Porsche Cup Brands Hatch 28/02/2007

Caine to contest Carrera Cup for Paragon

Michael Caine is the latest major contender to unveil his 2007 Porsche Carrera Cup GB campaign after signing to race with the support of Paragon Porsche. 

"I'm very pleased to confirm our support for Michael in the Carrera Cup," says Paragon boss Mark Sumpter. "I hope he has a successful season and I think he has a good chance of winning the championship."  

Caine (Newmarket) finished sixth in his debut Carrera Cup season last year, and now believes that the support of Sussex-based Paragon Porsche will allow him to mount a serious challenge for the title. The former TVR Tuscan and GT ace will head a three-car team from the Team Parker Racing squad that has taken Damien Faulkner to the last two Carrera Cup titles.  

The relationship between team boss Stuart Parker and Caine goes back a decade and they have always wanted to team up. "I've known Stuart a long time and we always said that one year I'd race for them," sad Caine. "I always wanted to try and do it. Tim Harvey feels that he is with the best team for 2007 and I also feel that I'm with the best team!"  

Parker is delighted to have confirmed his lead driver. "Michael was on pole for my last ever race in a Caterham," said Parker. "He's the reason I retired from driving and concentrated on the team because I decided that if I couldn't beat him, I should retire!"  The team has recently travelled to Magny Cours for an extended test session and will now start testing in Britain. "I think the backing of Paragon will give Michael the impetus he needs to go for the title," said Sumpter.   

Although he is moving on from contesting the Carrera Cup, 2006 Paragon racer Andy Purdie will remain part of the Paragon Porsche racing campaign, and further details will be announced shortly.