Tim Harvey Explained

Tim Harvey
Birth Date:1961 11, df=yes
Birth Place:Farnborough, London, England
Nationality: British
Racing Licence: FIA Bronze
Record Template1:
Embed:yes
Championships:1 (1992)
Wins:16
Podiums:48
Poles:3
Fastest Laps:6
First Year:1987
First Win:1987
Last Win:1995
Last Year:2002
Best Position:1st (1992)
Last Season:2002
Last Position:10th (43 points)

Timothy James Harvey (born 20 November 1961) is a British racing driver, best known for being the 1992 British Touring Car Champion,[1] and the 2008 and 2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain champion.[2] [3] A household name in the 1990s, Harvey won sixteen races in the British Touring Car Championship between 1987 and 1995, and competed in the series until 2002. He was also the winner of the invitational Guia Race of Macau touring car event, in 1989.[4]

After leaving touring car racing, Harvey moved into the one-make Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain series; after two guest drives in 2003, including one victory, Harvey competed full-time from the 2004 season onwards. In seven full seasons in the championship, Harvey finished in the top four of the final championship standings in each season, and left the series after a class victory in the Porsche Carrera World Cup meeting at the Nürburgring,[5] with a series record of 35 overall victories.[6] Along with media commitments for television broadcaster ITV4, and their coverage of the British Touring Car Championship, Harvey currently competes in the British GT Championship; sharing a Porsche with Jon Minshaw, for the Trackspeed team.[7]

BTCC career

Born in Farnborough, London, Harvey first raced in the BTCC in 1987, taking three Class A wins in a Rover Vitesse[8] In 1988 and 1989 he dovetailed sports car racing with BTCC outings, before finishing third in Class A in 1989 and 1990.

He was 8th overall in 1991. His 1992 title was achieved while driving a BMW 318 coupe, run by Vic Lee Motorsport. He won five of the last seven races, having previously only won once. A dramatic final race saw him beat John Cleland and reigning champion Will Hoy to the title, after Hoy suffered an engine failure and Cleland clashed with Harvey's team-mate Steve Soper.[9] He had a difficult 1993 season developing the Renault 19 for the new Renault entry but still managed to win the European Grand Prix support race in lurid conditions, while he was outpaced by team-mate Alain Menu in 1994 in the new Laguna. He raced for Volvo in 1995, using his wealth of experience to develop the all new Volvo 850 saloon, finishing 5th overall and taking 2 wins but generally unable to match team-mate Rickard Rydell. His experience was then used to develop the new Peugeot 406, signing with the French marque in 1996 but was unable to deliver the win that eluded Peugeot during the heyday of the supertouring years. He drove for Peugeot in the 1996, 1997 and 1998 seasons, his best year being 1997 where he finished 9th in the championship, which included two 2nd-place finishes, and strong drives in the wet at Thruxton.

After a couple of years away, his last BTCC years were 2001 (8th overall in a JSM Alfa Romeo) and 10th in 2002 (reuniting with Vic Lee to drive one of his Peugeots, before quitting the series to pursue a media career).The Alfa Romeo 147 that Tim Harvey raced is now owned by Allitalia – an Independent Italian Auto Specialist based in North Wales.

Porsche Carrera Cup

He has raced in the Porsche Carrera Cup for several years, finishing second to Richard Westbrook in 2004[10] and Damien Faulkner in 2006. In 2007, Harvey drove for Redline Racing in the new 997 Porsche GT3 in the British edition of the Carrera Cup. With stars such as Faulkner, Westbrook, Danny Watts and Richard Williams no longer competing, and Tim now in the top team of 2006, he started as title favourite, but finished up second again, by just four points behind James Sutton.

In 2008 he continued to battle for the title, making his 100th series start (from just 106 races in total). Tim won the Porsche Carrera Cup Drivers Championship, on 21 September at Brands Hatch.[11] He holds series records for podium finishes and fastest laps. He finished third in 2009, taking his first win of the year in race 6 at Thruxton[12] and a double win at Snetterton.[13] He then opened 2010 with nine wins in the first ten races (by contrast, he took 4 wins en route to the 2008 title). He wrapped up the 2010 title with one race to spare at Brands Hatch on 9 October with a second-place finish behind Stephen Jelley to ensure that he could not be caught by championship runner up Michael Caine. Following a puncture in race 20 which saw Harvey fail to score points for the first time in the season, Harvey claimed the 2010 Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship by 10 points, with 11 race wins (vs. Caine's 7).[14] Harvey's two wins at Croft on 20 June saw him become the most successful driver in the history of the championship,[15] with 33 race wins at the time (beating Richard Westbrook's 31 wins). He would end the season 4 clear, with 35 wins, and over 150 podiums.

