Official Race Report from Paul Lawrence

Chamberlain dominates at Castle Combe

Richard Chamberlain made it three wins from three races in the Michelin Porsche Open Series with a mighty performance at Castle Combe on Monday (2 May). While Chamberlain swept to overall victory, John Allen and Simon Mifsud claimed class victories from an excellent field of racing Porsches.

Qualifying

Having run laps in the 1m6s bracket in testing, Chamberlain's 935 qualified on pole in 1m07.924s as an oily track prevented really quick times. "I wasn't too committed into Quarry," admitted Chamberlain. However, he still had a big chunk of time in hand over the 993GT2R of Paul Howells. Colin Broster, using the race as a warm-up to his British GT campaign, was third fastest in his 911GT3 Cup while local racer Keith Butcher was fourth fastest in his GT3RS.

Incredibly, Ian White was fifth fastest and headed class three in his 3.2 Carrera, but major brake dramas in the earlier Porsche Club Championship race meant that he would not start the Open race. Racing novice Mark Albutt headed class two in his 911GT3 Cup and Alex Eacock topped the 944 contingent in class four.

Race

Howells got an excellent start, but when Chamberlain's power kicked in, the 935 shot into a lead that it would never lose. In fact, by the end of the 20-minute race, Richard had managed to put a lap on everyone in a dominant display. "It's a beautiful car, but it's always hard work round here," he said on the podium.

Howells was a secure second, able to pull clear of the rest of the pack but not able to go after Chamberlain. Initially, Broster and Butcher battled for third, but once Broster went clear he was able to put space between himself and the GT3RS. "This is just a shakedown run," said Broster. Butcher, in his first race at his local track for four years, was a clear fourth. "It's completely different round here in the Porsche," he reported.

Into fifth overall and victory in class three came John Allen after a strong run in his 993 Supercup. Such was his pace that he finished ahead of all the class two cars, but only just kept clear of the battle of the race that raged for second in class three.

Andy Purdie (3.2 Carrera), Wayne Jackson (944 Turbo) and Mike Johnson (911SC) had a fabulous battle, running neck and neck for most of the race and leaving the result in doubt until the flag. Finally, after 21 flat-out minutes, Purdie got the verdict as less than a second covered them at the finish. For Johnson, it was a memorable debut race on his graduation from the Porsche Club Speed Championship.

There was also a big contest in class two as Allbutt, battling gear selection problems, struggled to fend off the similar car of the advancing Mifsud. Late in the race, Mifsud squeezed ahead to claim the class on his debut in the car. "It's a different beast completely," said Mifsud of his GT3 Cup car, having previously raced a 944 Turbo. In the hands of Peter Chambers the car had won the 2001 Porsche Cup.

Eacock always had the upperhand in class four, heading Charles Winterhalder by a useful margin as Frank Cortes just pipped Andy Brown for third.