Tony Gilham

With the Porsche Carrera Cup GB summer break in full swing, Tony Gilham enjoyed a Time Attack session at local circuit Brands Hatch over the weekend of 25th/27th June.

Time Attack is aimed directly at the aftermarket tuning scene which has its own needs and requirements that do not fit other motorsport disciplines.  Originating from Japan, Time Attack, Super Lap and Tuner Battles were organised by the media as a proving ground to see what the  tuning industries most respected tuners could achieve.

This particular Time Attack, billed as the “Modified Live Show”, took place on the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit and throughout the weekend, Tony took part in various sessions.  Crowds at Brands Hatch weren’t let down by the high octane Time Attack show and the varied entrant list hit the Indy circuit hard, battling against the scorching hot, tyre-sapping weather as well as against the clock.

The Time Attack format has evolved and there are now different levels of vehicles entering the competitions, from road cars to full-on specifically engineered Time Attack cars, made mostly of carbon fibre. Its drivers normally consist of the racing industries finest, drafted-in by tuners to pilot these unlimited machines in the bid to become the quickest.

Having won in the Time Attack and Euro Tuner in the United States during 2007, Tony is no stranger to the format of such an event, despite it being completely different to the usual Porsche Carrera Cup.  Driving for Collins ReDesign Racing sponsor’s Regal Autosport and Design 911, Tony got behind the wheel of Regal’s tuned Vauxhall Corsa VXR and Design 911′s Porsche 996 turbo, which had been tuned to over 700 BHP.

Competing as a “guest” during this particular Time Attack round, Tony was privileged to be the first ever driver to be allowed to drive two separate cars on one day within two different classes.  The Corsa was entered into the “Club” class whilst Porshe was entered into the “Pro” class.

Tony competed three of the timed open pit lane sessions and managed to run within the top 10 of the Pro category for the duration of the day.  Completing laps of the Brands Hatch Indy circuit in under 53 seconds was an awesome feat, earning the label of “the fastest Porsche on the track”.   After a few sessions, the team then decided to give the car a much deserved rest, as it also had to make the long journey back home – this time on the boring motorways!

Tony told tonygilham.com: “I live and breathe motorsport, so it is always a fantastic experience to drive the ‘souped-up’ and tuned cars. I literally jumped at the chance, as soon as Chris Stewart and Wayne Ellis from Regal and Karl Chopra from Design 911 asked me to drive their cars.

As well as supporting Collins ReDesign Racing chosen charities; Breast Cancer Care and the Kent Air Ambulance Trust, the weekend’s event provided the chance for Tony and the team to support the ‘Help for Heroes’ campaign.  Stickers supplied by Vauxhall were applied to the Corsa and collection boxes were also made available in the pit lane garage, which collected donations from the passing spectators.

“Being able to support ‘Help for Heroes’ during this event was something we really wanted to do,” said Tony.  “Having the livery on the car, as well as taking donations during the day made it even more rewarding for the team and spectators.”

“We all had a fantastic weekend and the crowd, along with the weather, were on top form and once again, I would like to thank the team and also our sponsors.”

Despite the summer break in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB season, the team are focusing efforts on preparing for the halfway point restart. “We are taking full advantage of the summer break by completing some much needed work on the car after a few knocks at Oulton Park and Croft,” said Collins ReDesign Racing Team Manager, Gary Allen.  “It’s not all rest and play though.  We are currently working hard on attracting sponsors into the fold.

“The Porsche Carrera Cup is proving to be much more than a supporting race to the British Touring Cars Championship and we feel, given the biggest field of cars in its history, plus the excellent TV coverage and footfall at the remaining circuits of this season, will continue to make the Porsche Carrera Cup a sound commercial investment to our current and future partners and sponsors.”

The championship will resume on 7th/8th August at Snetterton in Norfolk and if anyone is interested in talking to Tony about sponsorship and getting involved; including race weekend hospitality, live coverage on National television, etc, please contact Gary Allen on 07813 747842.