Porsche Carrera Cup GB

Celtic Speed Celebrate First Podiums Of 2012

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Rory Butcher leading the field at Thruxton - Photo: Malcolm Griffiths

Rory Butcher leading the field at Thruxton - Photo: Malcolm Griffiths

Celtic Speed team boss Tommy Dreelan heaped the praise on his drivers following the rain-lashed Thruxton rounds of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship.

The Scottish outfit scored their first podiums of the year with Rory Butcher's rostrum finishes in Hampshire.

Aberdonian Dreelan said both George Brewster and Butcher had coped well with the torrid conditions, but reserved special praise for the latter.

He commented: “George did well, considering the problems he had in qualifying, but Rory’s performance right through the weekend was fantastic.

“He proved again that he is not only Scotland’s most talented young sportscar racer, but he’s also one of the best in Britain.”

Conditions could not have been more difficult for the fastest track on the calendar, but the 25-year-old battled the elements to secure two third-place finishes.

“Despite the weather, it’s been a fantastic weekend,” Butcher admitted. “Conditions were atrocious, especially in the second race.

“We started on slick tyres, because the track was drying, but then the heavens opened and it was a case of just keeping it on the road.”

He had been on course for the win in Round Six but, under pressure from eventual winner Daniel Lloyd, made a mistake into the final chicane.

“I just locked the brakes a bit and spun the car,” he said, “and that let two guys pass me.

“But this is my first season amongst the pros in what is the fastest and most competitive championship in the UK, so I’m really chuffed to get two podiums for the guys at Celtic Speed.

“I know the team was delighted with what we achieved this weekend, and it certainly confirms to everyone that we have the pace to mix it with the championship contenders.

“I’ve also learned that I can race right at the front of the field, and feel comfortable. I’ll take a huge number of positives from Thruxton and develop them further at Oulton Park.”

Butcher's teammate, Brewster, had a tougher time of it in the Pro-Am1 Championship. An electrical problem with the timing transponder fitted to his car meant all his qualifying times were lost and he started from the back of the 17-car grid. But despite the early setback, he fought through the field to finish fourth and sixth in class.

He said: “Not the best weekend we’ve ever had, but it was just one of those things which occasionally happens.

“Hopefully that’s us got the bad luck out of the way for the rest of the season.”

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