RACING EXPOSURE :: Club level motorsport e-magazine

Lloyd makes Porsche Carrera Cup GB history

Daniel Lloyd made a piece of Porsche Carrera Cup GB history at Thruxton (29 April) when he became the first Carrera Cup GB Scholarship driver to score a race victory in his Scholarship season.

Just six races into his Scholarship year, Lloyd swept to a sensational victory in truly challenging conditions. It was a performance that caught the attention of many experts, including ITV4 commentator Toby Moody, who described the race live. “The second Carrera Cup race at Thruxton was one of the best races I’ve commentated on for a while because it was in damp conditions with the guys on slick tyres,” said Moody. “For a Scholarship winner to win during his third race weekend was a little piece of history I was privileged enough to witness.”

For Huddersfield-based Lloyd (20), it was a landmark result. Former Scholarship drivers Michael Meadows and Euan Hankey both won races in the season following their Scholarship year, and Meadows currently leads the 2012 title race, but no Scholar has won as early in their Carrera Cup career as Lloyd.

“We’ve had massive ups and downs over the first three race weekends,” said Lloyd. “Everything is positive with my pace and how I’ve done, but we’ve yet to have that solid weekend. Again at Thruxton we didn’t think it was going to happen, because it just hasn’t been going our way.

“Going into the second race at Thruxton we went on slicks and the conditions were tough,” continued Lloyd. “But I got a fantastic start and went from eighth to second on the first lap. On lap five I lost my splitter just as it began to dry a bit and Michael Meadows began to catch me. Then it started raining again quite heavily, which evened things out a bit. It was just a hard race. All credit to Rory Butcher, he did a fantastic job leading without having anyone to chase. To bring the win home was just fantastic. It’s been an amazing start to the Carrera Cup. Everyone at Team Parker Racing has been unbelievable and everything is going really well.”

During the six-week break until the Oulton Park race weekend (9/10 June), Dan will take part in the Leeds Half Marathon on 13 May for his nominated charity, the Forget-Me-Not Children’s Hospice in Huddersfield. “It’s my first half-marathon,” said Lloyd. “I’ve run 10km before, so this will be the furthest I’ve ever run. It’s for a great local charity and it makes you realise how lucky you are.”

Lloyd wins Carrera Cup thriller at Thruxton

Daniel Lloyd scored a stunning debut Porsche Carrera Cup GB victory at Thruxton today (Sunday 29 April) in a thrilling round six of the championship. In a race of ever changing fortunes, run with slick tyres on a very slippery track, Lloyd battled ahead of long-time leader Rory Butcher as Glynn Geddie charged through to grab second place.

In a race where the entire field started on slicks on a damp track, and then had to cope with more rain mid-race, there was superb action all down the field as drivers battled successfully to stay on track. In Pro-Am1, Ahmad Al Harthy (Redline/Oman Air) completed a perfect weekend with another victory, while Tania Mann (SIBSport) gain scored maximum Pro-Am2 points after her first taste of racing in such conditions.

Butcher (Celtic Speed) is renowned for his pace in tricky conditions and he burst into the lead at the first corner as Lloyd (JD Pierce with Team Parker) turned in a monster opening lap to go from eighth on the grid to second place. Michael Meadows (Redline Racing) slotted into third, while Geddie (Redline Racing) charged through from 11th on the grid to hold sixth place behind Jonas Gelzinis (Juta Racing).

Despite losing the splitter from the front of his car on lap five, Lloyd maintained a dogged chase of Butcher and his prayers for more rain were answered mid-race. That mitigated the loss of the splitter somewhat and allowed him to stay close to Butcher as Meadows held a watching brief in third and Geddie hunted them all down.

Conditions mid-race were incredibly tough as the rain returned, but the driving standards were superb as Butcher fended off Lloyd. But Geddie was the big threat now, having demoted Meadows, and by lap 18 the leading trio were almost nose-to-tail. Out of Church a lap later, Butcher and Lloyd were side-by-side and they raced level up to the Chicane with Geddie close behind. Lloyd tried for the outside, but Butcher’s car snapped into a spin and Lloyd had to straight-line the chicane to avoid contact.

Now it was Lloyd leading under pressure from Geddie and the Carrera Cup Scholarship driver held on for a debut win by just half a second. “Rory did a great job leading,” said Lloyd. “When he spun I had nowhere to go: it’s just fantastic to get my first win.” “We needed that result,” said Geddie after his best drive of the season to date.

Butcher had given his all in supremely tough conditions and completed the podium as Meadows ran home fourth. “That was about championship preservation,” said Meadows, who had wisely opted to make sure of another strong finish rather than take big chances. Ben Barker (Parr Motorsport) and Gelzinis completed the top six.

Al Harthy again won Pro-Am1 from seventh overall, having raced well clear of a long tussle between Oly Mortimer (GT Marques) and Victor Jimenez (Redline/Oman Air). “That’s been the toughest weekend I’ve had in the Carrera Cup,” said Al Harthy. “The conditions were incredible, and we’ve had two really strong results.”

Round six results:
Pro category: 1 Daniel Lloyd; 2 Glynn Geddie; 3 Rory Butcher
Pro-Am1 category: 1 Ahmad Al Harthy; 2 Oly Mortimer; 3 Victor Jimenez
Pro-Am2 category: 1 Tania Mann

Meadows dominates Carrera Cup GB round five at Thruxton

Michael Meadows dominated round five of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at Thruxton today (Sunday 29 April) to score his fourth win from five races as dreadful weather conditions made it one of the toughest races in the 10-year Carrera Cup history.

Meadows drove a superb race as heavy rain and wind made for a truly challenging race and the fact that every car finishing unscathed was testament to the skill of the drivers. Ahmad Al Harthy claimed another Pro-Am1 win, while Tania Mann bagged maximum points in Pro-Am2 after her first experience of racing in the rain.

With the track awash, the race started behind the safety car to allow drivers to explore the conditions. After three laps, the pace car peeled off and the race started in earnest. Richard Plant (Team Parker Racing) jumped Meadows (Redline Racing) and was actually ahead before they reached the start line. But Meadows bided his time and edged ahead as they raced through the Complex for the eighth time.

Once ahead, Meadows quickly built his lead and was able to ease back over the closing stages as the rain continued. “I didn’t get a great start, but once I got ahead it was a lot easier,” said Meadows. “But the conditions were terrible,” he said after extending his overall championship lead.

Plant soon came under attack from Ben Barker (Parr Motorsport) and a trip across the kerbs removed the front splitter from Plant’s car. That left Plant powerless to defend and Barker took second before the chasing Rory Butcher (Celtic Speed) closed in and took third from Plant. “There was zero visibility when running behind another car,” said Barker after a strong drive. “Once I got past Richard it was a lot easier.”

Butcher revelled in the rain to claim a deserved overall podium from sixth on the grid. “That was worse than Knockhill,” he said of the conditions after a first class performance. Plant battled home fourth, which was scant reward for his early race pace. Like Plant, Daniel Lloyd (JD Pierce with Team Parker) had to contend with no front splitter which seriously affects the car’s handling in the fast corners, but he claimed fifth at the flag.

Al Harthy (Redline/Oman Air) always set the pace in Pro-Am1 and took sixth overall as well as a resounding category victory. He spent many laps tracking Chris Dymond (Parr Motorsport) and finally worked ahead on the final lap. “I think I was faster than him, but I just couldn’t see anything,” said Al Harthy.

Further back, Oly Mortimer (GT Marques) battled hard to take second in Pro-Am1 after a lengthy challenge from Victor Jimenez (Redline/Oman Air). “It wasn’t the amount of grip that was the problem, it was the standing water,” said Mortimer. Jimenez lost his splitter later in the race, but the chasing Derek Pierce (JD Pierce with Team Parker) suffered the same problem and was not able to challenge the Spanish driver for the final Pro-Am1 podium place.

