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Porsche Carrera Cup GB 

Bridgman tops Carrera Cup qualifying at Brands

 
Tim Bridgman topped the times in qualifying at Brands Hatch today (Saturday 29 March) ahead of opening rounds of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB. The Team Parker Racing driver claimed pole position for both races; such was his pace in the half-hour qualifying session.
 
In a new qualifying system for 2008, each driver’s fastest time in qualifying will count for the grid for the weekend’s first race, while his second best time in qualifying will decide his grid position for the second race. So, the pressure is on the drivers to post at least two very strong laps in qualifying.
 
Bridgman was in tremendous form to take a double pole, with at least two laps faster than anyone else. “The car was consistent and I knew we were up there on the first set of tyres,” said Bridgman. “The car was good and I just tried to put some disciplined laps together.”
 
Second on both grids will be Michael Caine (Team Parker Racing), although his best laps were around three-tenths of a second shy of Bridgman’s best. However, with the top two cars for both races, it is a great start to the season for Team Parker Racing.
 
Third for both races was Tim Harvey (Red Line Racing), but he was disappointed not to have been quicker. “I like Brands and usually go well here, but I feel that I should have been quicker,” admitted Harvey as he considered making set-up changes before the opening race.
 
Jota Sport pairing Phil Quaife and Sam Hancock were fourth and fifth fastest respectively, while Nigel Rice (Red Line Racing) headed the pro-am1 times for both races. “If we’d have some dry testing on Friday I think it would have come easier. I was driving a bit raggedly and it was quite late on when I got pole,” said Rice.
 
Before Rice’s late charge, Andy Britnell (Porsche Motorsport) had headed the pro-am1 times, but he was forced to pull off early in the session after picking up a rear puncture. “I thought I’d bank a couple of quick laps early on. Then I went out on the second set of tyres, but didn’t get a time before the puncture,” said Britnell.
 
Tony Gilham (ReDesign Racing) was third fastest in pro-am1, while Steve Rance set some impressive lap times in the pro-am2 entry from Porsche Motorsport. I’m pleased to be quick in the pro-am2 car and that was just awesome; fantastic,” said Rance.