Oulton Park Race Report: 2 Seas Motorsport Dominates in GT3; Optimum Motorsport Sweeps GT4
Oulton Park witnessed a dramatic display of skill and strategy in the latest British GT Championship races, with 2 Seas Motorsport’s #18 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO securing a decisive victory in Race 2 under challenging weather conditions. The team’s strategic switch from wet to slick tires proved pivotal, as Maximilian Götz and Kevin Tse capitalized on increasingly dry track conditions.
Starting from pole, Götz maintained the lead through fluctuating weather, ultimately finishing the race 47 seconds ahead after 35 laps. “I understood the tyres pretty quickly, and we adjusted the pressures before the race,” said Götz. “In the end, it all went well.” Tse emphasized the importance of timing the slick tire switch correctly: “It paid off. The track was drying up more and more.”
Simon Orange’s #67 McLaren GT3 Evo finished in second place, following an intense battle on wet tires against Jonny Ip in the #86 Bridger Motorsport Honda NSX GT3 EVO2, which achieved a commendable podium finish by climbing from 14th on the grid. Ip found pace in his final stint, closing out the race with a mere two-tenths deficit to Orange. “That was the most entertaining race I’ve ever been a part of,” remarked teammate Garlick.
The race commenced under damp conditions, with varied tire strategies taking center stage as some teams opted for wet tires amidst the unpredictable weather. The #7 Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 Evo, driven by Giacomo Petrobelli and Jonny Adam, secured fourth place. Meanwhile, Morgan Tillbrook and Marvin Kirchhöfer’s #77 McLaren completed the top five.
The Team Parker Racing #66 Porsche 911 GT3.R and Paddock Motorsport’s #9 McLaren rounded out the top seven, while Beechdean Motorsport’s #97 Aston Martin finished eighth in GT3 Silver-Am.
In GT4, Optimum Motorsport showcased dominance, with the #90 McLaren Artura GT4, driven by Marc Warren and Jack Brown, achieving a 1-2 finish after both cars started at the back due to previous qualifying issues. This impressive comeback could serve as a turning point for the championship season. Warren noted, “I’ve gotta thank the team for putting me out on slicks. That was the right call.”
Mahiki Racing’s #69 Lotus Emira GT4 secured third in class, marking a successful outing for the team despite mechanical challenges faced by other Lotus entries. Century Motorsport’s only running BMW, the #14, took fifth place, winning the Silver-Am class.
The day’s racing underscored the critical nature of tire strategy and adaptability in motorsport, with critical performances setting the stage for an exciting season ahead in the British GT Championship.