“That was my first race in the rain: I couldn’t see a thing,” said Mann (SIBSport) after she coped remarkably well in the conditions to stay in touch with the Pro-Am1 cars and claim another Pro-Am2 maximum score.

Round five results:
Pro category: 1 Michael Meadows; 2 Ben Barker; 3 Rory Butcher
Pro-Am1 category: 1 Ahmad Al Harthy; 2 Oly Mortimer; 3 Victor Jimenez
Pro-Am2 category: 1 Tania Mann

Barker wins Michelin award in Carrera Cup GB at Thruxton

Ben Barker is the third Porsche Carrera Cup GB racer of the season to benefit from Michelin’s on-going support of the championship by winning a set of tyres this weekend at Thruxton (28/29 April).

At the start of his first full season in the Carrera Cup GB, Barker is already showing front-running pace despite an accident in the second race at Donington Park last time. With his Parr Motorsport car rebuilt, Barker qualified third and then fourth for the two races at Thruxton. Sunday’s round five will be his first race at the high-speed Hampshire track.

Having been the control tyre supplier for the Carrera Cup GB for ten seasons since the championship was created in 2003, Michelin is once more supporting the teams and drivers with the award of a complete set of slick racing tyres at each event. Before the start of testing, a name is drawn from a hat to receive the tyres, with a value of more than £1200.

Meadows takes double Carrera Cup GB pole at Thruxton

Michael Meadows completed a perfect run of six pole positions on the trot for the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at Thruxton today (Saturday 28 April) by setting the standard for rounds five and six of the 2012 championship. In changing weather conditions, Meadows and the Redline Racing team judged it perfectly to end the qualifying session on top.

Meadows changed to slick tyres at just the right moment as the track became less wet in the closing stages of qualifying. He was the only driver to post two laps under the 1m20s mark and duly claimed another two pole positions. In pro-Am1, Ahmad Al Harthy made it a great day for Redline Racing with two poles, while Pro-Am2 runner Tania Mann (SIBSport) qualified in among the Pro-Am1 pack on her first experience of driving a 911GT3 Cup in the wet.

Initially, everyone went out on wet tyres and it was Rory Butcher (Celtic Speed) who set the pace. But as the half-hour session progressed the track dried a little and Meadows was one of the first to opt for slicks. It proved to be a smart move and he maintained his unbroken 2012 run of poles. “We set the car believing it would dry and I got five laps on the slicks,” said Meadows. “We always planned to do two three-lap runs on wets and then change to slicks.”

Meanwhile, Richard Plant (Team Parker Racing) stayed on wets for the session and was second for round five and sixth for round six. “It was a bit of a lottery: it was a knife edge,” said Plant. Butcher bagged his best ever Carrera Cup grid position with second for round six and will start sixth for round five. “That was quite a stressful session,” said Butcher. “The next lap on the slicks would have been good, but the chequered flag was out.”

In a good session for Parr Motorsport, Ben Barker was third and then fourth, with Chris Dymond taking an excellent fourth for the opening race. “I went to slicks early and got a good lap in, but I wondered if it was the right way to go,” said Dymond. Jonas Gelzinis (Juta Racing), Daniel Lloyd (JD Pierce with Team Parker) and Sam Tordoff (Team Parker Racing) all claimed top six positions across the two grids in a session of ever-changing fortunes.

In Pro-Am1, Al Harthy (Redline/Oman Air) clinched both poles having traded 35 degree temperatures in his home country for six degrees at Thruxton. “We went to slicks at the end but I really wasn’t sure if it was the right way to go. The team got me back out in amazingly quick time,” said Al Harthy. Second in Pro-Am1 in both sessions was Oly Mortimer (GT Marques) after a strong performance, while Victor Jimenez (Redline/Oman Air) was third for both races after his first time in the wet.

Round five grid:
Pro category: 1 Michael Meadows (1m19.087s); 2 Richard Plant (1m19.817s); 3 Ben Barker (1m19.898s). Pro-Am1 category: 1 Ahmad Al Harthy (1m20.819s); 2 Oly Mortimer (1m22.747s); 3 Victor Jimenez (1m22.867s).
Pro-Am2 category: 1 Tania Mann (1m25.568s).

Round six grid:
Pro category: 1 Michael Meadows (1m19.550s); 2 Rory Butcher (1m21.257s); 3 Jonas Gelzinis (1m21.517s).
Pro-Am1 category: 1 Ahmad Al Harthy (1m22.208s); 2 Oly Mortimer (1m22.994s); 3 Victor Jimenez (1m24.738s).
Pro-Am2 category: 1 Tania Mann (1m26.255s).

BTCC Support races practise day, Thruxton.

Before the British Touring Car Championship returns to Thruxton on April 28-29th, the support races were out on track for a practise day and this year there is a big change at Club. The first thing you notice is the new asphalt with the large Motorola sponsorship painted on the inside of the corner, but look a little closer and you can see more fresh asphalt. The corner looks a little tighter `S` shape, add to that the new curbs to catch any driver that decides to make their own line through the corner. Its going to be interesting to find out what happens when the BTCC go through Club, expect punchers and more!

The BTCC support races consist of: Renault UK Clio Cup, Porsche Carrera Cup GB, Ginetta Supercup Championship and the Ginetta Junior Championship.

All (including the BTCC) will be on track for an action packed day on April 28^th for qualifying and the 29^th for race day.

Tim Surman

Race 2: Meadows takes Carrera Cup GB round two at Brands Hatch

Pic: Norwich Photo

Michael Meadows wins from the front as Daniel Lloyd leads the chase
Oly Mortimer takes Pro-Am1 spoils
Tautvydas Barstys claims first Pro-Am2 victory

Michael Meadows scored a resounding victory in round two of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at Brands Hatch today (Sunday 1 April) with a faultless drive as Carrera Cup Scholarship driver Daniel Lloyd drove a great race to lead the pursuit and take second.

After being penalised down to third place in Saturday’s opening race for exceeding the track limits, Meadows (Redline Racing) came back in style to win round two after leading from the lights to the flag. Both Pro-Am1 and Pro-Am2 provided first time victories as Oly Mortimer (GT Marques) and Tautvydas Barstys (Juta Racing) took advantage of other drivers’ problems to head their respective categories in an action-packed race.

Meadows swept ahead from the start as Lloyd (JD Pierce with Team Parker) slotted into a second place he would hold all race. The gap was seldom more than a second and Meadows had to deal with two safety car periods before finally taking the chequered flag after a drive that underlined his position as early season pacesetter. “It wasn’t easy but it was comfortable,” said Meadows. “Daniel was always there, but as long as I didn’t make a mistake I was okay.”

Meadows didn’t make any mistakes and duly established an early points’ lead as Lloyd starred with a great performance to take second. “It’s been an amazing weekend,” said Lloyd, who has crashed out of the first race after a puncture. “I’m just glad we came back strongly today,” he added. “34 laps round here is tough, so I’m very pleased.” Jonas Gelzinis (Juta Racing) and Sam Tordoff (Team Parker Racing) made up a close-knit leading quartet and were always ready to pounce if either Meadows or Lloyd had made a mistake.

A mighty recovery drive after a first corner knock sent him down to 13th place netted Ben Barker (Parr Motorsport) a superb fifth place. However, out of luck was round one winner Richard Plant (Team Parker Racing) who was given a drive through penalty for a false start before tigering back to take seventh place behind Chris Dymond (Parr Motorsport).

With round one Pro-Am1 winner Derek Pierce (JD Pierce with Team Parker) out at the first corner after a clash, Ahmad Al Harthy (Redline/Oman Air) fought ahead of Michael Leonard (Naas Court Hotel with Parker) and went on to win on the road. However, a five-second penalty for running wide at Graham Hill Bend cost Al Harthy victory and dropped him to third as Mortimer took over to win with George Brewster (Celtic Speed) right behind. “I didn’t expect that: I’m over the moon,” said Mortimer. Meanwhile, Brewster won the ‘driver of the weekend’ award for scoring his first Pro-Am1 podium after a trying weekend. Team Parker Racing earned the ‘team of the weekend’ award.

