Dan Cammish (Porsche Carrera Cup GB 2015 / 2016 champion) and Josh Webster (Porsche Carrera Cup GB 2014 champion) led seven home drivers across the finishing line as round five of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup supported the 2017 British Grand Prix. On the international stage once more, and in front of a crowd of over 100,000, Cammish fought his way to fourth with Webster fifth.
The two champions were part of a seven-strong group of home drivers, nicknamed the ‘Britpack’ on account of the fact that so far this season the UK has been the most represented nation on a grid comprising representatives from some 17 nations. Including Ryan Cullen from Ireland and Sean Hudspeth from Singapore, the total number of current or former Carrera Cup GB drivers on the Silverstone grid was nine – almost one third of the entire grid.
Joining Porsche GB 2014 / 2015 Scholar Webster in the top ten was 2016 / 2017 Scholar Charlie Eastwood, the 2016 Porsche Carrera Cup GB Rookie champion and race winner making his second Supercup appearance and his first on circuit in the second generation 911 ‘Type 991’ GT3 Cup. Just one second behind was Carrera Cup GB podium finisher Tom Oliphant in 11th, making it four home drivers from the top 11.
Webster had ended a close-fought qualifying session third, but only fractions separated the 32 competitors as each pushed to the limit around the 3.66-mile Silverstone circuit. Fourth in the Supercup championship standings and twice a podium finisher already in 2017, Cammish ended the session ninth, but subsequently had his fastest lap reinstated following a review of track limits by the stewards. This promoted Cammish to fifth with Eastwood 11th and Oliphant 14th. 2015 Carrera Cup GB competitor Ryan Cullen lined up 15th with that year’s Rookie champion, Tom Sharp, in 17th. 23rd was 2016 Carrera Cup GB Pro-Am1 race winner Hudspeth, while Pro category race winner Paul Rees was struggling with the handling of his car in 24th. 2016 Pro-Am2 race winner Mark Radcliffe claimed fourth on the grid in the competitive Class B.
As the lights went green the fine margins between the leaders became immediately apparent. Webster slipped to fourth, while Cammish was shuffled to seventh. Almost immediately Cammish was back to sixth, while Eastwood gained one place for tenth and Oliphant three to move into eleventh.
Eastwood and Oliphant would maintain those positions for the remainder of the race, despite Eastwood’s best efforts to dislodge Philip Morin ahead, but it was Rees who gained most places. By the end of the first lap he was seven places further forward and into 17th.
However, much of the race action came from the leading pack of six cars who together were making an early break from the rest of the field. Cammish closed up on the winner of the previous round, Matt Campbell, to make a move for fifth. After trading places several times on the third lap, Cammish settled into the position and promptly set after Webster.
Cammish was on a charge and into Stowe on lap five he dived past Webster for fourth before setting his sights on team mate Dylan Pereira, who had just been passed by championship leader Michael Ammermueller. Cammish closed, but despite visibly pushing for a home podium, was unable to get close enough to Pereira to mount a serious challenge.
Meanwhile, Webster was in a fight of his own to hold fifth, defending first from Rookie championship leader Campbell, then Robert Lukas. Webster held firm to take his best result of 2017 and in so doing has established himself in third place in the Rookie championship. In Class B, only a late spin while battling hard for position prevented Mark Radcliffe taking his first category podium.
Following round five at Silverstone, Cammish has reclaimed third in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup championship standings and takes the United Kingdom with him to third in the Nations League.
Source. Porsche
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