Comline Richardson Racing has extended its advantage at the top of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB standings on the back of an eighth podium finish of the campaign at Snetterton.
The Corby-based team headed for the Norfolk circuit on the back of an impressive weekend at Knockhill in the previous meeting, where Will Martin had grabbed his third victory of the campaign and team-mate Josh Malin had secured a podium finish on his return to the line-up.
Josh would once again be called into action for the fifth meeting of the year as regular driver Jack Bartholomew continues to recover from injuries he sustained in a cycling accident, and both he and Will showed solid pace in challenging hot conditions during Friday testing.
Saturday’s qualifying session would prove to be a mixed bag however, with the pair faced with track temperatures nudging 40 degrees.
Despite losing a time to track limits, Josh was able to post the fifth best time although there was disappointment for Will as he encountered traffic on what was set to be his fastest lap – leaving him to start the opening race from P7.
Both drivers were able to make up ground when the 40 minute race kicked off, with Josh moving up into P4 on the opening lap and Will soon slotting in behind having battled ahead of Charles Rainford and Adam Smalley.
Although he briefly dropped behind Smalley after a mid-race caution period, Will would ultimately get ahead of Josh to run in fourth spot and looked set for a place on the podium when leader – and title rival Kiern Jewiss – was handed a time penalty for exceeding track limits.
However, on the final lap, Will ran wide at Coram and dropped down to seventh spot, promoting Josh up onto the podium in his place.
Post race however, the time penalty for Jewiss was overturned which dropped Josh back to fourth place, although Will would make up a place after Smalley was penalised for overtaking him during the safety car period.
The reverse grid race two would start with Josh on the front row and he made his bid for the lead at the start only to slip back to third when run by Theo Edgerton at turn three.
Josh would remain third right through to the finish, with Will replicating his race one result as he once again took the flag in sixth spot.
Will retains second in the championship standings following the weekend, whilst Comline Richardson Racing has now moved 40 points clear in the Teams’ Championship ahead of the next event at Thruxton in a fortnight.
Will Martin, #10 Richardson Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, said:
“I’ve lost some ground in terms of the points which is frustrating, but at the same time, I have managed to retain my position in the standings on what proved to be a difficult weekend. It all came down to qualifying as we didn’t manage to get the lap in, and that ultimately proved to be key in the races.
“Race one was unfortunate with what happened on the final lap and in race two we just had to do what we could. I’ve won at Thruxton before, so roll on the next round in a few weeks.”
Josh Malin, #90 Richardson Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, said:
“It’s really good to have scored a podium finish and to be honest, I feel like we’ve taken two this weekend as I don’t really see how the penalty for Jewiss could be overturned.
“I tried hard at the start of the second race to get into the lead but unfortunately it gave Theo the chance to get ahead. However, the pace as strong like it was at Knockhill, and thanks to the team again for giving me a great car.
“I’m not fighting for a championship myself and it’s all about the team, so I’m pleased that I’ve been able to put more strong points on the board for the Teams’ Championship.”