BTCC Crazy

Harvey Leaves Porsche Carrera Cup GB

Tim Harvey has quit his race seat in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB for the remaining UK races. He will be replaced at Motorbase Performance by Kieran Vernon for the rest of the season, beginning this weekend (4th/5th June) when the championship visits Oulton Park in Cheshire.

Harvey, the defending champion, is the most successful driver in the championship’s history having won on 35 occasions and secured 106 podium finishes. However, he has endured a lacklustre start to his title defence, currently sitting eighth in the championship, with a best result of third, 68 points adrift of current pace setter James Sutton. This is in stark contrast to twelve months ago when he had won five of the first six races. This drop in performance is believed to be the main reason behind his decision to step down.

Harvey’s other motivation is to allow Vernon the opportunity to at last take his place on the gird having won the scholarship but been unable to fulfil the financial commitments required to compete for the full campaign.

Harvey will get back behind the wheel of his Carrera Cup car in Germany, for the Porsche Carrera World Cup which will be held at the Nürburgring on the 25th June. He will continue to represent his team and sponsors at every remaining UK event as well as providing driver coaching for Vernon and commentating on the British Touring Car races for ITV4.

Article originally written on Tuesday, 31 May 2011. Read more articles from the BTCC Crazy Archive.