Hazell heads Carrera Cup GB pro-am2 title race at half time
After the first half of the 2010 Porsche Carrera Cup GB season, Mark Hazell is leading the pro-am2 category in his best season of racing for over a decade.
The Gwent racer has had a long and successful career in one-make racing, having raced extensively since the 1980s, first in Formula Ford 1600 and then in a series of manufacturer-backed one-make categories. His best result was third in the MGF Cup and he has returned to the Carrera Cup GB this season after finishing ninth in the pro-am category in 2006.
Hazell is racing with JHR and has chalked up three pro-am2 victories in the first 10 races as well as a consistent run of top finishes. As the championship takes a mid-season break, Hazell tops pro-am2 by four points from defending champion Glenn McMenamin (Red Line Racing), with George Brewster (Celtic Speed) only five points further back.
"It's been great," said Hazell as he reflected on the first ten races of the 2010 campaign. "The first half of the season has been better than I expected, but it has been quite tough. The competition in pro-am2 has made me concentrate more and keep a focus."
Hazell says that the pro-am2 category is the ideal place for businessman racers to compete, while the pro drivers contest the battle at the head of the field. "Pro-am2 is a little bit easier for someone who has to work and then turn up on a Friday and go testing. It's the same for the other guys in the category and we're all enjoying it. It's really good to see a full grid and there is a good sporting rivalry in pro-am2."
Now, as the season heads towards the start of the second half at Snetterton on 7/8 August, Hazell wants to maintain his advantage. "I'd like to stay ahead in pro-am2 and win the title. I haven't led a championship for a long time; probably since the MGF Cup in the late 1990s. These are quick cars and they are great fun to drive, but you mustn't loose concentration for a second and it does keep you on your toes."
Parr Motorsport plans expanded Carrera Cup GB campaign
Parr Motorsport has unveiled plans for a major challenge in the 2011 Porsche Carrera Cup GB. The team, headed by the vastly experienced Paul Robe, intends to run as many as four cars in the championship and wants to challenge for race wins and the title.
The team has an impressive background in sports and GT racing, and in 1996 took second and fourth in class at Le Mans with Porsches for Stephane Ortelli and Greg Murphy. Team boss Robe has 27 years of racing experience, most if it with Porsches, and the team won a number of GT and Porsche championships between 1985 and 2002.
From 2003 to 2009, the team's main focus was providing the parts and technical service for the Porsche Carrera Cup GB and entering the VIP car. But now, the aim is to re-establish Parr Motorsport as a major contender for success in the championship and Robe is keen to talk to drivers about the 2011 season. The team's first driver is already secured.
"I'd like to run up to four cars next year," said Robe. "I want to field a pro driver for a serious shot at the overall drivers' title. As a team, we have a very strong engineering background in Porsches."
In 2010, Parr Motorsport is fielding a single-car Carrera Cup GB campaign for series newcomer Richard Denny in the pro-am2 category.
July 8th, 2010
