Wylie bags a third Porsche winposted in OTHER19 | 06 | 2023
SCOTLAND’S ROSS WYLIE swept the Glenturret Porsche to victory in the opening Porsche Carrera Cup GB race at Oulton Park at the weekend. The Thornhill racer, who finished fourth in the second race, heads to the next Porsche GB races at his home circuit at Knockhill in August, still holding second place in the Pro-Am category after the latest rounds.
The Dumfries & Galloway race ace placed his Glenturret Porsche on the front row of the Pro-Am grid at the Cheshire venue, having held pole-position for much of the qualifying session.
But Wylie snatched the class lead on the opening lap of the 20-lap, 30mins opening race, coming home an excellent sixth overall enroute to recording his third Pro-Am victory of the season in the Porsche. (Related: Wylie bags double Porsche Pro-Am win)
In the second race, Wylie led until lap seven when he was unceremoniously hit up the rear. The heavy impact launched Wylie’s Porsche onto two wheels and crucially damaged his car’s front “splitter” aerodynamic aid.
The 31-year-old Scot was ultimately placed fourth in the final classification when the car that hit him received a five-place post-race penalty for the ill-judged incident. Frustratingly, Wylie lost a podium place exiting the final corner, the damage causing a lack of grip, Ross a mere 0.044secs away from third-place at the chequered flag. (Related: Wylie bags GT Cup lead)
“In general, it was fantastic to be back on the pace at Oulton and winning again, although I’m very disappointed with the outcome of the second race as another victory was definitely achievable before I was hit,” Wylie explained.
“There was a Red Flag stoppage in qualifying, which I believe prevented me from claiming class pole and the additional two points which would have been good to get. But after the disappointment of the previous event at Thruxton, it was great to start P2. (Related: Chloe Grant boosts F1 Academy bid)
“I made a good start in Race 1, snatching the class lead heading in to the first corner. It was then a case of controlling the race and managing the gap to the car behind which gave me a few taps going into the hairpin which kept me on my toes.
“The same car hit me five or six times on the opening lap of Race 2 and then after a Safety Car period, hit me good and proper, causing me to lose places and damage to my car.” (Related: Mitchell denied record third Silverstone 500 win by 1.3secs)
Before making the short journey to Knockhill, Wylie resumes GT Cup action at Oulton on July 1. The Scot missed the last event due to clashing Porsche commitments but is able to partner Paul Bailey in a Lamborghini Huracan next month.
Despite missing the two most recent races, Wylie still leads the championship outright with Bailey. The duo have scored three runner-up placings to date.
Related: Mitchell named Lamborghini factory driver
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Jim McGill