Podium joy at double for ace Johnson
RUNCORN motor racing star Gavin Johnson fought his way to a double podium in the BRSCC Toyo Tyres Porsche Championship on his ‘home’ circuit at Oulton Park.
Johnson started the weekend as he meant to go on in his Porsche 924 with a blistering qualifying session seeing him line up third on the grid for race one, just 0.2 seconds from pole position.
This was a real improvement on the previous round at Rockingham for the Turn Eight Racing driver.
Teammate Pip Hammond said: “We knew Gavin had the ability to be quick.
“We looked at the data from Rockingham and tested at Oulton Park prior the race weekend to figure it all out.
“This preparation was key to his pace. We also had former champion Alastair Kirkham on hand to give us his input, which was invaluable.”
A poor start in race one saw Johnson fifth by turn two but he worked his way back through the field, having a racelong battle with Jamie Callender, with positions trading seven times.
Johnson was in second when the race was prematurely stopped for an incident, meaning he took his first podium of the year.
Commenting on the podium place, Johnson said: “I’m delighted with the second place. The battles with Jamie, Hugh and John were great experience.”
Johnson started race two in second and Hugh Peart blasted past on the start but was later caught and passed.
A resurgent Nizar El-Chamaa made his way through the pack to take second, leaving Johnson with a respectable third place, finishing right on the bumper of second-placed Linda Warren and just two seconds off the race winner.
Racing close to home has its advantages with Johnson welcomed back to the pits by more than 40 family, friends and supporters.
He said: “I’ve learnt a lot this weekend. The races were busy and I had to attack and defend for a lot of it.
“It didn’t make for great lap times but it was brilliant, close racing.”
Johnson now sits fourth in the BRSCC Porsche Championship. Teammate Pip Hammond is next in the car at Castle Combe over next weekend July 16-17.
Turn Eight Racing is supported by Orion Rail, Turn Eight, Compomotive Motorsport Wheels, Humberside Tints and Golf Guide. Any interested parties looking to work with the Turn Eight Racing can contact team boss Jess Shanahan via email at jess@turneight.co.uk for details on how a partnership with the team could benefit them.