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Highlights from the British Racing & Sports Car Club Season Opener at Silverstone
The British Racing & Sports Car Club kicked off its new season last weekend under sunny yet chilly conditions at Silverstone, marking the commencement of the Pro Sports Sprint series with exciting races that captivated motorsport fans.
Rookie racer Steve Gambrell made a remarkable impression behind the wheel of his Porsche 911.2 Cup, achieving a remarkable victory hat-trick during just his second weekend of competition. His standout performance came during a thrilling second race, where he engaged in intense battles for the lead against former British GT competitor John Seale.
Though Seale initially secured pole position in his Lamborghini Super Trofeo, Gambrell quickly took the lead at Village during the first race, pulling away to win by over half a minute. The second race saw a reversal of fortunes as Seale seized the lead early on. Gambrell’s pursuit lasted until the final moments when, while lapping Class E competitors, Seale made a mistake at Brooklands, allowing Gambrell to reclaim his potential victory. The race concluded with Gambrell narrowly edging out Seale by just half a second.
Seale opted out of the final race, allowing Gambrell to claim victory once more, finishing over a minute ahead of Aaron Cooke, who secured two Class C wins in his Ginetta G55 throughout the weekend. The battle in the Fiesta Class E showcased tightly contested racing, with drivers Maggie Webster and Connor Blackburn each claiming a win in separate races, separated by mere tenths of seconds.
Close Racing in the Mazda MX-5 Championship
The Mazda MX-5 Championship showcased competitive racing, sharing the track with the Clubman series, which produced a formidable 57-car grid of Mk1 MX-5s. Ali Bray, who transitioned from team manager to driver this season, achieved a clean sweep of victories despite only completing his Mk1 build shortly before the start of the season. Bray led all races, deftly managing pressures from returning champion Steve Foden and Adam Sparrow.
The initial race saw Bray fend off challenges amidst a lengthy safety car period. The following day, Bray not only maintained his lead but battled effectively at critical points, such as during a thrilling three-wide moment at Stowe. His determination paid off, concluding the weekend with three victories. “That was the most fun I’ve had in a racing scenario in a long time, and I hope it continues like this,” Bray remarked, proud of achieving success in a car he personally built from scratch.
Success for Will Blackwell-Chambers in the Supercup
Will Blackwell-Chambers also triumphed with three wins in the MX-5 Supercup, defeating challenger Tom Langford, who was competing in Mk3 machinery for the first time. Langford came close to victory in the opening race but admitted a lapse in awareness cost him efforts to press harder for the win. His inexperience with semi-slick tires resulted in a greater gap in subsequent races.
Drama in the Audi TT Cup
The Audi TT Cup’s season opener brought unexpected twists. Reigning champion Bradley Burns faced driveshaft issues while leading, paving the way for Matt Luff to seize victory. Following a ten-second penalty imposed on initial winner Sam Heading, former British GT4 driver Jordan Stilp claimed second place on his return to racing.
Luff continued his dominance in race two, securing another victory, while Burns recovered to finish sixth from the back of the grid after repairs. An alternate grid formation for the final race allowed Burns to negotiate his way to a win ahead of Heading and Luff.
Outstanding Performances in the Supersport Endurance Cup
Julian McBride commenced his title defense in the Supersport Endurance Cup with an exceptional win in the opening race, demonstrating control throughout the two-hour contest. McBride maintained a lead over Chris Murphy, weathering pressure until a well-timed pit stop sealed his victory by a significant margin.
In the Pro C class, Jason McInulty secured a notable third overall, finishing on the lead lap in his Lotus Elise. Colin Turkington, a four-time British Touring Car champion, claimed the Clubman A class victory, sharing a Mazda MX-5 Mk3 with teammate Bruce Robinson.
In the C1 Endurance Series, the Alpha-Trojon team, featuring Chris Freeman and Jonathan Munday, clinched victory in a three-hour endurance challenge, finishing ahead of Silverlake duo Aaron Chalk and Daniel Duell.
As the motorsport season progresses, these exciting performances set a precedent for competitive racing, promising an exhilarating year ahead for fans of the sport.
Source
www.autosport.com