2010 British GT Championship
The 2010 Avon Tyres British GT season was the 18th season of the British GT Championship. The season began on 5 April at Oulton Park and finished on 16 October at Donington Park after thirteen races, twelve held in the United Kingdom as well as a single overseas event at Spa-Francorchamps.
Sexagenarian David Ashburn prevailed in the GT3 class, taking his Trackspeed car to the championship title after being helped by three different co-drivers during the season. After sharing his car with Siso Cunill and Richard Westbrook – Westbrook would later return to Trackspeed to boost Ashburn's championship challenge, sharing a car with Philip Walker – in one-off appearances scoring a podium with each, it was a driver 43 years his junior that he enjoyed most success with. Porsche Carrera Cup driver Glynn Geddie had competed with Ashburn at his home event at Knockhill but joined him full-time from the Rockingham meeting onwards,[1] and the pairing took four victories in the last eight races to give Ashburn the championship and Geddie the runner-up spot. Duncan Cameron and Matt Griffin finished in third place, taking three victories during the season. Also taking three victories were defending champions David and Godfrey Jones, who struggled for reliability in their Ascari, finishing only five races all season. Hector Lester and Allan Simonsen, Tom Ferrier and Dan Brown, and Peter Kox and Marc Hayek were the other race winners.
In the G4 class, Christian Dick and Jamie Stanley were comfortable champions, taking five victories during the season as the Speedworks pair finished 32.5 points ahead of their nearest challengers. Rory Butcher and Benjamin Harvey only contested six of the season's thirteen races, but with a win and three second place finishes, amassed enough points to finish as the closest challengers to Dick and Stanley. Nathan Freke and Vibe Smed finished a point further back with seven podium finishes, with many of those coming where only half points were awarded. Brothers Benji and Freddie Hetherington won three of their five starts in the class, having spent most of the season in the Ginetta G50 Cup, Athanasios Ladas and Michael Mallock swept both races at Rockingham, with single victories going to Daniel Lloyd and Julien Draper, as well as another pair of brothers, Matt and Robert Bell. A GT Cup class was held at the first two meetings, with Phil Dryburgh and John Gaw claiming honours in both races at Oulton Park, and Steve Hunter and Derek Pierce taking a victory and a DNF at Knockhill.
Rule changes
[edit]Class restructure and new homologations
[edit]On 15 October 2009 the SRO Motorsports Group announced changes to the structure of the 2010 season including a wider variety of circuits, with races broadcast on Channel 4 and viewable again on 4oD. The race coverage was also available on Motors TV. It was also announced that emphasis was placed on the avoidance of clashes with other prominent racing series.[2]
For the 2010 season, the GT3 class had more homologated cars available to compete because homologated models of superseded FIA GT3-spec cars were eligible to race along with the Nationally homologated Mosler. Thirteen marques were available to race. They included Ascari, Aston Martin, Audi, BMW Alpina, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ferrari, Ford, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Morgan, Mosler and Porsche.
The G4 class also featured more cars because of the introduction of Supersport-spec cars from last year to the class such as Lotus, KTM and Donkervoort. In addition to the new Supersport cars into the G4 class, most GT4 homologated cars were eligible to race, including Aston Martin, BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, Gillet, Ginetta, Maserati, Nissan, Opel and Porsche.
The Cup class was reintroduced after a two-year absence. In previous years, it gave amateur race drivers the chance to compete in the highest level of GT racing in the UK and it returned due to heavy demand. The cars eligible were the cars currently used in the Porsche Supercup and Ferrari Challenge series, based on the Porsche 997 and Ferrari F430 road cars. It was only held at the first two meetings, with a single car running at each meeting.
