Armstrong happy with his two second places at Snetterton

TEAM Parker Racing enjoyed a good weekend in the Porsche Sprint Challenge GB at Snetterton, with all three of its drivers finishing the races inside the top eight, including two podium places.

Taking to the track for the Desford-based team again were Joe Warhurst, Matt Armstrong, and Robert Cronin, all lining up in the Pro class, though their team-mate John White was unable to take part.

After practice sessions on Friday, qualifying on Saturday morning was disrupted by a red flag in the early running, with the session then shortened, leaving a 15-minute run to the chequered flag for the field.

In a busy and action-packed final few minutes the order changed lap after lap, with Armstrong finishing third, Warhurst fourth, and Cronin fifth in the Pro class. All three drivers got off the line well for the opening race that afternoon, with Armstrong gaining third overall from Marc Warren, though Cronin fell back to eighth in Pro.

That changed on the fourth lap as Warren spun off which also cost Armstrong time, falling to sixth in class, while Warhurst moved into third but was handed a fivesecond time penalty for track limits.

At the flag, Armstrong finished sixth in Pro, Cronin seventh, and Warhurst was classified eighth.

On Sunday morning, Warhurst had a good start, moving into fourth overall, before the safety car was called out on the second lap.

Racing resumed with seven minutes on the clock and Armstrong was right on the tail of race leader Warren, trying to find a way past. Despite his best efforts he crossed the line second overall, with Warhurst fourth and Cronin in sixth. Armstrong came under pressure at the start of the final race, managing to fend off Steve Roberts’ advances, while Warhurst similarly defended from a pair of rivals into Wilson’s.

Cronin gained a place from Ethan Hammerton but lost one to Max Coates, remaining seventh. From then on, it was closely matched at the front of the field as Warhurst and Toby Trice kept swapping fastest laps. Armstrong put the pressure on Warren for the race lead, and Cronin gained a place as Coates fell foul of the track limits, being handed a time penalty.

That is how they crossed the line, with Armstrong achieving a second podium of the day, Warhurst fourth, and Cronin sixth.

Armstrong, pictured, said: “You can’t really overtake unless someone makes a mistake and Marc didn’t. He did a good job, unfortunately.

“I couldn’t have asked for much more though.

“It was really positive and I’m happy to bounce back after three poor races at Donington.”

The Porsche Sprint Challenge GB returns to action over the weekend of July 28-30 at Croft in Yorkshire.

Rounds seven, eight, and nine of the season will again take place alongside the British Touring Car Championship.