Duckhams Yuasa Racing with Redline secures runner-up spots at Porsche finale
Duckhams Yuasa Racing with Redline had a strong weekend at Brands Hatch (October 8/9) to finish the Porsche Carrera Cup GB season, as Porsche GB Junior Driver and BRDC Rising Star Adam Smalley claimed two podium finishes.
Running at the sharp end of the field for the entire season, the team finished up second in the Entrant Championship standings, just eight agonising points away from clinching the title after 16 hard-fought races. It was also a good showing by Oliver White who enjoyed his best performances of the year, finishing race two in fourth position and securing a top-ten championship position.
Both races at the Kent venue were beset by incidents and Safety Car periods, limiting racing laps. After qualifying third quickest, Adam held that position on the opening lap of race one, before the Safety Car was called after multiple cars required clearing from the track. When racing resumed only one lap was completed before Will Martin went off at high speed, causing a red flag but thankfully climbing out of his car without injury.
In race two Adam fell back behind Kiern Jewiss, holding third place to the flag, while Oliver had an entertaining contest, climbing up one place before the Safety Car was again called. When racing resumed, he made up three more positions to run fifth overall and fourth in Pro but was thwarted in his attempts to make any more progress as the Safety Car came out one more time, leading the field to the chequered flag.
It was a good season for Duckhams Yuasa Racing with Redline, securing second place in the Drivers’ and Entrant Championships and the team will now enjoy a winter break before getting prepared for the 2023 season.
Adam Smalley, #21 Championship: 2 (103 points)
“It's been a pretty good weekend, finishing vice-champions in our rookie year. I'm pretty happy with that and couldn't complain too much. In the races we did what we needed to, I didn't challenge anyone too hard, just watching my mirrors and making sure that no one was coming behind and managing the gap to the guys in front.
“I have to say a massive thank you to everyone at Duckhams Yuasa Racing with Redline for a fantastic season, we'll just try and go one better next year. Qualifying was good and in the first race there was a big crash so I'm more than happy to see that Will was okay. We didn't really get much racing for the second one, I got a good start, got off the line well, and did what we needed to do to secure second in the championship.”
Oliver White, #2 Championship: 10 (15 points)
“Qualifying was terrible. I just didn't maximise the new tyres well enough, which was a shame, because I think my underlying pace was quite good. I qualified way down in 14th which really compromised my weekend, but I managed to make some progress amidst the chaos in race one and got up to ninth, but then because of the red flag it dropped me back to tenth. I think race two was the best drive of the year. I made lots of good overtakes, had good racing with other people, and it went really well.
“Race two felt like a proper contest, so I got stuck in and really enjoyed it. It's nice to end the year on a high, with one of my best drives of the year. Overall, the results haven't been as good as I hoped but I've learned a huge amount and I'm not surprised in a way because stepping up from Formula Ford 1600 was a huge step, probably bigger than I initially thought. I’ve tried my best and enjoyed it.”
Duckhams Yuasa Racing with Redline
Entrant Championship: 2 (311 points)