Twelve months after Andrew Rackstraw arrived at Brands Hatch battling for the Porsche Carrera Cup GB rookie title, the 23-year old South African driver returns to the Kent track this weekend (4/5 October) leading the top Pro category and aiming to make a dream come true by winning one of the most prestigious titles in British motorsport in his Rosland Gold by Century Motorsport 911 GT3.
A season of speed and consistency sees the BRDC Rising Star driver head to the title deciding final race weekend with a 10-point Pro category advantage – having qualified on the front row four times in seven attempts, won three races outright, scored eight podium finishes, two double podium finishes and set four fastest laps. He is the only one of the top three Pro category drivers to have scored points in all 14 races this year.
Held on the famous 10-corner 2.43-mile Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit, one of the world’s most renowned racing venues contains a unique blend of dips, hills, cambered corners, long fast straights and the tight Druids Hairpin – with the opening Paddock Hill Bend a magnificent overtaking opportunity for those brave enough to outmanoeuvre the car ahead.
And the cold autumn weather could play its part too, with the possibility of rain and the struggle to get slick tyres up to optimum working temperature in the dry.
Andrew won’t deviate from the race weekend strategy that has served him well all season and be fully-focused on qualifying and maximising all points-scoring opportunities – as he aims to win the Porsche Carrera Cup GB title for the first time in his Rosland Gold/Investchem/Sparco-backed 911 GT3.
“Ever since I was a young kid growing up in South Africa, I’ve wanted to race on the international stage – and it’s a dream come true heading into the final Porsche Carrera Cup GB race weekend leading the championship and challenging for the title,” says Andrew.
“The season has gone so quickly. I can’t believe fourteen races are done and dusted and only the final two races remain. I can honestly say that I’ve enjoyed every single second racing the 911 GT3.
“It has all come down to the title decider at Brands Hatch, which will be a very exciting race weekend for sure.
“That said, I’ll be treating it like any other race weekend and won’t change our strategy or mentality one little bit. What we’ve done this year has served us very well, so we’ll head into the final race weekend aiming to do that we’ve always done and that’s to stay out of trouble, qualify well and try to win some races!
“The aim is to win the Pro category drivers’ title, and help Century Motorsport win the teams’ title, but we won’t think too far ahead. If we achieve what we set out to do each time we’re out on track, the end of season outcome that we’re looking for will come.”
Published by: Paul Evans
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