The contest for Pro-Am2 featured changing fortunes and included a clash at Druids when Will Goff (Goff Racing) and Tania Mann (SIBSport) touched and spun. Mann later ended her race in the gravel at Paddock Hill Bend and it was Jean Glorieux (Speedlover) who headed the pack over the line. But he was also penalised five seconds for running wide and dropped to third so Barstys claimed victory after holding off the challenging Goff.

Round Two results:
Pro category: 1 Michael Meadows; 2 Daniel Lloyd; 3 Jonas Gelzinis
Pro-Am1 category: 1 Oly Mortimer; 2 George Brewster; 3 Ahmad Al Harthy
Pro-Am2 category: 1 Tautvydas Barstys; 2 Will Goff; 3 Jean Glorieux

Race 1: Plant takes first Carrera Cup GB win at Brands Hatch

Richard Plant wins season opener after Michael Meadows is penalised
Derek Pierce dominates Pro-Am1
Will Goff wins Pro-Am2 on championship debut

Richard Plant started his second season in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB with victory in round one at Brands Hatch today (Saturday 31 March) after Michael Meadows was penalised five seconds for running wide at Graham Hill Bend.

Both drivers turned in fine drives to head the field with Meadows staying just clear of his rival until the penalty for exceeding the track limits was applied and he dropped to third in the final results behind Plant and Jonas Gelzinis. Derek Pierce shot into the lead of Pro-Am1 from the start and was never headed while Will Goff bagged Pro-Am2 after overhauling early leader Tania Mann.

Meadows (Redline Racing) converted pole into a first corner lead and that was where he stayed for 34 laps as Plant (Team Parker Racing) chased relentlessly. The gap was never much more than a second, although Meadows jumped clear after an early safety car. Plant then battled back towards the leader and ran within half a second all the way to the flag. Unfortunately for Meadows, he was penalised five seconds late in the race for running all four wheels over the white line on the exit of Graham Hill Bend.

“Disappointing,” said Meadows with some understatement after an otherwise faultless drive. “I wasn’t in any trouble: I’ll just try again tomorrow.” For Plant his first Carrera Cup victory was a landmark result. “I wanted to keep with Michael because he’s one of the fastest guys on the grid. It’s hard to come into such a challenging championship and get your first win so I couldn’t ask for more,” said Plant.

Gelzinis (Juta Racing) had chased Meadows and Plant for lap after lap and took over second place when Meadows was penalised. “In the end I didn’t push too much because I wasn’t 100% sure the tyres would last,” said Gelzinis after keeping fourth-placed Sam Tordoff (Team Parker Racing) at bay. Tordoff had moved up to fourth when Daniel Lloyd (JD Pierce with Parker) suffered a puncture and spun out of fourth place and into the Paddock Hill gravel on lap 11. Tordoff was half a second away from demoting Meadows back to fourth at the flag. Ben Barker (Parr Motorsport) wrapped up the top five from Glynn Geddie (Redline Racing).

Pierce (JD Pierce with Parker) shot into the Pro-Am1 lead with a rocket start that put him ahead of Ahmad Al Harthy (Redline/Oman Air). When Michael Leonard (Naas Court Hotel with Parker) dived ahead of Al Harthy into Clearways, Pierce was able to consolidate his advantage. “Job done,” said Pierce. “I made a mega start. Michael gave me a hard time for a few laps after the safety car, and then I just kept it clean,” he added after finishing four seconds clear. Meanwhile, Al Harthy battled to find a way around Leonard, who defended vigorously to retain second. “I didn’t get one minute to chill out,” said Leonard.

Pro-Am1 boiled down to a battle between Goff (Goff Racing) and Mann (SIBSport) after an early clash between Tautvydas Barstys (Juta Racing) and Jean Glorieux (Speedlover). Mann led the early laps, but Goff then edged ahead and pulled clear for a debut victory as Mann took second despite a late pit stop when she thought she had picked up a puncture. “That was a good race,” said Goff after an excellent drive, while Mann accumulated vital race experience on her Carrera Cup debut. “It was hard work, but I’m glad to get the first race under my belt,” she said.

Round One results:
Pro category: 1 Richard Plant; 2 Jonas Gelzinis; 3 Michael Meadows
Pro-Am1 category: 1 Derek Pierce; 2 Michael Leonard; 3 Ahmad Al Harthy
Pro-Am2 category: 1 Will Goff; 2 Tania Mann

Michael Meadows underlined his status as early season pacesetter in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at Brands Hatch today (Saturday 31 March) by taking two pole positions for the opening two rounds of the 2012 championship.

While Richard Plant and Carrera Cup Scholarship driver Daniel Lloyd led the chase of Meadows at the head of the Pro category, Ahmad Al Harthy and Tania Mann were the stars of Pro-Am1 and Pro-Am2 in a superbly competitive field. Less than a second covered the first 14 drivers and the entire 21-car field was covered by less than two seconds on the grid for the opening race of 2012.

“That’s been quite a good day so far,” said Meadows (Redline Racing). “We got a good balance yesterday and I saw a 45.9s lap on the dash.” However, on official times his best lap was 46.006s as he clinched pole for round one and during a series of very quick laps, he set a second best of 46.092s to secure pole for round two as well. “That’s the perfect start to the season,” he said after scoring the first two championship points of 2012.

Plant (Team Parker Racing) was second and then third on the two grids to score his best qualifying result so far and get his season off to an excellent start. “I went into qualifying more relaxed and it was a great session,” said Plant. Meanwhile, Lloyd (JD Pierce with Team Parker) took third and then second places to make the most impressive start to a season so far for a Scholarship driver. “Absolutely mega,” said an elated Lloyd. “There was a little bit more in me,” he added.

Completing the top six overall for both races were Jonas Gelzinis (Juta Racing) with two fourth places, Ben Barker (Parr Motorsport) in fifth and sixth and Sam Tordoff (Team Parker Racing) with sixth and fifth. For round one, the top eight drivers on the grid were split by less than a third of a second.

It was almost as close at the head of Pro-Am1 with 15-hundredths of a second separating Al Harthy (Redline/Oman Air), Derek Pierce (JD Pierce with Team Parker) and Michael Leonard (Naas Court Hotel with Team Parker). The grid for round two was the same, with an almost identical gap in the times. “That was a very good session,” said Al Harthy. “I’m pleased with how the car feels.” Pierce had a better time disallowed for running four wheels over the white line at the edge of the circuit, but Pierce and Leonard were in very good shape and look set to take the Pro-Am1 battle to Al Harthy.

It was a superb session for Tania Mann (SIBSport) who claimed both Pro-Am2 poles ahead of her Carrera Cup debut. She upped her pace further from testing and headed Pro-Am2 as a third of a second covered the four cars in the category. “That’s fantastic,” said Mann. “I was just building up steadily again and following our plan.” Series newcomer Jean Glorieux (Speedlover) and Tautvydas Barstys (Juta Racing) were close behind.

Round One grid:
Pro category: 1 Michael Meadows (48.006s); 2 Richard Plant (46.127s); 3 Daniel Lloyd (46.179s)
Pro-Am1 category: 1 Ahmad Al Harthy (46.585s); 2 Derek Pierce (46.688s); 3 Michael Leonard (46.730s)
Pro-Am2 category: 1 Tania Mann (47.617s); 2 Jean Gloriuex (47.868s); 3 Tautvydas Barstys (47.913s).