At the end of May 2011, Harvey announced he was quitting the championship with immediate effect, citing difficulty in adapting to regulation changes as his motivation and allowing up and coming Kieran Vernon the opportunity to benefit from his seat in the Motorbase Performance car.[16] [17] He explained during the ITV4 coverage of the Oulton Park BTCC round on 5 June 2011 that he was not entirely retiring from racing and would be reappearing somewhere before long whilst continuing to commentate for ITV.

In what may have been his last Porsche race, Harvey won the Porsche Carrera Cup GB[18] race held at a wet Nürburgring in Germany as part of the Porsche Carrera World Cup. Harvey finished 13th overall, ahead of a number of the faster Supercup models.

Other racing

Harvey has also been a prolific winner in sports cars. A distinguished career in international motorsport has given him a deep-seated knowledge of the business and substantial reserves of experience. A factory driver for Spice in the halcyon days of the World Sportscar Championship saw Tim battling the Jaguars and Mercedes Benz during the 1989 and 1990 seasons. He twice won the BRDC C2 Championship in 1988 and 1989. He has also contested the 24 Hours of Le Mans four times, winning his class in 1987. He won the British Sports Car Championship in 1999.

He is a double winner of the Oulton Park Gold Cup in 2000 and 2001, joining previous winners Stirling Moss, Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart and many others. Tim has made sporadic albeit successful outings in the British GT Championship, winning alongside various drivers in 2004 and 2005.

Harvey has also been a Touring car winner internationally, coming first in the Macau Grand Prix street race in 1989 and the Wellington International in 1994. He has successfully raced in Japan, Australia, South Africa and all over Europe.

On 19 June 2011, Tim won a Round of the Ginetta GT Supercup at Croft.

Tim also competes occasionally in enduro events on a motorcycle.

Other work

Aside from his racing, Tim combines his commentary and presenting work for ITV and Motors TV with various other motorsport roles, including acting as driver coach for many up and coming young British drivers. He has also coached the Oxford University Motor Drivers Club to success in the British Universities Karting Championship.

In 2008, Tim was appointed Director of the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) SuperStars program, designed to support the most promising young British drivers both financially and in an advisory role.

In 2021 he appeared at a event in his hometown at Motorsport UK's new HQ to talk with Jason Plato, Matt Neal and the former's Fuelling Around co-host Dave Vitty.[19]

Racing record

Complete European Touring Car Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearTeamCar123456789101112DCPts
1984 Computervision Racing with EssoMG Metro TurboMNZVALDONPERBRNZELSALNURSPASIL
Ret
ZOLMUGNC0
1988 John Maguire RacingBMW M3MNZDONESTJARDIJVALNÜRSPAZOLSIL
Ret
NOGNC0

Complete British Touring Car Championship results

(key) Races in bold indicate pole position (1 point awarded all races 1996 onwards) Races in italics indicate fastest lap (1 point awarded – 1987–1990, 2001 onwards, 1987–1990 in class) (* signifies that driver lead feature race for at least one lap – 1 point awarded 1998 onwards)

YearTeamCarClass1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526Overall
DC
PtsClass
1987John Maguire RacingRover VitesseSIL
OUL
THR
THR
SIL
SIL
BRH
SNE
DON
OUL
DON
SIL
4th451st
1988Terry Drury RacingFord Sierra RS500SIL
OUL
THR
THR
SIL
SIL
BRH
SNE
BRH
BIR
DON
SIL
11th264th
CAM ShippingDON
1989Labatt's TeamFord Sierra RS500OUL
SIL
THR
DON
THR
SIL
SIL
BRH
SNE
BRHBIR
DON
SIL
7th563rd
1990Labatt's TeamFord Sierra RS500OUL
DON
THR
SIL
OUL
SIL
BRH
SNE
BRH
BIR
DON
THR
SIL
4th1323rd
1991BMW Team Labatt'sBMW M3SIL
SNE

