News: Motorbase Carrera Cup report, Brands Hatch: 31 March/1 April

Three top six finishes and a fine pro-am victory for Andy Britnell got the Porsche Carrera Cup GB season off to an excellent start for Motorbase Performance at Brands Hatch over the weekend (31 March/1 April).

Competing at its home track, the team opened its 2007 campaign with three Porsches; for Sam Hancock and latest signing Steven Kane in the pro category and Andy Britnell in the pro-am category. Kane's late deal meant that the former F3 ace arrived at Brands with very little testing behind him. "The car is only just run it and I've not really driven it in the dry," said Kane after Friday's test session was run in soaking conditions.

Despite his shortage of time in the car, Kane qualified an impressive second fastest on Saturday morning. "For a first time in the car, I'm happy with the job we've done," said Kane. "I know there is more to come," he said. Hancock also felt there was time to be found after he qualified fifth fastest. "I know we can go quicker than that," said Hancock. Britnell, meanwhile, qualified second in pro-am to his major rival Nigel Rice.

In the opening race, Kane survived a first-lap clash with James Pickford to run strongly in the four-car pack battling for second place and claimed a good fourth place. Hancock had an early clash with Rob Collard, but finished eighth, while Britnell ran second in pro-am after a spin at Druids. ""I spun all on my own," admitted Britnell. "I worked the tyres too hard early in the race."

In front of a huge crowd on Sunday, Kane once more ran well in the leading pack and finished fifth. "I made a brilliant start, but the tyres didn’t come in to begin with," said Kane. "The car was good at the end of the race and I'm happy with the result for my first Carrera Cup race." Hancock ran with the leading group initially, but then dropped back a little to finish sixth.

Britnell was one of the stars of the race, after a tremendous battle with Rice for the pro-am spoils. Eventually, he tigered ahead and then fended off a stern re-challenge from Rice to complete a great performance. "It was great fun," said Britnell. "Nigel put up a big fight and my car was good; I couldn't fault it. It was nice to win on home ground and with a lot of guests here to watch."

02.04.07