Porsche Cup Croft 16/07/2006

Purdie takes two podiums for Paragon Porsche 

Andy Purdie scored two podium finishes for Paragon Porsche in rounds nine and ten of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at the Croft circuit in North Yorkshire over the weekend (15/16 July). 

The Maidstone-based driver was racing the Paragon Porsche-entered 911GT3 Cup car in two rounds of the championship after a mid-season break in the calendar and twice finished third in the pro-am category within the prestigious championship.  As track temperatures soared, Purdie coped well with the demanding conditions. 

"I love Croft and I had a win and a second place here last year," he said after qualifying ninth fastest overall and second in pro-am. "I was very happy with qualifying and it’s good to be pushing some of the professional drivers."  In the opening race, Purdie finished third in the pro-am category, having battled hard to try and contain the challenge of rival Sam Edwards. 

It was a similar story in the second race on Sunday, run in front of a packed British Touring Car crowd. In the early laps, Andy ran wide when pro racer Jason Templeman battled ahead after starting back down the field, but the Paragon racer was soon back into his stride and challenging Edwards.  

However, over the second half of the race Andy came under increasing pressure from Nigel Rice and the cars touched once or twice as Rice attacked. But Andy kept cool and held third place to the flag to earn his second podium visit of the weekend. "I'm really happy to get another podium," he said after spraying the champagne. "A podium in every race is now my target!"