Eden Race Drive was delighted to score another impressive victory with Will Martin at the second round of Porsche Carrera Cup GB at the weekend (10-12 May).
Last time out at Donington Park Will Martin scoring victory on the team’s series debut, and Brands Hatch was no different with success striking again for the leaders in both the Drivers’ and Entrants’ Championships.
After two practice sessions on Friday, it was time for qualifying on Saturday lunchtime. It was close between the entire field, with places and pole position swapping constantly as they raced to put in the quickest lap.
Sadly, Will Aspin ran wide at Paddock Hill Bend in the early stages, but managed to carry on through the gravel, but unfortunately when he hit the grass the car pitched in the air and landed heavily on its nose causing extensive damage, meaning he wouldn’t be able to take part in the afternoon’s race. For the rest of the team the results rolled in and it was a good start for Will Martin finishing in third, Harry was 10th, and Josh 11th in Pro, whilst Oli and Will Aspin would be classified second and 10th respectively in Pro-Am.
Due to tricky weather conditions in Donington, race two from that meeting was moved to Saturday afternoon. All the drivers had a good start off the line, including Oli who got his elbows out to ensure he stayed in the podium positions in class. Considering how difficult overtaking is at Brands Hatch, the drivers had some good battles and gained positions.
Before a Safety Car period, Josh had a great battle fighting to stay in fifth overall while Will Martin was gaining on the top three, battling for third place when racing resumed, making a great move round the outside and finishing P3 overall and second in Pro at the chequered flag. Josh finished fourth in class, Harry crossed the line in eighth, and Oli held his position to take home a Pro-Am podium.
The race on Sunday morning was red flagged during the first lap after two cars collided, which sadly caused Will Aspin’s retirement, as he took damage when trying to avoid cars suddenly braking ahead of him.
When racing was resumed there were some good battles fighting for the top ten places but unfortunately Will Martin had a five second penalty for track limits bumping him down the order. However, he made a good recovery as he tried to pull a gap, finishing sixth. Harry and Josh finished in seventh and eighth in class and Oli had another good drive to score back-to-back Pro-Am podiums.
With the reverse grid pole for the final contest, Will Martin started well, maintaining a lead he would not relinquish to the flag, scoring his and the team’s second victory in four races this season. Harry made the best of his starting position, gaining two places to cross the line sixth, but Josh was unlucky as he ran wide on the marbles as he tried to leave racing room for a rival, going through the gravel which meant he would finish 10th. Sadly, both Oli and Will Aspin suffered problems on the opening lap and would retire.
Even with some bad luck at times this weekend the team continued its strong start in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, as Will Martin added another win, while Oli White doubled up with silverware in Pro-Am. Everyone will be working hard to carry on the success in a few weeks’ time at Thruxton, over June 8/9.
Will Martin – #10 (Pro)
G1 – 5 R1 – 2
G2 – 3 R2 – 6
G3 – 1 R3 – 1
Championship: 1 (34 points)
“Getting a race win at Donington was the perfect way to start and fighting back from fifth to get another podium is exactly what we wanted on Saturday, keeping consistent and scoring points and we’ve done exactly that. We kept the championship lead and extended that as well so all in all, it’s been fantastic. The reverse grid pole really helped as we could manage to get out in front and collect some more points. Thruxton has always been a strong track for me, and we’ve got a little bit of testing there which will help, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
Harry Foster – #16 (Pro)
G1 – 10 R1 – 8
G2 – 11 R2 – 7
G3 – 8 R3 – 6
Championship: 10 (7 points)
“Qualifying was good. It was so close that putting the two sectors together would have put us much further up the field. In the first race we had an issue with the clutch coming up to the grid, so we didn’t know whether I was going to stall or not at the start and a lot of my attention was on that. I didn’t have the best start, but I got a couple of places back on track and a few more as others had track limits penalties. The pace was really good at the end, which was a positive.
“Sunday was hot and I qualified P11, so around Brands there wasn’t a chance of a hero recovery, and it was about picking up points and as many positions as I could. Race one I was P8 and race two P6 and in both I made good moves, managed to not get any track limits penalties, and capitalise on other’s mistakes. Overall, it was a positive weekend, but I need to work on qualifying so I can be up there from the start.”
Josh Malin – #90 (Pro)
G1 – 6 R1 – 4
G2 – 14 R2 – 8
G3 – 10 R3 – 10
Championship: 7 (10 points)
“I felt good in the car. It’s a shame that the qualifying session didn’t go quite to plan, but it’s one of those things. It’s just so close around here that a few minute things that I missed around the lap which cost me a lot of positions. As I demonstrated, I’ve got the pace to be fighting at the front, it’s just the margins are so tight that it’s got to be perfect.
“I had an okay start in race one – I got bogged down a little bit but [James] Wallis alongside me had an even worse start, so it wasn’t so bad, and I was able to hold my position. After a couple mistakes in the race on Sunday I went into the gravel and ruined my chances of a good result. I want to bounce back at Thruxton because it’s my home track and I really love it there. A big thanks to the team as they’ve been great.”
Will Aspin – #24 (Pro-Am)
G1 – DNS R1 -DNS
G2 – 10 R2 – DNF
G3 – 10 R3 – DNF
Championship: 10 (0 points)
“In qualifying we were two tenths off the top ten overall and second in Pro-Am, but I made a small mistake coming out of the chicane which cost me those couple of tenths. It was unfortunate on Sunday as when we went to the grid, my car started overheating. We’re not sure why, but I was pushed into the pit lane, filled it up with coolant and water, and went out on stone cold tyres on a damp track. I pushed and with a bit of steering angle it just sent me off. It’s my mistake and I’ve learned from it and I’d rather it happened now than at the end of the year.
“The team did a very, very good job with Will Martin, getting him the win, and we know we can be there too. We have enough to challenge for the championship and that’s my expectation, as well as fighting with the Pros for overall podiums, so I will work extremely hard to make that happen.”
Oliver White – #94 (Pro-Am)
G1 – 17 R1 – 3
G2 – 10 R2 – 2
G3 – 9 R3 – DNF
Championship: 4 (18 points)
“On Saturday it was always going to be a tricky race, starting from near the back, so I was really happy to get a Pro-Am podium. I managed to get a few cars off the line and once we settled in it was about managing the race and not letting anyone get back past. The car has been really good, so thanks to the team for that too.
Race one went well as I finished second in Pro-Am, which was good. Unfortunately, in race three I had an incident on lap one, locked up, and damaged my steering arm, so was out of the race straightaway. Looking ahead to the next race weekend, I’m confident as the pace has been good which is positive, so I’ll just have to bounce back and try and catch up on points.”
