The most successful driver in Porsche Carrera Cup GB history, Tim Harvey, has announced he has stepped down from driving in the series for the remainder of the 2011 campaign, giving his Motorbase Performance seat to young driver Kieran Vernon.
Harvey, who taken 35 wins and 106 podiums in his eight year stint in the series, drops out the series after disappointing results in the first three race meetings of the season, which Harvey believes are due to the revised regulations introduced this season. Harvey will race again in the Porsche Carrera World Cup race at Nürburgring in June, while he will also represent the team and his sponsors at every remaining UK race, as well as providing coaching to Vernon.
Harvey said: “Having seen the data from the first six races, I know that I am simply not able to compete at the same level I have over the past seven years in the Porsche Carrera Cup. I think it better to pass the opportunity to someone who richly deserves to be on the grid this year and will be able to gain invaluable experience competing in the championship.”
Vernon was set for a drive in the 2011 series after winning the Porsche Scholarship, but was unable to raise the budget for the season. Therefore he has competed in the Formula Renault BARC Championship so far this season, taking one win and two other podiums, but has now been given the opportunity to begin his Porsche career in the Number One Motorbase car.
21 year old Vernon said: “I can't thank Tim, Nationwide and Motorbase enough for giving me this opportunity. Winning the Porsche Scholarship was the proudest moment of my career and being unable to take it up, my worst moment! I aim to do Tim and all his sponsors proud in the Number One car and can't wait for Oulton Park. With Tim's guidance and help I couldn't be learning from a better man, and I hope to be up-to-speed very quickly.
