Kingsley Claims First Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada Win

Jeff Kinglsey claimed his first ever victory in Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Yokohama in the opening race of the season at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park on Saturday.

The Policaro Motorsport driver led lights-to-flag in Race 1 at CTMP after starting from pole, scoring not only his first series win but his first podium too.

The Ontario native is pulling double duty this year between GT3 Cup Challenge Canada and its USA counterpart – Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama – but had previously only scored a best finish of fourth in both series.

He fended off Parker Thomson during the final ten minutes of Saturday morning’s 45-minute contest, with the SCB Racing driver ending up finishing runner-up, 1.104 seconds behind.

“We got a good start today, got the big jump and I think we were about 2.5 seconds clear, then with some lapped traffic, he started to close the gap,” said Kingsley.

“Towards the end, he was really putting the pressure down. We’re teammates down in The States so we know each other a little bit, but he stayed clean and so did I and ultimately came away with a win.

“It was a lot of pressure, mentally and physically, I’m exhausted right now, so I’m looking forward to celebrating this one with the guys and the Policaro Motorsport/Porsche Centre Oakville/Liqui Moly car was unbelievable today and I hope for the same tomorrow.”

Kingsley will start first in Race 2 on Sunday at 11:55 a.m. EDT.

Finishing third and capturing the first Platinum Masters win of the season was Marco Cirone in the No. 88 Mark Motors Racing Porsche.

As Kingsley and Thompson battled, Cirone was able to close in, but not quite enough to join in. Cirone crossed the stripe 1.934 seconds behind Kingsley.

Cirone’s teammate, Roman De Angelis in the No. 79 Porsche, scored the Yokohama Tire Hard Charger Award for gaining the most positions in the race.

Starting 14th on the grid, De Angelis moved up 10 spots to fourth, salvaging a good points day for the team.

In his debut at his home track, Sam Fellows – son of sports car legend Ron Fellows – won his first GT3 Cup Challenge Canada race in the Gold class in the No. 35 Pfaff Motorsports Porsche.

RESULTS: Race 1