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Next Race: Brands Hatch, Kent, May 2nd - 4th.

  

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Brands Hatch, Kent
Races Three and Four
May 3rd and 4th 2008

A Win Apiece for McLean and Donovan at Brands Hatch

The Porsche Open runners headed the field as the Open and Porsche Club Championship fields combined to provide a monster grid to entertain the large crowd at Brands Hatch's A1GP meeting. Paul McLean won Saturday's race after a puncture for Mike Donovan saw their battle ended on the final lap - Donovan taking second as he drove down the pit lane. Roles were reversed on Sunday as Donovan won, Peter Fairbairn retiring the car he shares with McLean.

Paul Winter took both Class Two wins, and a superb second overall on Sunday, while Tony Brown continued to impress in Class Three.

Qualifying
Donovan claimed pole for Saturday's race, a second clear of McLean, who only did five laps in order to hand the car over to Fairbairn to gain some track time for his first race of the season.  Winter continued his run of form to head Class Two and take third overall, with Brown the quickest Class Three car.

Race One
McLean was initially slow away, but slipped past Donovan to take the lead, the two close round the first lap. Mark Chilton went off at Druids, but caused no race stoppage.

Donovan was putting McLean under pressure, looking for a way past at Paddock Hill Bend and Druids on lap four. The pair were quickly in traffic, McLean badly baulked by a slower car at the entry to Graham Hill Bend on lap seven. On lap eight the pair caught two fighting Porsche Club frontrunners, McLean again being briefly blocked and Donovan going past.

Donovan opened a gap, but McLean started to close in, invariably quicker over the first part of the lap. Together over the final laps, McLean was looking to the outside of Donovan into Hawthorns when the leader slowed with a rear puncture. McLean took the win, and such was the advantage of the lead pair that Donovan managed to limp round to the pits and still take second - crossing the line in the pit lane.

"Yet another exciting race with Mike Donovan!" said McLean. "I felt at times I caught the worst of the back-markers, and Mike got past me after I got blocked by a slower car. In the middle of the race my tyres went off a bit, but they came back near the end and I was able to close back in on him and push him hard.

"Going into Hawthorns at the end we were side by side, I had the speed from the previous corner so was trying to pressure him, and that was when he backed out and I presume he had a problem. I would have preferred to win by battling him all the way. At least I have given Pete a pole position start for tomorrow's race."

"That was an exciting race," said Donovan. "Paul has a lot more power, and is quicker down the straight, but I thought had him covered. I picked up a puncture - I thought at first it was just a tyre getting hot and causing oversteer, but on the way down to Hawthorns it started vibrating and I knew what it was. I was pleased to take second under the circumstances - even if it was in the pits!"

Winter was second for much of the race, but Paul Livesey was closing in and powered past to take third on lap 13. On the final lap Livesey just failed to catch the limping Donovan, on the pit straight as the former crossed the line.

 "This car takes a while to warm up so I took it easy at the start," said Livesey. "We didn't get enough time in qualifying to do any set up work as I went off, and there is along way to go with this car and it still doesn't feel right on the circuit." 

"I could see Paul coming, and Knew he could lap quicker than me," said Winter, who won Class Two. "I can catch him in the corners but he is way quicker on the straights. I did think I had a chance at one point through Dingle Dell, he missed a gear - but he pulled away down the straight. You get complacent about how quick these cars actually are - then you catch a backmarker and see the difference. The guys were brilliant though, very sensible when they saw us coming."

Tony Brown claimed his third Class Three victory of the season: "I was being consistent on my lap times, I just need more opposition in class! The race seemed to be cut a bit short, I had been watching in my mirrors for the leaders closing up and they went past just before the end."

Race Two
Peter Fairbairn took over the race winning GT2 for Sunday's race, his first Open outing of 2008, but it was Donovan who led at the end of lap one, and on the next lap Fairbairn was slowing, the GT2 out with transmission woes.

Donovan extended his lead over the next laps, Livsesey having passed Winter to take second. Chilton's 993 was smoking, and pitted in response to the official's flags. By now the track was very slippery with oil, two Porsche Club cars going off at the exit of Surtees seeing the Safety Car come out with other cars also spinning.

Released to race again on lap seven, Livesey spun at the bottom of Paddock Hill Bend, and the Safety Car was again scrambled to move his 993. On the second re-start, Winter was right behind the leader as they crossed the line, and had a look at the leader at Druids before the power of the Class One car held sway.

Randeria, in his first weekend in a 993 RSR, was now third ahead of the battling Robin Clark and James Fillingham, Bob Lyons having pitted to have his windscreen cleared of oil. Donovan stayed clear till the flag, Winter taking second and winning Class Two.

"It was a frustrating race, the oil made it difficult to lap consistently," said Donovan. "I had to drive cautiously after the Safety Cars as it was so slippery. I was a bit slow away on the lights, but got a good start and went round the outside of Peter at the first corner. A win is a win!"

