Team Parker’s six podiums in Porsche Carrera Cup
TEAM Parker Racing claimed six podiums at its home circuit of Donington Park as the Porsche Carrera Cup GB began its 20th season of competition.
Having claimed the inaugural series title with Barry Horne, the team has been ever-present since then, picking up a superb 21 championship titles and 184 race wins across all classes, with the 2003 champion now heading up the teams’ Porsche Carrera Cup and Sprint Challenge programmes.
Fielding a strong six-car line-up this year, there was hope for Pro class competitors Kiern Jewiss, who is reigning Rookie champion, and Seb Morris, making his series debut after becoming a factory Bentley endurance racing driver.
In Pro-Am, champion Ryan Ratcliffe returned to defend his title, alongside Charles Bateman, back in the series after nine years away.
They were joined by teenager Will Aspin, while Justin Sherwood, holder of the past three Am championship titles, is aiming to make it four in a row.
In the opening race, Morris had a great start, gaining three places, before taking fifth with a good move around the outside at Redgate.
Jewiss was quickly battling for the lead, before being edged wide by Gus Burton and losing a number of places as he ran through the gravel.
He recovered well, but was again run off track and into the gravel, falling back down the order once more.
In Pro-Am, Aspin enjoyed a positive first race, battling with several Pro drivers in the overall order and ultimately claiming a debut class podium, in second, while Bateman crossed the line fifth and Ratcliffe sixth after a spin dropped him down the order.
Reigning Am champion Sherwood also had a solid contest, making up one spot to claim second in class.
In the second race Morris again made a good start, jumping up to third, while Jewiss gained a remarkable eight places to run sixth overall.
Within a few laps he was up to fourth, at the expense of his teammate who was struggling on a set of worn tyres after a puncture in practice meant he had to use an extra set. Jewiss then passed Burton to take the final podium place with Morris crossing the line to finish fifth.
Aspin had another excellent race in Pro-Am, crossing the line eighth overall and second in class, just ahead of Ratcliffe.
Bateman had solid result on his Carrera Cup return, finishing sixth in class, and Sherwood secured another podium with second place as he defends his third-straight Am championship title.
■■The Porsche Carrera Cup GB is next in action on the tight, twisty, and challenging Brands Hatch Indy circuit over the weekend of May 14-15, with live coverage of the second race once again broadcast live on ITV4, while there will also be live coverage during race day carried on ITV1.