Entry list
[edit]The provisional entry list for the championship was released on 24 March 2010.[3]
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Calendar
[edit]- All rounds were 60 minutes in duration, with the exception of the round at Spa-Francorchamps – a 150-minute race held in conjunction with Belcar[42] – as well as the two-hour races at Silverstone and Donington Park. A GT Cup class ran at the first two meetings with Kinfaun Racing winning twice at Oulton Park and Jamie Hunter Racing winning at Knockhill. All races except Belgian round at Spa, were held in the United Kingdom.
| Round | Circuit | Date | Pole Position | GT3 Winner | G4 Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oulton Park | 5 April | #1 Team Preci-Spark | #2 MTECH Racing | #48 Speedworks Motorsport |
 Godfrey Jones David Jones
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Duncan Cameron Matt Griffin
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Christian Dick Jamie Stanley
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| 2 | #3 Rosso Verde | #2 MTECH Racing | #44 ABG Motorsport | ||
Hector Lester Allan Simonsen
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Duncan Cameron Matt Griffin
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Benjamin Harvey Rory Butcher
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| 3 | Knockhill | 9 May | #1 Team Preci-Spark | #1 Team Preci-Spark | #48 Speedworks Motorsport |
| Godfrey Jones David Jones
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Godfrey Jones David Jones
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Christian Dick Jamie Stanley
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| 4 | #12 Predator CCTV | #1 Team Preci-Spark | #48 Speedworks Motorsport | ||
| Phil Burton Adam Wilcox
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Godfrey Jones David Jones
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Christian Dick Jamie Stanley
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| 5 | Spa-Francorchamps | 5 June | #24 Reiter Engineering | #24 Reiter Engineering | #48 Speedworks Motorsport |
 Peter Kox Marc Hayek
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Peter Kox Marc Hayek
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Christian Dick Jamie Stanley
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| 6 | Rockingham | 18 July | #8 Rollcentre Racing | #7 Trackspeed | #50 Chad Racing |
| Martin Short Gregor Fisken
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David Ashburn Glynn Geddie
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Michael Mallock Athanasios Ladas
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| 7 | #7 Trackspeed | #7 Trackspeed | #50 Chad Racing | ||
| David Ashburn Glynn Geddie
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David Ashburn Glynn Geddie
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Michael Mallock Athanasios Ladas
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| 8 | Silverstone | 15 August | #6 Trackspeed | #7 Trackspeed | #53 United Autosports |
| Philip Walker Richard Westbrook
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David Ashburn Glynn Geddie
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Matt Bell Robert Bell
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| 9 | Snetterton | 30 August | #1 Team Preci-Spark | #21 Chad Racing | #57 Century Motorsport |
| Godfrey Jones David Jones
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Tom Ferrier Dan Brown
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Benji Hetherington Freddie Hetherington
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| 10 | #12 Predator CCTV | #2 MTECH Racing | #57 Century Motorsport | ||
| Phil Burton Adam Wilcox
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Duncan Cameron Matt Griffin
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Benji Hetherington Freddie Hetherington
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| 11 | Brands Hatch | 26 September | #1 Team Preci-Spark | #7 Trackspeed | #57 Century Motorsport |
| Godfrey Jones David Jones
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David Ashburn Glynn Geddie
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Benji Hetherington Freddie Hetherington
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| 12 | #3 Rosso Verde | #1 Team Preci-Spark | #51 Barwell Motorsport | ||
| Hector Lester Allan Simonsen
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Godfrey Jones David Jones
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Julien Draper Daniel Lloyd
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| 13 | Donington Park | 16 October | #3 Rosso Verde | #3 Rosso Verde | #48 Speedworks Motorsport |
| Hector Lester Allan Simonsen
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Hector Lester Allan Simonsen
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Christian Dick Jamie Stanley
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Standings
[edit]Points were awarded to the top eight finishers in the order 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 for 60 minute races, with double points awarded for the endurance races. Half-points were given in certain races of the G4 class, and in all GT Cup races due to a lack of entries. Drivers in bold indicate pole position, while drivers in italics indicate fastest lap.
GT3
[edit]
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G4[edit]
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GT Cup[edit]
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References
[edit]- ^ "Geddie & Ashburn mount GT title bid". brscc.co.uk. British Racing and Sports Car Club. 5 July 2010. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
- ^ "SRO Motorsports Group announces class structure changes for British GT". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 2009-10-15. Retrieved 2009-10-24.
- ^ a b c d e f g "British GT entry revealed". crash.net. Crash Media Group. 2010-03-24. Retrieved 2010-03-24.
- ^ a b c "MTECH Racing back with a bang for British GT 2010". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 2009-11-06. Retrieved 2009-12-06.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Balance and a great grid: a strong season in prospect for British GT". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 2010-03-12. Retrieved 2010-03-12.