"It was so greasy out there," said Winter, "I could se everyone else struggling for grip. I had a look at Mike on the second restart into Druids - you have to have a go - but he has more power and was away."

"That was good fun, just every slippery," said Randerio. "It was ok when you were racing on your own, but tricky if you were battling with another car. Once you knew where the oil was you could drive round it, but it is my first weekend in this car and it has gone nicely - it's a good car to drive, and it was great to be on the car for the lap of the track after the race, there were a lot of people out there waving and sounding horns."

Brown had a lonely run to take Class Three, finding the lead battle of the Porsche Club runners right behind him during one of the Safety Car periods, and electing to let them by rather then compromise their race.

"After the Safety Car I had the Porsche Club lead battle right behind me," said Brown, "so I let them through then sat there and watched the entertainment! There were very evenly matched - I could probably do the Club race report myself! An enjoyable race even with the oil slick."

Porsche Open, Race One:

1 Paul McLean (993 GT2) 16 laps in 25m36.388s (138.8kph);
2 Mike Donovan (997 GT3) +39.530s;
3 Paul Livesey (993);
4 Paul Winter (996 GT3);
5 Bob Lyons (997 GT3);
6 Zubin Randeria (993 RSR);
7 James Fillingham (996 GT3);
8 Robin Clark (996 GT3);
 9 Tony Brown (964 RSR);
10 Adrian Clark (928 GTS).

 Class Winners: McLean; Winter; Brown. Fastest Lap: McLean 1m33.693s (142.3kph). Pole Position: Donovan 1m34.636s (140.9kph).

Race Two:

1 Donovan 13 laps in 25m34.257s (113.0kph);
2 Winter +3.791s;
3 Randeria;
4 Robin Clark;
5 Fillingham;
 6 Brown;
7 Lyons;
8 Adrian Clark.

Class Winners:  Donovan; Winter; Brown. Fastest Lap: Donovan 1m35.360s (139.8s). Pole Position: Peter Fairbairn (993 GT2).

Next Races: Silverstone, Northants, May 31st.

 

 

Oulton Park, Cheshire

Race Two

April 19th 2008 

McLean and Johnson Battle in Oulton Thriller

Paul McLean took victory in an exciting Porsche Open race at Oulton Park, battling with Mike Johnson for the lead as the two rapid Class One cars tore through the 30-car field. Paul Winter claimed third and Class Two honours after Paul Livesey clashed with a backmarker and retired with four laps to go. 

Tony Brown took Class Three to make up from his retirement from the class lead at Donington Park. The Open grid was bolstered by the very welcome visit of eight Porsche racers from Ireland, Robin Titterington taking sixth overall in his 996. 

Qualifying

Johnson took pole in his 996 GT3R, the only driver under 1m50s for the full Oulton Park circuit, with Livesey was second quickest in his GT2. McLean was third quickest despite only completing the first part of the session, the ABS on his GT2-R failing and a corner weight issue further compromising the braking. 

"It's my first time here with this car," said Johnson, "the trees seem to go past much quicker with the 996! I'm pleased to take pole and the car felt really good, I just have to keep it up now for the 30 minutes of the race." 

Winter just headed Paul Howells for Class Two grid position, with the experienced Tony Brown quickest in Class Three and seventh overall. 

Race

Johnson made the best of the start, McLean demoting Livesey on lap one to slide into second. On lap two McLean dived inside Johnson into Old Hall, but the leader stood his ground and emerged still ahead, but a lap later McLean simply outpowered Johnson on the straight and was ahead.

Johnson stayed close as they lanced through the traffic of the 30car field, and was back ahead on lap seven. Side by side through Knickerbrook on lap 10, McLean was back in front by the end of the lap, and was then able to edge out a lead over the final laps to take the win. 

Livesey was third until thirteen when a clash with a Porsche Club runner saw him retire with frontal damage on his car, Winter inheriting the final podium slot after a quick and tidy run in his 996 GT3, the only car not lapped by the flying lead duo. 

Howells was fourth and second in class behind Winter, with Mark Chilton getting to grips with his new 993 GTS and taking fifth ahead of Titterington. Brown had a clear run through to win Class Three, completing a successful day for Harvey Race Engineering who also had two class wins in the first Porsche Club race. 

"I got the ABS fixed from the morning but the corner weights were still out," said McLean. "Really pleased to have such a good race, I thought I was going to have to settle for second at one point, then we were side by side and very close through Old Hall. The traffic was hard to judge, and that also helped us get past each other - I went past him once when he missed a gear and was baulked. I lost the venturi floor after a touch, but the car still felt good so I could still push." 

"It's easy though the backmarkers when you have your eyes closed!" joked Johnson. "It was a good race, I got a good start and got a clean run out the first corner. Paul is just so quick in that car and reeled me in, and I got back past him and could have made it difficult for him to get back, but I missed a gear into Knickerbrook and he breezed past me. I got delayed by a backmarker and wasn't getting back at him towards the end, so I settled for second. An enjoyable race." 

