Saturday 18 June saw the Porsche Club Speed Championship competing at historic Prescott Hillclimb for the fifth round of the Championship. After a sweltering heatwave on Friday the temperature dropped, and Saturday began cool and dry with slight drizzle in the morning with heavier rain around midday. This meant the first timed run in the afternoon ran on a greasy surface with the final run being slightly drier with the slick-shod drivers switching to wets for the timed runs.
In Class P4, we welcomed Jake Cartwright back to Prescott following his return to the Championship following quite a few years absence and his first run at Loton Park. Jake (Boxster) took third place in 60.28. The always enjoyably close battle between Stephen Jory (944) and Martin Leach (911E) continued at Prescott and saw Stephen take second in 57.50, while Martin took class honours in an impressive 55.28 in the wet, fast enough to theoretically win a trophy in all the classes above and leave him fourth fastest overall.
One of the Championship’s most experienced drivers, Geraint Evans (911 Carrera) took third place in Class P3 with 57.23, while Wayne Eason (slick-shod Boxster) worked hard just to be at Prescott after having to replace his gearbox himself after the diff shattered on a timed run at Loton Park. He bettered Geraint’s time by a fraction under half a second for 56.49 and second place. Out in front and making the most of his well-tested and fearless wet weather driving skills was Andy Fagan who finished the day in first place with 54.95 and third fastest overall.
Driving his well known and much admired 964 Carrera Cup, Mel Spears took third place at Prescott in Class P2 in 59.16. Like Wayne, Nick and Ian Wadsworth also did well to be at Prescott after having issues with their Carrera 3 SC/RS at Loton Park. Ian finished the day with 58.27 for second place while Nick won the class with 57.02.
Three drivers made up Class P1 with Howard Cressey (Cayman 718 GTS 4.0) making the most of his time in P1 with a 57.56 finish. Sharing their slick-shod 996 GT3 both David Hilton and Tim Barber put down some remarkable wet weather times with David finishing in second with 54.78 while Tim took the FTD and class win in an amazing 53.06.
As well as a hastily prepared speech from Tim, we also enjoyed the company of an ad hoc guest of honour to provide the congratulatory handshakes when former (and hopefully future) competitor Donald Peach made an appearance at Prescott – a good omen for the remaining rounds including our next appearance at Harewood on 2 and 3 July.