This weekend Trackspeed Racing head to Dutch shores for Rounds Eight and Nine of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship. The pair of one-hour races are a welcome return to action for the Surrey-based team having garnered their best results of the season from the ‘sprint’ format. Heading to Zandvoort on the Netherlands coast, the trio of Porsches still have their sights set on the 2013 drivers and team championship titles.
Although Nick Tandy’s and David Ashburn’s polka-dot Porsche failed to make it to the finish line at Brands Hatch last month, following mechanical failure, the pair are still in contention for the drivers championship. Currently 27.5 and 39.5 points respectively off the standings leader, Tandy and Ashburn could haul their way back to the top if they rekindle the same form that has seen them take victories in the previous 60 minute races. “We’re hoping to take a bit of an advantage this weekend with the fact it’s a new track to the championship and one that many drivers don’t know as well as many of the British circuits.” Tandy explains. “I’ve got a fair bit of experience of Zandvoort and I hope I can pass that onto my team mates to have a strong weekend.”
Despite some season best performances by Gregor Fisken and Stephen Jelley, results haven’t reflected their on track experiences. Their ‘Tartan Terror’ 997 Porsche has been dragged into several race ending incidents this year which has slowed it’s championship progress. “I have never had a run of bad luck such as we have endured this season but we can’t give up hope!” Fisken optimistically offered this week. “With two race meetings left this season it would be very satisfying to not only show our undoubted pace but to hopefully get our rear bumper out of reach of our competitors and actually finish a race unassaulted.”
For Jelley, the visit to Zandvoort is a return to an old favourite where the former BTCC racer was an F3 competitor. With his knowledge of the twisty and tight 2.7 mile circuit, Jelley believes preparation will be the key to success in the pair of British GT races. “Zandvoort is a mega circuit and very technical.” He said of the 13 cornered track set in the Dutch sand dunes. “Anyone who is going into the weekend blind will be nowhere. Gregor is a very committed guy and knows the importance of going through the numbers when learning a new circuit. We went over, hired a track day car, and drove round going through the various aspects of how to squeeze time out of a circuit that is nice and flowing but bites hard if you get it wrong. I’ve raced at Zandvoort previously in the Masters of Formula 3 and I think the two British GT races could be very eventful. Qualifying will be important as overtaking is difficult and the nature of the circuit means people will probably be getting tangled up.”
The third Trackspeed Porsche of Jon Minshaw and Phil Keen will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing Brands Hatch race. The Demon Tweaks livered 997RSR had been the flag bearer during Round Seven in Kent, when the sister cars fell by the wayside with mechanical problems. However, a late pit-stop to fix a loose under-tray meant Keen and Minshaw finished just outside of the top-ten. With a total of 50 points available this weekend at Zandvoort, they’ll be looking to reignite their championship with a return to form that saw them claim victory at Oulton Park.
In the Avon Tyres British GT Team Championship, Trackspeed Racing continue to lead the way with a 41 point lead over their closest rivals. If the trio of Porsches score consistent finishes in the pair of races and results go their way, the team could reclaim the title they secured in 2012 with the final round at Donington still remaining.
The action starts on Saturday with a pair of 15 minute qualifying sessions and the first one-hour race of the weekend. This is followed by the second race at Zandvoort on Sunday afternoon.
Source : Trackspeed Racing