Official Race Report from Paul Lawrence

Brown and Morris win at Brands

Two hard fought Michelin Porsche Club Championship were star attractions of the Porsche Festival at Brands Hatch over the Bank Holiday weekend (29/30 August), with race victories going to Tony Brown (911 RS) and Peter Morris (968CS). Rob Williams, Richard Lambert and Fraser Robertson claimed the class victories.

Race one

It took three goes to finally get Sunday’s round started, and each time Brown stormed into the lead from second on the grid. With the first two stoppages being due to cars beaching themselves in the Paddock Hill gravel, Brown finally led all the way, holding off a challenge from team-mate Ian White (3.2 Carrera) in the early laps. “I got a good start every time,” explained Brown, “though when they stopped the race for the second time I was wondering if it was personal. In the end I could see they were dicing behind, so I kept it smooth and built up a lead.”

Behind championship returnee Brown, White fended off the attention of Team GVR’s Chris Egginton (968CS) and Peter Morris (968CS), as the front-engined cars ran in close formation over the 16-lap race. Egginton looked to the outside through Paddock on several occasions, aiming to dive to the inside at Druids, but White held on. On lap 14 his move to the outside tempted Morris to move inside Egginton and the two went round Druids side by side, Egginton prevailing as the turned left through Graham Hill Bend, the three staying in that close order to the end.

“That was very hard work,” said White, “I had to keep the car on the track and keep them behind! I need to go one place better tomorrow now.”

Mike Clapham (968CS) passed class two winner Rob Williams (Carrera 3) to take fifth, after Craig Rapp (3.2 Carrera) spun out of that slot. Unfortunately, Rapp later inverted his car in the Paddock Hill gravel trap. Fraser Robertson (944) claimed the class three spoils once more to maintain his cracking record.

Race two

Brown repeated his starting prowess in Monday afternoon’s 40-minute race, but lost out to team-mate White at Druids on lap two. These two battled hard as Morris set a series of fastest laps to close on them in third.

They stayed in that order until Brown went wide at Druids, and Morris took advantage to dive past the pair and take the lead. He soon opened a gap, but lost that when the safety car came out after a car stopped in the gravel on the edge of the circuit at Clearways. “The safety car really made a difference,” said Morris, “I’d eased off, and then had to press on again.”

With just ten minutes remaining once racing resumed, Morris again opened a gap, White and Brown giving chase until Egginton closed in to challenge for third. With the 968 on his tail, Brown had to defend over the final laps. Morris was clear at the font, while less than half a second covered White, Brown and Egginton as they crossed the line in that order.

“I said yesterday that the 968 would be more suited to a 40 minute race,” said Morris, “but that was hard work and I was pretty emotional crossing the finish line!” “I thought the safety car would give me my chance,” added White, “but he was too quick today.”

Mark Lillington (968CS) claimed fifth, ahead of class two winner Richard Lambert (Carrera 3), while class three victor Robertson completed a perfect weekend.

Richard Lambert's story

Brands Hatch was an important event for me, I need to get some more wins under my belt if I'm going to challenge for the title and to win in front of a big Porsche crowd would be great for my sponsors Sport Wagen.
Even though I have never really liked Brands Hatch as it is too short and slow for the 911 the racing is always frantic and I have managed to finish well.

Testing
Saturdays testing went well although the times weren't great and the handling was somewhat ragged. The wild power slides eventually got the better of me as I spun and beached it in the gravel at Clearways! Four new tyres seemed to cure the handling problem and after a tiring day I headed for my tent and a glass of beer.

Camping
When you are camping why are there always some inconsiderate to**ers who think it is alright to rev the nuts off their cars at 1am and wake everyone up. I was glad someone went out and sorted them out and after a lot of shouting, swearing and the odd slap the noise stopped.

Qualifying
Heading off for qualifying the engine was making a strange noise and I noticed the fan belt was very loose, there was not time to fix it so I had my fingers crossed it would be ok. It was very busy out on the track but I managed to get some space and set a decent time before the alternator light came on telling me the fan belt had failed. I tried for one last quick lap but managed to spin so came into the pits.
I had qualified 2nd in class and 9th on the grid which wasn't bad until I saw that Tom Segrue led the class and was 3rd on the grid!! He was going to take some catching.

The fan belt problem was caused by a broken pulley, I managed to borrow one from Rob Williams which was great, thank you. The next problem was finding a fan belt, after rushing around like crazy without any luck and with minutes to spare Dave and Steve managed to stretch a shorter one on and we had to hope it would last the distance.

Race 1
Start 1 - was good, after two laps I was first in class...
Start 2 - was awful, after two laps I was fifth in class...
Start 3 - a 16 lap sprint, Tom had dropped out with engine problems, so I only had to worry about Rob Williams and he shot past me followed by Mark Campbell in his class 1 Carrera RS. The race ended up being quite frustrating as I found I was being stuck behind Mark around the corners and then not being able to stay with him on the straights. I spent the whole race looking at the back of his car, unable to make a challenge on Rob so I finished 2nd in class. The fan belt survived though so that was handy.

