Like the majority of the GT runners, the Jim McWhirter led team was focused on exploring the new Dunlop tyres further at Paul Ricard. Tim Sudgen was in attendance at the track today as the team aims to leverage a very consistent and encouraging 2014 campaign.
With new recruit Sam Tordoff heading to the BTCC media day at Donington Park tomorrow, he was entrusted with the majority of laps today. Set to get more mileage under his belt tomorrow will be Robert Smith, who along with Tordoff has been drafted in to the #66 Ferrari 458 Italia to partner ELMS sophomore George Richardson.
Smith competed in last season’s Carrera Cup where he was runner-up in the Pro-Am class. Last year he also took in some VLN races and prior to that he raced a Ginetta in the British GT Championship and competed at the 2014 Bathurst 12 Hours.
“It is a fresh challenge and a big one for me but I am really enjoying it so far,” said Smith. “The team is well run and well proven. I don’t know some of the circuits but George (Richardson) has been especially helpful in getting me up to speed with the simulator and we have done some important work already.
“We will do some track days at Imola and Red Bull Ring in preparation. I have some days at Estoril and Snetterton under my belt but these two at Ricard this week will be valuable for me in particular but also the whole team.”
In the first two sessions Tordoff completed the most laps on 73 tours while Richardson and Smith undertook 46 and 32 apiece.
Note to the Ed – We are saving The Cure references and puns until later in the season!