THR
SIL
BRH
SIL
DON
1

DON
2

OUL
BRH
1

BRH
2

DON
THR
SIL
8th42
1992M Team Shell RacingBMW 318isSIL
THR
OUL
SNE
BRH
DON
1

DON
2

SIL
KNO
1

KNO
2

PEM
BRH
1

BRH
2

DON
SIL
1st152
1993Renault Dealer RacingRenault 19SIL
DON
SNE
DON
OUL
BRH
1

BRH
2

PEM
SIL
KNO
1
KNO
2
OUL
BRH
THR
DON
1

DON
2

SIL
14th31
1994Renault Dealer RacingRenault LagunaTHR
BRH
1

BRH
2

SNE
SIL
1

SIL
2

OUL
DON
1

DON
2

BRH
1

BRH
2

SIL

KNO
2

OUL
BRH
1

BRH
2

SIL
1

SIL
2

DON
1

DON
2

9th77
1995Volvo 850 RacingVolvo 850 20vDON
1

DON
2

BRH
1

BRH
2

THR
1

THR
2

SIL
1

SIL
2

OUL
1

OUL
2

BRH
1

BRH
2

DON
1

DON
2

SIL
KNO
1

KNO
2

BRH
1

BRH
2

SNE
1

SNE
2

OUL
1

OUL
2

SIL
1

SIL
2

5th176
1996Total Team PeugeotPeugeot 406DON
1

DON
2

BRH
1

BRH
2

THR
1

THR
2

SIL
1

SIL
2

OUL
1

OUL
2

SNE
1

SNE
2

BRH
1

BRH
2

SIL
1

SIL
2

KNO
1

KNO
2

OUL
1

OUL
2

THR
1

THR
2

DON
1

DON
2

BRH
1

BRH
2

15th20
1997Esso Ultron Team PeugeotPeugeot 406DON
1

DON
2

SIL
1

SIL
2

THR
1

THR
2

BRH
1

BRH
2

OUL
1

OUL
2

DON
1

DON
2

CRO
1

CRO
2

KNO
1

KNO
2

SNE
1

SNE
2

THR
1

THR
2

BRH
1

BRH
2

SIL
1

SIL
2

9th66
1998Esso Ultron Team PeugeotPeugeot 406THR
1

THR
2

SIL
1

SIL
2

DON
1

DON
2

BRH
1

BRH
2

OUL
1

OUL
2

DON
1

DON
2

CRO
1

CRO
2

SNE
1

SNE
2

THR
1

THR
2

KNO
1

KNO
2

BRH
1

BRH
2

OUL
1

OUL
2

SIL
1

SIL
2

17th10
2001JS MotorsportAlfa Romeo 147BRH
1
BRH
2
THR
1
THR
2
OUL
1

OUL
2

SIL
1

SIL
2

MON
1
MON
2
DON
1

DON
2

KNO
1
KNO
2
SNE
1

SNE
2

CRO
1

CRO
2

OUL
1

OUL
2

SIL
1

SIL
2

DON
1

DON
2

BRH
1

BRH
2

8th43
2002Team HalfordsPeugeot 406 CoupéBRH
1

BRH
2

OUL
1

OUL
2

THR
1

THR
2

SIL
1

SIL
2

MON
1


CRO
1

CRO
2

SNE
1

SNE
2

KNO
1

KNO
2

BRH
1

BRH
2

DON
1

DON
2

−511th43
  1.  – Race was stopped due to heavy rain. No points were awarded.

‡ Endurance driver

Complete World Touring Car Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Complete Japanese Touring Car Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Complete Asia-Pacific Touring Car Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Complete Bathurst 1000 results

YearTeamCo-driverCarLaps
1997 Esso Ultron Team Peugeot Paul RadisichPeugeot 40670DNF
1998 Volvo S40 Racing Jan NilssonVolvo S4082DNF

* Super Touring race

Le Mans 24 hours results

YearTeamCo-DriversCarClassLaps
1988 Charles Ivey Racing
Team Istel
Chris Hodgetts
John Sheldon
Tiga GC287 C230120th3rd
1989 Spice Engineering Thorkild Thyrring
Wayne Taylor
Spice SE89C-FordC1150DNFDNF
1990 Spice Engineering Fermín Velez
Chris Hodgetts
Spice SE90C - FordGr.C130818th18th
1991 Euro Racing Charles Zwolsman
Cor Euser
Spice SE90C-Ford CosworthC172DNFDNF

Complete British GT results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position in class) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap in class)

YearTeamCarClass123456789101112131415PosPts
2000Bob Watson MotorsportPorsche 911 GT2GTTHR
1
CRO
1
OUL
1

