Mini champ Mortimer switches to Porscheposted in POR16 | 12 | 2010
MULTIPLE BRITISH and Scottish Mini Cooper champ Oli Mortimer will switch to racing a Porsche 911 next season, and the Edinburgh driver believes ultimately the decision could trigger a move to America.
The 27-year-old racer and his Tynecastle Racing team, led by boss David Kerr, have bought a Porsche 911 GT3 from Tommy Dreelan at Aberdeen-based Celtic Speed.
The car has competed in this year's Porsche Carrera Cup and was driven to fifth and sixth places at the double-header at Knockhill in September by Dunfermline's Rory Butcher.
"It's a great opportunity for me," explained Mortimer who, weather permitting, is expected to receive delivery of the Porsche this week, "but like everyone else in Scottish motorsport, we're struggling to find sponsorship.
"For the past few years I'd been hoping to move to the British Touring Car Championship, but now I believe sportscars is the way forward for me; and I know I can deliver."
It promises to be a steep learning curve though for the Edinburgh racer who spends his weekdays as a technician at the city's Western Volkswagen.
"I haven't even sat in a Porsche, let alone driven one," he admitted. "The key is going to be long, long sessions getting used to the car at Knockhill in the early part of next year.
"We know the car is a good one, Rory proved that when he raced it earlier this year, so I just need to get on and get used to the car."
And Mortimer, who is expected to compete in the Porsche GT3 Cup Series, hopes his switch to sportscars could ultimately lead to him racing in the States after talking with fellow Edinburgh racer Robin Liddell, a previous winner in the US Grand-Am Championship.
"I've been talking with Robin and he's pretty confident there would be opportunities in American sportscar championships if I can prove myself in the Porsche in the UK first," Mortimer continued.
"That's obviously the longterm goal, but at the moment we're just waiting to receive the car, then I'll be concentrating on learning the ropes. But with everything I've achieved in the Mini championships, I'm confident I'll adapt pretty quickly."
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Jim McGill
Caption: Oli Mortimer's new Porsche GT3 being put through its paces by previous owner Tommy Dreelan.