Racing Rivalry and Redemption: The Porsche Carrera Cup GB Season
In the high-octane world of motorsport, every racing season is a rollercoaster ride filled with twists, turns, and jaw-dropping moments. The Porsche Carrera Cup GB season of 2023 was no exception, playing out to be a season to remember. Join us as we revisit the thrilling moments, rivalries, and redemptions that defined this unforgettable year.
Silverstone Media Day: A Glimpse of Things to Come
The season kicked off with the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Media Day at Silverstone on the 27th of March. Rosland Gold Racing was in the spotlight, featuring James Kellett and Gus Burton, both behind the wheel of their Porsche 992 GT3 Cup cars. It was a day of testing the circuit, posing for photographs, and igniting the excitement for what lay ahead.
Rounds 1 & 2: Donington Brings Mixed Fortunes at the Season Opener
April saw the first race of the season, and it was a baptism of fire for James Kellett in his inaugural outing in the Porsche at Donington on the National circuit. The first race took place under wet conditions, and James impressively held on to 4th place after six laps when disaster struck. A collision sent him spinning off the track, and he was hit by another car. However, in Race 2, James showcased his resilience, climbing from a 22nd starting position to a remarkable 7th place. It was a masterful performance under challenging circumstances.
Rounds 3 & 4: Brands Hatch Indy Provides a Rollercoaster Weekend
Brands Hatch brought high-speed action filled with both highs and lows for the Rosland drivers, with twists and turns at every corner. The rain-soaked qualifying session was a true test of skill, and James Kellett showed his mettle by grabbing pole position by a razor-thin margin of just 1/1000th of a second. Race day was an emotional rollercoaster, with fortunes ebbing and flowing. Kellett secured a respectable 4th place despite a slow start, and Race 2 saw him triumphing after a penalty demoted his nearest rival. Gus was unlucky in Race 1 at finding himself in the gravel at Paddock Hill after teammate James locked up at the top of the hill and contacted his rear corner at the first corner of the race. An accident, but frustrating.
Rounds 5 &6: A New Challenger Emerges at Thruxton
June saw Gus Burton make the move to concentrate on his European Supercup series driving after a valuable contribution of 39 points to the team. In his place we were delighted to welcome the formidable driver, Josh Malin. Despite limited GT3cup car driving, with just a few meetings last season, Josh’s addition to the team still brought a wealth of racing experience and skill, making him an ideal fit for the fiercely competitive Porsche Carrera Cup. Thruxton's Rounds 5 & 6 were Josh's first taste of the Porsche Carrera Cup, and he certainly didn't disappoint. In a hard-fought battle in Race 1, he claimed an impressive 3rd place. James Kellett continued to impress with a stellar 4th place finish, and the racing conditions were anything but forgiving. Race 2 showcased Josh's mettle as he secured the runner-up spot with skill and tenacity. James wasn’t so lucky in Race 2 after being pushed off the track on the first lap and collecting an advertising board on the front of his car, blocking cooling airflow resulting in a pit stop. He fought back but and passed more than half the field to get manage to into the points.
Rounds 7 & 8: A Showcase of Talent at Oulton Park
Later that month and Oulton Park was nothing short of excellent – despite some disappointment. Malin's P2 finish was snatched away due to a yellow flag mishap. But, starting from 7th on the grid, he fought his way to a well-earned 5th place. James Kellett, on the other hand, stormed the track, securing his second win of the season in breathtaking fashion. Lap after lap, he displayed a masterclass in racing, winning by a staggering 6.5 seconds. After starting Race 2 in pole position, and a tense battle with Adam Smalley, Josh settled for a hard fought P2. Meanwhile, in a heart-stopping moment that sent James spinning off the track, James fought back with unwavering determination, battling his way to a commendable P5 finish.
Rounds 9 & 10: Knockhill Sees Kellet Triumph
At Knockhill, James Kellett claimed his third win of the season on this typical rainy Scottish weekend. He secured a solid P5 in Race One, followed by a triumphant P1 in Race Two. Despite having no previous Porsche wet driving under his belt, Josh Malin added to the team's successes with P6 and P4 finishes, making it a satisfying weekend for Rosland Gold Racing.
Rounds 11 & 12: A Spectacular Show at Donington Park GP
August, and what a weekend it was for Rosland Gold Racing at Donington, with James Kellett and Josh Malin putting on a spectacular show, leaving the crowd in awe. With James securing P1 and P3, and Josh grabbing P4 in both races, the weekend at Donington GP Circuit was nothing short of extraordinary, filled with drama and breath-taking moments throughout.
Rounds 13 & 14: Silverstone Brings a Mixed Bag of Emotions
The Silverstone National circuit witnessed a whirlwind of emotions as Rounds 13 and 14 of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB unfolded. While excitement was aplenty, penalties loomed large over the Rosland Gold Racing team. After a strategic tyre change in response to the temperamental British weather, Race 1 saw a solid P3 for James and P4 for Josh. Race 2 brought it’s own set of challenges and concluded with both cars being slapped with a 5-second penalty for track limit violations, a cruel blow considering that others in the top ranks escaped such a punishment. This penalty saw them tumble down the order, adding a dash of bitter disappointment to their otherwise impressive performance.
Rounds 15 & 16: Brands Hatch GP – The Season Defining Event
The final showdown at Brands Hatch promised to be a season-defining event, and it didn't disappoint. The weekend saw Rosland Gold Racing clinch not one but two double podium finishes, securing the Team Championship in only their second season in the Carrera Cup GB series. The celebrations were jubilant, with James Kellett and Josh Malin finishing P2 and P3 in the drivers' championship.
This season was a testament to the team's dedication, skill, and resilience. Rosland Gold Racing by Century Motorsport’s journey through the Porsche Carrera Cup GB series in 2023 was nothing short of extraordinary. And the season's finale at Brands Hatch will be remembered as a day of triumph, camaraderie, and unbridled joy – 2 x double podiums – the Team Championship won - a fitting end to a sensational season of racing.
Rosland Gold Racing by Century Motorsport -
Porsche Carrera Cup GB 2023 Team Champions