GP2 DRAMA SET TO CONTINUE PORSCHE SUPERCUP CARRERA CUP GB STARS TAKE ON WORLD’S BEST
F1 feeder series should provide exciting races
It’s not just single-seaters that will be in action this weekend at Silverstone. Sportscars will be represented by the Porsche Supercup, which will have a single race on Sunday morning.
The Supercup grid will be bolstered by the traditional invasion of drivers from the Carrera Cup GB, but this year even more Brits will be taking part in the race than usual. Seven of the TOCA support series drivers will compete, along with 2014 champion Josh Webster, who will join British series regulars Ben Barker and Paul Rees.
For the Carrera Cup racers, despite competing in the same car, there is still plenty for them to get used to besides the much bigger crowds and global TV audience. Charlie Eastwood, the Carrera Cup Scholar making his Supercup debut, says: “Everyone talks about being on the F1 rubber. Qualifying starts just after F1 practice so we could be nearly three seconds a lap faster than the last time out so it’s a lot different.”
Although the pressure is off for the Carrera Cup racers as they aren’t scoring points, they will all be eager to win the British battle for supremacy. In terms of their fiercest Supercup rivals, Matteo Cairoli has been the man to beat so far this season. The Italian won the first two races and he will be looking to continue that good form at Silverstone.
Viewed from the old press box on the outside of the circuit, the pre-chicane Woodcote was an awe-inspiring spectacle. From the cockpit of a Formula 1 car it must have been 100 times more awesome. Jackie Stewart was heading for his first world championship in Ken Tyrrell’s Matra-cosworth MS80. His great friend Jochen Rindt, in his first year with Team Lotus in a Lotus- Cosworth Type 49B, although regarded as the fastest F1 driver, was still looking for his first grand prix victory. From the fall of the flag, Jackie and Jochen were in a class of their own, trading the lead within inches of each other for lap after lap. No quarter was asked or given but it was always with respect. At twothirds distance they lapped the likes of Chris Amon, Pedro Rodriguez, Graham Hill, Jo Siffert and Piers Courage squabbling over fifth place. Soon after Rindt headed for the pits with a rear wing end plate collapsing on to a tyre. It was soon fixed but then he had to make a second stop, this time for fuel, and the race was Stewart’s by over a lap from the Brabham-cosworth BT26 of Jacky Ickx, with Rindt a frustrated fourth.