Archie Hamilton returned to the Porsche Sprint Challenge GB at the weekend (September 18-20), taking a second-place finish in the opening race at Donington Park to get his campaign back on track.
After a freak engine fire ended his day early at Brands Hatch last time out, Archie worked hard with his Redline Racing team and driver coach Dino Zamparelli to bounce back on his second visit to the Leicestershire circuit, qualifying third for race one just four tenths of a second off pole position in his RhinoFab Equipment and UFI Filters Porsche Cayman 718 GT4 Clubsport.
He started well for that contest, making his way past team-mate Ethan Hawkey to claim second heading into the first corner. The 29-year old then came under pressure from James Dorlin behind him as the race progressed but kept his cool as he opened the gap back up again, crossing the line for his first second place of the season.
That result meant he lined up second for race two and he again started well but was muscled past by Dorlin out of turn one, unsettling the car which left him off the racing line down the tricky Craner Curves, though he did well to hold on to his position. However, Archie then struggled with the tyres and found himself slipping back a further few places before settling in to fifth, where he finished the race.
The result means Archie sits fourth in the championship standings, just four points behind the driver ahead, with plenty still to play for. He will next be in action in the series over the weekend of October 9-11, racing in support of the British Touring Car Championship at Croft in Yorkshire.
Archie Hamilton
“It has been another enjoyable few days of racing and I am really happy to get a second-place finish, which is a real positive to take away from the weekend. We tried something a little different for race two with the tyres and sadly it didn’t quite pay off, but that happens in racing.
“I really want to thank everyone at Redline Racing for working hard to get the car repaired and for once again giving me a competitive Porsche to race. Our sights are firmly set on getting that win which would be a great reward for my partners RhinoFab Equipment and UFI Filters and all the fans who are supporting me too.”
Dino Zamparelli
“We’re definitely delighted with how well Archie performed this weekend as his qualifying was excellent and he drove really well in race one, not only to get into second place but to then defend under pressure and get his head down and open the gap back up again.
“It was tough for him that things didn’t quite pan out for race two but sometimes when you try something different you reap the rewards and sometimes things go the other way. We’ll regroup and work hard to get him on the top step of the podium soon.”
