Porsche Carrera Cup GB
We are pleased to say that Harbour Cars’ enthusiasm for motor vehicles does not stop at our showrooms. We are affiliated with the prestigious Porsche Carrera Cup GB and are the proud sponsors of top racing driver Michael Caine.
The Harbour Cars connection
Rob Langley met Michael Caine in the early 90s when they raced Volkswagens against each other. Michael and Rob both worked their way up through the motortrade and Michael has developed a career as a leading GT driver. He has 3 years at the front of the Porsche Carrera Cup and two works drives in the Le Mans 24 Hour race for TVR. In addition to the career highlights shown, Michael competes in many diverse series from historic races through to driving an M3 in the Britcar Championship.
Harbour Cars is proud to have an association with Michael and the Porsche Carrera Cup and you can keep up-to-date with the Carrera Cup results and follow Michael’s progress right here in 2010..................
Drivers Standings after Round 6 2010
1.Tim Harvey 163 points
2. Michael Caine 131 points
3. Glynn Geddie 92 points
4. Euan Hankey 88 points
5. Stephen Jelley 72 points
Oulton Park June 6th Race Report
Round 7
Tim Harvey was the big winner in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at Oulton Park today (Sunday 6 June) in round seven of the championship. With title rival Michael Caine off at the first corner, Harvey's victory became even more significant.
The major drama came as the 27-car field stormed into the first corner. Both Caine (Motorbase Performance) and Harvey (Red Line Racing) made relatively slow starts and contact with Glynn Geddie (Team Parker Racing) pitched Caine's car into a spin and it then went backwards into the tyre wall. "I got a big hit from behind," said Caine as his Oulton Park gremlins struck again. "The car just wouldn't restart, otherwise I'd have carried on."
Harvey survived contact with Euan Hankey (Team Parker Racing) at the first corner, and emerged from Old Hall in the lead. "I got my head down for the first four laps to take advantage of the new tyres and to try and get fastest lap," said Harvey. "I didn't realise until about lap five that it was Michael off at Old Hall." Later, Harvey was penalised three championship points and Geddie was penalised six championship points over the contact incidents.
Round 8
Tim Harvey completed a double Porsche Carrera Cup GB victory at Oulton Park today (Sunday 6 June) when he won a shortened round eight of the championship.
Harvey (Red Line Racing) was ahead, but under constant pressure from Michael Caine (Motorbase Performance), when the race was halted at 12 laps following an accident involving Steve Parish (Addison Lee Motorbase) and Alex Martin (GT Marques). With the circuit curfew time fast approaching, there was no time to restart the race.
Harvey got the jump off the line, but there was drama as the 27-car field headed for the first corner. Contact between the Team Parker Racing cars of Euan Hankey and Glynn Geddie sent Hankey's car spinning across the track and into the barriers on the left of the circuit. The other Team Parker Racing driver of Stephen Jelley had a miraculous escape as Hankey spun across in front of him. "I was just hard on the brakes; he came right across my nose," said Jelley.
That incident allowed Harvey and Caine to establish a small but important margin over the chasing pack. As ever, their cars were supremely evenly matched and they ran nose-to-tail for lap after lap as Caine looked for a way to dislodge his title rival. But any plans that Caine had for a late race bid were thwarted by the red flag with six laps to run. Harvey duly claimed his seventh win from eight races. "I can't afford to be complacent, but I'm very, very pleased to come away with two wins," said Harvey. "I did think I could have a go at Tim and I'd sized up a couple of places," said Caine. "The early finish is not what we wanted."
Brands Hatch May 2nd Race Report
Michael Caine shown left enters Paddock Hill bend at the start of round 5 he went on to dominate the race.
Round 5
Michael Caine was peerless in round five of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at Brands Hatch today (Sunday 2 May) as he romped to victory in soaking conditions. Jonas Gelzinis (Juta Racing) drove a superb race to take his first pro-am1 victory, while Steve Parish (Addison Lee Motorbase) was equally impressive as he blitzed the pro-am2 category.
With steady rain falling, the 27-car field plunged into Paddock Hill Bend with Caine (Motorbase Performance) leading away from pole position and Tim Harvey (Red Line Racing) slotting into second as the pack ran cleanly around the opening lap. Caine was quick to press home his advantage and pulled clear at around a second a lap as Harvey consolidated second place. That set the standard for the race and Caine was able to build a 10-second lead as he romped to a commanding victory. "The car was fantastic and it was just a case of hanging on for the first five or six laps," said Caine after his first win of 2010. "We're pleased to get that first result."
Although Harvey ran a secure second race-long, he accepted that Caine had the advantage. "Michael was just the class of the field and I didn't have anything for him at all," said the championship leader. "I expected several safety cars and so initially I wasn't too concerned, but that never came." In fact, the standard of driving through the field was excellent in some truly challenging conditions and there was no need for a safety car.
