Wiping a few years of dust off the Porsche Motorsport section I would like to declare this area officially open for business again. Love them or just plain worship them, the legendary Porsche 911 will create yet another fantastic spectacle this year during the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain.
It all officially began at the Pistonheads/ Autosport Show at the NEC on January 9th. Those 420bhp 911 GT3s will be back for the seventh year to grace the national circuits with 10 meetings (support to MSA BTCC) and 20 race formats with almost no change to last years rules and regulations - which should ensure another close championship.
The 911 GT3 Cup (Type 997) is tailor-made for customer motorsport with near-standard vehicles. Although because of the raw nature of the GT3 it is already a step towards a thoroughbred racing car. For the 2009 season engine output is 420hp.
Possible winners this year will be hard to call but expect a close fight between the leading protagonists: Tim Bridgeman, Michael Caine, and last season's championship winner Tim Harvey. Nobody will dominate according to Harvey. He told PH: 'There are times always in the Carrera cup where all the drivers will have their moments.’
Younger accomplished drivers often find themselves in this championship, which is a good place to shine. Top teams such as Redline Racing and Team Parker have taken on scholarship winners. Lewis Hopkins is driving for Red Line Racing this season. He said: 'It's good that each of the top teams took a scholar each – I’m looking forward to big things with Red Line Racing.’
Another young driver, Tom Bradshaw, is understandably excited to be taking part in the Carrera Cup. 'I can’t wait,’ he said. ‘It's shot past, it just seems like yesterday when I was trying to win the scholarship. Now the first race is looming ever closer.'
With further teams confirming commitment to the championship and more drivers adding to what promises it promises to be a fast paced season. We look forward to seeing them racing starting April 5th 2009 Brands Hatch.
Porsche Cup Season 2009 |
|
Date |
Circuit |
4/5 April |
Brands Hatch (Indy) |
25/26 April |
Thruxton |
16/17 May |
Donington Park |
30/31 May |
Oulton Park |
13/14 Jun |
Croft |
1/2 Aug |
Snetterton |
15/16 Aug |
Knockhill |
29/30 Aug |
Silverstone (National) |
19/20 Sep |
Rockingham |
3/4 Oct |
Brands Hatch (GP) |
(Sat is for practice) |
|