Reigning Blancpain Endurance Series Champions WRT’s entry into the British GT Championship at Brands Hatch last weekend with Rembert Berg and Warren Hughes didn’t get off to the start that anyone was hoping for after Berg was nerfed into a gravel trap on Lap 1, the recovery, puncture and resultant pit stop putting the car 4 laps down.
What was encouraging though was that the pace shown by both drivers in the ex Spa 24 Hours car after their delay (this apparently the car that ran with Ortelli and co this year) was very competitive, endorsing Berg’s decision to opt for the crack Belgian squad once MSport had terminated their pre-Bentley programme.
That pace was particularly impressive as WRT had never before run a car on the control Avon rubber used in the British Championship, there is a planned test ahead of the remaining Championship fixtures which should see another step forward for the new look squad.
Berg had fought his way back up from the back of the field to 24th position before handing over to seasoned pro Hughes who then spent much of the remainder of the race in the wheel tracks of the second, third and fourth-placed cars. The lost laps though were a bridge too far.
Rembert Berg:
“Our race was obviously lost when I was hit up the rear before the end of the first lap having made a good, clean start. I had made up two or three places around the outside in to Druids and think I was 10th by Westfield.
“But then I was tapped on the left rear corner as I turned into Stirlings, spinning me off into the deep gravel. Eventually I was towed out and had to pit for new tyres – one of the rear wheels was destroyed. Once the [new] rear tyres had heated up I got into a nice rhythm and my pace was good. I had the leaders in my mirrors and it was a nice feeling to see they weren’t catching me.
“Without the first lap incident I believe a third place finish was a possibility if I look at the way Warren was able to stay with the leading group throughout his stint. We have learned more and plan a test day before the next race at Zandvoort which should put us in a good position going in to my two ‘home’ races.”
Warren Hughes:
“It was a difficult and physically exhausting stint. We’ve had a handling imbalance the entire weekend but with every lap in each session and then the race itself, we’ve improved the Audi.
“It’s worth bearing in mind it was WRT’s first race at Brands, the first time they’d raced on Avon tyres, the track was completely new to Rem, and it was a new team for Rem and I to work with in this series and with this car.
“Our car-to-pit radio wasn’t working properly and I hadn’t a clue where I was in the race. It’s a case of overcoming new team gremlins which always happens but that said, Rem’s pace was very good and the team performed well. Once we get the WRT Audi dialled into the Avon tyres we will be bang up there and a test day should enable that to happen.”
Next up for the British GT Championship is the now annual ‘away’ trip, this year at Zandvoort – and local man Berg will be looking to impress!
