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Harvey steps down from Porsche Carrera Cup GB 2011

31st May 2011 Print
Tim Harvey

Tim Harvey, the 2008 and 2010 Porsche Carrera Cup champion and the most successful driver in Carrera Cup GB history with 35 wins and 106 podiums, is stepping down from driving in this year’s Porsche Carrera Cup GB.  Following disappointing results in the first three race meetings due, Harvey believes, to the revised regulations introduced this season, Harvey has decided to create an opportunity for a young driver to share the driving seat in the Nationwide sponsored car.
 
“Having seen the data from the first six races, I know that I am simply not able to compete at the same level I have over the past seven years in the Porsche Carrera Cup. I think it better to pass the opportunity to someone who richly deserves to be on the grid this year and will be able to gain invaluable experience competing in the championship,” said Harvey.
 
The new driver for the Nationwide/Motorbase car is 21 year old Kieran Vernon who will replace Harvey from the next race at Oulton Park and for the remaining races in the series. Harvey will however compete in the Carrera World Cup at the Nurburgring in June in what may be his last Porsche Carrera Cup race. “I hope to compete competitively once again in the Carrera Cup in future but, if not, I cannot imagine a better race to end my eight year Carrera Cup association,” said Harvey.
 
Vernon who, along with Benji Hetherington, won a Porsche Scholarship for this year but was unable to take up his opportunity due to lack of funding said “I can’t thank Tim, Nationwide and Motorbase enough for giving me this opportunity. Winning the Porsche Scholarship was the proudest moment of my career and being unable to take it up, my worst moment! I aim to do Tim and all his sponsors proud in the Number One car and can’t wait for Oulton Park. With Tim’s guidance and help I couldn’t be learning from a better man, and I hope to be up-to-speed very quickly.”
 
Harvey will continue to represent Nationwide and all his sponsors at the race meetings as well as driver coaching Kieran who will test prior to the Oulton meeting.
 
Michael Wilmshurst, Chief Executive of Nationwide, commented, “After Tim’s success last year, it was disappointing when we realised that the new regulations would make him less competitive in 2011. Having worked together for a number of years, Tim is part of the team here at Nationwide, and we are sad that he will not be behind the wheel of the Nationwide car for the remainder of the season – although we completely understand, accept and support the decision he has made. However, we will continue to work closely with Tim to support Kieran for the rest of 2011, and are delighted that we have such an impressive driver in the Nationwide car.  As an organisation, we are always keen to give young, talented people an opportunity to succeed, so we’re delighted to welcome Kieran onboard.”

For more information about Nationwide visit nationwiderepairs.co.uk.

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Tim Harvey