HALLIDAY’S MIXED FORTUNES IN VALENCIA PORSCHE MOBIL 1 SUPERCUP
New Zealand racing driver Matt Halliday has experienced mixed fortunes in the latest round of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup held in Valencia (Spain) last night. The Californian based Kiwi star knew he was going into a tough weekend on the difficult street circuit and finished in 12th place mainly owing to a set back after Saturday’s qualifying.
Although he had never driven the circuit before, qualifying provided initial elation for Giltrap Racing when Halliday recorded an impressive
lap time after saving his new tyres for a last minute single lap attempt. However, disappointment was to follow when his fastest time was disallowed by officials adjudging him to have driven over a curb and restricting him to 15th place on the starting grid.
Halliday felt he was inside the curb but accepted the decision as part of the risk in setting a single fast lap time then set about driving a consistent race knowing there would be few overtaking possibilities. After making another good start, he was again forced to take action when cars ahead collided on the opening lap causing him to lose places already gained:
"The start was a bit chaotic so it is annoying to get a good start only to then lose places through somebody else’s stupidity. Obviously qualifying proved to be the biggest setback but we just learn and move on – at least our race pace was good so I’m really looking forward to Silverstone in two weeks time” explained he after the race.
In preparation for the British round of the Porsche Supercup, Halliday and the MRS team will undertake testing at Germany’s Hockenheim circuit later this week. The next round of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup will be held on July 11th at the British Formula 1 Grand Prix being held on the historic Silverstone circuit near Northampton.
