Beechdean Aston Martin Back on top in British GT

The British GT has hit the half way point in the championship and upon entering the Snetterton round it was being led by No 79 Ecurie Ecosse BMW driven by Sims and Attard.

The weekend comprised of two one hour races and thirty cars competing in both races. The original line up consisted of 31 cars but due to the RLR BMW M3 GT4 being unable to have a second driver alongside Declan Jones they were forced to withdraw from the round.

Prior to the race weekend it was announced that some teams had opted to change their car numbers, some hoping that these changes would change their luck for the race. We also had a change of competing drivers. Alex Buncombe who normally drives alongside Sir Chris Hoy in the No 80 Nissan was unable to attend due to a clash in timetables. He was replaced with Woelfgang Reip. Buncombe was competing in the Nurburgring 24hr last weekend instead. Current championship leader Alexander Sims was replaced this round with Jonathan Cocker.

The No 17 Bentley saw the return of Humaid Al Masaoud alongside Steven Kane. In the GT4 Class Jade Edwards had joined Matt Draper in No 41 Optimum G55 Ginetta. The No 8 BMW Z4 driven by Lee Mowle and Joe Osborne now brandishes the No 88 and the Trackspeed No 33 Porsche driven by Jon Minshaw and Phil Keen now races under No 63.

The GT3 qualifying sessions placed Ecurrie Ecosse BMW No 79 on pole for Race one and Beechdean Aston Martin No 001 on pole for race two. The GT4 Class No 77 ISSY Racing Lotus driven by Oz Yusuf and Gavan Kershaw secured pole position for both races.

Beechdean Aston Martin Back on top in British GT

The first race of the day saw Trackspeed Porsche No 63 take victory, their first of the 2014 season. This round was the first time that they had driven under the number 63. the No 63 Porsche was closely followed by Pole sitters No 79 Ecurrie Ecosse BMW. There was drama for the No 888 BMW which had contact with No 29 Ferrari. This resulted in the BMW being excluded from the results. Johnston who was driving the No 888 BMW was also handed four points on his race licence, and docked twelve championship points.

In the GT4 Class No 77 ISSY Racing Lotus took their maiden victory of the season, with a few rounds with bad luck and car issues the podium was a much deserved result for them.

The second one hour race of the day was very different in comparison. After a red flag incident on lap one the race had to be restarted a whole hour after it first began. The win went to Beechdean Aston Martin No 001. This result meant that the Aston Martin is currently leading the championship battle. Second place went to No 18 AF Corse Ferrari and third to No 21 Strata Aston Martin driver by Tom Onslow-Cole and Paul White. Their first podium of the 2014 season.

The GT4 class win went to No 46 Twisted team Parker, their second win of the season. Ade Barwick and Bradley Ellis raced well in the race and headed up the fully Ginetta Podium. Second went to No 42 Optimum Ginetta and third was Century Motorsport Ginetta.

Our photographer Steven Roe was live at the event and captured some of the action both on and off track.

Beechdean Aston Martin Back on top in British GT

Jonathan Adam – No 1 Beechdean AMR Aston Martin Vantage GT3:
“The car felt really good and the drop in ambient temperature helped to improve the balance. I was able to build a gap and the team did a great job in the pits to turn the car round quickly. Andrew could cruise to the finish, although in those situations you have to be careful as it’s easy to make a mistake. He drove well and its good for us to get a win and it gives us a boost in confidence heading to Spa.”

Bradley Ellis – No 46 Twisted Team Parker Ginetta G55 GT4:
“I’m really pleased for us to get the win. The problems for the Lotus did help but I did what I could to give Ade a bit of a lead and then it was down to him. The team has been great and I think we are doing a good job and I’m really happy with how the weekend has ended.”

Adrian Barwick – No 46 Twisted Team Parker Ginetta G55 GT4:
“Brad put me in a nice position but I was worried I was overdriving the car and the team was telling me I needed to keep pushing. When I crossed the line and the team told me I’d won, I couldn’t believe it. I thought I’d got my win for this season; I didn’t expect to get another!”

Marco Attard – No 79 Ecurie Ecosse BMW Z4 GT3:
“My stint was actually quite peaceful and I was able to maintain position. I knew Jody was there but wasn’t quite able to get the gap I wanted before we pitted. It’s more good points in the championship and while first would have been fantastic, I’m still pleased with second place.”

Oz Yusuf – #77 ISSY Racing/Oz Yusuf Lotus Evora GT4:
“I’m really pleased. We’ve worked hard but have had a lot of bad luck so far so it’s great to put it behind us. The car wasn’t handling as well as it did yesterday as the conditions are a little different but my aim was to keep the car in a good position for Gav to take over. Subconsciously, I think nerves got the better of me and I made a small mistake that let the Ginetta through but I settled into a rhythm and then it was down to Gav.”

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