Round 6
Harvey Leads Geddie & then Caine in the early part of Round 6 at Brands
Tim Harvey put himself back at the top of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at Brands Hatch Sunday 2 May with an emphatic victory in round six of the championship. Ollie Jackson (Addison Lee Motorbase) was the class of the pro-am1 category while Paul Mace (GT Marques) took his first pro-am2 victory of the season.
Although still wet, the track was not as soaking as it had been for round five earlier in the day and Harvey (Red Line Racing) won the sprint to the first corner as a fast-starting Glynn Geddie (Team Parker Racing) beat Michael Caine (Motorbase Performance) away. That was a critical moment in the race, as Geddie's strong early pace took him right on to Harvey's pace and left Caine sitting in third.
For the first six laps, Geddie mounted a constant challenge on Harvey, but then as Caine got up to speed he was able to make it three-car train for the lead. With Caine starting to attack Geddie, Harvey was able to edge clear. On lap nine, Caine finally dislodged Geddie, but Harvey was now around three seconds clear.
"I just couldn't get the heat in the rear tyres at the start," said Caine. "Glynn was mega at the start and it was never going to be easy to get past him." Meanwhile, Harvey was able to maintain his margin to secure his fifth win from six races. "Glynn is always a challenger in the early laps of a wet race, but I was gradually able to concentrate on my own race," said Harvey, who leaves Brands with the same 12-point lead over Caine.
Michael on his way to a pair of second places at Rockingham
April 24-25th Rockingham Speedway Race Report
Round 3
Tim Harvey completed a hat-trick of early season race wins in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at Rockingham in round three of the championship. Harvey led from the start and fended off the challenge of Michael Caine to extend his championship lead.
Harvey converted his pole position into an opening lap lead and with Caine on his tail they quickly started to edge clear of Euan Hankey (Team Parker Racing) who battled through to third in the opening laps. As ever, Harvey and Caine were very evenly matched and the gap was seldom more than a second. Harvey had the better pace initially, but Caine came back strongly mid-race and was close enough to run side-by-side with his rival into Deane Hairpin on lap 10. But Harvey stayed ahead and dealt with a late safety car period to win by just over half a second.
"I pushed quite hard early on," said Harvey. "But then I had to have a word with myself to tidy it up. Three wins on the trot is the best start to a season I've ever had in Carrera Cup." Caine felt that he had the pace to win, but the safety car didn't help his plans. "I think our car was better today, but there wasn't much in it," he said.
Hankey ran a secure third to score a hat-trick of podiums, while Jackson drove a fine race to take fourth and win pro-am1. For much of the race, Jackson was under pressure from Tom Bradshaw (JHR), but a rear puncture later sent Bradshaw into a brush with the wall at Turn One and the safety car was sent out while his stricken car was moved.
"Hankey got the break on me early on, so I was just sitting there looking after my tyres," said Jackson after a nicely measured drive. Under the safety car, Gilham was able to close up to Jackson, but it also brought Glynn Geddie (Team Parker Racing) up to Gilham's tail and at the re-start Geddie dived briefly ahead. "Geddie got a run on me and that cost me the chance to go after Jackson," said Gilham. Jonas Gelzinis (Juta Racing) completed the pro-am1 podium, with Ahmad Al Harthy (Red Line Racing) in fourth.
Round 4
"That's the best start I've ever had to a Carrera Cup season; we've all worked very hard for that and the guys in the Red Line team have done a great job," said Harvey, after extending his series lead to 12 points. Harvey led the field into the first corner and, despite the race-long presence of Michael Caine (Motorbase Performance), was able to control the race from the front to complete a clean sweep of victories.
Caine never quite felt he could challenge the leader as strongly as he had done in Saturday's race. "I struggled with the front of the car; we had a better car yesterday than we did today," said Caine. "There was a big scramble into the hairpin on the first lap and early on I had to defend from Glynn Geddie."
The first lap scramble included a big attack from Euan Hankey (Team Parker Racing) who tried a bold move around the outside but spun. He rejoined at the tail of the field but further around the lap had to spin to avoid a pro-am2 tangle and ended his race in the gravel. Up front, Harvey and Caine edged clear as Geddie (Team Parker Racing) headed his team mate Stephen Jelley and Jackson. That was how they finished as Geddie and Jelley scored their best results of the season to date and signaled their intention to challenge Harvey and Caine over the coming races.
Harbour Cars Driver Michael Caine on his way to two fastest laps, Michael came second in Round 1 and third in Round 2 at the 2010 opening weekend at Thruxton.
3rd & 4th April THRUXTON RACE REPORT
Round1
Tim Harvey got the Porsche Carrera Cup GB season off in perfect style at Thruxton today (Sunday 4 April) as he fended off Michael Caine to take the first victory of the season. In a race that delivered great battles all the way down the 25-car field, Tony Gilham stormed through to pro-am1 victory while Mark Hazell drove a fine race to win pro-am2.
With the cars running on a dry track for the first time all weekend, the opening race was all about tyre management over 21 laps of the notoriously abrasive Thruxton circuit. Harvey (Red Line Racing) got the jump over Tom Bradshaw (JHR) off the line and was able to move clear over the first three laps as Euan Hankey (Team Parker Racing) and then Caine (Motorbase Performance) edged Bradshaw back to fourth. "I pushed early then eased back to conserve the tyres," said Harvey.
