The British GT’s yearly trip abroad has arrived, and it’s set to be a thriller with 34 cars taking part in the fifth round of the 2015 British GT season at Spa Francorchamps.
19 GT3 cars are due to start the two-hour race, with some new different faces in the mix. The biggest story is the addition of the Marc VDS & Friends Racing for Cancer entry of Pascal Witmeur and Bas Leinders. The BMW-backed outfit should be competitive this weekend as it prepares to tackle the Spa 24 Hours in which the Z4 will race for 74 minutes of the race in aid of the Belgian Foundation against Cancer.
Aston Martin Brussels and Leonard Motorsport are also on the list adding a further two Vantages, bringing the total of Astons in the GT3 class to a hefty eight. Michael Schmetz and reigning Belgian GT champion Tim Verbergt will drive the Bussels Aston, and Stuart Leonard and Michael Meadows are paired up in the Leonard entry.
After a short break from the series skipping the rounds at Rockingham and Silverstone, Rosso Verde is back with its Ferrari 458 to add further variety to the grid. Hector Lester and Benny Simonsen are as usual paired up and for the race will look to build on their strong outing at Oulton Park where they finished fourth in Race 1.
The other Prancing Horse entry in GT3 comes with a driver change, as Ollie Hancock will compete alongside Gary Eastwood this time out. Eastwood has shared the car with either Adam Carroll or Richard Lyons in the #18 FF Corse 458 to this point.
The GT4 field will remain much the same, but with a sole addition from Track Group. The current GT Cup squad has entered its Lotus Evora with Adam Balon and Ben Clucas at the wheel.
For the series regulars this weekend is a chance to snatch some valuable points as the season crosses the halfway point. Currently leading the standings is the 2014 series champions Ecurie Ecosse. Marco Attard and Alexander Sims look to build on their lead of 11.5 points over the #6 Oman Racing Aston of Liam Griffin and Rory Butcher; and after finishing the past three races on the podium, they’ll be confident that their Z4 can finish high up the order yet again.
The GT4 standings are not as close-knit at the top as in GT3, but could soon see a shift in power if Jamie Chadwick and Ross Gunn don’t show the same form at the famously tough circuit in the Ardennes. Gav Kershaw and Oz Yusuf will be looking to pounce on the young duo at Spa, aiming to build on ISSY Racing’s results last season at the Belgian circuit where the Evora came home on the podium in both races.
If Chadwick and Gunn are as composed this weekend as they have been so far in the Beechdean Aston, then the rest of the teams will have a mountain to climb in the remaining meetings if they are to challenge for the title. Having 93 points already banked is an incredible achievement, nobody in the paddock will be surprised to see them surpass 100 by the end of Saturday’s race.
The action in Belgium is spread over Friday and Saturday in support of the 25-hour Fun Cup race with the practice and qualifying sessions all taking place on the first day.
Stephen Kilbey
