Round 1: Race 1 Report

Silverstone International Race 1

The grid formed up almost a replica of the pre-season form guide with PR3DATOR in pole position closely follwed by the new Shelby of jenson09, the Sagaris of TVR Fan and Chucky 1982 bringing up the rear of the small initial field for the inaugural British GT race.



As the lights went out jenson09 seemed to get the better start and entering Copse the THR driver had edged PR3DATOR in his Corvette into a close second place. TVR Fan and Chucky followed closely behind.



By the time the cars reached Abbey for the first time there were two distinct groups. But on cold tyres jenson09 ran his Shelby deep into the hairpin, nearly losing his tenuous lead to the flying Corvette behind. The THR driver had expressed his concerns at the extreme pace of PR3DATOR's car following qualifying, noting that it seemed to be around a second faster than most of the other cars but put it down simply to better preparation.


The positions remained unchanged for the majority of the race. On lap three there was a major scare for the leading pair who had gapped the following Sagaris and Mustang. Once again at the Abbey hairpin jenson09 braked slightly late, unsettling his car enogh to spear off into the gravel. Keeping his foot planted jenson09 slowly recovered his car, ruing the mistake.

PR3DATOR took instant advantage of this error and went for the lead but distracted by the Shelby's excursion he too, spun mid-corner pitching the Corvette around ditching his rear wheels in a gravel trap on the exit. Meanwhile TVR Fan had caught the lead pair and attempted a pass but unsighted was nearly collected by the recovering jenson09. The two cars missing a serious broadside collision by mere inches. PR3DATOR by now had crawled back onto the track and was repassed by jenson09 with TVR Fan now chewing his rear bumper.




The Corvette's handling through Bridge and the complex of Brooklands and Luffield was, however, enough to gap the Sagaris and close the gap back to the leader. Indeed exiting Woddcote and back onto the Pit Straight, the Corvette and Shelby were side by side, only the greater grunt of the GT500 being enough to keep jenson09 ahead.



However, if you thought this race was sown up lap four would change that. Over the radio jenson09 had been expressing concern that the car was beginning to understeer terribly on braking. Sure enough on braking into the fast Maggots section jenson's car ploughed onwards and off the track.



He narrowly missed losing the car in a gravel trap and made for the escape road. Meanwhile PR3DATOR had now taken the lead with TVR Fan assuming the chase in second. (This despite PR3DATOR launching his car over the kerbing at Ireland.)




Taking to Abbey for the final time, PR3DATOR led the field home, TVR Fan bringing his Sagaris home in an excellent second place and the frustrated jenson09 in third.


Chucky 1982 had had a quiet race, learning the car and the circuit and perhaps benefitting from not getting involved in the fracas up ahead. A solid weekends performance from the rookie driver.

There were, on the whole, alot of positives to draw from this first race meeting. The cars seemed well matched and the drivers raced fairly. The drivers were simply buzzing after race one and all eyes looked to how the endurance race two would turn out, despite the diminutive field.

ace two report to follow (wasn't it fun!!)