Round Two grid:
Pro category: 1 Michael Meadows (48.092s); 2 Daniel Lloyd (46.258s); 3 Richard Plant (46.293s)
Pro-Am1 category: 1 Ahmad Al Harthy (46.630s); 2 Derek Pierce (46.741s); 3 Michael Leonard (46.743s)
Pro-Am2 category: 1 Tania Mann (47.701s); 2 Jean Gloriuex (47.936s); 3 Tautvydas Barstys (47.941s).

Plant wins Michelin award in Carrera Cup at Brands

Richard Plant is the first Porsche Carrera Cup GB racer of the season to benefit from Michelin’s on-going support of the championship by winning a set of tyres this weekend at Brands Hatch (31 March/1 April).

At the start of his second season in the Carrera Cup GB, the Yorkshire racer has continued his partnership with Team Parker Racing and is one of the championship’s young guns in the contest for overall wins and podiums.

Having been the control tyre supplier for the Carrera Cup GB for ten seasons since the championship was created in 2003, Michelin is once more supporting the teams and drivers with the award of a complete set of slick racing tyres at each event. Before the start of testing, a name is drawn from a hat to receive the tyres, with a value of more than £1200.

Meadows tops Carrera Cup GB test at Brands Hatch

Michael Meadows is fastest overall in testing as Rory Butcher leads the chase
Ahmad Al Harthy sets the pace in Pro-Am1
Tania Mann stars to head the Pro-Am2 times

Michael Meadows scored the first strike of the season in testing for the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at Brands Hatch today (Friday 30 March) ahead of the opening two rounds of the 2012 championship.

Meadows (Redline Racing) stormed the Indy circuit to set the pace, lapping two-tenths of a second clear of a fiercely competitive chasing pack. While Meadows edged clear, his top eight pursuers were covered by only 17-hundredths of a second, including Pro-Am1 pacesetter Ahmad Al Harthy (Redline/Oman Air). Topping the Pro-Am2 category with a fine championship debut was Tania Mann (SIBSport).

For much of the afternoon session the times at the head of the Pro category were incredibly close, but then Meadows put a marker down to edge clear with a best of 46.232s, set in the final minutes of testing. “It was good to go out and do that, said Meadows. “We worked on the set-up and found something good later on. There could be more to come in qualifying tomorrow,” he added.

Leading the chase of Meadows with a mighty run was Rory Butcher (Celtic Speed), with Sam Tordoff (Team Parker Racing), Jonas Gelzinis (Juta Racing), Daniel Lloyd (JD Pierce with Parker) and Ben Barker (Parr Motorsport) wrapping up an incredibly strong top six.

“That was a hard session,” said Butcher, who was P1 until Meadows’ late charge. “I had a puncture early on, but I just kept calm and put the new tyres on.” Tordoff also had a dramatic session when he had to pit for more fuel when running on his new tyres. He then spun off at Surtees in the closing moments and bumped the tyre wall. “It should have been so much better,” he said.

Eighth best overall, behind Glynn Geddie (Redline Racing), put Al Harthy top of Pro-Am1 from Michael Leonard (Naas Court Hotel with Parker) and Derek Pierce (JD Pierce with Parker). “I’m pleased with testing and I now need to perform well in qualifying,” said Al Harthy. Leonard, meanwhile, was also pleased with progress. “Very happy: I’ve not done much testing and I’m starting to get back into the swing of it.”

In Pro-Am2, Mann was elated to set the pace ahead of her first Carrera Cup race weekend. “I can’t quite believe that,” she said. “I’m just building my pace bit by bit and I’m having an absolute ball.” Less than a tenth of a second slower was Tautvydas Barstys (Juta Racing) while another series newcomer was third as Will Goff (Goff Racing) made big progress through the day. “That’s a big step forward,” he said after improving by one and a half seconds in the later session.

After qualifying at 11.20am on Saturday morning, the first race is scheduled to start at 4.05pm on Saturday afternoon.

Mann lines up for Porsche Carrera Cup GB

Tania Mann has become the first female racer in the championship’s 10-year history to commit to a full programme in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB.

The Essex-based Australian has unveiled plans to contest the Pro-Am2 category with Sibsport Performance as the Gateshead-based team joins the Carrera Cup for the first time. Mann only started racing last season when she competed in a Lotus Elise, but has already shown encouraging pace and was fourth fastest in Pro-Am2 during the pre-season test day at Silverstone on Tuesday (13 March).

“I’m following a huge dream,” said Mann. “I want to learn as much as I can from the people around me. I’m a competitive person and it’s important to me that I progress. I’m still in awe of these cars: they are unbelievable. I don’t know the car or many of the circuits, so it will be a steep learning curve.”

Mann, who works in project management in the investment banking industry, has a long-time love of Porsches and has driven cars on track days. She only started racing a year ago and is now making a massive leap up the racing ladder. However, she is taking a sensible approach and has enlisted coaching support from Tim Harvey ahead of the opening two races of the season at Brands Hatch on 31 March/1 April.

The only other female driver to score points in the Carrera Cup GB to date was the un-related Pippa Mann, who contested a limited programme of races in 2008.

Tordoff returns to Porsche Carrera Cup GB

Sam Tordoff has confirmed plans to return for a second season in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB with Team Parker Racing.

The Leeds-based driver had a very successful debut season in the Carrera Cup in 2011 with Team Parker Racing and was one of the leading rookies as he finished seventh in the overall championship standings.

Now, the 22-year old racer is planning to use the experience gained last season to become a strong contender this year and is determined to challenge for the title. Tordoff, previously a successful kart racer, is also a BRDC Rising Star in recognition of his standing as one of Britain’s leading young sports car racers.

“It was my dream to return to the Carrera Cup GB for 2012 and I strongly feel that I can do so as a title contender,” said Tordoff. “To return with Team Parker Racing, which showed in 2011 that its professionalism and ability is second to none, is a great pleasure and privilege. I’m really looking forward to working with Stuart and all the Parker team once again.”

Lloyd stars at Goodwood for Porsche Carrera Cup GB

Porsche Carrera Cup GB Scholarship driver Daniel Lloyd wowed the motoring and motor sport media during the annual press day for the Goodwood Festival of Speed (Wednesday 14 March).

Fresh from a stunning performance the day before when he ran fourth fastest in the Carrera Cup pre-season test day at Silverstone, the Huddersfield racer was in action on the famous Sussex hillclimb course.

Just ten days after his 20th birthday, Daniel ferried journalists up the Goodwood Hillclimb in a 450bhp 911 GT3 Cup as the Festival of Speed unveiled a ‘Young Guns’ theme for 2012. In addition, the livery of Daniel’s car celebrated the tenth anniversary of the Carrera Cup GB.

As well as getting to grips with the rather different environment of the hillclimb course, Daniel gave a first class account of himself as he handled media interviews and photograph sessions with aplomb.

Media including What Car? and the Daily Telegraph rode alongside Daniel in the car and the Telegraph has already featured an in-car video they shot on its website, as part of its role as media partner of Goodwood. The video can be watched at:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/motoringvideo/9144498/Daniel-Lloyds-hillclimb-at-Goodwood.html

Meanwhile, Daniel and his crew at Team Parker Racing are now busy preparation for the opening races of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at Brands Hatch (31 March/1 April).

Mortimer signs for GT Marques for Carrera Cup GB

Oly Mortimer will realise a major racing ambition when he contests the Porsche Carrera Cup GB this season with GT Marques.

Mortimer, the leading driver from the 2011 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, has worked for a long time to raise the budget to step up to the Carrera Cup GB. However, he thought it would not come off for 2012 until the opportunity arose with GT Marques. Mortimer will race in the Pro-Am1 category and is expected to be among the Pro-Am1 pacesetters.

“I’m over the moon to get this chance,” said Mortimer, who can now build on a superb debut Porsche season in 2011. “It’s what I’ve been working for and I want to make a professional career as a sports and GT racer. The one-make nature of the Carrera Cup is perfect as you can really show your ability against people in identical cars.”

