Red Line Racing drivers James Sutton and Michael Meadows topped the timesheets during the Porsche Carrera Cup GB official pre-season test at Snetterton. Running alongside the series Media Day, the test gave the teams and drivers their first chance to try out the Norfolk tracks new 300 circuit.
The test indicated fans can look forward to a close season in 2011, with just seven-tenths of a second covering the top six drivers, which featured established Carrera Cup names as well as newcomers to the series.
Sutton, 2007 Carrera Cup champion, set his best time of 1m 50.245s on fresh tyres towards the end of the day, with team-mate Meadows just 0.164s behind. Sutton commented: “We seem to be in really good shape. It was important to get a really good sense of what the car is doing and this bodes well for the opening races at Brands Hatch,” with Meadows adding: “It's been close all through. James and I like a similar set-up and we found a lot of time on the new rubber.”
Third fastest was Carrera Cup newcomer Sam Tordoff in his Team Parker Racing run car. The former Clio Cup frontrunner was quickest throughout much of the afternoon, before ending the day just 0.382s off the pace. He was followed by the dominant forces in the 2010 championship, Motorbase Performance pair Tim Harvey and Michael Caine. Reigning Champion Harvey said: “We're pleased with the work we've done today, but I don't think we got the best out of the new tyres.” Caine ended the day frustrated though with his car cutting out on a lap set to be around half a second quicker than his 1m 50.887s best.
Completing the top six was Team Parker's Richard Plant, who was happy with his days work, commenting: “That's a good start to the year and I'm happy to be up with Tim Harvey and Michael Caine.” Seventh fastest and the first of the Pro-Am 1 runners was Red Line's Ahmad Al Harthy, who added: “I'm really excited to be back. We're on the pace and that's good for confidence.”
Second quickest in Pro Am 1 was Juta Racing's Jonas Gelzinis, with Rory Butcher and Freddy Nordstrom next up for Celtic Speed and Parr Motorsport respectively. Nordstrom is yet to confirm his entry in the series but is happy with his pace and hopes to conclude a deal soon.
Tenth overall and leading the Pro-Am 2 class was Celtic Speed's George Brewster. He commented: “Until last week I'd not sat in a racing car since last October, but it came right with the new tyres.” Second in class was series newcomer Keith Webster, with the Red Line Racing driver adding: “That's a good starting point; I was just getting to grips with the circuit.” Motorbase Performance's Steve Parish finished third in class.