1st April 2007
Jon Barnes showed the motorsport world that he was more than worthy of being a McLaren Autosport BRDC Award finalist when he converted his prize of a guest drive in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB into a third place finish at Brands Hatch today. The 23 year-old from Southampton was determined to make his opportunity count and didn't disappoint making it onto the podium in what is an exceptionally competitive championship racing against the likes of established professionals such as Tim Harvey, Rob Collard and Sam Hancock.
Jon had never driven the Porsche 997 in dry conditions, until qualifying on Saturday morning, but he was still able to put in a time quick enough for eighth position on the grid. After looking through the qualifying data with his engineer, Jon knew where he needed to find time, in order to improve for the race.
At the start of race one, Jon made up a position but was overtaken around the outside at the Druids Hairpin by ex-BTCC driver Rob Collard. Jon was able to keep up with the rest of the field and after 10 laps he began to pick off places as he gained in confidence. Jon's racecraft came to the fore, as he sliced up the inside of Collard at Graham Hill Bend, and then harried Porsche regular Nigel Rice until lap 21, when he was able to find a way past at Paddock Hill Bend. With 13 laps to go, Jon chased down the pack of 4 cars that were busy battling over second place, and he was able to pass another ex-BTCC driver, James Pickford at Druids. After a great race, Jon crossed the finish line in fifth place.
From his third row starting position for race two, Jon managed to get an amazing start and he rocketed past the 2001 McLaren Autosport BRDC Award winner, Steven Kane, and Formula Renault graduate James Sutton, into third place. He spent the next 34 laps chasing Michael Caine, whilst also holding off Sutton but he managed to maintain third place, to take a rewarding podium finish.
“I thought it would be a difficult weekend – especially when the testing on Friday was wet. I drove the old Porsche 996 guest car in the dry at Thruxton two years ago but this car is completely different.
“Qualifying was difficult for me due to not having driven this car in the dry, but I was only four-tenths of a second slower than the driver that qualified in second position. My engineer helped me to find the areas where I could improve and I really grew in confidence during the first race. I was told by the team that I had the potential to get onto the podium in today's race and I concentrated on making a good start which was very important. I learned from my start in race one, and used a different technique today, which worked really well!
“It's been a fantastic weekend – absolutely brilliant – and this will hopefully lead to more opportunities for me this season.”
Race 1 – 34 laps
1 Tim Harvey 27:33.551
2 James Sutton 27:51.581
3 Michael Caine 27:51.861
4 Steven Kane 27:52.374
5 Jon Barnes 27:53.505
6 Nigel Rice 27:58.077
Fastest lap: Tim Harvey 47.621 88.91mph, 143.09kph
Race 2 – 34 laps
1 Tim Harvey 27:35.040
2 Michael Caine 27:37.400
3 Jon Barnes 27:37.686
4 James Sutton 27:38.009
5 Steven Kane 27:38.367
6 Sam Hancock 27:46.609
Fastest lap: Tim Harvey 47.757 90.4mph, 142.66kph
For more information visit Jon's website at www.jonbarnes.com
ENDS
For media information: Cathy Metcalfe, MPR Associates
T: 01327 352199, F: 01327 352908, M: 07802 332398