Harper Stays With JTR and eyes 2019 Carrera Cup Title
At just seventeen years of age, Harper excelled in his first season of senior competition this year as he gelled instantly with his 485hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car and the JTR team, who are led by Le Mans 24 Hours winner Nick Tandy.
Taking a podium finish in only his third race in the series at Donington Park, Harper went on to record five more top three results including sensational race victories at Oulton Park and Knockhill on his way to fifth in the final championship standings.
The Hillsborough based racer’s stunning raw pace was highlighted by the fact he impressively took more pole positions and fastest laps than anyone else on the grid, while he starred with thrilling race craft and impressive overtaking moves.
Harper’s success helped JTR to title glory in the Teams’ Championship, with the Bedford-based squad taking a total of eight race wins and 22 podium finishes as all three of their drivers finished in the top five of the points standings.
Daniel Harper: “I’m delighted to be staying with JTR for a second season in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB. We had some good offers from other teams in the paddock, but after a brilliant year together in 2018, it was an easy decision to stay with JTR. The team are full of great people and their support, hard work and attention to detail was key to my development as a driver through my maiden season. Their car preparation was faultless all year and they always gave me a fast race car. I’m proud of the brilliant results we enjoyed and I feel we’ve got a strong platform to build upon for next season. I want to be out there winning races from the off and I’m confident that together we can mount a challenge for the overall title. Bring it on!”
Nick Tandy – JTR Team Principal: “Daniel is a sensational prospect as a driver and tying things up for him to re-join JTR in 2019 has been of high importance for us ever since the season ended. With a year’s worth of experience, everything is there to mount a title challenge.
“Daniel showed in the second half of the 2018 season that he has really got on top of the Porsche and was more often than not the fastest driver in the championship. The whole team is really looking forward to working with Daniel and his partners next year. We were incredibly proud to win the Teams’ title in 2018 and we are now determined to defend our crown next year as well as going one better to win the Carrera Cup GB Drivers’ Championship for the first time, and Daniel is a key part of these goals.”
2019 will be the Dromore High School student’s fourth consecutive season competing on the highest profile and most popular race package in the UK, the support bill for the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.
The third longest running series in the world behind F1 and Nascar, the BTCC attracts on average 38,000 fans per race weekend and a total television audience of over 19 million through the year with its live coverage on ITV4.
The 2019 calendar will see the Carrera Cup GB join the BTCC for seven meetings, including an exciting return to Thruxton, as well as a special trip to Spain and the Circuit de Catalunya in support of the European Le Mans Series.
Alongside his racing, Harper’s role as Porsche GB Junior will see him represent the marque at a number of events through the year, including the Autosport International Show, Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Festival of Porsche.
Just this past weekend, Harper marked his eighteenth birthday in style by representing Porsche GB in Germany, enjoying a guided tour of the Porsche Factory and Museum before attending the marque’s Day of Champions celebrations.
Harper is currently finalising deals with sponsors for the 2019 season and is excited to announce those in due course, while he is always looking for new companies to come on-board and join the team as he continues his blossoming motorsport career.
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