Richard Westbrook is today celebrating clinching the Porsche Carrera Cup GB in the final race of the season at Donington Park on Sunday (26 September). Apart from the prestige of winning one of the most important titles in British motor racing, Westbrook will soon take delivery of a £55,000 road-going Porsche 911 Carrera.
Having taken a two-point championship lead into the final race, Westbrook had to fend off a fierce challenge from Tim Harvey in order to secure the title. "You can never under-estimate Tim. He had to go for it and it didn't come off. Tim's a top man; I really feel for him. But I wanted it so bad for the team. Red Line Racing has been so good to me."
Westbrook joined Red Line Racing in May after his early season plans faltered. However, following a non-finish at Brands in April he has been playing catch up on Harvey all season. "It's been hard to take a big chunk of points out of Tim; we were just taking two points here and there.
"Then I had a disaster at Croft at the first corner. I never really gave up, but at that point the championship looked difficult. I was starting to question if Tim was ever going to have a DNF. He had such a big lead after Croft. Then Brands came along in August and I think Tim got a bit too bored driving carefully! It all came back and we'd both had one DNF."
Moments after the race that settled the title, Westbrook was barely able to contain his jubilation as he jumped up and down on the bonnet of his car. Sportingly, Harvey was first to congratulate his rival after a tremendous season-long contest between two first class racers. "It's been a great year. Congratulations to Richard – he deserved it," said Harvey.
For Westbrook, the championship victory is a major boost to his career. "Racing is my career and you've got to be seen to be progressing," he says. "I came second last year and I didn't want to come second again this year! "I've got a lot more options for 2005 than I did a year ago. I'd like to do both the Carrera Cup and the Porsche Supercup. It's still very early, but the main thing is that the phone is ringing. It's always a good sign when you're in demand again!"
Already, it is possible that both Westbrook and Harvey will return to the Carrera Cup in 2005 to renew their battle. "It's the best championship," says Westbrook. "It's got the best drivers and I'm just so proud to win the championship." With more potential champions moving into the frame, next season is already looking like being another vintage Carrera Cup season.