DON
1

SIL
1

BRH
1

DON
1

CRO
1

9th56
HKM Parr MotorsportChrysler Viper GTS-RSIL
1

SNE
1

SPA
1

SIL
1

2001Hayles RacingChrysler Viper GTS-RGTSIL
1

SNE
1

DON
1

OUL
1

CRO
1

ROC
1

CAS
1

BRH
1

DON
1

KNO
1

THR
1

BRH
1

SIL
1

2nd?
2005Motorbase PerformancePorsche 996 GT3 CupGT3DON
1

MAG
1

CRO
1

CRO
2

KNO
1

KNO
2

THR
1

THR
2

CAS
1

CAS
2

SIL
1

MON
1

MON
2

?14
Team RPMGT3 INVSIL
1

SIL
2

-†0†
2007Team RPMViper Competition CoupeGT3OUL
1
OUL
2
DON
1
DON
2
SNEBRH
1
BRH
2
SILTHR
1

THR
2

CRO
1
CRO
2
ROC
1
ROC
2
24th4
2008TrackspeedPorsche 997 GT3-SGT3OUL
1
OUL
2
KNO
1
KNO
2
ROC
1

ROC
2

SNE
1
SNE
2
THR
1
THR
2
BRH
1
BRH
2
SILDON47th2
2012TrackspeedPorsche 997 GT3-RGT3OUL
1

OUL
2

NÜR
1

NÜR
2

ROC
BRH
SNE
1

SNE
2

SIL
DON
11th59
† Not eligible for points as invitation driver.

Notes and References

  1. News: History: BTCC 1992 – A controversial ending. Johan. Meissner. TouringCarTimes. Mediaempire Stockholm AB. 17 February 2007. 21 November 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20070322031838/http://www.touringcartimes.com/news.php?id=987. 22 March 2007. dmy-all.
  2. News: Harvey lifts Carrera crown. Crash.net. Crash Media Group. 24 September 2008. 21 November 2012.
  3. News: First Win For Jelley As Harvey Claims Title. Vince. Pettit. The Checkered Flag. BlackEagleMedia Network. 9 October 2010. 21 November 2012.
  4. News: Harvey primed for tour of duty. Norideen. Kitchell. South China Morning Post. SCMP Group. 16 November 1994. 21 November 2012. Harvey, the 1989 Macau winner who turns 33 on race day, and fellow-Briton Justin Bell will be driving BMW 318is under the Motorola Pagers Racing Team banner..
  5. News: Harvey masters Nürburgring in Porsche Carrera Cup GB. Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain. Porsche UK. 27 June 2011. 21 November 2012.
  6. News: Harvey Leaves Porsche Carrera Cup. Simon. Paice. The Checkered Flag. BlackEagleMedia Network. 31 May 2011. 21 November 2012.
  7. News: Tim Harvey and Jon Minshaw Join Trackspeed for 2012 British GT Season. The Checkered Flag. BlackEagleMedia Network. 11 January 2012. 21 November 2012. James. Broomhead.
  8. http://www.supertouring.co.uk/drivers/tim_harvey.html Tim Harvey
  9. http://www.supertouring.co.uk/drivers/tim_harvey2.html Tim Harvey : Page 2
  10. Web site: BTCC Pages - Porsche Carrera Cup GB 2006. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20061007151707/http://btccpages.com/2006/carreracup.php . 7 October 2006 .
  11. http://www.easier.com/5989-tim-harvey-takes-porsche-carrera-cup-title-at-brands.html Tim Harvey takes Porsche Carrera Cup title at Brands
  12. http://www.gtpurelyporsche.com/newsitem.asp?newsID=90 Caine and Harvey take Thruxton Honours
  13. http://www.easier.com/6042-harvey-takes-porsche-carrera-cup-double-at-snetterton.html Harvey takes Porsche Carrera Cup double at Snetterton
  14. http://www.porsche.com/uk/motorsportandevents/motorsport/racing/porschecarreracupgreatbritain/standingsandresults/ Porsche Standings and Results
  15. http://www.porsche.com/uk/motorsportandevents/motorsport/racing/porschecarreracupgreatbritain/news/?pool=motorsport&id=81174366-bfed-47f1-861b-723ac8dc0d7c&lang=en Harvey sets new win record in Carrera Cup GB
  16. http://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2011/05/harvey-leaves-porsche-carrera-cup/ Harvey Leaves Porsche Carrera Cup
  17. http://www.btcccrazy.co.uk/2011/05/31/harvey-leaves-carrera-cup/ Harvey Leaves Porsche Carrera Cup GB
  18. http://www.porsche.com/uk/motorsportandevents/motorsport/racing/porschecarreracupgreatbritain/news/?pool=motorsport&id=edafc92a-976d-4d97-b074-80fe8c8ea07e&lang=en Harvey wins at Nürburgring
  19. Web site: Relive top night as Fuelling Around podcast makes live debut. 21 October 2021 .