The 28-year old Scot from Edinburgh has an impressive racing record to date and has won every championship or series he has contested. Since he started racing in 2004, Oly has taken titles in the Scottish Ford XR and the Scottish Mini Cooper series, the MINI Challenge and, in 2011, the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge.

Porsche Carrera Cup GB continues partnership with Sacred

The Porsche Carrera Cup GB has continued its association with Sacred into a third consecutive season to provide teams, drivers and guests with gourmet coffee throughout the coming race season. Sacred will be the supplier of coffee in the Carrera Cup GB race centre, which is home to over 300 people on busy race weekends.

Tubbs Wanigasekera and Matthew Clark formed Sacred in 2005. Now seven years and over two million great coffees later, Sacred now has six locations in Central London and a reputation for being one of London’s favourite café experiences.

Locations that include Covent Garden and Carnaby Street have helped Sacred grow into one of London’s finest gourmet tea and coffee brands. It has been voted as one of the top five cafes, four years running by Time Out London, and singled out as a brand to watch by The Times. More details are at www.sacredcafe.com

“Sacred is incredibly proud to support the Carrera Cup GB for another season,” said Wanigasekera. “The partnership is perfect for our brands and we are excited to be part of the Porsche family for another year. Entering our third year together is testament that the relationship with Porsche and our Sacred Coffee brand is successful and provides fantastic exposure to us and our core product of gourmet coffee.”

“Sacred would also like to congratulate James Sutton and Simon Leonard at Redline Racing for winning the 2011Carrera Cup title, and wish them and the other drivers the best for the 2012 season.”

For more details, please visit www.sacredcafe.com

The 2012 Porsche Carrera Cup GB will roar into life at Brands Hatch (31 March/1 April) with a superb 22-car field and a gaggle of young lions opening their bids for glory in the Pro category. With more fierce competition in the Pro-Am1 and Pro-Am2 categories, the stage is set for a fabulous tenth season for the Carrera Cup GB.

Starting a 20-race season, that will finally conclude back at Brands Hatch in just under seven months, will be a stunning Pro entry, packed with hugely promising young racers. Across the eight drivers in the Pro category, the average age is just over 23 and a half, giving the front of the Carrera Cup the youngest line-up in the 10-year history of the championship.

The 2012 season will also be the most cosmopolitan in the Carrera Cup GB story to date. As well as drivers from England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, nations represented on the grid will include Australia, Belgium, Lithuania, Oman, Spain and Turkey.

Michael Meadows, runner-up last season, heads the entry along with his Redline Racing team mate Glynn Geddie and they make a formidable pairing. Meadows had a stellar season in 2011 and missed the title by a whisker, while Geddie returns to the Carrera Cup in pursuit of unfinished business and the young Scot will be fiercely competitive.

Ranged against the two Redline racers will be a trio of young chargers from Yorkshire with Team Parker Racing. Sam Tordoff and Richard Plant showed fine pace last year and are ready to capitalise on the experience of their first Carrera Cup seasons, while Carrera Cup Scholarship winner Daniel Lloyd joins the squad and has already shown strong form in testing.

Reigning Pro-Am1 champion Jonas Gelzinis (Juta Racing) has stepped up and has natural speed in abundance, while Parr Motorsport fields Ben Barker and Chris Dymond in the Pro category to give the team a very promising line-up.

Pro-Am1 will be just as competitive as Rory Butcher (Celtic Speed), Oly Mortimer (GT Marques) and Derek Pierce (Team Parker Racing) try to corner the glory for Scotland. Ahmad Al Harthy (Oman Air/Redline), Michael Leonard (Team Parker Racing), George Richardson (Parr Motorsport) and Carrera Cup newcomer Victor Jimenez (Redline Racing) will be battling to stop the spoils going north.

The Pro-Am2 field continues the theme of a race-within-a-race and it is defending champion George Brewster (Celtic Speed) who will be the benchmark for the new season. However, Keith Webster (Redline Racing) came very close to taking the 2011 title and showed tremendous form at the pre-season test day at Silverstone in mid-March.

Meanwhile, Yucel Ozbek (Redline Racing), Tania Mann (SIBSport), Tautvydas Barstys (Juta Racing) and Will Goff (Will Goff Racing) add to the strength of ProAm2 along with series newcomer Belgian racer Jean Glorieux (Speedlover).

After qualifying at 11.20 on Saturday, round one will start at 16.05 on Saturday, with round two at 13.25 on Sunday. Round two will be broadcast live on ITV4 during the extensive BTCC programme.

Martini Racing brand backs Porsche GB race series

Famous brand partners with Carrera Cup GB and GT3 Cup Challenge GB
Drivers to be presented with Martini Racing jacket
Personalised clothing for GT3 Cup Challenge racers

Porsche Motorsport GB is proud to announce a new partnership with the Porsche Design Driver’s Selection, which brings the iconic Martini Racing brand back to the racetrack with its new racing-inspired Martini Racing collection. The new partnership supports both the Porsche Carrera Cup GB and the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge GB.

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Carrera Cup GB, all registered drivers will be awarded with a top of the range Martini Racing sportsline jacket, by Porsche Design Driver’s Selection, to wear trackside throughout the season.

Meanwhile, all GT3 Cup Challenge GB drivers, who register for three or more events, will be presented with a Martini Racing collection, by Porsche Design Driver’s Selection, to wear trackside throughout the season. The superb package will also include a Martini Racing sportsline jacket, a Martini Racing polo shirt and a Martini Racing baseball cap. Each item will be personalised with the driver’s name and racing number.

The Martini Racing name became famous when it sponsored the Porsche 917K that won Le Mans 24 hour race in 1971, and since then the special partnership has thrived, with this latest chapter returning the brand to the top of British motorsport.

The Porsche Design Driver’s Selection is Porsche’s official lifestyle brand with a varied collection of textiles and lifestyle items created to encapsulate the design philosophy of Porsche. The new Martini Racing collection embraces the need for pace and precision in life and draws direct inspiration from the passion of motorsport. To find out more, please visit: www.porsche.co.uk/shop

Butcher targets Pro-Am1 title in Carrera Cup GB

Rory Butcher is targeting the Pro-Am1 title as he prepares for his second season in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB. The young Scot has re-signed with Celtic Speed and says that going one better than last year, when he finished runner-up in Pro-Am1 to Jonas Gelzinis, is the clear target.

“I finished second last year so the aim has to be to win Pro-Am1,” said Butcher, who recently celebrated his 25th birthday. “But I also want to be as competitive as we can in overall terms. I got very close to an overall podium at the Nurburgring last year and I want to see if I can do it this year.”

In his first full season in the Carrera Cup GB, Butcher won Pro-Am1 four times and also finished fourth overall among the Carrera Cup GB racers within the Porsche Carrera World Cup at the Nurburgring. His Pro-Am1 rivals include fellow Scots Derek Pierce and Oly Mortimer as well as Ahmad Al Harthy, who finished just eight points down on Butcher last year.

Butcher will continue to race with the Montrose-based Celtic Speed team, which is managed by former racer Alan Keith. Joining the squad this season in an engineering role will be Paul Leach.

“I’m really excited about the new season,” said Butcher. “I feel good about our complete package and I would like to say a huge thank you to Tommy Dreelan for his support.”

Backing for Butcher’s programme comes from Celtic Speed, William Waugh Ltd and William Johnston and Company Ltd, as well as a number of valuable partners.

Dymond joins Porsche Carrera Cup GB with Parr Motorsport

Chris Dymond (24) has confirmed plans to contest the 2012 Porsche Carrera Cup GB with Parr Motorsport after three successful seasons in GT racing.

The Silverstone-based racer participated in the FIA GT3 Championship in 2008 and 2009 and spent last season contesting selected races in the Blancpain Endurance series. He won the Radical UK Cup in 2010 and was a top level international karter in his formative years. His graduation to cars came in the Renault Clio Cup in 2007 and he won the Clio graduate title in his debut season.

