Race Report: Toyo BRSCC Porsches, Brands Hatch, 22-23 Aug 2015
6th September 2015
Scorching weather greeted the Toyo BRSCC Porsche drivers on Saturday as
they prepared for two races on the short but challenging Kent circuit. A
few of the drivers had arrived on the Friday to test and four of the
lead drivers, including past champion Rick Styrin, had posted best laps
within 0.3 seconds – so we were all expecting some extremely close
racing. New to the grid was Alex Stocker who has bought Syd Combes red
986 that last saw the light of day at Autosport Live a few years back.
Qualifying claimed the 924 of Karl Rossin whose engine explosively
ejected its oil before expiring on the entry of Paddock Hill Bend. The
session was red-flagged while the Orange Army dressed the spillage.
Rick Styrin was correct to predict he might not land another pole in the
Class A cars as Ed Hayes posted 54.638 to take P1 ahead of Garry Lawence
0.323 seconds behind; Adam Southgate was third. Adam Croft kept his form
to take the front row of the 924s alongside David Jones with the
returning Niz El-Chamaa behind in third.
Typical of our friendly and helpful paddock, no less than six were
working on Karl Rossin’s crippled 924 hastily fitting a replacement
engine – including Michael Goodacre – but unfortunately a couple of
sheared cross-member bolts meant there simply wasn’t enough time to
complete the work for the afternoon race. John Cleland’s annoyingly
intermittent electrical problems continued and he was unable to make the
grid.
Race 1 proved eventful to say the least. Garry Lawrence entertained the
crowd with a massive spin at Paddock Hill Bend – he was extremely lucky
to escape with zero contact as the car eventually came to rest at the
bottom of the hill. He recovered but despite his best efforts was unable
to catch the leaders and had to settle for an uncharacteristic 8th place
behind Nick Hull.
Linda Warren was holding a comfortable fourth place when a coolant hose
came adrift through McLaren, dumping collant on the track. This led to
several 924s spinning there on the next lap but it was the unfortunate
Adam Croft whose stranded car – right next to the track – led to the
Clerk of the Course stopping the race after around 13 minutes had
elapsed. Recent red book regulations meant a ‘not classified’ for him
(his first this season) whereas Linda, who had been forced to pit to
save the engine, landed her first ever podium despite not having crossed
the line.
And so it was David Jones who took the Class C win (his first) with the
returning Niz El-Chamaa grabbing vital catch-up points in second and
Linda in 3rd.
Angus Archer was forced to retire his Class A Boxster when part of the
exhaust from Philip Grayson’s newly upgraded car came adrift and
destroyed his central radiator, forcing another retirement.
Michael Goodacre brought his silver 986 home to take P1 as the sole
Class B car. Alex Stocker completed his first ever race unscathed in 9th
and 924 newcomer Jamie Callendar brought his white 924 home P4 in class
– his best of the year.
Rick Styrin was judged to have jumped the start and was thus awarded a
10-second penalty, robbing him of his hard-fought win and leaving Ed
Hayes to take P1 again, with Andy Hack using a back marker to get past
Adam Southgate for 2nd. Southgate took the bonus point for fastest lap –
a blistering 54.914, even more impressive when the temperature inside
the cars must have been approaching 50C.
In the evening the drivers gathered for the draw of our charity raffle
where another £700 would be donated to CMT UK – taking the total raised
so far this season to over £1000. Top prize was an RAF helicopter
simulator flight kindly donated by our dedicated Clark of the Course
Andy Holley.
Race 2 was bound to be a thrilling affair after an hour or so of fairly
heavy rain had drenched the circuit. But just as everyone had picked a
full-wet setting, the rain ceased and the track entered is most
challenging condition: wet but drying – this was to be a real test for
the newer drivers.
Both James Coleman (engine problems) and John Cleland (worsening
intermittant electrical issues) called it quits so Class A numbers were
already diminished.
Linda Warren’s green 924 behaved itself until she was safely back in
Parc Ferme when its cooling system again erupted, but no Class C podium
for her time time as Niz El-Chamaa led for most of the race ahead of
Adam Croft – desparate to make up for his Race 1 non-finish which meant
he started last – and David Jones, who landed his second podium of the
weekend. Karl Rossin finished 5th with his borrowed engine – fitted
after much effort late into Saturday evening – behind Jamie Callender’s
second 4th of the day.
Andy Hack was first away from the lights but Rick Styrin forged ahead
for the second lap; sadly Andy’s bright orange 986 ground to a halt on
the Cooper Straight on lap 12. Nick Hull showed great pace in Adam
Southgate and Garry Lawrence at bay for most of the race but a missed
gear at McLaren let both Class A cars through. Richard Avery then took
over the challenge for the lead but contact between him and Rick going
up Hailwood Hill led to him spinning out at Druids and a non-finish for
the Leighton Buzzard driver. Thus Rick returned to his move conventional
top-of-the-podium position with Championship leader Ed Hayes second.
In what I believe is a first in the Championship, and on the same day as
fellow Class A driver Mark Marshall was getting married in Loudwater,
Garry Lawrence surprised his girlfriend with an engagement ring during a
MotorsTV interview.
Just two rounds remain of the 2015 season, with three races at the
Yorkshire circuit at Croft on 12-13th September is next on the cards.
With Alastair Kirkham now retired, Adam Croft has extended his lead in
the 924s and there’s a chance either Karl Rossin or Philip Waters might
jump up to second. Ed Hayes’ two podiums, both higher positions than
fellow Class A Boxster competitor Adam Southgate, stretched his lead
slightly but certainly not far enough for comfort. Michael Goodacre will
cruise to the Class B title unless another competitor steps forward.
Photo captions:
1D3_07486.jpg – Garry Lawrence’s Class A Boxster spins at Paddock in Race 1
1D3_07696.jpg – Adam Southgate pursues Ed Hayes through Graham Hill Bend
in the Race 1 sunshine
1D3_07832.jpg – Linda Warren picked up her first podium at the weekend
in her 924
1D3_07840.jpg – Andy Hack led Rick Styrin from the lights before
retiring in Race 2
1D3_07920.jpg – Andy Hack spins on a very slippy Paddock Hill in Race 2
with Richard Avery and Adam Southgate narrowly avoiding the wayward
Class A Boxster
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Toyo Tires BRSCC Porsche Championship
http://www.porscheracingdrivers.co.uk
Track Days / Test Days / MotorsportDays.com
