"I hope this gives me the credibility and opportunity to continue excelling” - Jodie Sloss has stepped onto the podium in each of her three outings in Porsche Open Cup, this time claiming a podium at Brands Hatch Indy circuit in significantly older and less powerful machinery than most of her competition.
Jodie Sloss has closed out the Porsche Open Cup season with her third podium finish, this time coming on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit. Competing for Race Drive, Sloss has stepped onto the podium in each of her three outings for the team driving a 2010 Porsche 991 cup car significantly older and less powerful than most of her competitors.
After finishing fourth in races one and two, Jodie improved to third in race three and steadily reduced the gap to the race winner throughout the day.
Arriving at Brands Hatch looking to add to her impressive podium tally in the Porsche Open Cup, Jodie was targeting a fast start in qualifying on Sunday morning. Improving her times throughout the 20 minute session, Sloss set the fourth fastest time with her best time coming on her final lap of the session, suggesting further improvements could be made during the three races. Jodie’s second fastest time was also fast enough for a second row starting position which would give her a great chance to fight for the podium.
Starting race one from fourth, Jodie made a good start and held her position at the end of lap one, racing in close proximity to her rivals ahead - who were running newer versions of the Porsche 991 machine. In the opening exchanges, Sloss did well to build a gap behind her which she kept extending during the first half of the race.
Lapped traffic was an added challenge which Jodie encountered as early as lap nine, with the Scottish racer dealing superbly with the slower cars. On lap 13, Sloss ran her personal best time which was faster than her quickest lap from qualifying. Pushing on in the second half of the race, Jodie remained in fourth and following another fastest lap, closed the race out smartly to take the checkered flag fourth in race one.
Lining up fourth courtesy of her second fastest time in qualifying, the leaders ran in close proximity in the early stages with Jodie just two tenths of a second behind her nearest rival at the end of lap two. Sloss continued to apply pressure and fight with newer specifications of Porsche 911 cup cars, remaining less than half a second away from a podium position on lap six.
Managing tyre degradation was another challenge for Jodie with high track temperatures at Brands Hatch allowing her to develop a crucial skill. On lap 14, just half a second separated second to fourth with Sloss within touching distance of her first podium of the weekend. Unable to make a move in the closing stages, it was a second fourth place finish of the day for Jodie who gained valuable mileage in the Porsche Open Cup.
With the Porsche Open Cup featured on the package for the MSVR Festival of Porsche, this meant drivers were given a third race at Brands Hatch. Completing the first lap in third, Jodie was keen to hold onto a podium position while pushing for her first overall victory. As the leaders battled ahead, Sloss hung onto the two drivers ahead and on lap 10, she remained just three seconds from the race lead.
A spirited performance on old tyres saw Jodie cross the line in third to add to her podium tally in the Porsche Open Cup. Her consistency in race three was particularly impressive, with every one of Jodie’s 24 flying laps within one second of her best time.
“Despite being my first time racing on this circuit, I was thrilled to be showcasing my exciting potential in the Porsche 991 GT3", Jodie told us. "Along with my strong determination and passion heading into 2024, I hope this gives me the credibility and opportunity to continue excelling.”
Jodie’s performances in the Porsche Open Cup have been commendable in light of her limited circuit racing experience prior to this season. The step up to drive a Porsche 991 Cup car has been a smooth one for the Scottish racer who has claimed silverware at every event she has entered in the 2023 season.
“I’m grateful for the endless encouragement from my team, family and sponsors, all of whom have supported me into the driver I am today” - she concluded.
Sloss will be keen to return to GT racing in the future having impressed in her limited outings this season, with the Porsche Open Cup providing the perfect platform for her to hone her skills.