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Following their visit last year, SD teams’ MD Nick Jones and race partner Scott Malvern demonstrated once again why they love the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium, in the Radical Enduro Championship; they put in an impressive performance and achieved a highly respectable result in difficult circumstances.
Having only signed a deal with the successful Team Parker Racing outfit just days before, there was no opportunity to test with their new team. The car is still almost in standard production form, with no modifications other than a roll cage and around 250kgs over weight so the drivers are at a big disadvantage.
Nick commented: “Until we receive the homologation pack from Germany to fit all of the panels and parts that will turn it from a road car into a race car it is the equivalent of having a passenger on board.”
The pairing did a sterling job in the late Friday afternoon qualifying session but unfortunately the damp conditions, that negated their disadvantage, didn’t last long enough to maintain their brief GT4 class pole position and they qualified 11th in class and 47th overall in a huge field of 60 cars.
Scott commented afterwards: “There was a small window there where we were really fast in the difficult conditions. Unfortunately for us the sun came out and dried the circuit far too quickly but I’m still pleased with our performance here.”
The two hour race took place in bright & sunny conditions early on Saturday afternoon, not ideal for the under-powered and overweight Porsche. However Nick, in the car that he has now affectionally christened as “Panza”, maintained an impressive steady pace throughout his fifty-five minute stint before handing over to Scott, who certainly enjoyed himself and showed that even with a power disadvantage he could race well against his class opposition.
At the chequered flag, Scott brought the car home a very respectable 15th overall and 9th in the GT4 class. Nick commented afterwards: “That was fun! Driving a Porsche at Spa, even one that needs to go on a diet is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
“This car has great potential and if only we could get our hands on the right parts to make it lighter and more nimble then we could really give the Aston Martins, McLarens & Ginettas a run for their money. In the wet we are already embarrassing them! I’d like to say a big thank you to Team Parker Racing who did a fantastic professional job this weekend in demanding circumstances and I’m very much looking forward to the remainder of the season.”
Nick and driving partner Scott Malvern return to action at the Snetterton circuit, near Thetford, in Norfolk when they compete in two one hour races on the weekend of 6th & 7th of August
All photos by kind courtesy of Jakob Ebrey Motorsport Photography