"The car went like a dream and that was an excellent result," said Winter. "The backmarkers were really sensible and always went the right way, so we had no mishaps and no worries. This is an awesome circuit and that was an enjoyable race." 

"It was a bit lonely out there really," said Brown, "I was seventh on the grid and the guys in front had a lot more power and just went away from me. This makes up for my retirement at Donington." 

Porsche Open Championship and Porsche Club Championship Class 2: 1 Paul McLean (993 GT2-R) 16 laps in 28m57.250s (89.25mph); 2 Mike Johnson (996 GT3R) +9.414s; 3 Paul Winter (996 GT3 996 Cup); 4 Paul Howells (993 RSR); 5 Mark Chilton (993 GTS); 6 Robin Titterington (996); 7 Tony Brown (964 RSR); 8 Bob Cameron (993 GT2); 9 Brian Gorman (911); 10 Tim Bryan (928 GTS). Pole Position: Johnson 1m49.638s (142.25kph). Fastest Lap: Paul Livesey (993) 1m44.613s (81.28mph). Class Winners: McLean; Winter; Brown, Mike Clapham (944 S2). Starters: 30.

 

 

 

Donington Park

Race One

March 24th 2008 

Donovan Makes Winning Start to Porsche Open Season

The 2008 Porsche Open season opened in style with a superb race at Donington Park, the lead trio scything though a massive field of Porsches to put on a superb display at the circuit's 75th Anniversary meeting. Mike Donovan kept his 997 GT3 clear of the GT2 of Paul McLean, the pair together on the final lap. Mike Johnson was a close third, while Paul Winter claimed Class Two and fourth overall. Tim Bryan took Class Three honours. 

Qualifying

Donovan was quickest by over two seconds, but qualifying was made difficult for all the drivers as oil down through the daunting Craner Curves made that section of the track slippery. McLean was second ahead of Johnson and Winter, with the 964 RSR of Tony Brown quickest in Class Three. 

"You had to be careful," said Donovan, "we are at least three seconds off the pace but the oil and cement dust was right on line through the Craner Curves and you had to work out where to cross it in traffic. I'm delighted with pole though." 

"I got nowhere near a time," said McLean, "with the oil down and the traffic the tyres never got up to temperature and there is much more to come." 

Race

It was a huge grid of 36-cars with the Porsche Club competitors racing at the same time as the Open runners, and it was Donovan who led the field away. Johnson was with McLean through the corner of the same name, and into second by the start-finish straight at the end of the first lap.  

A lap later McLean was looking up the inside of Johnson's GT3 into Redgate, and went by there a lap later for second. Donovan was over four seconds ahead, but the gaps between the lead three fluctuated wildly as they caught the tail of the Porsche Club field, Donovan on one occasion going three-abreast with other cars into Redgate. 

Johnson retook second on lap six, and set a new fastest lap in his pursuit of Donovan, but was baulked badly on the exit of the chicane going into lap 12 and McLean dived ahead by the first corner. Two laps later the three leaders were all in the same clutch of backmarkers through Redgate, and McLean was right on the back of Donovan's 997, having beaten Johnson's fastest lap time on the way. 

Together on the final lap, McLean could not find a way past the newer car and Donovan held on for a fine victory, Johnson taking third with Winter having had a lonely run to fourth and win Class Two. 

"Fantastic race!" declared Donovan after his first win in Porsche Open. "I got in a good first couple of laps, but then it was just pot-luck on the traffic and the other guys kept pushing me hard. You have to be aggressive in traffic without tripping over them. I could see Paul and Mike up behind me, and you had to pick your moment in traffic." 

"It took me four or five laps to get the tyres working," said McLean. "It was a good race, the traffic forces you to take a few risks, you have to weigh up the balance between going past and holding back, the Club guys are having their own race. It's a good start to the season, I'd have liked a win, but second is ok." 

"That was good," said Winter, "a bit lonely but I enjoyed it with the backmarkers, they were all very sensible and let me past. Exciting race, would have been good to have clung onto the front runners." 

Brown looked to be getting the better of Bryan for Class Three victory before his car was called in by the officials after lapping trailing smoke, giving the win to Bryan's 928 GTS.  

Porsche Open and Porsche Club Championship: 1 Mike Donovan (997 GT3 Cup) 20 laps in 25m00.80s (93.94mph); 2 Paul McLean (911 GT2) +0.568s; 3 Mike Johnson (911 GT3 R); 4 Paul Winter (996 GT3 Cup); 5 John Taylor (911 GT3 Cup); 6  Mark Chilton (993 GT2 Evo); 7 Tim Bryan (928 GTS); 8 Neil Primrose (964 RS CS); 9 Adrian Clark (928 GTS); 10 Tony Brown (964 RSR). Class winners: Donovan; Winter; Tim Bryan (928 GTS). Pole position: Donovan 1m14.766s (94.24mph). Fastest lap; McLean 1m12.232s (97.55mph). Starters: 36.