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[Carrera Cup, UK] TRIUMPHANT FAULKNER IS PORSCHE CHAMPION |
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Monday, 19 September 2005 |
Donegal's Damien Faulkner wrapped up the Porsche Carrera Cup GB title in style at Silverstone yesterday taking a superb win from third on the grid in race one. The team SAS International driver then followed Richard Westbrook home in race two to seal the championship with two races still to run.
Faulkner went into this weekends double header needing only to finish second to Westbrook in both races to secure the title but the Irish driver was not about to settle for points behind front row starters Tim Harvey and Westbrook. In wet conditions the championship leader allowed himself time to settle in to the difficult conditions before closing on second placed Harvey at half distance. By lap thirteen of twenty the SAS car was into second place but Faulkner still had work to do as Westbrook was another four seconds up the road.
Faulkner put in two fastest laps in a row, more than two seconds faster than Westbrook's corresponding laps, to take him right on to the English drivers tail. With Westbrook defending over aggressively from the faster Faulkner, the leaders times dropped by up to five seconds a lap and allowed Harvey to close back in. Faulkner had to be very careful about any overtaking attempt and had to wait until the final lap before he could pounce for the victory. Afterwards Faulkner was elated by the win but less than pleased with Westbrook's driving etiquette.
A slow start in race two dropped Faulkner behind Westbrook and Harvey again. Following his race one win the champion elect could have settled for third place and taken the title but was as determined as ever to get the best result possible. Faulkner pressurised Harvey for the entire race while Jason Templeman was in close attendance behind, the trio covered by less than a second throughout. On the final lap Harvey made a mistake at Copse, slowing Faulkner, which allowed Templeman to slip into second. Templeman and Harvey then had a coming together at the next corner which slowed both drivers and let Faulkner by into second place which he held to the flag to secure the 2005 crown.
Amid the after race celebrations the triumphant Faulkner said. "I was so happy to win the first race in difficult conditions and was then delighted to follow it up with second in race two to take the championship. I could not be happier for my sponsor SAS International and for Team Parker who have worked tirelessly all season. I want to thank everyone who has supported me this season and I am looking forward to Brands in two weeks where the pressure will be off and I will be aiming to finish the season off with two more wins.
The final two races of the 2005 Porsche Carrera Cup GB season take place at Brands Hatch on Sunday October 2nd.
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