A lot can happen in the course of a motorsports friendship. Especially when, as in the case of Stuart Parker and Patrick de Groot, you’ve known each other for over 14 years. The British team manager and the Dutch race engineer met for the first time in 2007, when they were on different sides in the Supercup.

 

A lot has happened since then. Both men led their racing teams Team Parker Racing and Revs Motorsport to success in numerous motorsport series – from national Carrera Cups to endurance championships. In the process, the manager Parker increasingly relied on the expertise of his engineering genius friend De Groot.

In 2020, De Groot was part of Stuart Parker's team for the entire Carrera Cup Great Britain season, a decision that paid off in results: Team Parker Racing won 13 of 16 races and finished first in almost all classifications, with 3 team licenses and a total of 6 Porsche 911 GT3 Cups. With the young, talented driver Harry King, the team secured the champion's title, while the ProAm Classification was won by Esmee Hawkey, the woman behind the wheel of Parker’s 911 GT3 Cup. The team also dominated the AM and Team Classification in what Stuart Parker calls a "stellar year."

Energized by their success, they were inspired to transfer their winning formula in the national series to the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. To this end, the two friends founded their first joint team in 2020: Parker Revs Motorsport. Patrick de Groot brings a wealth of experience in the Porsche Supercup to the table – among other things assisting British driver Richard Westbrook to back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007.

 

His focus is on victory, and to this end he configures each car to the special characteristics of its driver. Stuart's passion is managing the team. It’s not an easy task in times of Brexit and a global pandemic, especially for a British team. Persistence and willpower are vital – virtues that make the team led by the two racing veterans what it is: a very serious opponent.

The current Carrera Cup Great Britain Champion, #17 Harry King (GBR), will be competing for the Leicestershire team in the Rookie Classification. This time, however, with the best international Porsche one-make series drivers breathing down his neck. Then we can find out just how good he really is.

The goal for Parker Revs Motorsport is to establish themselves as a competitive team in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup as quickly as possible. Patrick de Groot sees a lot of potential, particularly in the new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. All the drivers and teams are in the same boat: they have to get used to the new tech – and do it fast! For Stuart, this level playing field is what makes the series so appealing. Read more in the interview we conducted at the official Season Test in Monza before the start of the season.

Hello Stuart – you’re new to the series.

Why don’t you introduce yourself to the fans?

I’m Stuart Parker, from Parker Revs Motorsport, and I can’t wait to get going in the pinnacle of Porsche’s one-make cups, the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. We’re really looking forward to racing against the best international Porsche teams this season!

 

What can we expect from one of Britain's best PCCGB teams in the Supercup?

Obviously, we’re here to be as successful as we are back home in Britain. We have to respect the past, but we believe that with the team, the drivers and the sponsors we have, we can challenge right from the start.

 

What difficulties is a British team facing this season?

In terms of Brexit, the travel restrictions are not that big of a problem, but the constantly changing Covid restrictions are really giving us a headache this season.

 

Which round are you looking forward to the most? Silverstone? Why?

Silverstone always has a special place in our hearts because it’s our home race. But my personal favorite track is Monza. I just love the rich history of the place and every time I drive through the royal park it gives me goosebumps.

 

What are your expectations for the new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car – especially from an engineer's point of view?

The new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is such a huge step forward, again. We’re lucky enough to also have a GT3 R in our portfolio, which I think is very close. The car is just a beautiful machine and I’m sure that it’ll be quite a difference when it comes to pace, compared to the previous model.

 

What do you think of Porsche’s plans to promote sustainability in their one-make cups?

I think that this is the only way to go. We have to be more responsible in general, and with Porsche taking the lead by implementing new, CO2 neutral fuels, it’s just the perfect way to start.

 

Stuart, thank you so much for the chat.