Monza - 2.0Ltr Cup

The 5th and penultimate round of the 2 Litre Cup made its way to Italy’s “Temple of Speed” Monza over the weekend of the 20-22 September as part of the Monza Historic Festival with Peter Auto. This hotly contested championship sees 30 odd identical pre-1966 2 Litre 911s doing battle across Europe.

At the start of the weekend DK’s Harvey Stanley and client Richard Cook held a strong lead in the Gentleman Driver Championship and were 3rd in the overall standings. Showing great pace right from the off, the pair managed almost identical lap times qualifying their 901 5th on the grid and fastest “Gents”.

Harvey in the car first and a good getaway saw him overtake the 4th placed car of Pascar Pandelaar entering the first chicane side by side with championship leader Mark Sumpter. Sumpter, with the better line, held on to 3rd place forcing Harvey to work harder. A great battle ensued over the opening laps before Harvey managed to make a nice move stick.

By this point the leaders both in “Historika” prepared cars were several seconds ahead. Harvey in the Tuthill prepared car proceeded to chase down Andrew Smith and another series of place-swapping laps saw Harvey get ahead and then clear of Smith. Next up the road was Andrew Kirkaldy but a safety car helped Harvey catch him before the pit stop window.

Richard Cook took the hot seat with around 35 minutes to go - in the lead but being chased hard by Andrew Kirkaldy, Olly Bryant and Andrew Jordan. With five Le Mans 24 hour Starts and one British Touring Car championship between them, there could hardly have been a more talented or experienced pack of chasers!

Andrew Jordan piloting the championship leading car of Sumpter and Bryant sharing Smiths car which won the 2018 championship. Jordan was chasing especially hard and fast. Despite negotiating back marker traffic, Richard remained 1st with consistent and fast lap times. So much so, Jordan pushed so hard that on the final lap,3 seconds behind Cook, he broke his own gear lever.

An incredible win for series newcomers Richard and Harvey, having virtually wrapped up the Gent driver championship so far. They now head into the final round at Paul Ricard, 2nd in the championship - level on points with Bryant and Smith.

Images with thanks to ©Nat Twiss