T8's report on the day
911uk's intrepid reporters for the first Carrera Cup races of 2019 were T8 and pzero and reported for duty at 08.30 - well in time for the 10.35 race.
Straight away it was clear that the weather was going to be a major factor of the day as visibility was down to 20 yards, way less than would ever be considered safe for cars to race. That, and the need to fit in with TV schedules for the feature BTCC races, meant that the first race of the day (BTCC round 1) didn't start until 11.30.
Pzero and I used the time to seek out a few Carrera Cup drivers (and their cars) concentrating on 'friend of 911uk' Nick Tandy's JTR team who'd locked out the front row in qualifying and the delightful Esmee Hawkey in her Team GT Marques car sponsored by the South London OPC.
Accomplished 'spotter' but total luddite T8 left it to the far more technically able pzero to provide 'live feed' to the 911uk twitter account whilst using his well known 'box brownie' to take pics for later use on the forum.
It has to be said that the drivers we spoke to came across as very professional but totally likeable people whose passion for the cars that they, and we, drive was very evident. The skill they show in pedalling these 4 litre, 485 bhp monsters in very tricky conditions leaves this writer in awe of them.
Special mention must go to 'pole-sitter',
18 year old Dan Harper (Team JTR).
Serial GT3 owner and all round nice bloke -
Jamie Orton. (Team JTR)
'Girl Power Hero'
Esmee Hawkey (Team GT Marques)
Race One
At the official start time of 10.35 it was difficult for marshals to see the track so 2 hours later than scheduled the first Carrera Cup race of the 2019 season got underway.
Pole sitter Dan Harper made a great start but sadly his JTR team mate Jamie Orton bogged down and was swallowed up by nearly every one else, ending up 13th out of 16 by the end of Lap 1.
Harper was hardly troubled in the race although back-markers getting in his way on Lap 23 caused him to have a momentary 'off' losing him nearly 3 seconds. Despite his front splitter going AWOL he regained his composure going on to win by 2.3 seconds from a hard charging Lewis Plato.
Esmee Hawkey meanwhile kept her 14th place start comfortably and, as she was one of the very few not to have any incidents, meant by lap 14 she had driven herself neatly into 8th place. Her reward got better as a couple of late race spinners allowed her to finish a very creditable 6th overall and second in her Pro-Am class.
Jamie Orton recovered well from his terrible start to finish a lonely 9th hampered badly by a broken front splitter caused by having to take avoiding action and going through the Paddock Hill gravel trap half way through the race.
On this showing, despite the small number of entries (16 cars), it looks like being a very entertaining season.
Dan Harper in full flight.
A safe, solid drive from
Esmee Hawkey.
A steady drive from
Jamie Orton after an awful start.
Esmee Hawkey looked understandably pleased with herself after the race.
Race Two
As this was delayed until 17.50 we took the decision to leave early and avoid the mass exodus of the vast BTCC crowd so look forward to reading reports from others that stuck it out 'til the end.
Porsches in the car parks.
Sadly I have to report that despite covering a lot of ground I witnessed very few Porsches in the immensely crowded car parks but I did my best to capture images of those I did see.
Even special cars have to park in a field on BTCC days.
If you parked this on the grass you might not find I again.
I finished the day with a selfie. :thumbs:
