Welcome

Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge GB - news update 3/2012 25 June 2012 Welcome to the third issue of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge GB news update for 2012. We are now at the mid-point of the season, with six races run and six more still to come. After a double win last time out at Thruxton, James Birch has a useful points lead, but has plenty of opposition as we head into the second half of the season. I am very pleased to report that interest in the championship continues to build and we have more people planning to join the grid over the closing races of this season as well as in 2013. I hope to see you at Croft (21/22 July), Donington Park (18/19 August) and Silverstone (6/7 October). Darioush Gheissari Porsche Cars GB
For more information contact: Paul Lawrence Porsche Carrera Cup GB media co-ordinator T: 01952 510382 E: paul@tfmmedia.com Newsletter design: Darioush Gheissari

News Update: 3/2012

In this issue: Birch takes GT3 Cup Challenge GB double at Thruxton Flaherty joins GT3 Cup Challenge GB Twitter feed for GT3 Cup Challenge GB Rockingham race films on-line Rialls hot challenge Provisional points standings after Round 6Thruxton

Birch takes GT3 Cup Challenge double at Thruxton

James Birch made it five wins from six races in the 2012 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge GB at Thruxton (17 June) with a peerless performance. In his wake, John Ferguson and Steven Liquorish battled hard for second and in the second race the place was only decided in Fergusons favour on a dramatic final lap. Church Corner. The cars touched and Ferguson was through. I knew it was the last lap and he was struggling coming out of the Complex, said Ferguson, who had a Fourth place was in doubt until late in the race as Flaherty lucky escape mid-race when he hit a pheasant that was had to push on to defend from Cowne mid-race once Riall walking across the track. Liquorish was a disappointed had dropped to the tail of the pack with a high-speed spin third after fending off his rival until two corners from the Round five Birch didnt get the start he wanted and was immediately at Church. I was hanging on to their coat tails, said Riall flag. after an impressive opening stint. Flaherty ran a solid bundled back to third place by Ferguson and Liquorish. Flaherty slotted into fourth place, but had Riall and Cowne The leading trio ran nose-to-tail over the opening laps but fourth until his tyres started to fade and that helped Cowne close in. For several laps, Cowne defied his lack close behind and Riall challenged for several laps before Birch was soon looking to re-assert his authority and he of racing experience to challenge for fourth, but then lost a spin at the Complex dropped him to sixth. Instead, dived ahead of Ferguson on the exit of Noble on the his splitter over the kerb at the chicane. Cowne moved in to take up the challenge on Flaherty and second lap. I havent quite got the hang of the starts the racing novice mounted a relentless attack on yet, admitted Birch. However, once ahead he drove an assured race to steadily build his lead and was later able Despite that handicap, Cowne did hold fourth for a couple Flaherty. The places never changed, but there was still of corners. Flaherty spun at the complex, but two corners little more than a second between them after 25 minutes to moderate his pace to preserve his tyres on a track of racing. where tyres are always under intense strain. Thankfully I later Cowne had the first of two spins that dropped him wasnt under too much pressure, said Birch after taking back to sixth behind the recovering Riall. All three had raced hard on their Thruxton debuts. The easier option is to follow someone, said Flaherty, his fourth win from five races. who had battled all day by using second hand tyres. It I went out on second hand tyres: they were shot early was absolutely riveting, said Cowne. I was on his tail the While Birch controlled the race, things were far from whole time. settled in the contest for second. Liquorish had his hands on, said Flaherty. I was playing catch up at the end, said Riall. I cant believe the difference the splitter Qualifying full of the charging Ferguson and a trip over the kerb at makes, said Cowne. Thats the best race Ive had so Only Birch (IN2 Racing) and John Ferguson (ASK Racing) the chicane took the front splitter off Liquorishs car. I far. went into qualifying with any previous race experience of then had absolutely zero turn-in on the fast left-hander, the sweeping Hampshire track and Fergusons only prior reported Liquorish as he battled on. Fergusons dogged race at Thruxton had been in Formula Ford 20 years ago. attack was rewarded when he edged into second on lap Round six Sure enough, it was Birch who set the pace with an aseight and the Irishman duly moved clear as Liquorish Birch got a peach of a start for the second race of the sured performance to take pole for round five with a best struggled with his ill-handling car. I had a great start but I afternoon and made the pace right from the start. He of 1m17.777s. Ive not been here for two years, but it is was still learning the circuit over the first few laps, said pulled clear of Liquorish on the opening lap and was then a circuit I like, said Birch. I love the fast, flowing Ferguson after a strong drive. For Liquorish, third was a able to control the race from the front with another tracks. Birch also secured pole for round six with the classy performance to extend his winning sequence to fastest second-best qualifying time. five races and extend his championship lead. I just went for it with three or four quick laps and then tried to mainRunning second to Birch was Steven Liquorish (Team tain the tyres after that, said Birch after winning by over Parker Racing), the best of those with no prior experisix seconds. Brilliant: I couldnt be happier, he said after ence of Thruxton. It certainly wakes you up a bit, he scoring 44 points in a perfect days work. Results said after 10 laps of qualifying. Ferguson was third fastRace One: 1 James Birch; 2 John Ferguson +8.610s; 3 est for both races and admitted that there was room for Behind Birch, a fierce battle raged for second as FerguSteven Liquorish; 4 Mark Flaherty; 5 Guy Riall; 6 Mark improvement. My lines around the fast bits are ridicuson recovered from a tardy start to chase after LiquorCowne. Fastest lap: Birch 1m18.376s (108.21mph). lous: Ill try and chase them in the race and learn from ish. For lap after lap it was neck and neck as both drivers Race Two: 1 Birch; 2 Ferguson +6.606s; 3 Liquorish; 4 that, he said. Racing newcomer Guy Riall (Almara Racpushed to the limit. Finally, it all came down to the last Flaherty; 5 Cowne; 6 Riall. Fastest lap: Birch 1m18.205s ing) was fourth, with Mark Flaherty (Redline Racing) fifth lap as Ferguson made his move with a bold attack at despite not getting a really good lap in. Wrapping up the top six was Mark Cowne (Team Parker Racing) after learning the track on a very wet track day earlier in the week. case of damage limitation. That was really hard work and very frustrating, he said.

