It was a frustrating weekend for the experienced James Kellett at Thruxton this last weekend in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Series Rounds 6 & 7, but some excellent driving made it an exciting and satisfying performance in the Rosland Gold Racing Porsche.
After his qualifying strategy was ruined due to a yellow flag on 5 of the 7 laps of the second tyre session, James qualified at P7. Still a good time but not what he would’ve done had he had the 4 decent hot laps he would have got without the yellow flag exiting the chicane. Still, an excellent drive on what is UK’s fastest circuit saw James finish a very respectable P4 behind Rosland Gold teammate Josh Malin, who got P3.
With the 5-ball being drawn from the hat for Race 2, this gave James P2 on the grid. Unfortunately at turn 3 on the first lap he experienced contact from the challenging Adam Smalley and was edged off the track into the grass. Picking up an advertising hoarding on his front vallance, which blocked the cooling air intakes, an immediate forced pit stop was necessary. With some swift work by the Century Motorsport engineers James managed to exit the pit lane only 2/3rds of a lap behind the leaders. Last place or not, he was still in the race. From the back of the field he motored on, clocking the fastest lap of the race in the process, to finish a very respectable P8. Excellent driving. But due to his slipping/biting clutch at the start, where it edged over the line before the lights went out, he received a 10-second penalty, putting him back to P11. Not the best result but it was so enjoyable watching him come from the back of the field in the 34-lap race. Very impressive driving.
It’s on to Oulton Park next on 17/18 June. James & the rest of the Rosland Gold Racing by Century Motorsport are all champing at the bit for this next meeting in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB series.
James Kellett – Race 2 fastest lap at Thruxton