Now, he is switching focus to the Carrera Cup GB. “In the Carrera Cup it is purely about me with no other factors,” said Dymond. “The career path with Porsche is very good and it is the best platform for me. Le Mans is where I really want to get to. I’m really aiming to be consistently in the Carrera Cup top three by the end of the year.”

For Parr Motorsport, signing Dymond comes soon after confirming plans to field Ben Barker and gives the team two hard-charging young racers with the potential to win races and challenge for the title.

Team boss Paul Robe is delighted with the latest development. “Chris is just the type of driver we want to run in the team,” said Robe. “I’m really excited about working with Chris and I believe he has got great potential.”

Barker set for Porsche Carrera Cup GB campaign

British racer Ben Barker will contest a full programme in the 2012 Porsche Carrera Cup GB with Parr Motorsport. Barker, from Cambridge, will still only be 20 years old when the new season begins.

The 2010 Australian F3 champion and BRDC Rising Star raced in the Australian Carrera Cup in 2011 as well as competing in four rounds of the Carrera Cup GB with Parr. Prior to his success in F3, he was a race winner in the British Formula Ford Championship.

“It’s a good direction career-wise to move into the Carrera Cup GB,” said Barker. “Having worked with Parr last year I know how they work and everyone is capable and proactive. It’s good to be back racing in the UK and this will prove to be a strong stepping-stone to Supercup. I hope that, together with Parr, we can both graduate in 2013. I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and being competitive,” added Barker.

Barker achieved two podium finishes from four Carrera Cup races at Snetterton and Knockhill last summer with Parr. His full Australian campaign garnered two wins, four other podium finishes, two pole positions and two fastest laps. To cap a successful season down under he was also named the Michelin Sports Person of the Year.

“I’m really excited to have Ben onboard for this coming season,” said Parr team boss Paul Robe. “He’s a great talent and a really well rounded young man. Based on his performance with us last year I’m confident that he will be a frontrunner in the championship.”

Lloyds joins Parker for Porsche Carrera Cup GB

Daniel Lloyd, the 2012 Porsche Carrera Cup GB Scholarship winner, will race for Team Parker Racing this season after signing to race with the Leicester-based squad.

Lloyd (19) from Huddersfield won £80,000 towards his 2012 Carrera Cup GB programme during the final of the Scholarship and has elected to join one of the most successful teams in the championship. Team Parker Racing, headed by Stuart Parker, has contested the Carrera Cup GB since the first season in 2003 and will now go into the tenth season with Lloyd as a key member of its multi-car squad.

“The team makes a big effort with everything,” said Lloyd. “One of the things that really appeals to me is that there will be other quick drivers in the team that I can learn from. I tested with Stuart Parker and the team at the end of last year and everything he does is very good.”

Lloyd will join fellow Yorkshireman Richard Plant in the squad and raced karts against Plant in his formative years. Lloyd says he can’t wait for the start of the new season. “I’ve never looked forward to something so much. This is the most important year of my career so far.”

Parker is pleased to have signed another strong young racer. “Daniel is an exciting prospect,” said Parker. “He has shown well in testing with us and we’re looking forward to working with him. I think he’ll be competitive straight out of the box.”

Goff commits to Porsche Carrera Cup GB

Will Goff is the latest driver to confirm plans to contest the Porsche Carrera Cup GB this season as he steps up from the GT Trophy and Britcar series. Backing for the programme comes from Goff Petroleum.

Goff (26) will contest the Pro-Am2 category in a 911 GT3 Cup car entered by a small family-based team under the Will Goff Racing banner. The Dereham-based racer has drawn in several experienced team members, including former Le Mans racer Mike Youles, to support his debut season in the Carrera Cup.

Goff started racing in 2007 in a Lotus Exige and graduated to an Aston Martin GT4 for 2008 and 2009, winning 11 of the 12 races he started in ’09. For the last two seasons he has raced a 997-model 911 GT3 Cup car in a mix of GT Trophy and Britcar events.

“I wanted to commit to a full championship,” said Goff of his move into the Carrera Cup GB. I’m being very realistic, but I’d like to be up there by mid-season. Tuesday’s test day at Silverstone was my first proper run with the car.”

Michael Meadows put the first marker down for the 2012 Porsche Carrera Cup GB when he set the overall pace during the major pre-season test and media day at Silverstone today (Tuesday 13 March). With the first seven drivers covered by six-tenths of a second, the stage is set for some superb racing this season.

Meadows topped the times for Redline Racing as a misty start gave way to a dry but chilly day of testing on the National circuit. Meadows set a searing pace in the afternoon session to lap a massive 1.8s under the lap record set by Nick Tandy last October and almost a second quicker than Tandy’s pole position time. Significantly, Meadows lapped more than a second faster than he had to take second on the grid in October. He finally left the mark for the day at 55.035s.

“We came here wanting to be quickest and we were,” said Meadows. “That’s a great start to the season, but it is very close. Now we’ll move on to Brands Hatch on Thursday and I think I owe the guys at Redline a beer.”

The Team Parker Racing trio of young Yorkshire-based racers packed out the next three places, all lapping within a quarter of a second of Meadows. Richard Plant, Sam Tordoff and Daniel Lloyd were all very impressive and were split by just a tenth of a second. For championship newcomer and 2012 Carrera Cup Scholarship winner Lloyd it was a particularly strong start. “The team has done a fantastic job and it is where I want to be,” he said. “I’ve had a really, really good day.” Ben Barker (Parr Motorsport) wrapped up the top five overall.

The times were just as close in the Pro-Am1 category as Rory Butcher (Celtic Speed) headed the times in sixth overall and pipped Ahmad Al Harthy (Oman Air/Redline) by seven-hundredths of a second. Derek Pierce (Team Parker Racing) was very close behind for third in Pro-Am1.

Renewing their battle from 2011, it was Keith Webster (Redline Racing) and George Brewster (Celtic Speed) at the head of Pro-Am2. This time, Webster reversed the final 2011 championship positions by edging Brewster by 16-hundredths of a second as Yucel Ozbek (Redline Racing) posted a competitive third fastest time.

The teams and drivers will next meet for the opening races of the season at Brands Hatch on 31 March/1 April when the Pro category will include title contender Glynn Geddie (Redline Racing). Geddie missed the Silverstone test while out of the country, but is sure to be another major contender for the season.

Mortimer signs for GT Marques for Carrera Cup GB

Oly Mortimer will realise a major racing ambition when he contests the Porsche Carrera Cup GB this season with GT Marques.

Mortimer, the leading driver from the 2011 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, has worked for a long time to raise the budget to step up to the Carrera Cup GB. However, he thought it would not come off for 2012 until the opportunity arose with GT Marques. Mortimer will race in the Pro-Am1 category and is expected to be among the Pro-Am1 pacesetters.

“I’m over the moon to get this chance,” said Mortimer, who can now build on a superb debut Porsche season in 2011. “It’s what I’ve been working for and I want to make a professional career as a sports and GT racer. The one-make nature of the Carrera Cup is perfect as you can really show your ability against people in identical cars.”

The 28-year old Scot from Edinburgh has an impressive racing record to date and has won every championship or series he has contested. Since he started racing in 2004, Oly has taken titles in the Scottish Ford XR and the Scottish Mini Cooper series, the MINI Challenge and, in 2011, the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge.

Richardson joins Parr Motorsport for Carrera Cup GB

Oly Mortimer will realise a major racing ambition when he contests the Porsche Carrera Cup GB this season with GT Marques.

Mortimer, the leading driver from the 2011 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, has worked for a long time to raise the budget to step up to the Carrera Cup GB. However, he thought it would not come off for 2012 until the opportunity arose with GT Marques. Mortimer will race in the Pro-Am1 category and is expected to be among the Pro-Am1 pacesetters.

