One of world motorsport’s greatest tracks, Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, is the destination for multiple car racing champion Seb Morris later this week for the eagerly awaited sixth round of the British GT Championship season which takes place on Saturday, 9th July.
Heading to mainland Europe fourth in the British GT standings along with team-mate Rick Parfitt Jnr, as well as fifth in the Pro-Am title battle, 20-year-old Seb also holds the lead of the Sunoco Whelen Challenge – a ranking system which compares driver performances across a number of categories.
Over the course of the first four race meetings of his maiden season in GT racing, the Marford driver has starred with three podium finishes at the wheel of the No.31 Bentley Continental GT3 including a magnificent victory during round four at his ‘home’ track, Oulton Park in Cheshire.
Although an unfortunate retirement from round five last time out at Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit impacted the Team Parker Racing duo’s championship position, when on course for a fourth podium, Seb is more determined than ever to make a return to the rostrum a few days from now.
While the weekend’s action will be Seb’s first at Spa in his Bentley, he does have experience of the Belgian F1 venue from his time in Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup and Formula One support category GP3 Series.
“I’m really looking forward to being back at Spa, it’s such an incredible track and it should suit the Bentley with the long straights and fast corners”, he commented, “We’re all feeling confident of mounting a strong challenge to be back on the podium, after the disappointment of Silverstone we’re focused on nothing less.”
Aside from his excellent haul of silverware so far in 2016 in British GT, one of the most eye-catching aspects of the MSA Team UK driver’s season has been his sensational speed in qualifying where he has scorched to three pole position starts.
That’s not to say the Welshman’s race pace has been any less spectacular – at Oulton Park, for example, Seb absolutely smashed the International Circuit lap record for a GT3 car by setting a brand new benchmark 0.7 seconds faster than the previous best.
“All of the guys in the team have done an incredible job so far this season, we started the year fantastically with pole at Brands Hatch on my GT debut and with two more poles since then I think we’ve shown what a great package we have”, he added, “In the races we’ve been just as strong, if not more so, and the win at Oulton really was amazing.
“I’m feeling pretty confident we can move back up the championship table at the weekend and I’m also hoping to keep the lead in the Sunoco Whelen Challenge. I’ve been training harder than ever over the last few weeks to make sure I’m 100% prepared – I can’t wait now to get back on track.”
Opening practice for British GT will take place on Friday, 8th July, at 08.35 (UK time) with the second session following at 11.25 (UK time) ahead of qualifying at 14.45 (UK time). On Saturday, 9th July, the 120-minute sixth round of the season will get underway at 11.35 (UK time).
2016 British GT Championship GT3 Driver Standings (after Rd5):4th Seb Morris & Rick Parfitt Jnr, 68.5pts
2016 British GT Championship Pro-Am GT3 Driver Standings (after Rd5):5th Seb Morris & Rick Parfitt Jnr, 70pts
2016 British GT Championship GT3 Team Standings (after Rd5):3rd Team Parker Racing, 68.5pts
