2004 Racing Reports

British GT Championship for Mark Sumpter and Mike Jordan.

Fresh from their 2003 FIA GT series Mark Sumpter and Mike Jordan headed back to the UK circuits to compete in the British GT Championship. 

With a superb win in the opening round at Donnington this set the stage for this experienced pair to have a fantastic season. With only two races having gearbox and mechanical failure the car proved to be ultra reliable throughout.  The season proved to be very competitive with some exciting battles with TVR, Mosler and some very fast 360 Ferrari's but the Paragon team still managed to obtain several podium finishes. 

Probably one of the toughest races was at the close of the season. Due to recovery from a slight head injury and on the orders of his doctor, Mike Jordan was unable to race at Brands Hatch. This left Mark no option but to do the two one hour races solo. 

A fifth place grid position for the first race was a good start for the weekend. However, a tenth place starting position for race two was the legacy of a spin into the gravel at Paddock Hill Bend on oil dropped by a TVR. A great run to fourth place in race one ended in Sumpter chasing down the Eclipse TVR for the final podium position. The Paragon Porsche crossed the line less than a second adrift at the chequered flag having lost time when caught behind a TVR that was a lap down. By the time Mark battled ahead of the other car, he just ran out of time to attack for third.  In race two, treacherously wet conditions made it difficult for Mark to get into a rhythm and a safety car period wiped out the advantage he would have enjoyed as the newly installed drivers got up to speed in the conditions.  

In the final few laps of the race Mark set his quickest times of the afternoon and was once again chasing home the Eclipse car, this time for fourth place. A half second deficit at the flag was just a little bit too much for him to overcome though. Finishing race one fourth and race two fifth was a huge achievment for Mark having done set up, qualifying and both races single handed.