Motorbase Performance celebrated a superb double podium on the legendary Silverstone GP circuit last weekend, with Lewis Plato and Dan Vaughan collecting a podium apiece during rounds 11 and 12 of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB (August 31/September 1).
With the single-marque series racing alongside the FIA World Endurance Championship for the first time since 2016, the Kent-based squad claimed 4 pieces of the silverware overall on the iconic 3.7 mile track. Taking third-place podiums in both races, David Bartrum’s outfit also collected the Team of the Weekend award, with Dan Vaughan taking the coveted Driver of the Weekend honours.
Mixed results for the Motorbase duo in qualifying saw the drivers split across the starting grid for race 1. A strong start from Plato from the second-row saw the Essex-racer maintain position in tricky, damp, conditions to take P3 at the flag, securing his seventh podium of the season.
Having struggled to hook-up the car in practice and qualifying, Vaughan came alive in the weekend opener, scything his way through the field from P12 to make up an impressive seven places on the tightly-contested grid to bring the #55 Porsche 911 home in P5.
Starting from P2 for Sunday’s second race, Plato made an outstanding charge off the line to challenge Gamble for the lead, before contact with Harper forced the #11 Porsche down to 4th. Further drama on lap 8 with Plato and Harper coming together for a second time relegated him further, and the 26-year-old eventually crossed the line in P5.
Having made his way into podium contention on the opening lap, Vaughan’s fight-back continued in race two. A commanding drive through from fifth to third was rewarded with a return to the rostrum for the New-Forest-based driver. Proudly collecting silverware for his second podium finish of the year, Vaughan also secured the Driver of the Weekend trophy.
#11 Lewis Plato:
“We arrived at Silverstone on the back foot with the other front runners having had the benefit of racing on the GP circuit in the Supercup a few weeks ago. I’d like to think when we return to the National layout it will be more of an even playing field for everyone and we can get back to the front of the pack.
“We’ve really had the upper hand on Webster all season, but this weekend he’s closed the gap to us. So the plan is get that back. Race hard and clean in the next two meetings and finish off the season with a strong second in the championship.”
#55 Dan Vaughan:
“Silverstone was a great weekend. We struggled on Friday and in qualifying but the team worked hard and we found a set-up that worked well for us in the races. We had a good race car, even if the outright pace in qualifying wasn’t as good.
“It’s a really important part of the championship for us to have that points score. I can’t wait to get back out on the National circuit in a few weeks and try and go one or two better.”
Results:
#11 Lewis Plato:
Qualifying: P3
Round 11: P3
Round 12: P5
#55 Dan Vaughan:
Qualifying: P12
Round 11: P5
Round 12: P3
Pro Category
1 Dan Harper JTR 1.32 points
2 Lewis Plato Motorbase Performance 79 points
5 Dan Vaughan Motorbase Performance 46 points
Teams Championship
1 JTR 313 points
2 Motorbase Performance 297 points
3 Amigos Redline Racing 264 points
