Race report from the Britcar 24hr - in car race video
Discussion
I was racing in the 3 final rounds of the Porsche Club Championship at the weekend, which were held at the Britcar 24 hour meeting at Silverstone, on the full GP circuit but from the old pits/startline.
Our championship co-ordinator has finally admitted that they didn't get the balance right across the model types in the class (which is done by specifying a minimum weight to go with the standard horsepower), leaving the 993's with a small advantage and the 996's with a significant one (but all 911's have a torque advantage over the Boxster S's).
So, it was no surprise then that in the first race the results were 2 996's followed by 2 993's followed by 2 Boxster S's. The following races may have gone the same way but not all the cars were mechanically fit to compete, so in race 2 it was the same 6 cars 996, 996, 993, Boxster S, Boxster S, 993. In the final race the 993's were out so 5th & 6th were 2 968's.
I was driving one of Team Hartech's Boxster S's, as I have done all year (apart from the first meeting due to an injury I had). The team have been great to work with and have a done a great job starting from scratch with new cars (and little motorsport experience generally compared to much of the paddock), developing them methodically to the point they're now at - there's more to come but progress has been very good. It's all been done with great teamwork, communication, dedication and enthusiasm, not to mention plenty of tea and chocolate Hob-nobs. Also, as best as I can work out, “my” car is the only one in the class to have finished all the races it’s started (possibly besides one 964, which didn’t enter 6 of the races and was always slower anyway), which is testament to thorough preparation (and to my driving & mechanical sympathy too I hope). I am very grateful to Barry, Grant, Rob and the whole Hartech team for a great season.
We did the hour test session on Thursday afternoon and by the second lap or so I was going as quick as anyone had gone last year (the first time this layout was used), which I was really pleased with being as the car felt really down on grip, particularly at the rear, which we put down to the tyres being past their best. However, we then learned how much faster other cars had been going so we knew we had our work cut out come Qualifying on Friday morning. I got in a good position for this and wasn’t hampered by anyone else (useful when you know you’ll only get 7 laps in and you need 2 fast ones for your grid positions for the first 2 races). I got on the pace and went straight to P2, but slipped down the order as others got on it too, finishing with P6 and P4 for the 2 races respectively. Given how worn the tyres were I was content with that. We decided not to replace the tyres as there was nothing significant at stake in the championship and if we race the same cars next year I’d rather start 2013 with fresh rubber than tyres that have sat around for 6 months.
I’ll let the videos show most of what went on in the races but it’s worth pointing out that there was an Invitation race of up to 6 cars running with us. After they were started on the red lights there was a 25 second delay before we were released on the Union Jack flag. The significance of mentioning that is that we were quicker than some of the cars in their races (a yellow and a green 944 but also Majordad’s 993 RSR in the first race) so caught and passed them, and one of them, a fire-breathing Cayman, started from the pitlane behind us (so he wasn’t lapping us, just catching up). Confusing for the spectators I’m sure!
The results from the meeting are here: http://www.tsl-timing.com/eerc/2012/123863pcb.pdf but whilst the Invitation racers are separated out in the grids, they are mixed in with us in the race results. My finish positions were 6th, 4th and finally a podium finish (something I’d been waiting all year for!) and the other Hartech Boxster S was 5th, 5th and 4th. We were a little close for comfort in the last race – nothing could affect our championship positions so there were no team orders but coming in to contact round Club corner on the first lap and being locked together, not knowing if we would be able to separate ourselves, wasn’t the ideal way to start. We did manage to wrench ourselves apart though and then had to set off after all the cars that’d mugged us as we fell over each other. It made for a more interesting race as we fought our way through and didn’t actually affect the final result as there’s no way we’d have kept up with the 996’s. It did get a bit close for comfort again though round Stowe corner on the last lap and I nearly threw it all away going a little wide at Brooklands into Luffield but with 200 yards left to go I managed to get it all together, stay ahead and take the place.
Here's great shot of the two of us round Stowe and the links to the videos, I hope you enjoy them.
Race 1 video
Race 2 video
Race 3 video
Saturday's races will be televised on Motors TV at some point, I'll post the details when I have them.
