With just two races left after this weekend’s (Saturday September 12th) two rounds, the Fuel Protect Porsche Club Championship with Pirelli’s visit to Oulton Park could prove crucial in the season-long title battle. Five wins and a consistent finishing record have seen reigning champion Pete Morris head the points, but he has faced a stiff challenge at the front in recent races and Oulton Park should be no different.
Morris has headed the points for much of the season in his Strasse run 996 C2, and it has been the 996s he has mostly had to beat at the front, with Craig Wilkins and Mark McAleer also taking wins in that 911 variant. All three have been constant front-runners, Wilkins winning again last time out at Snetterton but then a touch with Morris on the final lap of the second race as he looked for a way past and into the lead saw him retire his 996.
McAleer has shown pace but has been hit by a series of mechanical niggles that have dented his points score, while other 996 racers to feature on the podium have included Kevin Harrison, a fine second at Snetterton, Paul Winter and Mike Johnson. Taking the fight to the 996s since he joined the series at Silverstone has been Gary Duckman, who took a win in his Boxster S at Brands Hatch in July and has recorded a string of pole positions.
Adding model variety to Class One have been the Cayman S runners, Chris Dyer putting his Strasse run example on the podium at Donington Park. Unique amongst the field as it runs Porsche’s PDK automatic gearbox is the Cayman of disabled racer Natalie McGloin, whose car is fitted with full hand controls.
Class Two has seen some equally tight lead battles, Steve Cheetham currently on a run of three wins out for four races in his Boxster S – the model running at a higher minimum weight in Class Two – with Jonathan Evans a front-runner in his Boxster, though at Snetterton his races were blighted by an ABS issue. Quickest of the front-engined runners has been Tim Speed in his 968 CS, always quick in the final laps and on a charge to the front, while Richard Higgins and Andy Toon have also been up at the front.
Class Three provides a low-cost route into the series with restrictions on tyre use etc., Mission Motorsort’s James Cameron setting the pace with John Gilmore.
Qualifying is at 08.30 on Saturday morning, with the two 25-minute races at 12.05 and 17.30.
