Four victories for county team in Porsche Carrera Cup
TEAM Parker Racing enjoyed a successful visit to Oulton Park in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB.
The Leicestershire outfit claimed four victories across all classes and the lead in the Pro, Pro-Am, Am, Rookie, and Teams’ championships as well.
Justin Armstrong raced to his maiden Am class victory and there was also success for Kiern Jewiss from pole position, meaning he leads the overall and Rookie standings, and Ryan Ratcliffe, who tops the Pro-Am Championship.
In the opening race of the weekend, there was a close battle at the front of the field as Jewiss and reigning champion Harry King battled for podium places, but a host of post-race penalties and stewards’ decisions eventually meant the pair were classified fifth and sixth, respectively.
Behind them Ratcliffe put pressure on Micah Stanley for the Pro-Am win, but was just unable to get past. In Am, Armstrong secured his popular win, fending off teammate Justin Sherwood throughout the contest. The next day, Jewiss had a largely untroubled run from pole to the flag, while King managed to make up two places in another close battle but couldn’t quite get onto the podium.
Ratcliffe withstood late pressure for his Pro-Am success, while Armstrong looked set to make it two wins from two, but a small error caused him to run wide, handing the victory to championship leader Sherwood.
Armstrong said: “Saturday went as well as could be expected. I managed to get pole despite not thinking I had done it, making a small improvement on the final lap.
“Justin (Sherwood) pushed me hard all the way during the opening race. It was fair and clean, and we were both strong in different places, but I managed to hold on for the win.
“Race two was good but I made a mistake. I made a really good start, jumped some of the Pro-Ams, and made sure I had some cars between Justin and I, to give me a chance of clawing some points back.
“I locked the rears going into the hairpin then the grass dragged me off and by the time I rejoined everyone had got past.
“I am really pleased with the pace and a few more laps and I think I would have got second.”
The Porsche Carrera Cup GB competitors will be back on track for a test day at Knockhill on Wednesday, August 11, before the next rounds of the season at the Scottish venue that weekend, August 14/15.