“I’m over the moon to get this chance,” said Mortimer, who can now build on a superb debut Porsche season in 2011. “It’s what I’ve been working for and I want to make a professional career as a sports and GT racer. The one-make nature of the Carrera Cup is perfect as you can really show your ability against people in identical cars.”

The 28-year old Scot from Edinburgh has an impressive racing record to date and has won every championship or series he has contested. Since he started racing in 2004, Oly has taken titles in the Scottish Ford XR and the Scottish Mini Cooper series, the MINI Challenge and, in 2011, the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge.

The entry list for the 2012 Porsche Carrera Cup GB was unveiled at Silverstone this morning (Tuesday 13 March) during the championship’s pre-season test and media day, setting the stage for the most open season in the 10-year history of the Carrera Cup GB.

Heading the superb entry is Michael Meadows, the 2011 championship runner-up, who returns with Redline Racing for another assault on the overall title. The former Carrera Cup Scholarship winner will go head-to-head with his new team mate Glynn Geddie, who returns to the championship where he first made his name, after spending the 2011 season in GT racing.

Ranged against the Redline pair in the Pro category are three Yorkshiremen with Team Parker Racing. Richard Plant and Sam Tordoff will both be very strong in their second Carrera Cup seasons and are joined by 2012 Scholarship winner Daniel Lloyd. Meanwhile, Ben Barker returns for a full season with Parr Motorsport and is expected to be a major title contender, as will Jonas Gelzinis (Juta Racing) who steps up to the Pro category after winning Pro-Am1 last year.

The entry in Pro-Am1 is just as strong, with a clutch of drivers ready to contest the category title as well as challenge for overall success. Scotsmen Rory Butcher (Celtic Speed) and Oly Mortimer (GT Marques) will be Pro-Am1 pacesetters along with Ahmad Al Harthy (Redline Racing), Chris Dymond (Parr Motorsport) and Derek Pierce (Team Parker Racing). Series newcomer Will Goff, George Richardson (Parr Motorsport), Michael Leonard (Team Parker Racing) and Victor Jimenez (Redline Racing) add to the tremendous depth of quality in Pro-Am1.

The Pro-Am2 category delivered some of the best racing of all in 2011 and that is set to continue this season as last year’s title contenders George Brewster (Celtic Speed) and Keith Webster (Redline Racing) renew their rivalry. Yucel Ozbek (Redline Racing) is another strong contender, while Tania Mann (SIBSport) and Tautvydas Barstys (Juta Racing) are other Pro-Am1 contenders.

After a full day of testing on the Silverstone National circuit today (13 March), the Carrera Cup GB season starts over the weekend of 31 March/1 April at Brands Hatch.

0 Michael Meadows Pro Banbury Redline Racing

2 Glynn Geddie Pro Aberdeen Redline Racing

5 Richard Plant Pro Sheffield Team Parker Racing

7 Sam Tordoff Pro Leeds Team Parker Racing

8 Jonas Gelzinis Pro Lithuania Juta Racing

11 George Brewster Pro-am2 Edinburgh Celtic Speed

15 Tania Mann Pro-am2 SIBSport

17 Michael Leonard Pro-am1 Naas, Ireland Team Parker Racing

19 Tautvydas Barstys Pro-am2 Lithuania Juta Racing

20 Ben Barker Pro Cambridge Parr Motorsport

23 Daniel Lloyd Pro Huddersfield Team Parker Racing

24 Derek Pierce Pro-am1 West Kilbride Team Parker Racing

25 Victor Jimenez Redline Racing

28 George Richardson Pro-am1 Manchester Parr Motorsport

29 Yucel Ozbek Pro-am2 Turkey Redline Racing

45 Rory Butcher Pro-am1 Kirkcaldy Celtic Speed

49 Chris Dymond Pro-am1 Towcester Parr Motorsport

59 Will Goff Pro-am1 Goff

70 Oly Mortimer Pro-am1 Edinburgh GT Marques

77 Ahmad Al Harthy Pro-am1 Oman Redline/Oman Air

99 Keith Webster Pro-am2 Liphook Redline Racing

Photo by Porsche Middle East & Africa

Omani racer Ahmad Al Harthy kicks off his 2012 racing campaign at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar, where he takes part in round five of the Porsche GT3 Challenge Middle East this weekend, Friday 2 March and Saturday 3 March.

Rounds nine and ten of the Championship will make Porsche Motorsport history as it will be the first ever Porsche Gt3 night race.

Having announced his plans to return to the Porsche Carrera Cup GB for 2012 in the Oman Air Racing Team car, the thirty year old is delighted to have confirmed his place on the grid for the penultimate round of the Middle East series at Doha.

His entry has been made possible through his portfolio of sponsors, namely Oman Air, Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs, Oman Ministry of Tourism, Nawras, National Bank of Oman and Muscat Eye Laser Centre; Al Harthy will be one of an expected eighteen car grid at Losail. If all eighteen cars arrive, it will be the largest entry in the Middle East Championship since it started in 2009.

“I’m really looking forward to being back on the grid in the Middle East series, it’s very important to race in the region whenever we can”, said the Muscat racer, “Thank you as always to my fantastic sponsors for making this possible, it’ll be my first time racing in Qatar and my first ever night race as well so I really can’t wait to enjoy the whole experience.”

To date, Al Harthy has competed in six of the eight races run, as he missed the previous round at the Reem International Circuit in Saudi Arabia. In the six races he has competed in, he secured three podium finishes, including a victory in the FIA Formula One World Championship support event at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. These results had left him in contention for the Championship.

The two races in Qatar will be Al Harthy’s final races in the series as the final two races of the Championship clash with the opening two rounds of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at Brands Hatch in Kent.

“Obviously this weekend will be something completely new to me, a new track and a new format with the night racing, but being back in the car in racing conditions will be great preparation for the start of the UK championship which begins at the end of March”, he added, “Hopefully we can sign off our time in the Middle East series with two more podiums at least.”

The Porsche Carrera Cup GB kicks off its campaign over the 31 March/1 April at Brands Hatch, and supports the British Touring Car Championship for the 2012 campaign.

Keep up to speed with Ahmad’s 2012 progress at his official website www.ahmadalharthy.com follow him on Twitter @AlHarthyRacing or visit the Ahmad Al Harthy Facebook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ahmad-Al-Harthy/111700892183537

Photo by Matt Auger

Kent based Motorbase Performance have announced that they are to sit out the 2012 Porsche Carrera Cup GB but Team Principal David Bartrum confirmed that the team will return to the series.

“I love the Carrera Cup, but we were looking for a new challenge for 2012. This isn’t an ending, it’s a sabbatical. Give us a year or two and we’ll be back. Carrera Cup has been a big part of our team and Porsche will always be part of our future,” explained Bartrum.

The series has seen Motorbase at the sharp end in seven out of the eight campaigns that the team has competed in, having joined the grid for the 2004 season. To date, the team has secured twenty six race wins as well as the Teams’ Championship crown in 2010.

The team will return to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship with their three Ford Focus ST cars and Bartrum confirmed that there are a number of other exciting plans in the horizon for the team.

He added: “We’ve been really busy behind the scenes for the past few months and have a number of exciting plans in the pipeline for this year and that’s where our focus will be.

“We’re not quite in the position to make any announcements at this moment in time, but we’re close – all will be revealed very soon.”

George Richardson will join Parr Motorsport for an assault on the Pro-Am1 category of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB this season.

Richardson, who will only celebrate his 21st birthday during the week following the final races of 2012, will go into his third season in the Carrera Cup GB aiming to be one of the pacesetters in the category.

Manchester-based Richardson had his first full season in the Carrera Cup in 2010 and finished third in the Pro-Am2 category with four wins. In 2011 he was fifth in Pro-Am1 with six podiums, five of them in the final eight races of the season. For the coming year, Richardson will join Ben Barker (20) and Chris Dymond (24) to give the Sussex-based team an incredibly strong and youthful driver line-up.

