Round 1: Donington National - 21 Apr 2025

RESULTS

PHOTOS

Capacity Grid sets New Record at CALM All Porsche Trophy Easter Meeting

Easter Monday marked the first 2025 outing for the CALM All Porsche Trophy (CAP), and featured the strongest entry in the Series’ history.

A capacity grid of 38 cars plus a couple of reserves took to the Donington Park National circuit for a wet Qualifying session including no fewer than 15 drivers who were racing for the first time with CAP.

The variety of the entry continues to expand, and it was great to see 12 front engined cars and 5 911s mixing it with the hordes of Boxsters and Caymans that make up most of the CAP field.

Qualifying

It was a familiar face on pole, with Warren Allen’s SP1 Cayman, complete with a new engine, a few tenths clear of Grant Jackson’s similar car. Grant was revelling in the slippery conditions ahead of series returnee Paul Simpson in his Cayman.

Andrew Duce lined up alongside Paul on row 2 in the first of the Boxsters, claiming SP2 pole half a second ahead of newcomers Ben Grewcock/Vincent Brewer in their Boxster. 3rd was taken by Ryan Charters in another Boxster, sharing row 4 with yet another newcomer, Tim Bates in the first of the 911s.

It was all change in SP3, with a 911SC on pole in the hands of Nick Rinylo, another new driver making the most of the conditions, and the first time in the Series’ history that SP3 pole has been taken by anything other than a 968 or 944. Nick was only just ahead of the familiar 968s of Dan Crego and Rich Gravestock, promising an interesting battle in the race.

Class SP4 was represented by just 2 924s this weekend after several potential entries were unable to make it to Donington, and the Chris Valentine / David Hornsey car duly took class pole from Hugh Peart’s 924.

One of the more impressive performances was that of Kenn Van Hauen in his beautiful Invitation class 911, really getting to grips with the car and qualifying comfortably in the top half of the field for the first time.

Race

Three cars non-started due to technical issues, but a highly impressive train of 38 cars took to the track for the rolling start by which time the rain had intensified making for a potentially tricky race.

Warren Allen took an immediate lead in his Cayman, soon opening up an 8 second gap to second, and finally finishing over a minute ahead of second after another excellent drive.

All the action was behind Warren, with a fast starting Grant Jackson initially in P2, but losing this to Paul Simpson halfway round the opening lap. Grant was soon embroiled in a frantic duel with Andrew Duce in the Boxster, Jamie McHugh in his SP1 944 Turbo and Vincent Brewer in his bright yellow Boxster for 3rd place. Slightly further back Tim Bates was making progress in his 911 and soon joined the party. Jamie made it to the front of this group, and set off in pursuit of Paul Simpson, but was being pursued by Tim Bates who was flying in the 911.

A few seconds back was a group of SP2 cars that would go on to scrap for most of the race over the lower top 10 positions  with Ryan Charters, Will Curtler and Baz Darcy to the fore, soon being joined by the 968CS of Steve Atkinson.

By the end of the race Duce was a comfortable SP2 victor, with Will Curtler 2nd a few seconds ahead of Ryan Charters and the Felix/Stephen Archer Boxster next up after Baz Darcy retired just before the end.

Also making early progress was Peter Dilnot in his SP1 996 having started from the pitlane, and rapidly carving his way through the lower orders. He made good progress, finishing 11th overall despite a lurid spin down the Craner Curves at the end of the race which lost him some places.

In SP3, Nick Rinylo was never headed, taking a debut class win and an impressive 8th overall in his 911, a lap ahead of Theo Bridgeman-Williams in his 944S2 and Dan Crego’s familiar 968. Rich Gravestock was right in the mix of the SP3 battle, briefly as high as 2nd, but fading to 5th by the flag after a spin, with 4th taken by the Kevin Childs / James Gornall 968 which was really moving after the pitstops and setting class fastest lap some 4 seconds quicker than the next SP3.

After the pitstops it was all change behind leader Warren Allen. The track was drying and Tim Bates had fought his way up to P2, ahead of Jamie McHugh and Grant Jackson. Slightly further back Paul Simpson was clawing back time lost at his pitstop as the top 4 closed up.

As the race drew to a close, Bates pulled out a small lead on McHugh and Simpson who continued to swap positions with Jackson a few seconds behind. With 2 minutes to go, Simpson was on Bates’ tail for 2nd until a last lap spin let McHugh through for 3rd. He recovered, but a couple of corners later came together with a spinning Steve Atkinson’s 968, causing a red flag and the end of the race.

SP4 finished the way it started with the Valentine/Hornsey comfortable winners ahead of Hugh Peart.

Our next round will take place on the Brands Hatch GP circuit on Saturday 17th May where we share the grid with Bernie’s V8s and Outlaws.

Text: John Broadley, photos: Sean Mulcahy.