RS Williams: Michael Mallock Silverstone report

The first rounds of the 2010 GT4 European Cup took place at Silverstone over the weekend with Michael and the RSWilliams team making a solid start to the year, taking two Second places.

With the series moving over to Michelin rubber this year, and little opportunity to test pre-season, this weekend was a huge learning experience, with the team and driver working hard to get the Aston Martin GT4 to work on the new tyres. Qualifying saw a pair of solid second places taken for the weekends two 40 minute races, both times behind the similar Aston Martin of the Dutch Rhesus team (who have been using Michelins for the past season in the Dutch GT4 Championship).

A strong run in Race 1 was compromised by a warped front brake disc, severely compromising both braking performance and the cars handling. After some fantastic battles throughout the race, Michael brought the car back through the pack to finish in third place, two tenths behind the Speedworks Ginetta of Christian Dick. Post race scrutineering however found the Ginetta to be 11 kilos under the minimum weight limit, the cars exclusion moving Michael to second place.

After a night of horrendous rain a the Northamptonshire circuit, the sun came out two hours before the Second race of the weekend, and the circuit was once again dry as the GT4 field lined up for the start of the race two.

As Pole man Paul Meijer brought the field up to the start line, a sudden stamp of the brakes before the lights changed caused confusion behind, and in the melee Michael was hit up the rear crossing the start line, and subsequently hit again going into Copse corner. Running wide due to the contact Michael got back onto the circuit in 10th place, and started an intense drive back through the field.

A string of superb laps saw Michael slicing through the pack, making it up to Second place by the time of his pit stop on lap 7.

After the field had completed the mandatory pitstop, Michael was in a clear Second position, and could see the Aston Martin of leader Meijer in the distance. Pushing hard Mallock ate into the lead of the Dutchman, but as the chequered flag dropped Michael had still not closed down the gap, and the race ended with a 7 second gap to the leader.

After the weekend Michael said: "Its great to have a good points base to move on in the Championship, while we didn't get onto the step of the podium we wanted to be on, a pair of 2nd places is a great result for me and the team. We learned a huge amount about the Michelins during the weekend, and each time we went out on track we got the car working better. The RSWilliams team have again done an amazing job this weekend, and we're all looking forward to taking the challenge on at Spa."

The series resumes at Spa, on June 5th.

PR:Michael Mallock