Michelin Porsche Club Championship Castle Combe 02/05/2005

Purdie Clinches Podium Position

Kevin Harrison stamped his mark on the Michelin Porsche Club Championship with a fine victory in round three at Castle Combe on Monday (2 May). 

While Ian White struggled with brake problems, Harrison swept to victory as a strong grid entertained the large and enthusiastic Bank Holiday crowd. Tom Segrue and Ben Demetriou both claimed excellent class wins.

Qualifying

White claimed pole in qualifying on Monday morning, but found the track very oily after previous qualifying sessions. "We came here testing on Thursday and the track had a lot more grip," he said. 

Harrison led the chase of the 3.2 Carrera, lapping just over half a second slower as he continued getting to grips with his 968CS, while a charging Andy Purdie was third fastest in his 3.2 Carrera.  

Teenager Marcus Clutton was flying along in his 911SC to set the class two pace and qualify fourth fastest overall, while Demetriou (911SC) just pipped Paul Goldman (911SC) to claim the class three pole.

Race

Clutton's hopes were dealt a major blow when he struggled off the line and was swamped by the pack, and it was Harrison who got the best start to head White and the rest of the pack on the charge to Quarry. The leading pair soon started stretching clear as Purdie headed Segrue for third.  

However, any chance for White to challenge the leader was dashed when the Harvey Racing car spun at Quarry on the fourth lap. "The brake pedal went to the floor," explained White.  With White now struggling badly to slow his car down at all, Harrison was able to pull clear and take his first win in a front-engined Porsche. "Fantastic! That was excellent from start to finish," said Harrison. "I'm still getting used to the car, so it's coming together nicely!"  White had a much less happy time, and was very relieved simply to make the finish and salvage points for fourth overall and third in class one. "That's the fastest I've ever driven with no brakes," he admitted after losing places to Purdie and Segrue as the race developed. Second for Purdie was a fine result and marks him out as another contender for race wins as the season progresses.  

Segrue (944S2) was a commanding class two winner but had a late scare when he saw a 10s penalty board displayed and thought it might be for him. "I had to push again," he said, before finding out after the race that the penalty was not his! Marcus Carniel (911SC) was an impressive second in class two, having run much of the race in a big gaggle of cars that delivered plenty of overtaking. Colin Ingram (911SC) wrapped up the class two podium finishers.  

Class three was always in doubt as Demetriou and Goldman spent the whole race separated by little more than a few feet. Eventually, Demetriou got to the flag with only a third of a second in hand after 16 laps of wheel to wheel racing. "It was a great battle," said a delighted Ben. "It's my first time here; I can't believe it!"