Thursday, May 07, 2015
TF Sport heads to Kent’s globally renowned Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit with a two-car line-up for the second round of the GT Cup, which runs as part of the illustrious Blancpain Sprint Series’ support bill (9-10 May).
At the GT Cup’s season-opener at Donington Park on the Derbyshire/Leicestershire border a fortnight ago, the Paul Bailey and Andy Schulz driver pairing dominated proceedings in their TF Sport-run Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3, which they piloted to a number of top ten finishes in the Avon Tyres British GT Championship last season.
Overcoming mixed weather conditions to win the weekend’s opening 50-minute pit stop race in a dominant fashion, Bailey then contested the following day’s two sprints single handedly, where he once again found a rhythm to stand on the podium in celebration of a victory and a runner-up finish.
The undulations and fast-flowing nature of Brands Hatch suit the Aston Martin, and the experienced endurance racing duo of Bailey and Schulz are expecting to have yet more fun in the pursuit of victory.
“It has been an amazing start to the season and I am really enjoying competing in the GT Cup,” said Bailey. “To come away from Donington Park with two wins and a second place finish was a great feeling and I felt I drove as good as I could. Hopefully we can emulate that success again this weekend at Brands Hatch, but every race victory has to be fought for and won’t come easy. Having said that, there is no reason why we can’t have another strong weekend.
“We are very lucky to be racing on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix configuration, as it’s only available on a few occasions during the year. I have raced there previously, but have yet to win or stand on the podium, so hopefully that will change this weekend. We have a great car in the Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 and I think it will perform really well on the GP circuit with its fast-flowing nature.”
Having completed more races at Donington Park than all of last season, 47-year old Martin Johnston returns to the GT Cup fray this weekend in the AllFloors Express-liveried Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT4.
Overcoming mixed weather conditions to win the weekend’s opening 50-minute pit stop race in a dominant fashion, Bailey then contested the following day’s two sprints single handedly, where he once again found a rhythm to stand on the podium in celebration of a victory and a runner-up finish.
The undulations and fast-flowing nature of Brands Hatch suit the Aston Martin, and the experienced endurance racing duo of Bailey and Schulz are expecting to have yet more fun in the pursuit of victory.
“It has been an amazing start to the season and I am really enjoying competing in the GT Cup,” said Bailey. “To come away from Donington Park with two wins and a second place finish was a great feeling and I felt I drove as good as I could. Hopefully we can emulate that success again this weekend at Brands Hatch, but every race victory has to be fought for and won’t come easy. Having said that, there is no reason why we can’t have another strong weekend.
“We are very lucky to be racing on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix configuration, as it’s only available on a few occasions during the year. I have raced there previously, but have yet to win or stand on the podium, so hopefully that will change this weekend. We have a great car in the Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 and I think it will perform really well on the GP circuit with its fast-flowing nature.”
Having completed more races at Donington Park than all of last season, 47-year old Martin Johnston returns to the GT Cup fray this weekend in the AllFloors Express-liveried Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT4.
The former Renault UK Clio Cup racer now feels comfortable both with the TF Sport team and the Aston Martin, and is hoping to have yet another strong weekend where he can have fun while competing for class podiums.
“We accomplished everything we wanted last time out at Donington Park and I’m really excited for this weekend at Brands Hatch,” said Johnston. “Racing in the Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT4 is a big learning curve, and to have finished all three races at Donington Park was brilliant. Plus, I bettered my personal best lap times with every session, so I am looking forward to once again progressing and learning the car this weekend.
“I raced on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix configuration last season, but the clutch failed and limited my running. Apart from that, I raced there in the Lotus Cup back in 2009, so I’m not new to the track, but not familiar with it either. It is a brilliant circuit to race on and, with 38 cars entered this weekend, it will be sure to produce a lot of action for the fans.”
Qualifying for the GT Cup is scheduled to get underway at 13.05 on Saturday (9 May), with weekend’s 50-minute pit stop race at 16.30 later that day. Sunday (10 May) will play host to two sprint races at 13.40 and 17.15 respectively.
Source - TF Sport
