British GT, Rockingham – Notes
Absent Friends

The big news so far this weekend from Corby is that, for the second meeting in succession, the Preci-Spark Ascari has lost an engine and withdrawn from the races; on this occasion the problem occurring during free practice. We are also missing the Rosso Verde Ferrari and the ABG X-Bow, neither of whom have turned up this weekend; and we are treating with a pinch of salt the ‘official’ reason for Hector Lester’s absence being that his wife has forced him to take her on holiday.

These absences have reduced the field to a disappointing 14 cars, but there is still the prospect of some good racing this afternoon; “The second race will be really good,” said Matt Griffin. “You can see from the qualifying times how close we all are to each other.” The Irish MTECH driver left Duncan Cameron to perform warm-up duties on Sunday morning, and was instead introducing his daughter to the world of motorsport; three month old Aoife seemingly enrapt with Cameron as he spoke to her mum, Debbie.

13 of the 14 cars took part in the ten-minute session in blustery but sunny conditions, with Glynn Geddie and David Ashburn happy to watch from above the pits, having decided that there was nothing to gain from the session.

Michael Mallock and Athanasios Ladas were busily praying to the local rain gods, having enjoyed the torrential conditions that greeted the second free practice session on Saturday; “We were three seconds faster than the other G4 runners in the rain,” said Mallock. “Perhaps it’s the sharkey looks of the thing.” And how had the FIA GT4 Aston Martin driver found his new steed? “Yesterday was the first time I’d driven it and had six dry laps before qualifying. It’s a lot colder and windier than I’m used to, but it’s surprisingly comfortable and going well. We’re trying to build a set-up still and get it running right on the Avons; and Athanasios is going well – about three and a half seconds off my pace.”

Further down the pitlane, Chris Bialan was happy with his weekend so far in the Piranha Motorsport Lotus 2-Eleven; the small G4 car having taken pole for both races. “We want to get a Lotus on the top step of the podium today,” he confirmed, “particularly after Knockhill.” The damage from that crash cost in the region of £10,000 – “It basically took out the whole of the back end,” said Bialan – but the rebuild has restored the car to full health.

Tyre wear looks to once again be a crucial factor in the outcome of today’s two races, with the track notoriously abrasive; and those cars that can preserve their rubber may well find themselves at an advantage.

Before the first race began, there was a touching moment as the circuit held a two minute silence in honour of the memory of Robin Mortimer and the BRSCC’s Keith Jones.