Caine had to battle ahead of Hankey to get into second and did it with a bold around the outside into the chicane on lap five. Caine then set off in pursuit of Harvey and closed the gap to less than a second. That was how it ran for many laps as the two most experienced drivers in the championship matched each other's pace. "I knew Michael would have to push his tyres to catch me," said Harvey, who crossed the line with eight-tenths of a second in hand. Caine had been close enough to try a move into the chicane, but Harvey was not about to let his lead slip. "It was important to finish that one," said Harvey of the first of the year's 20 races.
Hankey ran a safe third and was elated to score the first overall podium finish for a Carrera Cup GB Scholarship racer. "I'm absolutely ecstatic," said Hankey. "I didn't know what to expect and it was so challenging. I didn't fight Michael Caine as I knew he was faster than me."
Round 2
Tim Harvey completed a superb double in round two of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at Thruxton today (Sunday 4 April), but the victory came under constant pressure from championship newcomer Euan Hankey. Ollie Jackson claimed pro-am1 spoils, while Mark Hazell wrapped up a great weekend by winning pro-am2 for the second time.
After 21 laps of the high-speed Hampshire track, at an average speed of almost 110mph, each of the three categories was decided by less than three-quarters of a second.
"If that's the pace that Euan has at this stage of the season, it's going to be hard work," said Harvey (Red Line Racing) after a fiercely competitive race. With Hankey (Team Parker Racing) as a constant shadow and Michael Caine (Motorbase Performance) going with them, the lead was always in doubt even though Harvey led from lights to flag. "Euan was all over me and kept me honest," said Harvey.
For his part, Hankey was elated to run so strongly on his debut weekend in the Carrera Cup. "I was pushing my hardest and I'm still learning," said the Carrera Cup Scholarship driver. He also had to contend with muscle pump-up in his right arm over the closing laps and concentrated on keeping ahead of Caine. Having watched Hankey's race from close quarters, Caine joined Harvey in congratulating the championship newcomer. Hankey was declared 'driver of the weekend' for his performances.
About the Porsche Carrera Cup GB
During 2009 the Porsche Carrera Cup GB was one of the most important race championships in Britain and was a major support race to the MSA British Touring Car Championship.
In 2010 the Carrera Cup in Britain will enter its seventh year still modelled on Porsche's long-established world-wide Carrera Cup concept. Equal cars, close and exciting racing and first-class facilities for teams and drivers all add to the strength of the championship.
The latest 911GT3 Cup car offers drivers a mighty 420bhp, a sequential gearbox and a superb chassis. It is a purpose-built thoroughbred racer.
The successful pro-am1 category ensures that the less-experienced and non-professional racers can compete for their own points and prize money within the overall championship. Meanwhile, the pro-am2 category caters for 2006 and 2007 model cars and offers series newcomers the chance to sample the Carrera Cup on a restricted budget.
In total, the championship prize fund is almost £100,000. At the end of the season, three road-going 911s will be presented as the overall champion, the pro-am1 champion and the winning team principal in the team championship will all win the use of a Porsche 911 road car for a year.
Supporting the Carrera Cup GB will be an excellent TV package, with races covered in detail in a new series of Motorsport UK, which will be screened on ITV4. In addition, some races will feature within the extended live ITV4 coverage of BTCC race days.
Michael Caine’s Professional Racing Driver CV
- 2009 Porsche Carrera Cup, 911 (997) GT3 – 4th
- 2008 Porsche Carrera Cup, 911 (997) GT3 – 2nd
- 2007 Porsche Carrera Cup, 911 (997) GT3 – 3rd
- 2006 FIA GT, Porsche 911 (996) RSR
- 2005 British GT, Porsche 911 (996) RSR
- 2004 Le Mans 24 Hrs, TVR Works Driver, TVR Tuscan R
- American Le Mans 12 Race Series, TVR Tuscan R
- 2003 Le Mans 24 Hrs, TVR Works Driver, TVR Tuscan R
- American Le Mans 12 Race Series, TVR Tuscan R
- British GT Championship, TVR Tuscan R
- 2002 British GT Series, TVR Works Driver, TVR Speed 12 – 2nd
- 2001 British GT Series, TVR Works Driver, TVR Speed 12 – 3rd
- 2000 TVR Tuscan Championship – 1st Championship Winner
- Voted Autosport Club Driver of the year
- Signed up as TVR works driver after winning championship
- 1999 TVR Tuscan Championship – Level winner on points but 2nd on race wins
- 1998 Caterham SuperLight – 1st Championship winner
- 1997 Caterham SuperSport – 1st Championship winner
- 1996 Caterham K series – 1st Championship winner
- 1995 Caterham 750 Motor Club – 1st Championship winner
- 1994 Slick 50 Saloons, Class B – 1st Championship winner
- 1993 Slick 50 Saloons, Class B – First season in Motorsport
