PORSCHE CARRERA CUP 2024 PRO CHAMPION - GEORGE GAMBLE
Just about a perfect ending to the season, with Rosland Gold Racing by Century Motorsport driver George Gamble taking the Pro Champion mantle.
It was a fairly mixed start to the weekend meeting at Brands Hatch GP circuit, with Saturday’s qualification seeing George Gamble take a grid position of P6 and Will Burns a bit further back in P11 in class after not getting an unhindered hot lap. With four of the grid’s drivers all in with a shout of Pro Champion finish, there were some mixed feelings and thoughts in the garages in the paddock.
Race One saw not much change in the top of until the leader spun out at Paddock Hill after a few laps. Some manoeuvring for the top 4 saw George Gamble get his splitter taken off by a fellow driver cutting back across, meaning downforce lost for the rest of the race. It was a P6 finish for George, and P18 (P11 in class) finish for Will Burns after he was spun off and came back on further back in the order during the race. Disappointing as he has been grabbing some places before the push off.
Hope of a 6-ball being pulled out the hat so the front 6 drivers would reverse position for Race Two was in vain as the 5-ball was pulled out. The top 5 finishes in Race One would reverse positions, with George Gamble now staying in P6 for the race start. Will Burns started P18. With very light misty rain arriving 30mins before the race, and it not easing off, it was a wet tyre choice for the race for everyone. The driving from both the Rosland Gold cars in this Race 2 was literally fantastic. Whilst George Gamble worked his way through each of the 5 cars in front of him to take the lead with some 8 laps left, Will Burns had an absolutely unbelievable drive – his best of the season – to come from P18 right up to a P4 finish. Quite remarkable. George also managed to take the fastest laap of the race, getting an extra point for that.
So George Gamble finished top of the table – Pro Champion! Champagne was sprayed on the podium and a photo session was soon in play back at the paddock garage. After some bad luck thru’ the season with the car shutting down on the last lap while leading in Round 3 on Brands Hatch Indy, then starting at the back for Round 4, then being knocked off at Croft while in P2, then starting at the back for the second race there – and then not even getting a qualifying time at Donington after contact in the out lap meaning starting at the back there as well – it was even more of a very well-earned and genuinely deserved championship win for George Gamble. Massive respect and applause earnt and duly given.
A fantastic finale to the season – with both drivers putting in top-top drives in that final race.