Cambridge’s Luke Davenport finally broke through at Brands Hatch by scoring his and Tolman Motorsport’s maiden Avon Tyres British GT Championship victory. GT4’s most recent winner, and Graduate Surveyor by trade, runs the rule over his fast but, until recently, low-key campaign.
Luke Davenport is in the office. Not the metaphorical sort comprising roll cage and carbon cockpit but a traditional table, chair and photocopier-filled workspace in his hometown of Cambridge. It’s not what British GT’s expecting when we call to discuss his 2015 season.
But then why would we? The Graduate Surveyor, who left university in June, has – to those not paying close enough attention – also kept a relatively low profile in his other, faster career this year.
At least that was the case until a fortnight ago when the 22-year-old and his Tolman Motorsport-run Ginetta G55 produced one of the most eye-catching wins of the campaign at Brands Hatch after scything through the GT4 field from sixth to first in a devastating 20-minute spell.
His first victory, achieved alongside co-driver David Pattison, clearly demonstrated the pace Davenport has shown all season, albeit easily missed by those only studying the top half of the timing screens. Indeed, his Pro driver pole position at Oulton Park first time out was the only other obvious indication of the team’s potential despite also impressing greatly with fast and combative runs to fourth and sixth places at Rockingham and Spa, respectively.
“I guess the victory did come out of nowhere in terms of black and white results,” he says. “Our best finish before that was a couple of fourths, although we weren’t particularly concerned given how fast we knew the car was. That’s down to the guys at Tolman who you’d never assume were new to British GT this year. The standard of our Ginetta’s preparation has been second to none and as good if not better than anyone else on the grid, which is saying a lot.”
Davenport, himself new to endurance racing in 2015, is quick to emphasise the progress made by his co-driver Pattison who, up until the start of this season, was racing much slower machinery.
“It’s been a genuine pleasure working with David this year,” confirms Luke, who was plucked by Pattison and Tolman from the Ginetta SuperCup. “His driving’s come a long way in a very short space of time, which is down to a combination of his application, the team’s professionalism and our overall relationship.
“He’s also been very supportive by understanding this is a shop window for my future career as a Pro while balancing the needs of a gentleman driver learning the ropes at this level. It all makes for a fantastic partnership that’s only getting stronger, as Brands demonstrated.”
Davenport, who’s proven his credentials as one of GT4’s quickest drivers on a number of occasions this year, also points out Ginetta’s role in his rise through the ranks having raced G20s, G40s and G55s before reaching British GT.
“There’s no doubt Ginetta’s staircase of talent has played a big part in me getting this far,” he continues. “No other British manufacturer provides young drivers with the same dedicated stepping stones towards a career in sportscar or endurance racing for such a cost-effective budget like them. And with the British GT4 class thriving, not to mention Ginetta’s GT3 programme, there’s never been a better opportunity to make an impression at the top level domestically.”
Question is, what chance he and Pattison – who now sit fourth in the GT4 points – remaining in the spotlight at Snetterton and beyond? Davenport’s response is typically pragmatic.
“We know Brands suited the Ginetta better than the Astons and Lotuses, which I think will be back at the sharp end at Snett. David went from ninth to sixth in his stint but the Safety Car brought me closer to the leaders, which can’t be relied upon again, and there’s also the success penalty for winning to factor into our Race 1 strategy. So, honestly, we’d be happy to finish in the top-five and then see where we start in the second.
“Snetterton’s my home race and I’d love to do well there in front of family and guests, but I think Donington is a more likely circuit for us to score big. We recently tested there, which went very well indeed, so I’m hopeful of ending the season in style. We’re not many points behind second in the championship but that’s not our focus this year. David, the team and I are all new to racing at this level and very much see 2015 as a learning experience.”
Regardless, Britain’s fastest Graduate Surveyor has already made quite an impression.
Did you know?
Amongst various responsibilities Davenport helps his employer oversee the world’s largest monthly farm machinery auction. More than 5,000 tractors go under the Cheffins hammer each year at its 40-acre sales ground near Ely, less than 40 miles west of Snetterton. He’s also driver coached by Rob Bell whose brother Matt currently races in British GT3.
The penultimate rounds of this season’s British GT Championship take place at Snetterton on August 22/23.