2014 British GT

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

BF3 will have 7 cars as the UK's domestic version of Pastor Maldonado will race in the British GT series. Yes, Alex MacDowall is here!

[rich07]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

It's toys out of pram - much like United Autosports and their McLarens.

So it seems. Sounds like they're selling off the Bentley to fund something else that will help them be more competitive

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by rich07

So it seems. Sounds like they're selling off the Bentley to fund something else that will help them be more competitive

Hopefully they remember to change their team name.

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Well, it's safe to say I saw that coming! The Beechdean Aston is the car to beat around here. Minshaw/Keene managed to sneak into 2nd on the grid. Should be a fun one, although something would have to go wrong with Beechdean's race for them to lose imo. The Beechdean GT4 car of Giddings/Wylie claimed class pole as well. A good Saturday for Mr Howard! Attard/Sims are 8th, behind the White/Sharp Aston.

http://www.britishgt.com/newsitem.php?key=2166

[Speed-King]

The Toyota actually turned some laps and was kind of competitive with the GT4s!

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

The Toyota was there?! Am I dreaming?!

[TheNewBob]

I noticed in Motorsport magazine this month there is an advert placed by United Autosport selling off a couple of their historic motors, but also the Audi currently used in BGT - said the car can be observed in action at Brands and Donington, and will be available for sale immediately afterwards.

Wonder what they're moving on to? Are they abandoning GTs completely in favour of BTCC? Hopefully not.

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

I doubt that highly, they may just be moving on from the Audis. The McLaren cars are still running, aren't they?!

Meanwhile, Nick Tandy won with David Ashburn (is he ever going to retire? Because he's already done that twice...). Phil Keen led but in the final 10 minutes, he suffered a puncture! The Beechdean Aston finished 16th from pole (no idea what happened!) whilst Sims and Attard finished 4th.

This means only one thing:

Only Alex Sims can deny teammate and co-driver Marco Attard the British GT title heading into Donington Park. This sounds highly unlikely to me...

[Rodger Davies]

Could see United Autosport moving on from GTs, much as I hope they don't - never really reached their potential.

Looking forward to Donington next month, glad there will still be a title up for deciding (apparently the #4 Motorbase Aston can still win if the BMW fails to score).

[airbusA346]

Originally Posted by Biscuits In A Red Bull

The Beechdean Aston finished 16th from pole (no idea what happened!)

Brake issues, a spin and a collision with another car I think.

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Originally Posted by Rodger Davies

apparently the #4 Motorbase Aston can still win if the BMW fails to score.

I forgot to add up everyone's totals, I just added the 2 protagonists! Oops...

...but that's good. I doubt something will go wrong for Attard but I feel morally inclined to support any Aston Martin...

[fergus_r]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

From what I've seen 2 years ago (on tellie, unfortunately not in real life...) the races were really entertaining (and you get to watch 3 of them!), lots of battles and close racing all race long, definitely worth a recommendation!

Btw, what is CoB?

Champion of Brands, which was the race of the weekend!

(oops, should I be saying that in here?)

Decent GT race too.

[BertMk2]

I enjoyed the GT race - what happened to the Bentley? I assume a mechanical issue as it looked to be in one piece still. Those BMW's sound superb flat out don't they? Pity the Beechdean Aston had problems - could have been a good scrap at the front with the Porkers. Also the variety of cars in GT4 made that a bit more interesting too - it was overly reliant on Ginettas last time I saw it - so to add Lotus, BMW, Aston Martin and Porsche certainly makes it more interesting. The Toyota looked to be reasonably competitive too - but it didn't make a very nice noise!

F3 needs to be binned from the meeting - 7 cars on the GP loop is never going to be good. Still, I guess it gave people time to wander round the paddock.

[Andy 308GTB]

The commentary at the time, said that the Beechdean GT3 car had issues with the brakes - i.e. that they were binding. The effect of this was expected to diminish as the race progressed.

Clearly it was bit worse than that.

After a cracking qualifying performance which potentially put them firmly back in the Championship chase, they must have been gutted. However, I saw Mr. Howard heading back to the pitlane after the chequered flag and he appeared to have retained his cheerful demeanour.

