Sports Prototype Cup Portimao: Abbott clinches Revolution Trophy with back-to-back victories
James Abbott and Roger Green dominated both races of the final round of the 2022 Sports Prototype Cup Europe at Portimao. The duo celebrated victory in both races sharing a Revolution 500SC, despite a late penalty in race two.
Rain hit the circuit just after the start of both races, making the conditions tricky for drivers. Almost everyone started the race on Goodyear’s full wet tyres.
In the first race of the day, Roger Green lost the overall lead early to Radical Trophy leader Andreas Mayrl, and the Radical SR10 driver built a healthy lead during the first stint. Abbott took over behind the wheel of the supercharged Revolution and found strong pace, making up the deficit and eventually overtaking Mayrl for the race lead with 13 minutes to go. From there he built a strong lead over Chris Short, who brought home the Radical Trophy win and second overall, after Mayrl was delayed.
Victory in race one confirmed Abbott as the 2022 Revolution Trophy winner, clinching the title with one race to spare. He then followed that up with another victory in race two.
In the Revolution Trophy, Richard Morris started both races from the back of the grid, but fought hard to earn two second place finishes and enjoyed strong race pace throughout. Completing the Revolution Trophy podium were Jacques Villars and Marcello Marateotto in race one and two respectively.
Antonio La Rosa made his return to racing 37 years after his last competitive race. He finished race one in fourth in the Revolution class, with a fifth place finish in race two.
In race two of the Radical Trophy, Andreas Mayrl made up for the disappointment in race one with a victory, ahead of Michael Clark and Chris Short.
Race one
Radical Trophy
1 Chris Short
2 Michael Clark
2 Jim Booth
Revolution Trophy
1 James Abbott/Roger Green
2 Richard Morris
3 Jacques Villars
Race two
Radical
1 Andreas Mayrl
2 Michael Clark
3 Chris Short
Revolution
1 James Abbott/Roger Green
2 Richard Morris
3 Marcello Marateotto
The Portimao double header concluded a spectacular season of racing, with 32 drivers taking part in the Sports Prototype Cup across ten rounds on five circuits.
Next year’s race dates will be announced in the coming days, but we can confirm that our first 2023 race will be at the home of the Spanish Grand Prix, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, on March 12-13, starting a European and UK tour of top-level circuits.
There are only three months to round one and registrations will open later this month.
The Sports Prototype Cup thanks all the teams, supporters and drivers who made 2022 so special.