Trackside: British GT @ Silverstone 2023
The other week we were at Spa, this past weekend it was Silverstone for the British GT round 3, the Silverstone 500. The showpiece of the British GT, the 3-hour endurance race. The race had drawn in 43 entries across the GT3 and GT3 grids, with new cars appearing and older favourites returning.
The weather had done a 180 from what the teams had encountered on Saturday for Qualifying, which we thankfully were not there for, as it had tipped it down. Eventually, they red-flagged and cancelled qualifying instead using FP2 times to form the grid. This worked perfectly for the Beechdean AMR team as the Vantage had ended up in the wall in Qualifying, yet started the race 5th.
At the start of the race, it was the Abba Merc AMG ahead of both 2 Sea’s Merc AMG’s but within 15 minute minutes of the green flag. The safety car was out and everyone pitted, Am’s were swapped for Pro’s and lap times began to tumble. After an hour, 2 Sea’s were out in the lead in GT3 followed by Abba and Beechdean AMR. While in GT4 the Ginetta of Raceway Motorsport had got into the lead. With 2 of the new Mclaren Artura GT4’s in second and third.
After two and a half hours, a huge shunt down Maggots and Becketts, where the Team Brit 570s GT4 had been hit heavily in the door by the Mclaren 720s GT3 of Orange Racing by JMH. This caused a 30-minute safety car, while the drivers were extracted and the cars cleaned up. Thankfully all involved were ok.
At the green flag just into the final hour, Barwell had jumped into the lead with their new Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 during the pitstops under the safety car. They held the lead into the last 30 minutes but Centuary, who had got their BMW M4 GT3 into second place were on the hunt. Along the national pit straight, the BMW dragged alongside the Lambo taking first going into Copse corner. Barwell, hung onto second, as Optimum had made their way into third with the revised Mclaren 720s GT3.
In GT4 it was Optimum with the McLaren Artura GT4 taking the victory, One motorsport with Mercedes AMG GT4 and Academy in their trust Ford Mustang in third. With the weather staying out like it did, once again British GT put on a great show. Now we just need to see what event we will be at next.
We are planning a trip to Brands at some point and to Donington for some more British GT and also one or two Time Attack rounds, so keep an eye out for more trackside blog posts.
Gallery
Race Results: Here
Disclaimer: We are not associated with the MSA, SRO, or British GT, any teams taking part or any sponsors of the event.
