Silverstone Results

Stephane Ortelli Wins in Silverstone - Three-Way Fight for Third

Stephane Ortelli (MC, Eschmann-Manthey-Racing) drove a faultless race, starting from second on the grid to take victory at the fifth round of the Porsche Pirelli SuperCup on Silverstone's 5.140 km circuit. The 1998 Le Mans victor was delighted: "I was determined to win. I had an excellent start and pushed hard to the finish. It's great for the team and sensational for me." Pole setter Ralf Kelleners (D, PC Rhein- Oberberg), who won the rounds in Australia and Monaco, comfortably re- tains his points lead with his second placing.

The battle for third brought fans to their feet, as reigning champion Patrick Huisman (D, Eschmann-Manthey-Racing) pulled out all stops to fight off determined attacks from ex-F3 pilot Sascha Maassen (D, Carex- Amag) in fourth, and local hero Johnny Mowlem from the all-British Parabolica-McCulloch team. Using his home advantage, 30-year-old Mowlem started from 7th and ploughed his way to take 5th."It's great to be back in the points. I had the speed for a podium finish, but simply couldn't get past Patrick and Sascha." Team-mate Tim Harvey (Oxford) had less luck, finishing 15th overall after a spin in the first lap.

For Porsche's guest driver, double Grand National winner, Richard Dunwoody, fun was the name of the game. The 35-year-old Irishman started from the back of the pack, made up some places, only to spin out after a handful of laps. "What a great experience. That's my first time in Silverstone, and my premiere in a Porsche. I'm now off to Stafford to race. I'll try to win on the horses" "Woody's" VIP team mate, tennis celebrity Henry Leconte, climbed out of his 370 hp 911 GT3 Cup Porsche after the race wearing a huge grin. "I love racing. I had a great battle against my compatriot Jean-Luc Chereau and I managed to pip him on the post.

Results (top 10)

Pos     Driver/Nat              Team                            Time
--------------------------------------------------------------------
 1      Stephane Ortelli/F   Eschmann-Manthey-Racing       24:02.316
 2      Ralf Kelleners/D     Porsche Centre Rhein-Oberberg   + 2.654
 3      Patrick Huisman/D    Eschmann-Manthey-Racing           6.408
 4      Sascha Maassen/D     Carex-Amag                        6.589
 5      Johnny Mowlem/GB     Parabolica-McCulloch Motorsport   7.496
 6      Altfrid Heger/D      Porsche Center Munic              8.379
 7      Bernd Maylander/D    Porsche Center  Koblenz
 8      Duncan Huisman/NL    Farnbacher Motorsport
 9      Jean-Pierre Jarier/F Larbre Competition
10      Pedro Couceiro/P     Porsche Center Rhein-Oberberg

Standings:

Pos     Driver       Points
---------------------------
 1      Kelleners        77
 2      Maylander        64
 3      Huisman          57
 4      Ortelli          54
 5      Mathai           52
 6      Maassen          51
 7      Couceiro         42
 8      Heger            40
        Jarier           40
        Schmickler       40

Harald Bloche