- ^ "Ferrari men Griffin & Cameron lead the charge north". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Lamborghini joins British GT for Spa-Francorchamps". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 2010-05-30. Retrieved 2010-05-30.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Strong entry for Silverstone's British GT two-hour enduro round". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 9 August 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
- ^ a b c "Viper bites back with Wilkins and Scott". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 2010-01-01. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
- ^ Wilkinson, Andy (2010-03-31). "20 set for Oulton Park opener". motorstv.com. Motors TV. Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
- ^ "GT battle lines drawn at Knockhill". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 8 May 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
- ^ "Westbrook on top in Spa free practice". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 4 June 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
- ^ a b c d e "Michael Mallock returns to British GT at The Rock". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 2010-07-09. Retrieved 2010-07-19.
- ^ "Trackspeed Porsche claims victory in Silverstone thriller". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 15 August 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
- ^ a b c d "Silverstone enduro set to attract large British GT field". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 2 August 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
- ^ a b c "Ashburn eyes Brands Hatch title chance". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 20 September 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
- ^ "Chad plots twin-Ferrari British GT campaign". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 2009-11-04. Retrieved 2009-12-06.
- ^ a b Turner, Kevin, ed. (2010-03-25). "Sports Extra: Ferrier gets new Chad Ferrari ride". Autosport. 199 (12): 80.
- ^ a b c d "Jelley joins British GT for Donington date". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 14 October 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
- ^ a b "Argentine duo set for British GT campaign". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 2010-02-25. Retrieved 2010-02-25.
- ^ a b "Chad Ferrari at Silverstone: Kane is able". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 5 August 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
- ^ a b "Ashburn & Geddie on top again at Brands". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 26 September 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
- ^ a b "Racewinner Brown returns to British GT with STP Ferrari". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 2010-01-14. Retrieved 2010-01-14.
- ^ "Brown & Ferrier join forces for Snetterton". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 28 August 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
- ^ a b c d e "G4 class entry boost for British GT at Silverstone". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 3 August 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
- ^ a b "Adam Wilcox 2010 Plans". web-solution.co.uk. Adam Wilcox. 2010-02-26. Archived from the original on 2013-05-05. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
- ^ a b Turner, Kevin, ed. (2010-02-11). "Sports Extra: In Brief". Autosport. 199 (6): 85.
- ^ a b c "Twin Audi attack planned for British GT". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 2009-12-06. Retrieved 2009-12-06.
- ^ a b "Bell brothers unite to make British GT Championship race debut". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 6 August 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
- ^ a b "ABG KTM X-Bow plans for 2010 season". ABGmotorsport.net. ABG Motorsport Ltd. 2010-02-08. Retrieved 2010-02-16.
- ^ Wilkinson, Andy (2010-02-24). "Butcher set to make British GT debut". motorstv.com. Motors TV. Archived from the original on 2012-02-20. Retrieved 2010-02-25.
- ^ a b c "Scottish team plans twin-Nissan British GT4 campaign". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 2009-11-23. Retrieved 2009-12-06.
- ^ a b c Turner, Kevin, ed. (2010-03-11). "Freke joins forces with Chad for British GT campaign in 2010". Autosport. 199 (10): 85.
- ^ a b "Green light for a great British GT season". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 24 March 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
- ^ a b "Twilight refuelling race at Donington Park to close British GT season". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 8 October 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
- ^ a b c Wilkinson, Andy (2010-01-24). "European champ planning British GT switch". motorstv.com. Motors TV. Archived from the original on 2012-02-20. Retrieved 2010-02-07.
- ^ "Brown & Ferrier on top at Snetterton". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 30 August 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
- ^ a b "British GT debut for Lloyd at Brands Hatch". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 22 September 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
- ^ a b c "Piranha Motorsport to field Lotus in British GT". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 2010-01-16. Retrieved 2010-01-16.
- ^ a b "Quality field for Bank Holiday GT races". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 23 August 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
- ^ a b "Jones & Jones take victory at Knockhill". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 9 May 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
- ^ "Spa-Francorchamps date for British GT". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 2010-01-21. Retrieved 2010-01-21.