Thornhill Race ace Ross Wylie records a stunning second place plus fifth despite two-year absence
Ross was in scintillating form on an unexpected Porsche Carrera Cup return last weekend (28-29 Sep) when the Scotsman recorded second and fifth place finishes in the high-quality and experienced field at Silverstone.
Wylie, who celebrated his 28th birthday earlier this month (15 Sep), was only offered the drive by In2 Racing early last week which marked a return to the category the Dumfries driver contested in 2017 after British GT Championship success.
Having qualified 11th fastest the previous day, Ross and the team gambled to start Sunday morning’s 28-lap race on “wet weather” tyres, the 1.64-mile Silverstone track wet but drying after earlier rain. Wylie rocketed through the field in his Black Bull Scotch Whiskey/Bell Group supported 911 GT3 Cup car and sensationally took the lead on the second lap.
The former Britcar Endurance champion led until lap 18 and ultimately finished second, less than eight seconds behind the winner. Ross started the second, 28-lap race from fifth position on the 22-car grid and held station throughout. Wylie will contest the final two rounds of the series at Brands Hatch over 11-13 October.
“It’s been a great experience back in the Porsche thanks to support from Black Bull Scotch Whiskey/Bell Group plus ofcourse In2 Racing and scoring a second and fifth. Sunday’s first race went really well. We gambled on starting the race on ‘wets’ and it paid off as I took the lead on the second lap having started eleventh. I got my head down but was overtaken with 10 laps remaining but was very happy with second place. In race two, I had a nibble at fourth place but just didn’t have the pace to challenge properly.
“I sat in the Porsche for the first time on Tuesday and then tested it at Silverstone on Wednesday, completing 135-laps in the dry, then again on Friday where we overcame a few niggling issues for qualifying. Pace was good in Saturday’s quali but the field is so close, a tenth of a second quicker would have put me five places further up the grid. The Porsche is a tricky car to jump into and race but after these results, I’m really looking forward to Brands.”