“I’m excited about the prospect of working with Parr Motorsport,” said Richardson. “I’ve had a good relationship with Paul Robe since I entered the championship and with Parr’s standard of preparation and its history in the Carrera Cup the team has always been at the top. I hope to learn as much as I can to help achieve my goal of becoming a professional sports car driver.”

Team boss Paul Robe was delighted to complete his driver line up, which has an average age of less than 21 and a half. “I really am very pleased to have George joining our team for 2012,” said Robe. “We’ve got a very young team of drivers and it is great to work with young guys who have a lot of drive and determination. The target for George is to win races in Pro-Am1.”

Ahmad Al Harthy and the Oman Air Racing Team have confirmed a return to UK racetracks for the 2012 motorsport season after announcing a third successive season of participation in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB.

Revealed at an official press conference held at the Muscat Intercontinental Hotel in Oman this morning (21 February), the 30-year-old racing driver detailed a continuation of Oman Air as title sponsor for 2012 as part of a truly prestigious and wide-ranging commercial portfolio.

Ahmad will return to compete in the Pro-Am 1 Class of the UK’s premier one-make sportscar championship this year, having finished the 2011 season a fantastic third overall in the standings with 12 podiums from 19 races – including two Pro-Am 1 wins. As for the past two seasons, the Oman Air Racing Team car will be prepared and maintained by Redline Racing.

Since the conclusion of last year’s Carrera Cup GB campaign, the Muscat sportsman has continued to compete with selected outings in the burgeoning Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East series.

From six races contested, Ahmad chalked-up a tally of three podiums with the highlight being a superb lights-to-flag victory during the FIA Formula One World Championship support race at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi last November. He also won on his debut in the NGK UAE GT Championship at Dubai Autodrome, partnering double Carrera Cup GB champion James Sutton.

“It’s incredible we’re returning to Carrera Cup GB”, said Al Harthy. “It’s one of the best motor racing championships in the world and it’s a huge honour to continue promoting Oman, and everything the country has to offer, through my racing on such a prestigious stage. I’m delighted too, of course, to have the continued support of so many incredible sponsors – it’s amazing.

“Retaining title sponsorship from Oman Air is fantastic and I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the airline, as well as to my other incredible partners – the Ministry of Sports Affairs, Ministry of Tourism, Nawras and National Bank of Oman. We are also extremely fortunate in being able to welcome a new partner for 2012, Muscat Eye Laser Centre, which is very exciting.”

He added: “We had an amazing season last year in Pro-Am 1 and we’re aiming for even more podiums and wins this year. Being with Redline Racing for a third season was never a doubt, the guys there are the best in the business and always do a perfect job. With the extra experience from racing in the GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East I’m confident we can have a great season back in the UK.”

Racing newcomer Guy Riall is among the growing number of drivers aiming to race in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge this season, having acquired a 2007 model 911GT3 Cup from Team Parker Racing.

The Yorkshire-based property developer has never raced before and has linked up with experienced GT racer Tim Sugden for support and tutoring. “I just want to go racing,” said Riall. “The car is immaculate and I want to do some races in 2012 before a full programme in 2013.”

“Guy is just the type of driver we are keen to see in the GT3 Cup Challenge,” said Marion Barnaby, motorsport manager, Porsche Cars GB. “Getting started in racing can be daunting, even for drivers with track day experience, but the GT3 Cup Challenge is the ideal environment for newcomers.”

In total, up to 2000 911 GT3 Cup race cars have been built by Porsche since the introduction of the 996-model car over a decade ago and the GT3 Cup Challenge will have classes to cater for both the 996-model cars and the later 997-model cars.

The GT3 Cup Challenge is now an established concept across the world, with successful race series in ten countries.

Daniel Lloyd, the 2012 Porsche Carrera Cup GB Scholarship winner for 2012 benefitted from a unique day’s preparation at the Porsche Experience Centre – the fourth event featured multiple Formula One race winner Mark Webber.

The Silverstone based centre organised the one day event last Saturday, 21 January and it gave the Huddersfield based driver a chance to test his race fitness as well as challenging himself at the wheel of the i-Zone Performance race simulator, and he gained essential advice on sports nutrition.

“The day was absolutely mega”, said the West Yorkshireman, “We started off with a nutrional talk and a chance to talk with Mark and ask him about how he prepared for an F1 weekend. After that we had a Yoga session, which was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be, but I learned some really useful things that’ll definitely help my training.”

The highlight of the event was the question and answer session with Red Bull Racing’s Webber – the longest serving member in the team’s history; he was able to offer Lloyd plenty of food for thought in his preparations for the forthcoming season.

Lloyd capped his day off – quite literally – by winning a cap signed by the man himself having finished victorious in the competitive ‘shoot-out’ on the i-Zone simulator.

“After lunch, there was a Q&A session with Mark – it felt weird talking to such a superstar of F1, he’s a really down to earth guy though. To get that high in motorsport, to achieve so much and yet still be a ‘normal’ guy was fantastic to see. Winning the shoot-out at i-Zone was a great way to top off the day and meeting Mark really gives you the inspiration to work harder than ever to try and reach the top.”

The Porsche Carrera Cup GB gets underway at Brands Hatch over the 31 March/1 April, and Lloyd will start his pre-season testing next month in the Team Parker Racing car.

Photo by Malcolm Griffiths

Team Parker Racing have confirmed that the 2012 Porsche scholarship winner, Daniel Lloyd, will drive for them in the 2012 Porsche Carrera Cup GB, having agreed a deal with the team at the Autosport International Show yesterday, 13 January.

For Lloyd, the decision to join the Leicestershire based outfit was an easy one for him to make: “The team has a great reputation”, said the 19-year-old, who secured one of the biggest prizes in UK Motorsport as the Scholarship offers an £80,000 bursary towards the campaign.

“Everyone always says Team Parker is one of the very best out there so it’s an amazing opportunity for me to race with them for my first year in Porsche GB. This is such a massive opportunity, to be able to benefit from the huge experience and knowledge Stuart (Parker) and the team has is going to be so important.

“My goal is to try and get a podium finish as soon as possible, I really want to make a big impression on this first year. The way I look at it, winning the scholarship has given me one big shot at making that kind of impression so I’m going to work harder than ever and try and shock a few of the experienced guys along the way!”

Team Parker Racing have been at the forefront of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB ever since its inception back in 2003, and the team are one of the most successful teams’ in the series, having secured multiple drivers’ and teams’ titles – this means that they are one of the most successful teams’ on the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Support package.

Team Principal Stuart Parker said about the deal to sign Lloyd: “Daniel is an exciting prospect, he has shown well in testing with us and we’re looking forward to working with him. I think he’ll be competitive straight out of the box.”

For Lloyd, the Autosport International Show at the NEC in Birmingham marks his first appearance as the 2012 Porsche Scholarship winner and he has been busy with various duties, meeting motorsport fans as well as promoting the companies road car range and racing programme.

Away from the Porsche duties, Lloyd also took park in the annual Celebrity Kart Challenge, where he and his Sky’s the Limit team-mates Felipe Nasr (British Formula 3 Champion), Dean Smith (GP3 Podium finisher, 2009 Formula Renault UK Champion), Alice Powell (2010 Formula Renault BARC Champion) and Adrian Quaife-Hobbs (GP3 Series race winner).

In the ninety minute endurance race for Race2Recovery, a Charity aiming to help rehabilitate injured servicemen and women, the newly named ‘Patron of Yorkshire’ by the Welcome to Yorkshire tourism agency – Lloyd and the rest of the Sky’s the Limit team secured a podium finish with third overall.

Lloyd is now waiting to start his pre-season testing programme ahead of his series debut at Brands Hatch over the 31 March/1 April, the opening two races of a twenty race campaign.