This weekend, Trackspeed will be returning to the racing fold as they field a trio of cars for the third round of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship at Rockingham, for the two-hour endurance race. The distinctive Porsche 997 GT3Rs will be doing battle around the part-oval and tricky infield course, in a bid to bolster their positions at the top of the team and driver championship standings.
With more than 30 cars set to take to the two-mile circuit based in Corby this May day holiday weekend, the Surrey-based team are ready for the challenge facing them. “Well after a good start of the season for the team at Oulton, we have tested a week or so ago at the Rock and we’re happy with the work we did, to step the game up from Oulton.” Team Manager Keith Cheetham explains. “That along with the level of top GT drivers I have within the team pushing the cars and set-up at every round, I feel we can do very well this weekend and will be pushing again for a win. It will be a long hard season but we’re all up for it.”
Coming into the third round of the championship at the top of the driver standings table is Trackspeed’s 2010 British GT Champion David Ashburn, and Porsche Super Cup racer Nick Tandy, who secured a win and second place at Oulton Park, four weeks ago. The duo will be looking to further extend their 18 point advantage on the leader-board with an equally competitive run this holiday weekend. “Rockingham had always been a favourite of mine, it’s where I scored my first Formula Ford pole, my first Formula 3 win and it’s one of my local tracks.” Tandy said this week. “I think the new 2013 GT3R will be well suited to the infield section but we have no expectations other than to try to score some good team points and enjoy the racing.”
Also looking to build on a successful opening round at Oulton Park will be the No.33 Porsche GT3R of Phil Keen and Jon Minshaw. After securing the inaugural British GT Championship win of 2013 in the first race, the pair head to Rockingham, second in the driver standings on 25 points. Neither Keen or Minshaw are strangers to the dynamic nature of the Rockingham circuit. At the same fixture in 2012, Keen seized a podium awarding third-place finish when partnering Ashburn, whilst Minshaw scored valuable points with sixth position in his Trackspeed Porsche. In fact, Rockingham proved to be instrumental in the march to the team championship title, with Trackspeed cars taking the win, third and sixth place in last year’s 120 minute race.
Despite a disappointing opening brace of rounds at Oulton Park, Richard Westbrook and Gregor Fisken are optimistic for their prospects in the two-hour showcase event. Whilst a penalty in round one saw them demoted from a top five finish and mechanical issues scuppered a podium chance in race two, Fisken is clearly looking forward to showing what the Trackspeed Porsches are capable of. “On the back of a terrible weekend at Oulton Park, Richard and I have to draw a line under the lack of points scored, and move on.” Fisken shares. “Our focus for Rockingham is to stay out of trouble and come away with a haul of points. Any position on the podium would be great; anything close to a podium would be good. On the back of recent testing at Rockingham, we’re optimistic, but a week doesn’t go by in British GT when another strong car and pairing joins the series. Oulton Park set the bar high, with the entrants coming to Rockingham, it’s been moved up a notch or two, so we’re going to focus on getting the car home.”
The Avon Tyres British Gt Championship action continues from Sunday with a pair of one-hour practice sessions and a 30 minutes qualifying session, ahead of the big race on bank holiday Monday, May 6th. Highlights will be available on Motors TV and Channel 4 from Saturday May 11th.
Source : Trackspeed Racing
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