Rounds 15&16 PCCGB Brands Hatch Race Report
Century Motorsport – Brands Hatch Finale: Rackstraw Crowned Champion in Intense Final 2 Rounds
The final weekend of the 2025 Porsche Carrera Cup GB at Brands Hatch was a fitting climax to a season of razor‑thin margins, tenacious duels, and unflinching consistency. For Century Motorsport, it was jubilation as our driver Andrew Rackstraw clinched the championship in dramatic fashion, while the team also sealed the entrants’ title.
Championship Context & Stakes
Heading into the final double header, two drivers remained in realistic contention for the Pro class crown: Andrew Rackstraw and Will Martin (Eden Motorsport). Every point, every overtaking move, every grid position would matter.
Century Motorsport entered with the dual objective: secure the drivers’ title with Andrew, and ensure the team title. The pressure was immense — not just for the driver, but for every crew member in the pit lane. We had to deliver under fire.
Race 15 (Round 15):
- Pole & Start: Our Rosland Gold by Century GT3 Cup qualified well, and George Gamble (our other entry) secured pole. But at the start, Gamble was slow off the line, allowing Smith to surge ahead.
- Early Battles: Sid Smith (Team Parker Racing) took the lead early, while Andrew slotted in among the frontrunners. Martin, Whiteside, and others were tight in the mid-pack, with the championship fight heating up immediately.
- Rackstraw’s Charge: Andrew pushed hard, attacking Martin and Whiteside through the early laps. He managed to sneak past Martin briefly before Martin reclaimed it — but the message was clear: he would be a force.
- Team Tactics & Compression: Gamble, running ahead, appeared to play a role in compressing Martin’s pace, offering subtle support to help Andrew stay in the fight. That bouquet of strategic nuance was part of the game.
- Finish: Smith took the win, with Gamble second and Martin third. Andrew crossed in P4, keeping his title hopes alive for the final race.
- Angus Whiteside, Henry Dawes and Carl Cavers all put in consistent performances again coming home P5, P6 in class and P2 in class respectively.
- Reverse Grid Draw: As per series rules, the top six reversed their grid positions for Race 16, meaning our starting strategy for the final race would be crucial.
After the race, the grid reversal meant Max Coates would start Race 16 from pole.
Race 16 (Round 16): Title Decider
- Lights Out & Opening Laps
Coates led into Paddock Hill Bend, with Rackstraw and Martin in close pursuit. Andrew and Martin battled side-by-side for second, while Whiteside slipped back slightly. - Mid‑race Drama & Penalties
As laps progressed, Andrew’s car became slightly unsettled in Paddock Hill, allowing rivals a chance to mount attacks. Gamble and Smith overtook him, pushing him down into fifth. With Gamble also carrying a five‑second penalty for track limits, the permutations in the championship standings shifted dynamically. - With adjusted times in play, Andrew remained just two points ahead of Martin in the championship, meaning any further slip could cost him the title.
- Final Laps & Tactical Drive
In the closing stages, Andrew held firm under pressure. He regained composure, maintained pace, and kept out of trouble. Coates ultimately took the chequered flag. Martin crossed in 2nd, and Smith completed the top three. Andrew finished fourth overall, securing enough points to be crowned champion — by a narrow two‑point margin!
- Emotional Victory
As the results were confirmed, the Century Motorsport crew exhaled. Rackstraw’s calm, strategic drive under pressure had paid off. He delivered what the team had worked for all season — the driver’s and entrants’ title.
- It was another solid drive from Angus who caps off his season with a P5, Henry also jumped up into P5 in class and in his final battle with Beeson, Carl Cavers came out on top to finish P1 in class!
Reflections & Significance
- Consistency & Composure
Over 16 races, Andrew scored in every event, handling pressure, penalties, grid reversals, and close competition. That composure and avoidance of big errors was the bedrock of his success.
- Team Title
Alongside the drivers’ crown, we secured the Teams’ Championship, validating the depth and strength of our operation. - Close Margin
Winning by just two points underscores how fine the margins are in one‑make racing. Every lap, every overtake, every decision counted.
Brands Hatch Summary
When the season began, few might have predicted that our driver would take the crown in such dramatic fashion. But through grit, intelligence, and determination, Andrew Rackstraw has brought home the 2025 Porsche Carrera Cup GB title for Rosland Gold by Century Motorsport.
To the crew, engineers, support staff, and everyone behind the scenes — this is your title as much as his. To Andrew — the pressure was immense, but you delivered when it mattered most.
We celebrate today, tomorrow, we begin planning how to defend it.
