Stephen Jelley managed to do exactly what title rivals Michael Caine and Tim Harvey were looking to do after collecting a double pole for the two Porsche Carrera Cup races at Brands Hatch and the extra point per pole that goes with it.
“We’ve been chasing that all year,” said Jelley as he collected his first pole positions of the season during a later run with a clearer track. “The two behind me have got their own thing going on,” admitted Jelley who was fully aware of the title battle between Harvey and Caine.
Tim Harvey had mixed feelings after taking the second spot on the front row. “The car was mega,” he said. “But we went out too early on the second run and got a lot of traffic. From a championship point of view, it’s good that Michael hasn’t got the two points for poles.”
Michael Caine was left frustrated after finishing the session with a third and a fifth place for the final two races of the season. “We changed the car during the session and when I went back out,” said Caine “It just wasn’t like having new tyres on the car.” he concluded.
Caine now has an uphill struggle in the first race of the weekend as he needs to finish ahead of Harvey to keep himself in the championship challenge.
Euan Hankey, Glynn Geddie and Michael meadows occupied the remaining places in the top six with Hankey moving up to third place for the second race.
Despite taking both pole positions in the Pro-Am1 category Ollie Jackson felt he could have done better overall. “I’m a bit gutted to be down in seventh overall, but I can’t complain about the result from a championship point of view.” he said.
Jonas Gelzinis had a tough time as he secured second fastest in class with a tenth and eighth overall admitting “The track is quite tricky” on his first time on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit. Ahmad Al Harthy took third place in class for both races.
George Richardson and Paul Mace shared pole position in the Pro-Am2 class while title contender Glenn McMenamin took two third places (in class). “I love this track and it would be great to win here,” said Richardson.
Following the qualifying session stewards penalised the cars of Mace, George and Brewster which in turn moved Richardson up to pole for both races.
With less than a second covering the top 17 places the scene is set for a close race that could see Harvey secure the overall title.