Flaherty joins GT3 Cup Challenge GB

Former double British Rallycross champion Mark Flaherty is the latest driver to join the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge GB and made his debut at Rockingham in May in rounds three and four of the season. Flaherty is returning to the sport after a break of 14 Flaherty, now based in Berkshire, won the British Rallycross title in 1991 and 1992 at the wheel of an MG Metro 6R4 and then competed in Europe against all the biggest names in the sport. He stopped competing in 1998 to concentrate on business and has now decided that, aged 49, it is time to return to competition.

Twitter feed for GT3 Cup Challenge GB

A Twitter feed for the GT3 Cup Challenge GB has been launched so that those interested in the championship can keep up to date with all the latest news and information. Tweets during race weekends and between races will maintain a regular flow of instant news and information and the GT3 Cup Challenge can be followed at: @GT3CupGB Weve been busy tweeting at Rockingham and Thruxton during the latest races.

years and made both his circuit racing and Porsche debut at Rockingham. Previously, all his competition experience has been on the mixture of gravel and asphalt of rallycross tracks. Flaherty will join Redline Racing to contest the balance of the GT3 Cup Challenge GB. Ive never raced a Porsche and Ive never raced on a circuit, so Ive got a lot to learn, he says. Its a totally different driving style and a totally different car. Ive already had a run with Glynn Geddie and I cant wait to get started. Backing for the programme comes from Wokingham-based Flaherty Homes. Were excited to be joining the GT3 Cup Challenge with Mark, said Redline team boss Simon Leonard. Porsche is new to him, but hes learning fast and were looking forward to getting him up there.

Rockingham race films on-line

The latest race reports from the GT3 Cup Challenge GB are now on-line and can be watched via Porsches massively popular YouTube channel. The pair of three-minute films covers the story of rounds three and four of the season at Rockingham and feature a double victory for James Birch. Once again, the programmes are attracting very encouraging viewing figures. The Rockingham race reports can be watched on YouTube at: Round 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_MBoxdHnZk&feature=plcp Round 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ede20JjhFRY&feature=plcp The action from Thruxton on Sunday 17 June will be on-line shortly.

Rialls hot challenge

GT3 Cup Challenge GB hot-prospect Guy Riall swaps burning rubber for burning feet (or hopefully not!) this October as he undergoes a Firewalk for charity. After just a two hour training session designed to overcome psychological limitations, hell find himself hot-footing it across 20ft of burning embers running as hot as 1236F! The two well deserving charities are Friends of Alfie Martin and Candlelighters. Friends of Alfie Martin is the largest benefactor to neonatal intensive care services in the Leeds area. The second charity Candlelighters, is formed and run by parents of children who have or have had cancer, ex-patients and the medical staff who treat them, to provide essential service and support to children with cancer and their families.

News i Provisional pointsafter Round 6: Thruxton 17 June Provisional points after

Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge GB 1 James Birch 2 Steven Liquorish 3 John Ferguson 4 Neil Houston = Mark Cowne 6 Peter Smallwood 7 Mark Flaherty 8 Justin Sherwood 9 Guy Riall 10 Tom Hallissey Class 2 1 Mark Cowne 2 Tom Hallissey 110 93 69 60 60 57 48 42 39 8

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