A STAMFORDHAM-BASED motor racing driver took second place in the British GT Championship's blue riband Silverstone 500 race.

Matthew Graham (25) and Ross Wylie, of Thornhill near Dumfries, swept their Valluga Racing Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport to the podium on May 8.

The duo, contesting the GT4S category, were sharing driving duties of the AL-2 Teknik UK supported Porsche for the first time.

Wylie started the three-hour race from fourth in the GT4S class in the 34-car field. He set a searing pace and claimed the class lead at the end of the first hour of racing.

READ MORE: https://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/20122245.al-2-teknik-uk-supports-matthew-grahams-return-british-gt-championship/

Current Porsche Carrera Cup GB championship leader Graham took over from Wylie with just over an hour gone, resuming second in class. He consistently set scorching lap times and re-took the class lead just after mid-distance.

Hexham Courant:

Wylie was briefly back behind the wheel of the striking liveried Porsche before making a final compulsory pit-stop, switching back to Graham, with 30 minutes remaining, who re-joined sixth in class, recording an excellent third place at the chequered flag – demoted from second with just five minutes remaining. 

However, after time penalties had been applied from the previous races, the Graham/Wylie Porsche was classified second in GT4S and third overall in GT4.

"I got everything I wanted from today’s race – second place is so good, and I can’t thank everyone enough – Ross, the Valluga team and of course, AL-2 Teknik UK, because without its support, I wouldn’t be in the Porsche", said Graham. “Driving it for the first time was a steep learning curve but I couldn’t be happier.

"We can all be very proud of what we achieved. My first stint was a long one and very hot work. We were battling the entire race. Roll on Donington!”

Round 4 is at Donnington Park on May 29.

NGE PyroDry plus Carronbridge Sawmill (Thornhill) are also race partners.