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Thruxton date for Porsche Carrera Cup GB
Thruxton, one of the tracks that can always throw up drama and surprise, is the location for rounds five and six of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB (3/4 May) and the high-speed Hampshire track has regularly delivered some of the championship's most exciting racing.
Even when the track conditions are consistent, Thruxton is a daunting place in the latest Type 991 911 GT3 Cup, with the 460hp cars topping 150mph on the rush up Woodham Hill. Add in the issue of tyre management, which is always a big factor at Thruxton, and the stage is set for two compelling races heading into the championship's spring break. After the Thruxton weekend, the Carrera Cup action resumes with a sensational date on the morning of the Le Mans 24-hour when it runs alongside the Carrera Cup France as the key support race to the famous 24-hour marathon in mid-June.
However, even the high speed sweeps of Thruxton will be hard pressed to top the most recent race at Donington Park for drama. While championship leader Michael Meadows (Samsung UHD TV Racing) recovered from a first corner spin, young Josh Webster (Redline Racing) made an inspired call as the rain arrived mid-race. He dived into the pits for treaded tyres and duly romped to victory on an increasingly wet track.
For 20-year old Josh, the 2014/15 Carrera Cup GB Scholarship driver, this was a first victory and marked the earliest victory in the season for any of the Scholarship winners. Meadows, the reigning champion, remains the ultimate benchmark after two maximum scores at Brands Hatch and a win in the opening race at Donington, but has only an eight-point lead over Webster after the first four races.
Fastest of all in testing at Thruxton earlier in April was Spanish ace Victor Jimenez (Redline Racing) and he currently lies third in the points ahead of series newcomer Paul Rees (In2 Racing). Paul is getting quicker and quicker as he builds experience of the car and took an important first podium finish at Donington. Ranged against the established Pro racers will be former single-seater racer Oscar King, who handles the guest car from Parr Motorsport.
With Pro-Am1 points leader Karl Leonard (Team Parker Racing) missing Thruxton due to business commitments, Pro-Am1 is set to be headed by his team mate Justin Sherwood, who will face the challenge of Salisbury racer Graeme Mundy (In2 Racing).
Perhaps the most open of the three categories this season is Pro-Am2, with three winners from four races to date. Six points ahead starting the weekend is Oxfordshire's Steven Liquorish (Team Parker Racing) and he is the only one of the trio of Pro-Am2 racers with previous race experience at Thruxton.
However, both Peter Kyle-Henney (Parr Motorsport) and actor Kelvin Fletcher (Redline Racing) have shown themselves to be fast learners and both ran strongly in testing. With Will Goff (In2 Racing) electing to miss the weekend, Liquorish and Kyle-Henney in particular will be eager to build their points' lead over the defending Pro-Am2 champion.
Thruxton, one of the tracks that can always throw up drama and surprise, is the location for rounds five and six of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB (3/4 May) and the high-speed Hampshire track has regularly delivered some of the championship's most exciting racing.
Even when the track conditions are consistent, Thruxton is a daunting place in the latest Type 991 911 GT3 Cup, with the 460hp cars topping 150mph on the rush up Woodham Hill. Add in the issue of tyre management, which is always a big factor at Thruxton, and the stage is set for two compelling races heading into the championship's spring break. After the Thruxton weekend, the Carrera Cup action resumes with a sensational date on the morning of the Le Mans 24-hour when it runs alongside the Carrera Cup France as the key support race to the famous 24-hour marathon in mid-June.
However, even the high speed sweeps of Thruxton will be hard pressed to top the most recent race at Donington Park for drama. While championship leader Michael Meadows (Samsung UHD TV Racing) recovered from a first corner spin, young Josh Webster (Redline Racing) made an inspired call as the rain arrived mid-race. He dived into the pits for treaded tyres and duly romped to victory on an increasingly wet track.
For 20-year old Josh, the 2014/15 Carrera Cup GB Scholarship driver, this was a first victory and marked the earliest victory in the season for any of the Scholarship winners. Meadows, the reigning champion, remains the ultimate benchmark after two maximum scores at Brands Hatch and a win in the opening race at Donington, but has only an eight-point lead over Webster after the first four races.
Fastest of all in testing at Thruxton earlier in April was Spanish ace Victor Jimenez (Redline Racing) and he currently lies third in the points ahead of series newcomer Paul Rees (In2 Racing). Paul is getting quicker and quicker as he builds experience of the car and took an important first podium finish at Donington. Ranged against the established Pro racers will be former single-seater racer Oscar King, who handles the guest car from Parr Motorsport.
With Pro-Am1 points leader Karl Leonard (Team Parker Racing) missing Thruxton due to business commitments, Pro-Am1 is set to be headed by his team mate Justin Sherwood, who will face the challenge of Salisbury racer Graeme Mundy (In2 Racing).
Perhaps the most open of the three categories this season is Pro-Am2, with three winners from four races to date. Six points ahead starting the weekend is Oxfordshire's Steven Liquorish (Team Parker Racing) and he is the only one of the trio of Pro-Am2 racers with previous race experience at Thruxton.
However, both Peter Kyle-Henney (Parr Motorsport) and actor Kelvin Fletcher (Redline Racing) have shown themselves to be fast learners and both ran strongly in testing. With Will Goff (In2 Racing) electing to miss the weekend, Liquorish and Kyle-Henney in particular will be eager to build their points' lead over the defending Pro-Am2 champion.