Banking on a result at Rockingham!
We are getting down to the sharp end of the season as we head to Rockingham Motor Speedway for rounds 15/16 of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB and from here on in every race and every point matters. Also Rockingham brings a challenge that is completely different to everything else we face during the Porsche Carrera Cup season.
For a start, the track is the only anti-clockwise circuit on BTCC calendar and the only circuit to use a Nascar style banked oval together with an infield section. You are hitting off the rev limiter going in to the banked first corner so you are approaching 160mph — every time you come out of the corner you feel like you will hit the concrete wall. The surface at Rockingham is also very abrasive but it weirdly doesn’t provide much grip so the tyres tend to go off very quickly and there is a high risk of punctures making the correct car setup ever so important.
Qualifying will be as important as usual and it’s an area of my driving I have been working on all year, but I have not quite perfected it yet. I am always aiming to get on the front row, and that will give me the chance to stay out of trouble through Turn One and race for the big points.
But it will all be about results in the races and I know Celtic Speed will give me a good car. I believe I can get up to the front at Rockingham as I am as aware as anyone that I have to be ahead of certain people in the championship now if I am to realise my ambitions for the year. I need points. In fact, I need podiums so we have our work cut out!
No pressure nevertheless as I always drive fastest when I’m having fun so I’ll make sure I enjoy every lap!
Timetable
Saturday
13.55 Qualifying
Sunday
10.00 Race 1
15.10 Race 2
As per usual both races will be broadcast between 11.00 and 17.00 on Sunday afternoon on ITV4 with live coverage of Race 2 at 15.10.
The link below allows you to keep track of every session over the weekend from qualifying to race results as they happen via the live timing button at the bottom of the page:
http://www.tsl-timing.com/?loc=major&season=2012&series=BTCC&event=races&source=ed_TOCA&eventid=123803
All the very best,
Rory
© Celtic Speed 2026
