The podium streak continued at Brands Hatch, with a 3rd place in class around the longer GP layout.
Describing the build up to the event as a charade, would be putting it politely. Scheduled for a single day event, we found ourselves qualifying early, but racing last on a timetable including 11 different series. With half the usual contingency in the timetable for cleaning up incidents between races, there was a serious risk we'd be there all-day and not get a representative race.
Each circuit has a cut off time for noise and it cannot be extended - it's a hard stop. So if the timetable is running late - your race is cut short or cancelled - no refunds - tough luck.
Our CALM All Porsche organisers swung into action and settled on us qualifying late Saturday evening and racing earlier on Sunday. Most people were arriving Saturday anyway, but some couldn't and pulled out. A few made it on Sunday and started at the back, which is frustrating.
Trying to accommodate all of the different series competing over the weekend in the paddock was a challenge. We were allocated half the usual amount of space, so it was a good job we didn't have a 30+ car grid. Everyone made new friends, breathed in - and made it work. It's why we like racing with this group.
Qualifying (Saturday):
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So after the first few laps of qualifying we came in and used a pyrometer to scan the tyre surface temps as well as check pressures. They weren't up full temp so we went back with a sense we need run hotter. There are also marks on the tyre to guide you to the correct inflation which we were a little short of.
With an early lap putting us P2 in class, but then being surpassed, we improved by a second on what became the last lap, despite there being time for 2 more on the clock.
You guessed it.... The event ran out of time before the curfew!
Race (Sunday):
It was a cool start to the day, until an hour before our race the sun broke through and it was quickly 28 degrees.
The car was ready with no adjustments needed, just a clean of the brakes and swapping the rear tyres over to account for greater wear on one side.
We were called early to the assembly area, only to find when we got there it was a mistake - so we sat in the cars in the heat for 40 minutes before we finally got under way. I could have done with the extra time to take on fluids given the extreme heat.
Off the line I had a little too much revs on (3k) and lit up the rears. The two in front did the same, and a short shift to 2nd then quicky to 3rd got us going.
I regained a lost place around paddock hill and settled in P5 overall, but the cars in front soon started pulling away. I was now in a 3 way battle and under pressure from behind.
It was confidently holding position, until I forgot to downshift to third around the back of the circuit (Dingle Dell) and before I realised the door was opened. There was more frustration when I left a gap on the inside at Paddock Hill bend and so lost both places in a matter of corners.
From behind I could see both cars pushing to the limit of grip, whereas I had a margin and started to plan the long game. I briefly got a place back due to a lapped car, but again was sloppy in my defence around paddock hill.
Plotting to pit early, for some reason I aborted the pit entry and went around again - believing I was too early. I blame the heat! And probably so did the 3 cars who didn't pit in the correct windows as well. They all got 60s penalties added at the end.
Coming out of the pits I had clean air and slightly improved my laps, but not enough. The other cars pitted around 8-10s faster, so I didn't get the opportunity to challenge them.
The race finished a lap or two early with a stranded car and an accident. To be honest, the heat was oppressive and it couldn't come soon enough. A class podium P3 was a great result though and confirmed our pace from Snetterton is genuine.
Full TSL Timing Results Book: https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=HSCC/2026/262856pot.pdf