Our championship co-ordinator has finally admitted that they didn't get the balance right across the model types in the class (which is done by specifying a minimum weight to go with the standard horsepower), leaving the 993's with a small advantage and the 996's with a significant one (but all 911's have a torque advantage over the Boxster S's).
So, it was no surprise then that in the first race the results were 2 996's followed by 2 993's followed by 2 Boxster S's. The following races may have gone the same way but not all the cars were mechanically fit to compete, so in race 2 it was the same 6 cars 996, 996, 993, Boxster S, Boxster S, 993. In the final race the 993's were out so 5th & 6th were 2 968's.
I was driving one of Team Hartech's Boxster S's, as I have done all year (apart from the first meeting due to an injury I had). The team have been great to work with and have a done a great job starting from scratch with new cars (and little motorsport experience generally compared to much of the paddock), developing them methodically to the point they're now at - there's more to come but progress has been very good. It's all been done with great teamwork, communication, dedication and enthusiasm, not to mention plenty of tea and chocolate Hob-nobs. Also, as best as I can work out, “my” car is the only one in the class to have finished all the races it’s started (possibly besides one 964, which didn’t enter 6 of the races and was always slower anyway), which is testament to thorough preparation (and to my driving & mechanical sympathy too I hope). I am very grateful to Barry, Grant, Rob and the whole Hartech team for a great season.
We did the hour test session on Thursday afternoon and by the second lap or so I was going as quick as anyone had gone last year (the first time this layout was used), which I was really pleased with being as the car felt really down on grip, particularly at the rear, which we put down to the tyres being past their best. However, we then learned how much faster other cars had been going so we knew we had our work cut out come Qualifying on Friday morning. I got in a good position for this and wasn’t hampered by anyone else (useful when you know you’ll only get 7 laps in and you need 2 fast ones for your grid positions for the first 2 races). I got on the pace and went straight to P2, but slipped down the order as others got on it too, finishing with P6 and P4 for the 2 races respectively. Given how worn the tyres were I was content with that. We decided not to replace the tyres as there was nothing significant at stake in the championship and if we race the same cars next year I’d rather start 2013 with fresh rubber than tyres that have sat around for 6 months.
I’ll let the videos show most of what went on in the races but it’s worth pointing out that there was an Invitation race of up to 6 cars running with us. After they were started on the red lights there was a 25 second delay before we were released on the Union Jack flag. The significance of mentioning that is that we were quicker than some of the cars in their races (a yellow and a green 944 but also Majordad’s 993 RSR in the first race) so caught and passed them, and one of them, a fire-breathing Cayman, started from the pitlane behind us (so he wasn’t lapping us, just catching up). Confusing for the spectators I’m sure!
The results from the meeting are here: http://www.tsl-timing.com/eerc/2012/123863pcb.pdf but whilst the Invitation racers are separated out in the grids, they are mixed in with us in the race results. My finish positions were 6th, 4th and finally a podium finish (something I’d been waiting all year for!) and the other Hartech Boxster S was 5th, 5th and 4th. We were a little close for comfort in the last race – nothing could affect our championship positions so there were no team orders but coming in to contact round Club corner on the first lap and being locked together, not knowing if we would be able to separate ourselves, wasn’t the ideal way to start. We did manage to wrench ourselves apart though and then had to set off after all the cars that’d mugged us as we fell over each other. It made for a more interesting race as we fought our way through and didn’t actually affect the final result as there’s no way we’d have kept up with the 996’s. It did get a bit close for comfort again though round Stowe corner on the last lap and I nearly threw it all away going a little wide at Brooklands into Luffield but with 200 yards left to go I managed to get it all together, stay ahead and take the place.
Here's great shot of the two of us round Stowe and the links to the videos, I hope you enjoy them.
Race 1 video
Race 2 video
Race 3 video
Saturday's races will be televised on Motors TV at some point, I'll post the details when I have them.
Excellent I enjoyed that, and I got to see more than I did on Friday and Saturday.
Just my humble opinion I think you are a better driver than the chap in the 993, you seemed to always have the better of him at stowe and could be seen to out brake him, but in the end more power and traction just gave him the edge.
