Captivating Championship heads to demanding Norfolk track for more thrilling action
- Season resumes for rounds 9 & 10 of the UK's fastest one-make series after six-week summer break
- Redline Racing's Dan Cammish and Team Parker Racing duo Josh Webster and Stephen Jelley currently the top three Pros
- Juta Racing's Ignas Gelzinis and Redline Racing's John McCullagh lead the way in Pro-Am1 and Pro-Am2 respectively
- Rookie Class couldn't be tighter with just one point separating Dino Zamparelli, Nicholas Latifi and Tom Sharp
It has been all change since the Championship's last visit to the Norfolk track in August when defending champion, and Porsche Carrera Cup GB Scholar, Josh Webster visited the top step of the podium in both races. A new-for-2015 Rookie Class, three race categories and greater strength in depth throughout the field have combined to produce arguably the most exciting racing on the British Touring Car Championship support package so far this year.
If the Porsche Carrera Cup GB's previous 24 races there are anything to go by, the combination of long straights and challenging corners will put the talented grid to the test and should produce some close racing. It should be noted that qualifying will also be crucial since four out of the last six races at Snetterton 300 have been won by the pole-sitter.
Current points leader Dan Cammish will be looking to extend his winning streak after dominating proceedings at Croft. His back-to-back wins in North Yorkshire mean he has now proved victorious in 75% of races in 2015. This has culminated in a resounding 41 point lead at the top of the overall standings at the halfway point, with the Nationwide-backed Yorkshireman looking in ominous form.
Porsche Carrera Cup GB Scholar Josh Webster and Team Parker Racing teammate Stephen Jelley are providing the major challenge to Cammish's dominance. The 21-year-old Webster has proved his fighting qualities with a number of impressive displays going toe-to-toe with his older and more experienced competitors at the sharp end, whilst former BTCC driver Jelley has shown great consistency with regular podium finishes.
Others to watch out for include former double champion Michael Meadows, who has shown his race-winning ability with a majestic victory at Oulton Park and the rookie trio of Dino Zamparelli, Nicholas Latifi and Tom Sharp. The three talented and exciting drivers are separated by just one point in the fight for the £50,000 rookie prize after adapting seamlessly to six-gear, rear-engined life.
In the Pro-Am1 category, Juta Racing's Lithuanian Ignas Gelzinis holds a six-point lead over Boodles-backed Jordan Witt. 24-year-old Gelzinis, brother of former Pro-Am1 class champion Jonas, comes into the event with considerable momentum following a superb round eight drive. Karl Leonard also waits in the wings should either of the two pacesetters slip up.
In the tightest class, Redline Racing's John McCullagh and Asset Advantage Race Team's Iain Dockerill are involved in a mighty tussle for the Pro-Am2 lead. McCullagh's perfect weekend at Croft, where he clinched two wins, two poles and both fastest laps, has given him a slender one point lead over his nearest rival. The Lithuanian duo Nerijus Dagilis and Tautvydas Barstys are not far behind either in what promises to be an important weekend.
After qualifying on Saturday (8 August) at 14.20, round nine of the Carrera Cup GB will start at 10.45 on Sunday with round 10 later that day at 17.40 (9 August). Live coverage of Sunday's action will be broadcast on ITV4.
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