Challenging Rookie Year for Walero ambassador Lewis Plato in Porsche Carrera Cup GB

2016 presented a brand new challenge for Lewis after he signed to compete in the highly competitive Porsche Carrera Cup GB with the front running Redline Racing team and capped the year off superbly by securing the runner-up Rookie classification.

His first taste of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car was during a three-day test in Guadix, Spain. It proved to be a productive test despite limited running owing to the changeable weather conditions. Lewis Plato added: “I started off the year testing in Spain. We had expected the weather to be reasonable in January, but it was freezing and changeable, so we only had limited running in the end. It proved to be a useful test though and I was able to start understanding the car more.

The season proper kicked off in April, and it was to be a learning curve year for Lewis. Despite running consistently within the top six and taking his best result of the year at Knockhill, where he posted the fastest time in free practice on his first visit to the Scottish circuit

“There were some great moments and some frustrating times as well,” said the British driver who had to settle for the runner-up Rookie spot in the championship standings when the season ended at Brands Hatch in October.

Said Lewis: “After such a promising start I was very disappointed that I was unable to come away without a podium finish this year. We begun the season pretty well considering this was my first time behind the wheel of a Porsche GT3 car. I managed to keep out of trouble for the most part and brought the car home regularly. Qualifying was an area where I struggled initially, however towards the end of the year I was certainly getting more out of the car on slick tyres than I had at the beginning of the season. Each circuit had a different challenge so despite being disappointed I know that I have made a huge amount of progress. To be racing with some of the best professional drivers in the UK is quite an achievement and I am now preparing for 2017. I will for sure use all of my experience and knowledge and cannot wait to see what next season has to offer.”

Lewis would like to thank his partners: Juniper, BML, telent, Brookvex, Corbeau Seats and Walero Base Layers for their continued commitment and support.