MSS KITS driver Tom Wrigley produced a sensational drive in treacherous wet conditions to secure his second victory of the 2018 Porsche Carrera Cup GB season at Snetterton this past weekend (28/29 July).
Seven weeks on from his maiden win in the championship, Wrigley continued his fantastic run of form in the championship with a majestic lights-to-flag success in Norfolk, which coupled with a fifth place finish has maintained his top three position in the championship standings.
The Oulton Park victory prior to the Carrera Cup GB’s summer break and his standout performance on his Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup debut at Silverstone earlier this month meant that Wrigley entered the second half of the season with confidence sky high.
After finishing second fastest in an official championship test on Wednesday, Wrigley would continue to light up the timesheets two days later in free practice as he posted the third quickest time in sweltering hot conditions.
It unfortunately didn’t go his way in qualifying the next day however as he struggled with understeer in his JTR-prepared Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car, eventually securing himself sixth on the grid for the first of Sunday’s two races.
With the summer heatwave being replaced by torrential rain for race day, the 25 year old would be tackling a sodden track surface in the opening encounter, with a strong start seeing him maintain position on the opening lap as he adjusted to the limited grip levels.
After getting comfortable with the conditions, Wrigley was able to start pushing forwards and he latched onto the tail of a big battle for the final podium position, with his efforts aided by an incident for a driver ahead that promoted him to fifth.
The Chirk-based racer was unable to make any further progress though in a close-fought battle to the flag, but that would prove to be a blessing in disguise as the number five got drawn out of the bag for the reverse grid, handing him pole position for race two.
In front of the live ITV4 television cameras and a big trackside crowd braving the wet and windy conditions, Wrigley produced a great launch off the line to maintain his lead and build himself some early breathing space at the front.
A composed drive in the middle of the race saw him hold off his pursuers whilst looking after his Michelin tyres, which ensured that in the closing stages he was able to get his head down and pull clear of his championship rivals behind.
The MSS KITS driver took the chequered flag to the delight of his family, team and sponsors, with a superb fourth podium finish of the season so far keeping him third in the points standings heading into the next rounds at Knockhill in Scotland on 25/26 August.
Tom Wrigley: “I’m over the moon with the victory! It wasn’t the qualifying and opening race that we wanted, but it all came together in the end and it’s the perfect way to start the second half of the season for me, the team and MSS KITS.
“It was a tricky race in the conditions, but fortunately I was able to get a good start and control the early stages. We struggled a bit for pace in the middle, so I drove conservatively to preserve my tyres, which allowed me to push hard at the end and build the gap.
“I’m delighted with our current form in the championship and to be lying only twelve points off the top of the standings with six races to go is a fantastic position to be in. I’m looking forward to Knockhill next and hopefully we can challenge for more silverware there.”
