Deflated but not Defeated at Thruxton
I have had so many rollercoaster rides in the past few weeks that I am thinking about buying my own theme park. It is fair to say I can add rounds five and six at Thruxton to my list of ups, downs and high-speed action in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB.
It had started as a weekend of consolidation after the rough rides at Brands Hatch and Donington Park.
Qualifying was all about getting a clean run so that we could clock two solid laps and get to grips with the circuit. We managed to secure two P5 starts for the races and felt confident about our race pace. However, we had a dilemma as one of the tyres was flat-spotted after a lock up in to the heavy braking zone at the first chicane and it would have been a nightmare in the race. Celtic Speed have been great on the strategy and we opted to put on new tyres even though it meant getting put to the back of the grid.
We fully understood that the new rubber would give us the extra grip to carve through the field. I knew I had to get a good start and be quick over the first few laps if I was to stay with the front guys and it went better than I could have hoped.
I shot off the start line and was up to fourth place by the end of the first lap. Then I got past Dean Stoneman a lap later and Jonas Gelzinis on lap 4. I was then sitting second and chasing down Daniel Lloyd. I made an attempt to take the lead in to the first chicane but Daniel made it very difficult and shut the door. After recent weeks I was happy to settle for the points that a solid second place would give me so I was ready to play the long game and bring the car home.
That was the high and then came the low. I started to feel the balance of the car going off at the back left of the car and I quickly realised that I had a slow puncture, which we believe was caused by tyre pick up during the early laps. I gradually lost pace as Lloyd pulled away and Gelzinas closed in then passed me as I tried to hang on to the rear in to the first turn. I could still have forced the issue, but I eased right off and waved Stoneman by on the run down to the final chicane. I was just trying to crawl home to gather some points, but it still gave way a few laps from home and sent me into the tyres at the Goodwood corner.
Fortunately, I hit the tyres at a decent angle and it did not cause too much damage. The crew did an excellent job to get the car ready for race two although the Porsche was not exactly pristine.
I started fifth in race two and fired off the start line passing Gelzinis into turn one and made the most of a mistake by Stoneman to get up to third. I was feeling really comfortable behind Lloyd and could see him make a few mistakes ahead. I set up an overtake through the first complex but I couldn’t quite make it stick. I was really not up for taking unnecessary risks after our run of results and I was once again settling for a podium.
It looked like another high, quickly followed by another low. A bang at the back of the car was not good news. The rubber had come off the canvas on the rear left tyre and I was down to the metal. Luckily, I had felt it and was able to keep it on the road and got back to the pits for a new tyre. After a swift pit stop the boys sent me back out to finish in seventh place.
It all meant a very challenging day - one of the hardest I have had in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB.
There is lots and lots to stay positive about and as a team we fully believe that we can beat anyone in this championship. Our strength and determination will bring us back in to the title fight!
My confidence is still high and so I go to the next round at Oulton Park in a good frame of mind. All I have to do is steer clear of the rollercoasters.
Once again, I’d like to say a big thank you to Celtic Speeds Team Principal Tommy Dreelan and the following companies for their continued and loyal support;
© Celtic Speed 2026
