Rory Butcher was the class of the field at a soaking wet Brands Hatch as he took a resounding victory in Round 19 of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB.
As Butcher stormed away from the opening lap to take his third win of the season, in the championship battle, Jonas Gelzinis and points leader Michael Meadows finished second and third respectively, meaning the latter merely needs to finish the final race of the season to be crowned champion.
Butcher started second on the grid behind Meadows, but a sensational getaway for the Scotsman saw him storm into the lead, immediately pulling clear.
A fast-starting Dean Stoneman nearly grabbed second before running wide and losing ground. The Redline Racing ace stormed back past Meadows to regain second, but his challenge ended when he slid off into the barriers at Graham Hill Bend.
Meadows briefly held second once again, but chief title rival Gelzinis soon pressured him, Meadows showing little defense as the Lithuanian moved past. By this point, Butcher was long gone en-route to victory, with Gelzinis and Meadows safely completing the podium.
Behind, Daniel Lloyd was one of several drivers to spin on running water at Graham Hill Bend, but fought back to take fourth. Victor Jimenez took the Pro-Am1 victory in fifth overall after Redline team-mate Dan De Zille slid out of the race at Druids on lap ten. Justin Sherwood, James Birch and George Brewster completed the eight finishers.
“Absolutely spot on: I can’t believe I won by that much. It was pretty tough; the car was spinning up and sliding in a straight line. There was a lot of standing water out there and I was just trying to find the grip,” said Butcher.
“There was no chance of me taking any chances out there. I pushed Rory hard for the first three laps and it seemed quite good. But once the race settled down if anyone came behind me I just let them go. All I’ve got to do is finish the last race,” added Meadows.
