Oulton Park is the next destination for Motorbase Performance as the Kent-based outfit heads North for a double-header Bank Holiday weekend of racing as the British GT Championship returns this coming weekend (May 28-30).
Off the back of a strong performance on the Rockingham Speedway at the start of the month, David Bartrum’s squad is eager to carry momentum into the weekend with Ross Wylie and Phil Dryburgh both eyeing a maiden British GT podium in the #8 Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3.
A packed grid awaits the Motorbase Vantage with 30 GT cars expected to descend on the tight and twisty circuit and with double points on offer during Monday’s two, hour-long sprint races, competition will be tough.
“Oulton Park is a very interesting track and one that the team always enjoys visiting;” said Motorbase Performance Team Principal David Bartrum. “With the shorter sprint format in place and with Oulton’s layout we’re guaranteed a few incidents and it’ll certainly make for interesting racing. Personally I hope that it levels the playing field out a little bit and we do well out of the weekend. With two races on Monday we also have the chance to make some ground up in the standings.”
The Motorbase team has visited the rostrum many times at the stunning Cheshire circuit, most notably claiming pole and race wins here in 2014 and again in 2015. Dryburgh also recorded one of his best GT finishes in the Motorbase-run Vantage last season and Team Boss Bartrum is keen to repeat his squad’s past successes.
“Historically the Aston goes well at Oulton; we had a win there last year and Phil enjoyed one of his best results so it should be a good weekend for us;” added Bartrum. “Although saying that it’s been going well everywhere so far this season for the TF Sport boys. The result of that is that we have some extra weight on board so a special thanks Jonny Adam and Derek Johnson for that!”
Saturday’s action gets underway at 09.30 with the first of the morning’s free practice sessions. FP2 starts at 12.35 before qualifying for Monday’s races at 15.50 (May 28). Following a day of rest for the team on Sunday, round 3 of the British GT Championship takes place at 11.15 on Monday (May 30) with round 4 scheduled to commence at 15.30.
Each of the hour-long races will be covered in an edited highlights programme on Channel 4 and Motors TV the following week with live event timing available online at http://www.tsl-timing.com/event/162105.
Driver Quotes: Ross Wylie: “I’m really looking forward to Oulton Park this weekend. The racing is always full on and exciting and the sprint races can throw up some interesting results.
“Having gotten our Championship challenge under way with a good result at Rockingham I really want to build on that. Hopefully Phil and I can push on and pull another good result out of the bag.”
Phil Dryburgh:“After getting our 2016 season off the starting blocks at Rockingham at the start of the month I’m hopeful that we can pick up where we left off and get some more points in the bag. Oulton Park is a great circuit and always produces some fantastic racing so I think we’ll be in for a bank holiday treat!
“I’m still chasing down that elusive first British GT podium, we nearly managed it here last year so that’s the aim to go one better and finally get onto the rostrum!”
