A smaller Team BRIT contingent took to the track this weekend with only the Endurance Category racing in Round 3 of the Britcar Championship.
GT4 drivers Bobby Trundley and Aaron Morgan headed over to Oulton Park with the Team BRIT crew, with sights firmly set on another impressive finish having secured silverware in every race of the season so far this year.
Also at the race were a number of sponsors and supporters who were enjoying track hospitality hosted by the team. Drivers and crew presented to guests in the hospitality suite, who were also able to cheer the drivers along at trackside.
Qualifying took place early on Saturday morning. EDF Motorsports TCR set an early fast lap, posting such a good time that they parked the car for the rest of session, confident that they had secured the fastest lap and the P1 position. The TB crew made the decision to wait until the final minutes of the session before sending out Bobby to push as hard as he could to climb up the timing screen. The TCR team put their pro driver back out on fresh tyres in respond, but it was too late to take on Bobby, as he secured P1 on the grid for both races in the final lap of qualifying by just 9 thousandths of a second.
In race one, Bobby was out first, putting in a typically strong start to hold a good position. With Oulton Park circuit being more suited to the light front wheel drive of TCR cars, the team knew they had some work to do being the outliers in class 4. Bobby managed to keep in front of the competitive TCR car, using every inch of the track to keep them at bay.
15 minutes into the race an early safety car meant the strategy had to be reworked. The pit window was due to open in 5 minutes, but without knowing how long the safety car would be out, making decisions became difficult. You cannot pit the car until the window is open, and as the clock ticked towards the 20 minute mark, the train of cars behind the safety car came into view from the pits. The timing worked perfectly for the team, as the train exited the final corner and passed the pit window, the timing screen showed the window had opened. Two cars managed to pit right on time – Team BRIT, and the EDF TCR they were trying to keep at bay.
A flawless stop gave Team BRIT the edge they needed. Aaron was sent out for the remainder of the race, back in front of the chasers. As the rest of the field began their pitstops, and the safety car pulled in, the team found clear air, having an almighty battle for the next 35 minutes. The strategy worked – after all the stops were done, Team BRIT was P1 in class, and P2 overall.
An absolutely monumental stint by Aaron held the position, as he brought the car over the line to an erupting pit wall – the second Team BRIT win in a row.
In race 2 the team started from P1 again, this position being set by the second fastest lap in qualifying. The TCRs had a good start and one of them made a great move on Aaron into turn 1. He set about trying to regain the position while holding the rest of the grid at bay. A mistake under braking meant an early departure from the race, resulting in the first DNF in the Aston since the 2019 season.
Another fantastic race weekend sees the team sitting P5 overall in the Britcar Endurance Championship, sitting only 7 points behind the leaders on 141 points. Aaron and Bobby are now P2 in Class 4, just 5 points behind P1.
Team BRIT Founder Dave Player said; “What a weekend once again. Right from the outset, Bobby and Aaron were on form, supported by Al and his crew who worked the strategy perfectly.
“We were fastest in practice, and excellent driving, alongside a bit of a luck after the safety car, and superb pitstops, meant we got ourselves the P1 start position in qualifying we needed. A fantastic battle between Bobby, Aaron and our fastest chasers showed incredible driving from everyone, but I am delighted that once again we took the win.
“It was really unfortunate to have to bow out of race 2 so early when I’m sure we could have pushed for yet another podium spot, but that’s the way of racing! Our points total is looking strong and I’m confidence we’ll be fighting for the top spot once again at Silverstone.”
The pair return the track at Silverstone on the 3rd July for a special 2-hour race. Their teammates Luke Pound and Andrew Tucker will race in the Trophy Category on the 4th July
Photo credit: Stevie Borowick
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