Jonny Adam and Andrew Howard’s combined lap of 2:22.574 scored pole position ahead of the two-hour British GT race at Spa in the #007 Beechdean AMR Vantage. Adam’s 2:20.340 and Howard’s 2:24.809 were enough to secure it by just under three tenths from the #6 Oman Racing Aston Martin of Rory Butcher and Liam Griffin. ISSY Racing’s Lotus Evora of Gavan Kershaw and Oz Yusuf took pole in GT4.
Adam’s flyer set up the result, and came with just four minutes left in the opening session for the Pro drivers in both classes. It pushed Butcher off provisional pole and put the Beechdean team in good shape for Howard’s stint.
“We’ve done so well in the qualifying sessions all year, so we really need to convert this one into a victory. The car felt good all day, so we’re hoping for a really good race. It should be a close one,” Adam told DSC after the session.
Griffin in the second place Oman Aston was involved in one of two incidents that occurred in Qualifying, hitting the Toleman Motorsport Ginetta of David Pattison which took fifth in GT4 at La Source. The tight hairpin was a talking point after the cars had taken the chequered flag due suspected to oil being put down there by another series before the British GT cars went out. Many drivers complained of slippery and dusty conditions.
“I was going into the corner, and ran wide to let two GT3 cars through,” Pattison explained. “I had to turn in at some point, and as I did Liam (Griffin) drove into the side of me. I can understand why because of the angle, it’s just a shame.
“The car will be ok though, and our position for the race is still good, it’s just that the front-right suspension got damaged in the process.”
Third in the GT3 standings was taken by the #63 Barwell Motorsport BMW Z4 of Phil Keen and Jon Minshaw which was quick throughout Practice. The pair combined for a lap just .353 off the Beechdean car and will be looking to claim a podium spot in the race tomorrow. The second Barwell Z4 – the championship-leading #1 – came home fourth a further two and a half tenths off the #63 after a combined time of 2:23.174 by Alexander Sims and Marco Attard.
TF Sport will line up fifth tomorrow after Andrew Jarman and Jody Fannin’s combined lap. It wasn’t a totally clean run for the team however, who encountered a small hiccup at Stavelot which saw Jarman have to be pushed back onto the track by marshals after an off. He explained to DSC that it was a simple driver error, and that a loose splitter had been causing the car to handle awkwardly throughout the session.
GT4 saw Kershaw in the ISSY Racing Lotus Evora set the best time in the class on his first flying lap in the Pro session. His 2:33.165 was the foundation for an eventual pole-position for the team, who will line up alongside the Beechdean Aston Martin of Jamie Chadwick and Ross Gunn, and the #43 Century Motorsport Ginetta of James Birch and Aleksander Schjerpen.
“It was a good lap, I encountered absolutely no traffic which was great,” said Kershaw. “I was second out on the track and had nobody in my mirrors for two whole laps. With the pro drivers in the car first tomorrow it should be a good racing. Seeing a guy like James Nash have to come through the pack from the rear of the GT4 class will be interesting.”
After managing second with a combined time of 2:36.216, Gunn and Chadwick’s pace in Practice was therefore no fluke; they’re set to continue their string of good results following their performance.
“I was personally a bit disappointed with my lap to be honest,” admitted Chadwick. “The tyres just weren’t at peak temperatures at the right time. Great lap by Ross though, we’re happy to be so close to the Lotus at this stage. We just need to get some points and remain consistent tomorrow. It’s not about dominating.”
Fourth – and just ahead of the aforementioned Tolman Ginetta – was eventually taken by the #48 Fox Motorsport Ginetta of Jamie Stanley and Paul McNeilly who combined for a time of 2:37.132.
Aside from the Tolman Ginetta getting hit, the only other notable incident in the session was the AMDTUNING.COM Porsche having to abandon Qualifying prematurely. The front bonnet of the car flipped up and smashed the windscreen while Graham Coomes was at the wheel midway through the first 15-minute session.
Tomorrow’s two-hour race at Spa is set to begin at 12:15 local time.
Stephen Kilbey
