As the series headed north to Oulton Park in Cheshire for rounds thirteen and fourteen it was going to prove a tough race for Ed Pead in the hottest conditions of the championship.

“When I was told about appearing in the guest car I was so happy.  To get this drive means so much and I hope I can do a really good job for the Team”, Pead commented before the weekend.

On the official Friday test day Pead ended up seventh overall, 1.2 seconds off quickest man Tim Harvey.  “My aim for testing was to get within one second of the quickest guys.  Considering I’m in the 07 car I think I did a pretty good job.  I’m looking forward to Qualifying where I know I can go a little quicker”.

During Saturday’s qualifying Pead held the top sixth place he was looking for right up to the dying seconds when he was pipped by three drivers ending his first Porsche Cup qualifying in ninth place.

From the start of race one he made a good impression and after the first lap he was already up to seventh place.  He battled hard with team-mate Paul O’Neill until on lap ten his right rear wheel collapsed on the entry to Cascades, a fast fourth-gear left-hander, and ended up in the gravel just stopping before the barrier, “I really didn’t have much time to think.  As soon as I touched the brake the car pitched round and I was in the gravel, I’m lucky not to have hit the barrier which means I can concentrate on tomorrow’s race".

Starting from the fifth row, Pead drove a great first lap following O’Neill to end up eighth.  As the field flew into the second lap it was Phil Quaife, O’Neill and Pead nose to tail.  “I could see the two infront battling hard so I just waited for my moment.  It finally came on lap ten when I managed to outdrag Paul out of the hairpin and took him into Knickerbrook.  I could see Paul falling back so I reeled in Quaife and then took him at the chicane on lap twelve".  Quaife had to pit with a puncture as did his team-mate, Sam Hancock which elevated Pead to fifth.

It was a strong performance for Pead in his first showing of the Porsche 997 GT3 Cup car and delivered an impressive drive from ninth on the grid “I really would like to thank Marion for giving me this opportunity and now I would really like to compete in the remaining races where I can build on this weekend’s performance”.
 

Be sure to check out the other photos from this years' events in the Photo Gallery.