Michael Caine took the honours in race two of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at Silverstone today, adding to his win earlier in the day. Jonas Gelzinis won pro-am1 despite big pressure from Ollie Jackson, while Glenn McMenamin completed a tremendous day by winning pro-am2 for the second time.
Caine's victory wasn't straight forward though. Harvey made a great start from pole and went clear on the opening lap as Caine fended off Team Parker Racing's Stephen Jelley to take second. However, it was soon clear that Caine had exceptional pace as he closed in on Harvey and they ran nose-to-tail until lap nine when Caine saw his chance at Luffield and squeezed through into the lead. It was a gutsy move, but one that would allow the Newmarket based driver to build a two second lead.
Jelley putting Michael Caine under pressure
Elsewhere, Jelley soon reeled Harvey in, and Michael Meadows and Glynn Geddie loomed large in Jelley's mirrors as he mounted his challenge for second. Rather than try and go after Caine, Harvey had to concentrate on the growing challenge. Then, on lap 15 the safety car was deployed while Paul Mace’s car was moved clear, disaster for Caine who now had a fiery combination of drivers looking to steal a march on him.
At the re-start, Caine's worst fears never materialised. His five years of Carrera Cup GB proved invaluable and he blasted away from the pack to take the win. “We just had the best car out there,” said Caine. “It’s a bit easier when your car is so good.” Caine earned the ‘driver of the weekend’ award for his performance and set another fastest lap for the Pro class.
Harvey had to settle for second place once again
If the safety car was bad news for Caine, it was positive disastrous for Harvey. The ex-BTCC champion now had a pack of drivers mounting a challenge behind him and he spent the rest of the race making his Porsche as wide as possible. At one point, Jelley dived ahead as they braked for Brooklands, but with the medical car on course after Richard Denny went off at Luffield; Jelley did the sensible thing and dropped back in behind Harvey, until the incident was clear. Jelley was unable to make another serious challenge and that was how they finished, with Jelley, Meadows and Geddie crossing the line in close formation behind Harvey.
Harvey had a tough afternoon, but his hard-earned second place sees him retain a healthy championship lead of thirty-four points over Caine. Jelley was thrilled with another podium finish and remarked, “Our car was really good and we had the pace for second.”
Gelzinis had good pace all weekend
Jonas Gelzinis had to work hard to get ahead of an inform Euan Hankey, and that's where he remained, in a fine sixth overall chasing Geddie while simultaneously defending his place from pro-am1 rival Ollie Jackson. “It’s been a difficult day and I tried a few times to overtake Euan Hankey,” said Gelzinis. Jackson was close behind at the flag to maintain his pro-am1 title lead. “I lost two places with a terrible start,” he added. “I tried to get past Gelzinis when he was behind Hankey,” said Jackson, but the pro-am1 driver had to settle for seventh ahead of Hankey and Ahmad Al Harthy, who completed the pro-am1 podium.
Unlike race one, McMenamin had a comfortable win in the afternoon race, completing a great day by leading pro-am1 throughout, keeping George Brewster and George Richardson firmly at bay. “I can’t ask for more than that; it’s been a big day for the championship, luckily I got away cleanly at the re-start,” added McMenamin as Brewster held off Richardson for second. Celtic Speed took the ‘team of the weekend’ award and a cheque for one thousand pounds after solid drives from Brewster and team-mate Bob Lyons, who had a quiet race by his standards.
