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Porsche Carrera Cup GB 2011 Race 1 & 2 Brands Hatch
Jelley tops Carrera Cup qualifying at Brands Hatch
Stephen Jelley set a stunning pace in qualifying for the opening two rounds of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at Brands Hatch today (Saturday 2 April), taking pole position for both races as his team mate Euan Hankey ran right behind in second.
While Jelley and Hankey (Parker with Juta) established a significant advantage over their nearest challengers, Jonas Gelzinis (Juta Racing) took both Pro-Am1 poles and George Brewster (Celtic Speed) claimed both Pro-Am2 poles.
With such a competitive field, Jelley and Hankey were surprised to have around three-tenths of a second in hand over the rest of the field, as James Sutton (SAS/Redline) took third for both races. "I couldn't ask for any better," said Jelley. "The hard work was done in testing on Friday and I just got out there and drove it," he said of qualifying. "I think I've fallen on my feet with the new car; it seems to suit drivers with single-seater experience."
Hankey joined Jelley in breaking the 46s barrier as the latest model 911 GT3 Cup went nearly a second faster than its predecessor around the 1.2-mile Indy track at the Kent venue. However, Hankey's session ended early after a tangle with Tautvydas Barstys (Juta Racing) at Paddock. "I came in on a hot lap and had nowhere to go as he backed off. It's not a disaster and I've got to be happy with that," said Hankey after ending the session in the gravel with a damaged wheel.
Leading the chase of Jelley and Hankey for both races was Sutton. "I'm satisfied with the car we've got," reported Sutton. "I just didn't find the right sort of space on the track." Fourth overall for the opening race was defending champion Tim Harvey (Nationwide/Motorbase). "That's about as good as I could possibly do," said Harvey, who was edged back to fifth on the grid for the second race by young newcomer Sam Tordoff (Team Parker Racing). Tordoff showed impressive pace, taking sixth for race one behind Michael Meadows (SAS/Redline).
Gelzinis topped Pro-Am1, but the times were very close as Rory Butcher (Celtic Speed) and Alex Martin (Dextra by Team Parker) showed fine early season pace to be second and third in Pro-Am1. "In general it is okay, but with one-tenth I could be third overall," said Gelzinis. Butcher, meanwhile was pleased with progress. "I'm a lot happier," said the young Scot. "I'm gaining confidence and it's starting to click."
Making it a good session for Celtic Speed was Brewster, who maintained his strong pre-season form by taking a double pole in Pro-Am2. But he faces two tough races as category rival Steve Parish (Motorbase Performance) ran him very close. In the times for round two, Parish came within five-thousandths of a second of edging Brewster for the category pole. Andrew Shelley (Redline Racing) was a good third for both races in Pro-Am2.
Jelley tops Carrera Cup qualifying at Brands Hatch
Stephen Jelley set a stunning pace in qualifying for the opening two rounds of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at Brands Hatch today (Saturday 2 April), taking pole position for both races as his team mate Euan Hankey ran right behind in second.
While Jelley and Hankey (Parker with Juta) established a significant advantage over their nearest challengers, Jonas Gelzinis (Juta Racing) took both Pro-Am1 poles and George Brewster (Celtic Speed) claimed both Pro-Am2 poles.
With such a competitive field, Jelley and Hankey were surprised to have around three-tenths of a second in hand over the rest of the field, as James Sutton (SAS/Redline) took third for both races. "I couldn't ask for any better," said Jelley. "The hard work was done in testing on Friday and I just got out there and drove it," he said of qualifying. "I think I've fallen on my feet with the new car; it seems to suit drivers with single-seater experience."
Hankey joined Jelley in breaking the 46s barrier as the latest model 911 GT3 Cup went nearly a second faster than its predecessor around the 1.2-mile Indy track at the Kent venue. However, Hankey's session ended early after a tangle with Tautvydas Barstys (Juta Racing) at Paddock. "I came in on a hot lap and had nowhere to go as he backed off. It's not a disaster and I've got to be happy with that," said Hankey after ending the session in the gravel with a damaged wheel.
Leading the chase of Jelley and Hankey for both races was Sutton. "I'm satisfied with the car we've got," reported Sutton. "I just didn't find the right sort of space on the track." Fourth overall for the opening race was defending champion Tim Harvey (Nationwide/Motorbase). "That's about as good as I could possibly do," said Harvey, who was edged back to fifth on the grid for the second race by young newcomer Sam Tordoff (Team Parker Racing). Tordoff showed impressive pace, taking sixth for race one behind Michael Meadows (SAS/Redline).
Gelzinis topped Pro-Am1, but the times were very close as Rory Butcher (Celtic Speed) and Alex Martin (Dextra by Team Parker) showed fine early season pace to be second and third in Pro-Am1. "In general it is okay, but with one-tenth I could be third overall," said Gelzinis. Butcher, meanwhile was pleased with progress. "I'm a lot happier," said the young Scot. "I'm gaining confidence and it's starting to click."
Making it a good session for Celtic Speed was Brewster, who maintained his strong pre-season form by taking a double pole in Pro-Am2. But he faces two tough races as category rival Steve Parish (Motorbase Performance) ran him very close. In the times for round two, Parish came within five-thousandths of a second of edging Brewster for the category pole. Andrew Shelley (Redline Racing) was a good third for both races in Pro-Am2.