The Porsche Open is a series of races for some of the most exotic racing Porsches taking to the track in the UK. Featuring models such as the 997 and 996 GT3, 993 GT2 and other high-powered machines battling it out at the front, the series has three classes catering for modified Porsches of all kinds.
At major meetings the Porsche Open runners join up with the Club Championship field to provide a grid of in excess of 40-cars to take on the challenge of circuits such as the Silverstone and Brands Hatch Grand Prix layouts, and in 2009 have a one-off race against leading Ferrari ‘Open’ runners at Castle Combe in August.
In 2009 the Open will feature a mix of stand-alone events and combined races with the Club, and should once more provide the exciting racing the series has become renowned for. Porsche Cars GB will again be rewarding the outstanding driver of the season with a drive in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at a TOCA race meeting.
Paul Winter will sample the Porsche Carrera Cup in 2009 courtesy of being Driver of the Year in the Porsche Open in the Class Two 996 GT3 he shared with Tim Speed in the two-driver races. Quick and competitive all season, Winter kept his immaculately presented 996 in the hunt all season, just pipping Paul McLean to the series honours.
"It’s fantastic to have a run in the Carrera Cup," said Paul. "It was what we have been working towards all season and I can’t believe we have won it - I just can’t wait."
McLean and Fairbairn Share Final Porsche Open Honours
Paul McLean and Peter Fairbairn shared the former’s 993 GT2 Evo at Silverstone – and took a win apiece in the final Porsche Open race, the series being replaced for 2010 by the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge. Mark Chilton was second in race one, but a transmission failure at the start of race two saw him out, and Toby Tarrant-Willis took second on his Porsche Open debut.
The Porsche Open runners joined other sportscar racers for two Sports, Saloons and GT Challenge races at Croft, Jim Geddie winning both races on his welcome return to the series. Fellow front runner Mark Chilton had an unlucky weekend – given a penalty for a jump start in the first race before going off in the second while leading after a tangle with another car. Fraser Robertson claimed Class One in race two after Chilton’s demise, a fine result on his debut in his 996 RS.
The Porsche Open Contenders took on their counterparts from the equivalent Ferrari series at Castle Combe’s Bank Holiday Monday meeting, and Mark Chilton upheld Porsche honour with a superb win in the ten-lap race. Enjoyed by all, the race saw the Porsche runners dominate the podium, John Taylor claiming third overall and second of the Open runners home.
Paul McLean and Peter Fairbairn won the first Porsche Open one-hour race of the season at Brand Hatch on Saturday May 30th, leading home the field by over a lap with series newcomer Alex Martin taking second ahead of Class Two winners Zubin Randeria and Richard Chamberlain.
Mike Johnson won a close battle to take Class Three....
Porsche Club Championship and Porsche Open Dates 2010
Club
Open
Dates T.B.C.
DH = Double Header race.
S+ = Single race – Porsche v Ferrari Challenge.
Races marked * will be Club Championship and Open together on the same grid, but with separate starts.
Events marked > No race for Porsche Open.
Porsche Club Motorsport and Track days in association with
The Porsche Open is a series of races for some of the most exotic racing Porsches taking to the track in the UK. Featuring models such as the 997 and 996 GT3, 993 GT2 and other high-powered machines battling it out at the front, the series has three classes catering for modified Porsches of all kinds.