[BG76]

I thoroughly enjoyed another drama-filled British GT race at Brands Hatch! Fantastic to see Nick Tandy and David Ashburn get another win.

A great meeting on the whole, except for the embarrassing F3 effort, I think it's time to say goodbye to that championship.

I've uploaded a few photos from the weekend, thanks for looking!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/992298...7647122282935/

[Alfaholic]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

...what happened to the Bentley? I assume a mechanical issue as it looked to be in one piece still...

From the interview with the co-driver it was suspected to be the gearbox. Before it disappeared I last saw it between Hawthorn & Westfield with a fine but visible smoke trail coming from underneath.

Another quality field and race and a decent sized crowd was also good to see - who would have put money on David Ashburn coming back for his first race in a while with a win. Having Nick Tandy certainly helped, but David didn't disgrace himself in his stint and showed a decent turn of speed. Roll on Donington for the final (Timetable)

However please either dump the F3 or have 2 races on Saturday and the third as the first or last races on Sunday so we can arrive late/depart early without missing anything interesting.

[Andy 308GTB]

Originally Posted by Alfaholic

However please either dump the F3 or have 2 races on Saturday and the third as the first or last races on Sunday so we can arrive late/depart early without missing anything interesting.

In all the blurb about the British F3 series, the elephant in the room is the lack of entrants. Despite this. SRO must have a plan. Either they think they can turn it around next season or they will ditch it - which would be a shame as it has such a history.
Costs much have played a factor in its demise (£500k for a season I think was seen as a minimum budget). The teams still involved (Carlin/Fortec/DoubleR) are serious teams - which I suppose is a reflection of the size of the budget.

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

http://www.britishgt.com/newsitem.php?key=2189

The British GT finale is this weekend at Donington Park. The BGT website preview I've linked in above has the entry list, who's in contention, and all that.

Should be a good race (that is the norm these days) and whilst Attard will almost inevitably take the title, expect Ahmad Al Harthy and Michael Caine to be right at the front to capitalise on any misfortune for the BMW driver. And, seeing as Al Harthy and Caine drive an Aston, I will be cheering them on.

I won't be there, but whoever is there should have a good day out. Just remember to do something during the F3 race, which has returned to a meagre 5 car grid (if you want to comment on that, please do in the "silly season" thread).

[Rodger Davies]

Looking forward to it; will be a bit of a flying visit on the Sunday for the main race, but Donington is a lovely track to be at. Here's hoping the weather holds as well as it did last year.

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Well, Caine and Al Harthy have done all they can with pole, but with Attard second on the grid, they'll have to create their own perfect scenario or bank on a car problem if Sims gets in the BMW...

[Rodger Davies]

Well that was fun, Attard is champion but the car gave up in the opening laps after smoking heavily. Al-Harthy was superb in the opening stint and the #5 was backing up everyone else allowing him to escape, but Motorbase didn't pit both cars until later than the others, so the Trackspeed car was out with Phil Keen at the wheel. After Caine took over the #4, he was in the lead but the extra weight he was carrying took its toll and it was a matter of time until Keen got past, pursued by really impressive Olly Hancock.

Rambling there, but another good two-hour race and I hope the main contenders are back for another year next season.

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Yes, Attard had issues early on, but 4th wasn't enough for Al Harthy/Caine.

[geordiecriag101]

Another great days racing from the British GT crew, well done to Attard for getting the title, tho not in the easy way.
Feel sorry for Al Harthy and Caine, for 1hour 50mins it was their title then a small brake problem robbed them.
Drive of the day for me was Matt Bell in the UA Audi, was on it from the word go and a nice way to sign off the R8, be a great car for who ever gets it.

Heres my vid of the action, all comments welcome

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UU7pfME3XTo

[Ginaro Zukovsky]

Originally Posted by geordiecriag101

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UU7pfME3XTo

Great job by that McLaren taking himself out at the Old Hairpin. Also, waved yellow (aka stationary) at 00:58 yet the #29 Ferrari still decides to get alongside another car...

[Rodger Davies]

Great video sir, much better than the one channel 4 produce! Much more immersive. On a side note, pretty sure I nearly bumped into you a couple of times, we were at the same spots of the track at the same time it seems.