Rookie Carrera Cup Yorkshireman Sam Tordoff

Rookie Carrera Cup Yorkshireman Sam Tordoff

Rookie Carrera Cup Yorkshireman Sam Tordoff took third place from among the British drivers this weekend (25 June) in the inaugural Porsche Carrera World Cup, billed as the greatest Porsche race of all time.

Around 100 competitors from 25 countries took part in the World Cup on the legendary Nurburgring-Nordschleife in Germany’s Eifel region. Although one of the most beautiful race tracks in the world, the course is dubbed the ‘green hell’ and wet conditions made negotiating its 88 corners even more challenging.

Despite this, 22 year old Tordoff took strong results in one of the most prestigious race of the year, finishing in 20th place overall. Although he lost out in a battle for third on the road, Tordoff was given back the position after the driver in front was penalised for overtaking under yellow flags. It was the culmination of a strong weekend for the ex-Renault Clio race winner.

The field included not only cars and drivers from the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup, but also the Porsche Carrera Cups of Germany, Great Britain, France, Italy and Scandinavia, all of whom counted this race towards the championship of their respective series.

“I would have been further up the grid, but had to slow for yellow flags,” Tordoff said. “But I’m very happy with the race. This track has a unique character – it goes from being the best track in the world when it’s dry to the scariest when it’s wet! It was difficult to know how hard to push, but I needed this. I’ve had a few bad races and this has put me back where I belong.”

Tordoff’s fellow Team Parker Racing rookie, Richard Plant took up eighth place from the back of the grid. Team principal Stuart Parker added, “Sam did a cracking job and kept his nose out of trouble. He’s learned so much from this, Richard bounced back from a difficult start to the weekend and overcame adversity to race from the back.”

Former British Karting Champion Tordoff, who works for his family’s Bradford-based car retail business JCT600, follows in the footsteps of his grandfather Jack Tordoff who also raced at a professional standard. Jack competed successfully in cars including the Porsche 911 throughout a long racing and rallying career winning the International Circuit of Ireland Rally in a Porsche 911 in 1973.

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