Race report - Races 13 and 14: Spa-Francorchamps, 9/10 October 2004

Richard Chamberlain and Peter Cook enacted a mighty contest in the opening Michelin Porsche Open race at Spa-Francorchamps over the weekend (9/10 October), with Chamberlain only grabbing the lead back on the final lap to win in his 935. However, Cook was forced to miss the second race when the oil pressure dropped on his 911GT2 and when Chamberlain hit gearbox dramas, Rupert Lewin swept ahead to win. Race oneThe opening race of the weekend was a real highlight as the Porsche Club GB enjoyed a hugely successful weekend at the superb Belgian track.Chamberlain (935) and Cook (911GT2) enacted a magnificent contest, racing wheel to wheel throughout the race in a battle of the highest order. Both had turns in the lead and it was only when Chamberlain scythed back in front on the final lap that the result was finally settled. The winning margin was just 1.2s after 30 minutes of flat-out racing. In his first Open race of the season, Paul Daniels was a strong third in his 911GT2.There was drama from the start in class two as the 911GT3s of Craig Rapp and Jason Young made contact, and in the resulting confusion Rupert Lewin picked up a puncture on the 996GT2R. Young limped round for a wheel change and then tigered back to grab second in class to Rapp on the final lap from Henry Firman (911GT3 Cup).Paul Howells (993 Supercup) claimed the first of what would be a class three double as Mike Burtt (993RS) led the chase. Meanwhile, class four featured another fine battle as Tim Bevan beat Alex Eacock in a 944 duel with James Clare (924) running them close.Results - race one (12 laps):1 Richard Chamberlain (935) 30m13.651s (166.116kph); 2 Peter Cook (911GT2) 30m14.487s; 3 Paul Daniels (911GT2); 4 Craig Rapp (911GT3 Cup); 5 Jason Young (911GT3 Cup); 6 Henry Firman (911GT3 Cup); 7 Martin Harvey (911 Turbo); 8 Stuart Scott (911GT3 Cup); 9 Paul Howells (993 Supercup); 10 Rupert Lewin (996 GT2R). Class winners: Chamberlain; Rapp; Howells; Tim Bevan (944). Fastest lap: Chamberlain 2m28.571s (168.985kph).Race twoUnfortunately, the second race was not to see a re-run of the Chamberlain/Cook battle. Towards the end of the first race, Cook had lost oil pressure and that prevented him starting the second race.Chamberlain duly took the lead, but he was destined not to finish either as a gearbox oil leak developed, and the 935 was retired to the pits.

Instead, it was Lewin who swept through to victory at the home track of the 996GT2R, finishing nearly a minute up on Young who took a commanding class two victory from Rapp and Firman. Fifth overall and second in class one went to British GT racer Stuart Scott (911GT3 Cup) on his first weekend in the Open Series.

Howells again headed class two, this time from Steve Burtt who took over the 993RS raced the previous day by his father. With Bevan posting an early retirement, Clare led class four but mis-calculated the time remaining and allowed Eacock to nip through to class victory.Results - race two (18 laps): 1 Lewin 47m01.635s (160.160kph); 2 Young 47m58.045s; 3 Rapp; 4 Firman; 5 Scott; 6 Howells; 7 Mike Burtt (993RS); 8 Paul Hogan (996 Turbo); 9 John Allen (993 Supercup); 10 Alex Eacock (944). Class winners: Lewin; Young; Howells; Eacock. Fastest lap: Chamberlain 2m29.359s (168.094kph).The Michelin Porsche Open Series concludes at Donington Park on 23/24 October.