Just my humble opinion I think you are a better driver than the chap in the 993, you seemed to always have the better of him at stowe and could be seen to out brake him, but in the end more power and traction just gave him the edge.
Well done Marcus on getting the podium result. And a big thumbs up to Hartech for putting so much effort in over the year to make a new car so competitive. Widening the model range really perked up the championship this year IMO. From a spectators point of view it was fantastic to see so many different Porsche models all in the same race.
Also, big congratulations to Pete Morris who raced brilliantly this year and was a deserved Class 1 champion in his 996. The year long battle between Paul Follet and Alex Eacock for the Class 2 (and overall) title was also great to watch. In fact....a big thumbs up to all of you who raced this year and made it so enjoyable for those of us who were watching from behind the barriers.
Also, big congratulations to Pete Morris who raced brilliantly this year and was a deserved Class 1 champion in his 996. The year long battle between Paul Follet and Alex Eacock for the Class 2 (and overall) title was also great to watch. In fact....a big thumbs up to all of you who raced this year and made it so enjoyable for those of us who were watching from behind the barriers.
thegoose said:
Our championship co-ordinator has finally admitted that they didn't get the balance right across the model types in the class ......
....So, it was no surprise then that in the first race the results were 2 996's followed by 2 993's followed by 2 Boxster S's.
Racing drivers and their excuses.....So, it was no surprise then that in the first race the results were 2 996's followed by 2 993's followed by 2 Boxster S's.
Nice one Marcus - you and the Hartech boys have done very well.
And the driver of the 993 confirmed that although he was outbraked and outcornered by the Boxsters - he knew he could always breeze passed on intial acceleration out of the corners - very very frustrating for us all.
I actually put in one of my report to the Club about the problems early on that if the problem was not fixed we would consider ourselves racing in an event that will not include the 996 results - so well done for getting second in our Championship Ben (and so nearly 1st).
Baz
I actually put in one of my report to the Club about the problems early on that if the problem was not fixed we would consider ourselves racing in an event that will not include the 996 results - so well done for getting second in our Championship Ben (and so nearly 1st).
Baz
Glenn McMenamin said:
Looks like a fun series this now..
Boxster looks a nicely balanced car to race too, fancy getting back into something next year but without huge costs. Anyone care to share costs for a typical weekend ?
G.
What does a typical weekend in a Boxster cost (barring any panel damage or worse)? And what's the race day format?Boxster looks a nicely balanced car to race too, fancy getting back into something next year but without huge costs. Anyone care to share costs for a typical weekend ?
G.
The usual format is a one day meeting with 20 minutes qualifying and two 25 minute races. This is often at meetings that are over two days, so we tend to be out first thing qualifying, then first and last races of the day, but we get to go home on Saturday night.
Entry fees vary but off the top of my head somewhere around £200/race - generally a little dearer than other club race series but we get great facilities and very nice catering included (and often garages too), so it's a pretty good deal compared to others. Protyre provide free tyre support too (you only pay for tyres, nothing for changeovers/ balancing etc).
This year will have been quite costly as they've spent time and money developing the cars but it's better to just suggest asking Hartech regarding costs because anything else from me would partly be speculation. They may consider running other people next year too, but again it's easier to ask them directly.
If you haven't already and do want to start racing be aware - some say racing is like heroin - costly and easy to get hooked on, but it's generally a lot better for your health.
Entry fees vary but off the top of my head somewhere around £200/race - generally a little dearer than other club race series but we get great facilities and very nice catering included (and often garages too), so it's a pretty good deal compared to others. Protyre provide free tyre support too (you only pay for tyres, nothing for changeovers/ balancing etc).
This year will have been quite costly as they've spent time and money developing the cars but it's better to just suggest asking Hartech regarding costs because anything else from me would partly be speculation. They may consider running other people next year too, but again it's easier to ask them directly.
If you haven't already and do want to start racing be aware - some say racing is like heroin - costly and easy to get hooked on, but it's generally a lot better for your health.