Race 2
Started early and headed off to Halfords for a proper size fan belt and it was fitted in a flash. The race was 40 minutes and I knew a lot would happen so a steady drive would hopefully bring rewards.

I managed to slow and get round without any more contact which was good except... as I got back up to speed I looked in my mirror expecting to see Rob flash past only to see a cloud of dust as Rob disappeared into the gravel trap.
This brought out the safety car and a welcome rest before the last 10 minutes of the race. I won the class but rather than feeling pleased I was worried about Rob and Mark and the damage to their cars.
To say they weren't happy is a bit of an understatement, sorry chaps. I'm sure the cars will be fixed in time for the next race. And its at Brands Hatch again !!!!

Thanks to all the Jaz team and the chaps from Sport Wagen for looking after me so well

RACE 2 CLASSIFICATION
POS	NO	CL	NAME	NAT	CAR	TIME	LAPS	GAP	MPH	BEST
1	14	1	Peter MORRIS		Porsche 968 CS	40:06.193	41		75.24	54.969
2	13	1	Ian WHITE		Porsche 911 Carrera	40:10.095	41	3.902	75.12	55.435
3	3	1	Tony BROWN		Porsche 911 RS	40:10.201	41	4.008	75.12	55.189
4	41	1	Chris EGGINTON		Porsche 968 CS	40:10.446	41	4.253	75.11	54.903
5	6	1	Mark LILLINGTON		Porsche 968 CS	40:21.309	41	15.116	74.77	55.644
6	2	2	Richard LAMBERT		Porsche 911 Carrera 3	40:25.423	41	19.230	74.64	55.666
7	20	2	Adam EGAR		Porsche 911 SC	40:34.768	41	28.575	74.36	56.078
8	29	2	Lee BIRKETT		Porsche 911 SC	40:38.917	41	32.724	74.23	56.427
9	8	2	David BOTTERILL		Porsche 924 Carrera GT	40:44.100	41	37.907	74.07	56.691
10	42	1	Marcus HOLDEN		Porsche 911 Carrera	40:44.641	41	38.448	74.06	55.950
11	25	1	Ragdan EL-AKABI		Porsche RS	40:38.365	40	1 LAP	72.44	57.669
12	12	1	Richard HARRISON		Porsche 911 Carrera	40:39.119	40	1 LAP	72.42	56.798
13	57	1	Andy PURDIE		Porsche 911 Carrera	40:44.949	40	1 LAP	72.24	56.157
14	11	3	Fraser ROBERTSON		Porsche 944	40:48.712	40	1 LAP	72.13	57.562
15	54	1	Robin TITTERINGTON		Porsche 911 RS	40:52.300	40	1 LAP	72.03	57.906
16	22	2	Colin INGRAM		Porsche 911 SC	41:01.240	40	1 LAP	71.76	57.282
17	58	3	Steve WINTER		Porsche 911SC	41:04.999	40	1 LAP	71.65	58.221
18	31	3	Christopher BERRY		Porsche 911E	40:13.139	38	3 LAPS	69.54	58.858
19	33	3	David FISSENDEN		Porsche 911E	40:16.769	37	4 LAPS	67.61	1:00.695
20	50	2	Chris MAY		Porsche 944 S2	35:56.698	35	6 LAPS	71.66	57.607
Not Classified
	73	1	Mark CAMPBELL		Porsche 911 RS	24:36.391	26	D.N.F.	77.78	55.731
	26	2	Rob WILLIAMS		Porsche Carrera 3	24:40.247	26	D.N.F.	77.58	55.875
	10	1	John WILLIAMS		Porsche 911 Carrera	22:34.061	24	D.N.F.	78.29	55.414
	19	1	Craig RAPP		Porsche 911 Carrera	21:05.998	22	D.N.F.	76.76	55.773
	35	3	Chris STEWART		Porsche 911E	15:56.788	15	D.N.F.	69.27	1:00.521
	36	2	Tom SEGRUE		Porsche 944 S2	10:45.630	11	D.N.F.	75.31	56.143
Fastest Lap
	41	1	Chris EGGINTON		Porsche 968 CS	54.903	36	129.39kph	80.40
	2	2	Richard LAMBERT		Porsche 911 Carrera 3	55.666	7	127.62kph	79.30
	11	3	Fraser ROBERTSON		Porsche 944	57.562	39	123.41kph	76.68

Car No 77 - Excluded from result - J.16.1.2. Failure to comply with Yellow Flag signals.	Start Time : 14:08
Weather / Track : Sunny / Dry	End Time : 14:48
Copyright © 2004 MST Group Ltd. All Rights Reserved	Printed : 15:27 Monday 30 August 2004