British GT - Brands Hatch 2014

The penultimate round of the 2014 British GT Championship saw the championship head to Brands Hatch to do battle on the Grand Prix circuit.

The race got off to an exciting start as the Beechdean Aston Martin led the Demon Tweeks Trackspeed Porsche and the rest of the field though Paddock Hill Bend. There was slight contact between the front 2 cars which was gathered up nicely as they raced up to Druids. I am not sure if it was due to the contact but a few laps later the Aston Martin took a bit longer to come round after an unscheduled pit stop which handed the lead of the race to the Number 4 Aston Martin Vantage of the Oman Racing team from the number 63 Porsche. The other Motorbase Aston Martin was following in 3rd spot.

The race got off to a thrilling start

Up to the pit window this stayed much the same with the gap coming down slightly every few laps. Sir Chirs Hoy fell back after making a strong start in the #80 Nissan GT-R.

Just before the pit window the safety car was scrambled after an off at druids for one of the Triple8 BMWs. This closed the field up and after the pit stops the 63 Porsche had found a way to jump the #4 Aston by about a car length. The 31 Trackspeed Porsche had put in Porsche works driver Nick Tandy at the stop which saw the car pick up pace.

Sparks Fly: The Beechdean drivers didn't give up

After the restart it was evident from the track-side that everyone was pushing to the absolute limit even if they were well out of the race for points. The United Autosports Audi R8 finished 2 laps down in 17th position but was the fastest car on the track at the end of the race. It was a promising end to a tough weekend.

The M-Sport Bentley was making steady progress with works driver Steven Kane behind the wheel but the car ground to a halt with about 40 minutes to go on the short tun between Sheene Curve and Sterlings on the grand prix loop.

While attrition started to kick in the Demon Tweeks Porsche of Jon Minshaw and Phil Keen carried on untroubled and was pulling out a strong lead with about 20 minutes to go. Tandy was busy closing gaps in the sister car. He caught and passed the #4 Oman Racing Aston Martin at Paddock Hill Bend and a few minutes later he was right behind the leader.

The 63 car limps home after loosing the lead

Trackspeed looked set for a fantastic 1-2 finish up until when 5 minutes to go there was confusion as the leading 63 car didn't come round. sure enough it appeared back onto the Indy part of the Brands Hatch track witch a flat left tire. The car made its way back into the pit lane but not without dropping outside the top positions. This handed the lead to David Ashburn and Nick Tandy, 2nd place back to Ahmad Al Harthy and Micheal Caine with 3rd being gifted to the 2nd Motorbase run car of former BTCC racer Jeff Smith and Rory Butcher. The last 5 minutes saw the chaos calm before the Checkered flag fell with the top 3 in the above order.

Trackspeed's winning Porsche

GT4 saw a lights to flag victory for the Beechdean AMR team who had a much better day than their sister team.

Final Results - Top 15

1. #31 Trackspeed Porsche 997 GT3 R                                2:00:54.103
2. #4 Oman Racing Team Aston Martin Vantage GT3         +8.511

3. #5 Oman Racing Team Aston Martin Vantage GT3         +8.672
4. #79 Ecurie Ecosse BMW Z4 GT3                                   +37.471
5. #29 AF Corse Ferrari 458 Italia GT3                               +40.784
6. #6 PGF - Kinfaun AMR Aston Martin Vantage GT3        +40.941
7. #21 Strata 21 Aston Martin Vantage GT3                        +54.705
8. #18 FF Corse Ferrari 458 Italia GT3                               +54.932
9. #63 Trackspeed Porsche 997 GT3 R                               +1:03.8
10. #88 Triple 8 BMW Z4 GT3                                           +1:04.7
11. #80 Nissan GT Academy Team RJN Nissan GT-4 GT3 +1 Lap
12. #3 Rosso Verde / Hector Lester Ferrari 458 Italia GT3   +1 Lap
13. #22 Preci -Spark McLaren MP4-12C GT3                    +2 Laps
14. #28 HorsePower Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3      +2 Laps
15. #38 MP Motorsport Aston Martin Vantage GT3            +2 Laps

Pictures by James Clarke. Find the full album here - https://www.flickr.com/photos/125463799@N02/sets/72157646692255660/