This weekend saw the return of spectators to motorsport events for the first time since the UK Covid 19 lockdown. They were not disappointed as the GT Cup series put on a spectacular show all weekend long.
GT3: Homologated GT3 Cars
British GT regulars, Michael Igoe and Dennis Lind were on fine form. Having dominated last years season finale (also at the Norfolk circuit), they were certainly the favourites heading into the season opener.
Fellow British GT stalwarts, John Seale and Marcus Clutton were hoping to take the challenge to the WPI Motorsport duo however, it was not to be. Despite qualifying up the sharp end of the grid, contact in Race 1 would cause terminal damage to their new Huracan GT3 Evo putting them both out for the remainder of the weekends running.
In2Racing driver, Will Goff, put in a stunning performance to take three podium finishes in older machinery only to suffer terminal mechanical issues before the final race of the weekend.
GTC: Challenge Cars
The Scott Sport pairing of John Dhillon and Aaron Scott put in an equally dominant performance by winning four from four in the GTC class.
They didn’t have things their own way despite this. The Simon Green Motorsport Porsches pushed the Scott Sport pair all the way but didn’t have quite enough in reserve to keep up with the new Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo.
GTB: Cup Cars
GTB sees another dominant performance. This time the Team Hard Porsche 911 of Sam Randon and Ben Claydon. What makes this even more spectacular is the fact that neither driver had driven the car before the weekends action. This did not phase them as they quickly adapted to the rear engined machine to not only take three class victories, but the overall championship lead too.
The other victory was taken by the Topcats Racing Marcos Mantis in Race 3 of the weekend. An impressive feat for the 23 year old car which shows it’s not lost its edge when pitted against far younger machinery.
GTH: Homolgated GT4 Cars
Craig Wilkins in his Scott Sport Ginetta G55 outclassed reigning series champions, Steve Ruston and John Whitehouse, to take three class victories. His superb efforts has now left him second in the overall championship, just 3 points behind the Randon/Claydon Porsche.
Whitehouse and Ruston were not phased by this and put in a consistent performance to finish the day 5th in the overall championship and 2nd in the GTH class. Being only 22 points down and with 100 on offer per weekend, things are still all to play for as Round 2 nears.
The remaining GTH win was taken by James Guess of Feathers Motorsport in Race 2 of the weekend. Adding a further podium onto this secured a double visit to the rostrum. With a retirement in the final race and a 4th place in Race 1, he now sits 3rd in the GTH standings and 7th overall, albeit only 38 points down on Randon.
GTA: Lower Specification GT4 & One Make Cars
The hotly contested GTA class saw two wins apiece for the Team Hard Ginettas. Joshua Jackson and Simon Orange currently sit 3rd in the overall championship with their teammates Callum Jenkins and Ollie Brown close behind in 4th.
Great consistency for the Jackson/Orange car gives them the upper hand heading into Silverstone. Especially with Orange’s confidence being boosted by winning Sunday’s driver of the day award.
It was also the race debut for the Smartrack Series Elite Jaguar XE cars in the GT Cup series. A strong and consistent showing shows that the speed is already there. However, a few teething issues will need to be ironed out before Silverstone if they want to remain in the championship hunt.
