HOW PORSCHE PICKED THE RIGHT JUNIOR ONCE AGAIN
It is not yet a year since Porsche agonised over who would become the manufacturer’s next GB Junior. After Josh Webster, Charlie Eastwood and Dan Harper had all taken the crown it was a tough decision over who would be following in their footsteps. Seven poles, 10 wins, 12 fastest laps, 144 points and dozens of impressive overtakes later, it is pretty clear the correct choice was made in Harry King.
What Harper achieved in his dominant campaign last season was impressive but King has taken that to a whole new level. It normally takes rookies a while – sometimes a year – to truly master the tricky Type 991 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup machine but King had clearly got to grips with the car by the first round.
That he did not win the opening race at Donington Park – when he clouted a Recticel barrier – still irks King a little even now he is champion as it is the only race he has finished and not won. Few would have predicted that sort of domination ahead of the season, particularly when up against a past champion and quick racer in Josh Webster.
“He’s surpassed all expectations,” said
Porsche GB motorsport manager James Macnaughton. “We expect the first year of the Junior programme to be a learning year but
Harry just came in and has done a fantastic job.”
The fact he has been unbeaten in qualifying shows King’s pedigree, as does the manner in which he has taken races by the scruff of the neck – including that title-deciding Snetterton contest.
“Not a chance,” said King, when asked if he wanted to settle for points in race two in Norfolk. “I want to go for wins!”
King’s achievement was even more impressive considering he had three DNFS over the course of the season – two punctures at Thruxton and a coolant leak at Knockhill.
“It’s a pretty insane feeling – following in the footsteps of Dan Harper was always going to be tough,” King added. “It’s shown the hard work the team put in has paid off – the team has been incredible.”
Macnaughton concluded: “To win the championship with a weekend to go with three DNFS shows he’s destined for great things.”
Quite what remains to be seen as he is due to complete the second season of his two-year Junior programme in the Carrera Cup – not that he needs to after domination like that.