Jota Sport AMR: back on the podium in Britcar 24 Hours

Thursday, October 07, 2010



Aston Martin Racing official partner team, Jota Sport AMR, backed up their GT4 victory at the recent Spa 24 Hours with second place in Class 3 and fifth overall at the Britcar 24 Hours at the weekend.

The Kent-based squad’s Aston Martin GT4, shared by factory Aston Martin Racing driver Sam Hancock, team co-owner Simon Dolan and Aston Martin Chief Engineer Chris Porritt, survived the most challenging of weather conditions and an incident-strewn race to clinch the podium finish and continue the outfit’s impressive start to its Aston Martin Racing partnership.

Having qualified fourth in class, Hancock took the start and drove a mammoth three-hour opening stint which kept the team right among the class leaders.

Dolan then took over and was also impressive as the weather conditions changed, posting strong lap times driving on slick tyres on an increasingly wet track. As the rain got heavier, however, he had a small spin into the gravel and lost some time after being towed out by a recovery vehicle.

Porritt was next up and drove faultlessly throughout in a car he has not only raced many times in endurance racing, but one in which he played a key role in bringing to life.

The three drivers then rotated throughout the twice-around-the-clock race and, thanks to a reliable car and some superb pit-stops by the team, managed to run as high as fourth overall. When the flag fell, the Jota Sport AMR crew eventually came home in fifth, with the three drivers tasting the podium champagne following a fine run to second in class.

Sam Hignett, Team Principal Jota Sport AMR: “The drivers this weekend were fantastic. Sam was his usual, brilliant self, and both Simon and Chris drove excellently. The team was also great and put out a very reliable car. Sadly we just didn't have the legs of the winning Porsche in the end, but it was still a great result for everyone involved.”

Sam Hancock: “I’d like to extend a huge thanks to the team and a particularly big thank you to Sam Hignett, who showed up with not only an amazingly well prepared team but also an immaculately presented one. Everyone did a great job. The pitstops were superb and the guys were absolutely first rate, as seems to be their trademark thesedays.”

Simon Dolan: “To finish on the podium again is a fantastic achievement for us, especially after a race as tough as this one. The night running was difficult, as the combination of the rain and the fog made visibility extremely tricky. To have come out of that unscathed and second in class is a great feeling.”

Chris Porritt: “The weather was a challenge, especially the fog during the night which Simon experienced. It was important to keep the car on the track, and in the end we earned a very satisfying result. All in all it was a pleasure to be part of this team. I really enjoyed driving the car and I really enjoyed working with the guys."
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