News 2006: Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain
Silverstone
14th, 15th September
Two wins and four podium finishes was the impressive tally for Motorbase Performance in the final two races of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at Silverstone over the weekend (14/15 October).
Tim Harvey not only sealed second place in the overall drivers' championship, but he also finished the season with a stylish victory after seeing off a race-long challenge from Damien Faulkner. Meanwhile, Michael Caine made it two Motorbase cars in the top three and Phil Quaife bagged his tenth pro-am victory in 20 races. To cap a tremendous weekend, Andy Britnell made an excellent racing return with the team and Motorbase was confirmed as runner-up in the teams' championship.
Harvey led Saturday's race, but came under increasing pressure from James Pickford, who finally got a run on Harvey out of Copse and moved ahead into Becketts. "There was no way I was going to risk anything with James," said Harvey, who knew that second place in the championship was now firmly in his grasp. Caine chased them home in fourth, while Quaife fought through from the back of the grid to finish fifth in the pro-am category after being penalised for a flag infringement in qualifying.
Harvey ended the season with a fine victory in round 20, winning under tremendous pressure from Faulkner. Meanwhile, Quaife won the pro-am category to wrap up a great season.
Harvey got the best start to beat poleman Pickford into Copse as Faulkner slotted into third. Pickford was soon on the attack, but Harvey stood his ground and on lap seven the cars touched at Luffield. Pickford went out with a damaged radiator, while Harvey escaped with a damaged rear panel, but now had Faulkner and Caine in his wheel tracks.
For the next 20 laps, Harvey used all his experience and racecraft to defend his lead, never giving Faulkner any opportunity. While he tracked Harvey, Faulkner also had to watch his mirrors as Caine was always well in touch. Lap by lap Faulkner tried to find an opening, but Harvey drove a masterful race to win by a fifth of a second after 28 neck and neck laps. "It was very hard fought," admitted Harvey. "I wanted to do it for the team and I knew that James Pickford was the biggest threat."
Meanwhile Quaife claimed a fine pro-am victory in seventh overall. "I got a really good start and pushed hard," said Quaife after his tenth pro-am win of the season.
After a year out of racing due to business commitments, Andy Britnell rejoined the team as a taster ahead of the 2007 season and had two excellent races. Not only did Andy thoroughly enjoy being back racing again, he also came close to a pro-am podium in the second race when he chased Nigel Rice to the flag.
