Redline Racing have kick-started their 2020 Porsche Carrera Cup GB season with three class podium finishes including a brilliant second place result overall across the opening rounds at Donington Park this past weekend (01/02 August). The most successful team in Carrera Cup GB history with ten drivers’ and ten teams’ titles to their name, Redline Racing were raring to get their quest for more silverware underway after seeing the start of the season postponed by four months due to the COVID-19 lockdown in the UK. The Teeside squad entered a talented four car entry into the opening rounds, with Scott McKenna and Matty Graham leading the charge thanks to the support of title sponsor Eighty-One Powerdrink. Dorian Mansilla joined them in the Pro category, while John Ferguson was back in the Am class. Running in their distinctive black and gold liveries, McKenna and Graham both ended free practice on Friday in the top four overall. While they couldn’t quite repeat those results in qualifying the next day, fourth and seventh respectively put them right in the front-running mix for race one. McKenna led the charge in the opening race on Sunday morning, remaining into fourth position in the early stages before starting to put pressure on the car ahead. Despite his best efforts, he had to settle for fourth overall at the finish, but that was enough for third in the Pro class. The reigning Ginetta GT5 Challenge champion was placed on pole position for the reverse grid for race two, which was televised live on ITV4. While unable to maintain his lead through the opening lap, he settled in second place and stayed there throughout for a fantastic podium result. Graham meanwhile ran eighth overall in the early stages of race one, before a fantastic double move on lap ten secured him a top six finish. In race two, he made great early progress to fourth position and put in a brilliant challenge for the podium – missing out in a photo finish by just 0.069 seconds. Mansilla was making his UK racing debut, and he made some fantastic progress over the course of the meeting. From eighth in the Pro class in qualifying, the Argentinian ace fought to an overall top ten finish in race one and narrowly missed out on making it a double in the televised finale. Ferguson meanwhile began his second season in the Carrera Cup GB in style. From the Am class pole position, a dominant display in the opening race netted him the first class win of the season. A tougher second race led to a fourth place finish, putting him second in the early points standings. Simon Leonard – Team Boss: “Everyone in the team has been chomping at the bit to get Porsche Carrera Cup GB racing again, and we’re delighted to have started the season strongly with podium finishes for Scott [McKenna] and John [Ferguson]. “Scott and Matty [Graham] showed great promise in pre-season testing in their Eighty One Powerdrink cars, and they both showed glimpses of the potential they have at Donington Park. Both drivers deserved to come away with silverware, and Matty’s first podium will come soon. “It was a debut weekend full of positives for Dorian [Mansilla] and he has huge potential for success once he gains more experience. John [Ferguson] was a late entry for this season, but it didn’t show and he put in a superb display. After a great start, we all can’t wait for Brands Hatch.” A quick turnaround sees the Porsche Carrera Cup GB back in action this coming weekend, tackling the world-famous Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit (08/09 August).
Image from Dan Bathie/Porsche GB.