Tricky early morning conditions intensified the anticipation ahead of the first round of 2016’s Porsche Carrera Cup GB. A cold, damp track greeted the Class of 2016 as reigning Champion Dan Cammish led the field away from pole position for the rolling start of race one.
A clean start was followed almost immediately by drama at Graham Hill bend, with newcomer Sean Hudspeth spinning on the damp part of the track and Peter Jennings coming together with Mark Radcliffe. Tom Sharp made an early move on Jonas Gelzinis to secure third spot, with Porsche Scholar Charlie Eastwood stamping his authority on the Rookie category after a similar move saw him take fourth.
The battle for overall honours became a two-horse race, as Zamparelli pushed Cammish hard to extend the pair’s lead over the chasing pack. The pace was relentless with both drivers swapping fastest laps. Under the pressure, Cammish picked up a five second penalty in the final stages of the race for exceeding track limits which handed victory to a grateful Zamparelli
Looking to make amends from his race one disappointment, Cammish led race two to take a lights-to-flag-victory. The 2015 champion proved utterly dominant and never looked like relinquishing the lead on his way to victory.
Cammish said of his second race: “I was very disappointed by this morning as to me the five second penalty for track limits didn’t take into account the fact that as race leader I was the first to encounter the really variable track conditions. In race two I was out to make amends, and think I made my point on the track.”
Race one winner Dino Zamparelli had to settle for second in race two, despite again setting the fastest lap of the race: “I’m really happy with our weekend and proved our intent. Two fastest laps shows we have the one-lap pace, but our focus has to be understanding how to maintain this over longer runs. A longer circuit like Silverstone for the next two rounds will probably show us more and in the meantime we have something to work on.
“Dan drove really well, he’s the reigning champion for a reason. Our pace is there and I haven’t been off the podium since I joined GT Marques last season.”
A race-long battle for third place was the highlight of the Pro category though, with the experienced Stephen Jelley making a good start and trading paint several times with Tom Sharp as the pair went side to side time and again.
The next Porsche Carrera Cup GB races will take place at Silverstone on the weekend of 16 and 17 April in support of the prestigious FIA World Endurance Championship.