Xentek Motorsport scored a sensational first-ever overall podium finish in the Porsche Sprint Challenge GB after Oliver Cottam charged to third place in the final race at Croft this past weekend (27-28 July).
The South Yorkshire team headed into the third meeting of the season in high spirits with Cottam and Bal Sidhu looking to build on breakthrough top five class finishes in the previous event at Oulton Park, while Sam Harvey was on top form with five class podium finishes from the opening six races.
Cottam continued his impressive progression in his first year of Porsche racing with a brilliant performance at Croft. Qualifying eighth fastest in the hugely-competitive RS Pro class, the former tin-top racer ran well in tricky conditions in race one to secure a top six class finish in his new-for-2024 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS.
After finishing eighth in race two, he saved the best until last with a superb drive in the live-televised finale. Avoiding the opening lap chaos to rise from eighth to fifth, he produced fast, consistent pace throughout as he climbed to fourth on the road. He’d then benefit from a track limits time penalty for the driver ahead to move up to third place and a breakthrough podium result.
Harvey once again showed great speed again in his older Cayman Clubsport machine. After qualifying second fastest in the CS Pro category, he battled well across three action-packed races to come home third in class in each encounter – however a change of podium format ahead of the event meant his efforts were cruelly not rewarded with silverware.
It unfortunately proved to be a difficult weekend for Sidhu meanwhile, as the team battled some mechanical gremlins outside of their control. Qualifying seventh in RS Am, the 2023 Ginetta champion saw gearbox issues halt his race one challenge. After finishing seventh in class in race two, he was sadly withdrawn from the final race on Sunday.
Christopher Richards – Team Principal: “It’s a fantastic moment for the team to celebrate our first overall podium finish in the Porsche Sprint Challenge GB. We’ve expanded our presence in the championship this year and proven ourselves to be a competitive force in the paddock.
“We’re absolutely over the moon for Oliver. He’s been adapting well to the Cayman and improving his speed every weekend, so to get his first podium is a big moment for him and well-deserved after keeping himself out of trouble when others didn’t.
“Sam drove well again this weekend, he was right in the mix in the Clubsports and overcome some troubles in the races, so it’s a shame he didn’t get some trophies to reward that. It wasn’t the weekend that Bal wanted, but he’ll come back stronger next time out.”
The second half of the 2024 Porsche Sprint Challenge GB season begins next month (24-25 August) with three races around the Donington Park Grand Prix circuit.
Images from Porsche GB.
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