCullagh but just tenths of a second behind once his penalty had been applied.
“I got a good start and pulled a gap,” explained Bradshaw, “I could see them battling in my mirrors. I just had to keep it consistent. We’ve had a clean sweep today of pole positions, fastest laps and race wins, I just want to do the same again at Brands, I’ve no real chance of winning the championship so the best I can do is win everything remaining.”
“That was awesome,” said Morris of his battle with Sumpter, “I just wish we had the pace to chase Tom! I think we’ll be closer at Brands, but today has been good we’ve bagged a load of points and I’m hanging in there with my run of podium finishes.”
“We’ve had a good day but still have some work to do on the cars,” said Sumpter, “my car had a spongy brake pedal, a problem we had here last year, and I’d have liked to have been able to fight for longer. I’m happy with two podiums and we’ve had some good battles today.”
Ings was the man to beat in Class Two, heading the class race-long and coming home ninth overall to take his second win of the day and a clean sweep for the Hartech squad. Koeberle was right behind the class leader on the road – and far enough ahead of his rivals to stay second once ten seconds had been added to his race time.
“That felt like a real race,” said Ings, “the car is really sorted now and it’s great to take both wins, we’re on a real high now going into the final races, we have the momentum.”
Baylis & Harding Porsche Club Championship with Pirelli, Round 11 (12 Laps): 1 Tom Bradshaw (996 C2); 2 Mark Sumpter (964 C2) +4.658s; 3 Pete Morris (996 C2); 4 Adrian Slater (964 C2); 5 John McCullagh (Boxster S); 6 Richard Ellis (996 C2); 7 Steve Cheetham (Boxster S); 8 Kevin Harrison (996 C2); 9 Jonathan Evans (Boxster S); 10 David Botterill (964 C2). Class Winners: Bradshaw; Stuart Ings (Boxster S). Fastest Lap: Bradshaw 150.512s (87.69mph).
Round 12 (13 Laps): 1 Bradshaw; 2 Morris +14.801s; 3 Sumpter; 4 McCullagh; 5 Slater; 6 Ellis; 7 Cheetham; 8 Harrison; 9 Ings; 10 Botterill. Class Winners: Bradshaw; Ings. Fastest Lap: Bradshaw 1m50.417s (87.77mph).
Final Rounds: Brands Hatch Festival of Porsche, September 21st, Brands Hatch, Kent.
