The Easter Weekend kicked off with a bang as the 2024 British GT championship took center stage at Oulton Park in the rural Cheshire countryside. Fans were in for a treat as the cars this year looked better than ever, setting the stage for an action-packed weekend of racing.
The weather played a significant role throughout the weekend, with mixed conditions during testing on Friday, followed by a drier Saturday with cloudy skies but some sunshine. However, the main race day on Monday brought the expected challenge of wet weather, adding an extra layer of excitement to the races.
In Race 1, BARWELL MOTORSPORTS made their mark with the Collards in the #63 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO taking the win in persistent wet conditions. They managed to hold off the 2seas Mercedes AMG GT3 of Ian LOGGIE and Phil KEEN to claim the top spot. BARWELL’S #6 of Sandy MITCHELL and Alex MARTIN rounded off the podium, showcasing the dominance of the Lamborghini team.
The victory by BARWELL was momentarily in doubt towards the end of the race when there was a potential breach of Safety Car restart procedure. However, it was later revealed that a loose connection in the wiring system caused the issue, clearing any doubts about the team's performance.
In the GT4 category, Jamie Day and Mikey Porter of FORSETTI MOTORSPORT started their season on a high note, claiming victory in the opening race. Despite facing some challenges, they managed to secure the top spot in their Aston Martin Vantage.
Race 2 saw Alex MARTIN and Sandy MITCHELL once again shining, as they secured another victory in the weather-affected sprint race. The duo proved that their win in Race 1 was no fluke and showcased their skill and determination on track. However, the GT4 category saw Charles DAWSON and Seb MORRIS of Team Parker Racing taking the win, adding to their morning's runner-up spot.
The podium was completed in the Pro-Am category by Ian GOUGH and Tom WRIGLEY in Century’s BMW, showing their competitive spirit and determination. Steven LAKE and Nathan HARRISON in Mahiki’s Lotus also put on a strong performance, finishing in the top-eight.
Shaun Balfe and Adam Smalley of Garage 59 continued their winning streak in the Silver-Am category, claiming victory once again. Ian LOGGIE and Phil KEEN also added a second podium finish to their weekend's work, rounding off a successful couple of races for the drivers.
With the next rounds set to take place at the iconic Silverstone race circuit on the weekend of 27th & 28th April, fans can look forward to more epic wheel-to-wheel racing and nail-biting moments on track. The British GT championship has certainly set the bar high for the rest of the season, promising more thrilling action and fierce competition in the races to come.
Images by Phil Baines Photographic
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