He means per race and each weekend is a double header. Silverstone for example was about £600 for 3 races over 2 days. Brands not such good value, ISTR it was about £500 for the entry (quali + 2 races). A pair of 225x50-16 Michelin Cups for my S2 was £408, ISTR 245 wide would have been another 70 quid. Bigger tyres are naturally more expensive so over a grand a set for 17" and 18" combos. The basic costs really aren't that bad, what makes it expensive is all the top teams and drivers test all the time, many have semi-pro race teams behind them, and regularly buy fresh tyres to get optimum performance. Interestingly its Marcus himself who showed what is possible in previous seasons running on a more modest race day setup.
I think the PCGB Production Series is really good. As Marcus said just some tweeking needs doing to the relative performance and perhaps I personally would like to see something done to make the older 911s like the SC and 2.7 RS more competitive. The on the day organisation and support ( food and somewhere to relax ) is brilliant thanks to Steve Kevlin and John and his staff.
Re Marcus's comment of my slow RSR in Race 1 it's explained by a pair of broken rockers which lost me loads of power. Thanks to Richard Chamberlain and Tony Frost I got going for Race 3 and was not slow there. Coming towards the end of the race I could see the 996s in my mirrors and pulled over to let them by and not disrupt their battle.
Re Marcus's comment of my slow RSR in Race 1 it's explained by a pair of broken rockers which lost me loads of power. Thanks to Richard Chamberlain and Tony Frost I got going for Race 3 and was not slow there. Coming towards the end of the race I could see the 996s in my mirrors and pulled over to let them by and not disrupt their battle.
NJH said:
He means per race and each weekend is a double header. Silverstone for example was about £600 for 3 races over 2 days.
Ah right - with you now. In our series the fee doesn't seem to go up appreciably for a triple-header over double. On the other hand, the PCGB Club races are 25 mins over 20.thegoose said:
Entry fees vary but off the top of my head somewhere around £200/race
Protyre provide free tyre support too (you only pay for tyres, nothing for changeovers/ balancing etc).
This year will have been quite costly as they've spent time and money developing the cars but it's better to just suggest asking Hartech regarding costs because anything else from me would partly be speculation.
Actually it's the running costs I'm interested in. Race entry fees are a blip on the bank account. I've run a Cup car for a couple of seasons in GT racing - just one set of tyres cost a grand, and I went through at least 8 sets in a season (I was one of the tightest spenders). Time and money on development was the only way to compete and that was the killer, plus I don't have the time to go chasing sponsors anymore, hence why I might consider getting into a Boxster or similar.Protyre provide free tyre support too (you only pay for tyres, nothing for changeovers/ balancing etc).
This year will have been quite costly as they've spent time and money developing the cars but it's better to just suggest asking Hartech regarding costs because anything else from me would partly be speculation.
Just a thought at the moment. I may decide my racing days are behind me and stick to admiring an elegant off drive from the safety of fine leg on a summer afternoon.
Harris_I said:
Actually it's the running costs I'm interested in. Race entry fees are a blip on the bank account. I've run a Cup car for a couple of seasons in GT racing - just one set of tyres cost a grand, and I went through at least 8 sets in a season (I was one of the tightest spenders). Time and money on development was the only way to compete and that was the killer, plus I don't have the time to go chasing sponsors anymore, hence why I might consider getting into a Boxster or similar.
Just a thought at the moment. I may decide my racing days are behind me and stick to admiring an elegant off drive from the safety of fine leg on a summer afternoon.
I'm not sure I understand that last bit!Just a thought at the moment. I may decide my racing days are behind me and stick to admiring an elegant off drive from the safety of fine leg on a summer afternoon.
Anyway, tyres are slightly dearer than that but I went through a LOT less than 8 sets. A Boxster will be MUCH cheaper to run than a Cup car and most of the development has been done on the Hartech cars but given the cost of doing so I'm sure you'll understand it's not information they want to give away - but building one to rent out (or renting out one of the current cars) is something they may consider. Barry is currently reviewing this season and considering what to do next year so it's worth contacting him for a chat.
One of Hartech's major strengths in how much they can do in-house so it's a one-stop-shop (they even have their own tyre fitting equipment so they don't have to wait in the queue at meetings), which makes things much easier and means there's no confusion and they're not in the hands of a sub-contractor for time-critical things when there's another meeting due.
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