Porsche Carrera Cup GB - Rockingham International - Rounds 15/16
by Rory Butcher
Porsche Carrera Cup GB - Rockingham International - Rounds 15/16
We have had rollercoaster rides and dodgem cars – now it is time for the high-speed thriller that will set me up for the final rounds of the season and into next year.
Rockingham is that important. It is all part of building the momentum from Knockhill and finishing the season on a high. You cannot over-emphasise the importance of finishing the season well – that makes you feel good over winter and is how people look at what you have achieved. I know that, if I get things right in the final couple of rounds, I can still finish third in what has been a very difficult season so that has to be the target.
Knockhill was a massive high and a huge low. Three consecutive Porsche Carrera Cup GB podiums showed how well the Celtic Speed team has bounced back since we were collected in the crash at Croft. We are working incredibly hard and gelling really well as a squad.
But Rockingham is unlike any challenge we face all year and. It is the only track with a Nascar-style oval with a huge stadium section, and is seriously tough on tyres. That all adds up to a different outlook on the weekend. The first corner is flat out in sixth gear at 165 mph and you are a matter of inches off the concrete wall as you exit. It certainly focuses your mind!
The surface is different to anything else – it is very abrasive and the tyres go off very quickly. Set-up will be everything – we will need to work out where we can have the maximum impact because you can suddenly find yourself two or three seconds off the pace. I will need to focus on keeping a silky smooth driving style to help the tyres last, the car set up and tyre pressures will be just as important.
Rockingham is also the only anti-clockwise racing circuit in the UK and you'd be surprised how big an effect it has on a driver. Muscles that we haven't used all year are put to the test as we experience G-forces in the opposite direction. I'm expecting aching neck muscles on Friday evening!
It will be tough, but I am convinced the Celtic Speed boys will get it right. They have stepped it up a level in recent meetings…and they were really good before!
We want to finish on a high – and that starts at Rockingham.
Round 15 of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at Rockingham will be broadcast live on ITV4 at 13.10 this Sunday afternoon.
TSL Timing will be providing lap times and results as they happen. Click the link below and scroll to the bottom of the screen where you will find the live timing feature;
Friday Free Practice
http://www.tsl-timing.com/?loc=major&season=2013&series=BTCC&event=testing&source=ed_TOCA&eventid=133741
Qualifying and Races
http://www.tsl-timing.com/?loc=major&season=2013&series=BTCC&event=races&source=ed_TOCA&eventid=133703
Weekend Timetable
Friday
Free Practice 1 9.00 – 9.45
Free Practice 2 12.20 – 13.05
Saturday
Qualifying 12.00 –12.30
Sunday
Race 1 10.15 (19 Laps)
Race 2 13.10 (19 Laps - live on ITV 4)
Full Weekend Timetable
http://www.tsl-timing.com/timetables/2013/133703.pdf
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;
Advantec Aberdeen Ltd
Agrii
Angel Wax
Caledonia Print
Dalkeith Transport
Harley Hepburn Accountants
21 Hospitality Group
Houseman Drylining
Intrafusion Website Design and Development
John Young Signs
J Gilmour Painter and Decorators Kirkcaldy
Knockhill Racing Circuit
McDonald Engineers
Mind And Body Studio
Production Glassfibre
Scotcars
Short Term Finance
William Waugh Ltd
William Johnston and Company
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