Nationwide Accident Repairs Services continued their incredible run as the most successful sponsor in Porsche Carrera Cup GB history with their 56th win, as Dino Zamparelli started his season off with victory from pole position at Brands Hatch and followed up with a podium in race two.
Dino was untouchable in qualifying to secure pole position and made a strong start in wet conditions during race one to open up a 10 second gap to the rest of the field. From that point on he made sure to keep a cool head on the road, and while passing slower cars, to ensure he brought the Nationwide Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car home first on track.
“It was a good day’s work,” said Dino. “We focused in practice on qualifying and race one, I’m really pleased we got pole by two tenths and got the win. Today wasn’t the easiest conditions to have the races in. To get race one underway and dominate in the way we wanted to was awesome.”
In race two, the first reverse grid race in Carrera Cup, Dino started from fifth position and swiftly made his way into fourth. After a safety car period he took third as then-leader Lewis Plato slid off track but was unable to make further progress when another incident caused a second safety car and the race to be red flagged.
“Race two was all about keeping out of the barriers," said Dino. “It wasn’t easy, there was lots of backmarkers, lots of rain, there was so much going on. I drove well for a reverse grid race at Brands Hatch Indy, which isn’t easy, and got a third place. To show we could overtake on the tightest circuit on the calendar is good.
“I felt the Nationwide Redline Racing Porsche was really strong but it wasn't worth firing the car down the inside and risk losing a haul of points. We took the points, kept a cool head and I’m happy with the result. It is all positive for Donington Park in a few weeks. I’m looking forward to it, we have awesome pace and we’ll keep learning."
"I had lots of sponsors present on the day so it was great to entertain everyone and enjoy the first win of the year. Hopefully, lots more to come and I'm excited to get to Donington Park in a few weeks which is a wider circuit, and thus overtaking for race two should be a bit easier!"
Everyone will be hoping to maintain the momentum going into Rounds 3 & 4 at Donington Park on the 28th and 29th April.
Championship Table - Top 5:
1. Dino Zamparelli - 20 points
2. Tio Ellinas - 18 points
3. George Gamble - 16 points
4. Lewis Plato - 12 points
5. Jamie Orton - 7 points
