Porsche Cup Brands Hatch 09/04/2006

Paragon Porsche chases podium at Brands

Andy Purdie made an excellent debut in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at Brands Hatch over the weekend of 8/9 April.

The Maidstone-based student was racing the Paragon Porsche-entered 911GT3 Cup car in the opening two rounds of the championship and finished fifth in the pro-am category in both races, clearly displaying the speed needed to claim podium finishes.  

At 21-years old Andy is one of the rising stars of the championship and he made a strong impression with a mature approach at Brands in the car that is also supported by Revo and Porsche & 911 World.  

The first race didn’t start well, however, but Purdie was soon into his stride and passing cars on his way to 11th place overall and fifth in the new pro-am category in a race that featured a mid-race safety car period.  “I think I just stalled it at the start and I lost about 30s before I got away. Then I settled down and my aim was to finish. I set some consistent times and got some good passing moves. I did get some help from the safety car. My aim for now is to get onto the pro-am podium."  

His continued his strong showing in the second race on Sunday in front of a packed crowd at the opening rounds of the British Touring Car Championship meeting. He chased the pro-am leaders throughout the race and finished fifth, only three and a half seconds away from a podium finish.  

Now, Andy will focus on his university finals and so will miss the next two weekends in the championship before returning to racing in early June. In the meantime, Paragon boss Mark Sumpter will return to the driver's seat for the races at Mondello Park (Ireland) and Oulton Park (Cheshire).