British GT Returns to Europe for Spa Speedweek
The British GT Championship makes its anticipated return to the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps this weekend, participating in a three-hour endurance race as part of the ‘Spa Speedweek.’ This event precedes the prestigious 24 Hours of Spa, where British GT will share the stage with other SRO series including FFSA GT and Formula 4.
Championship Standings and Expectations
Heading into Round 5, the #42 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo pair of Charles Dawson and Kiern Jewiss leads the GT3 Pro-Am standings. Despite a rough outing at Oulton Park, where they scored only two points, their consecutive victories—including a solid showing at Silverstone—have kept them 18 points ahead of Optimum Motorsport’s #77 McLaren GT3 Evo duo of Morgan Tillbrook and Marvin Kirchhöfer.
Jewiss explained, "We’ve had our ups and downs, but we’re focusing on maintaining our championship lead at Spa."
The challenge heats up as 2 Seas Motorsport’s #18 Mercedes-AMG, driven by Kevin Tse and Maximilian Götz, joins the hunt after a strong performance in the previous round.
Key Competitors and Challenges
In the GT3 Pro-Am class, Blackthorn Racing’s Giacomo Petrobelli, alongside four-time champion Jonny Adam, arrives at Spa bolstered by solid finishes at Silverstone and Oulton Park. Meanwhile, the #3 Optimum Motorsport McLaren duo is looking to bounce back from a mid-season slump.
Following a difficult Silverstone, Barwell Motorsport’s Lamborghinis are positioned for a strong comeback, with Rob Collard eyeing the upcoming Spa 24 with his son, Ricky.
The battle in the Silver-Am category sees Bridger Motorsport’s #86 Honda NSX GT3 EVO2 holding a slim lead over Beechdean Motorsport’s #97 Aston Martin after securing a podium spot at Oulton Park.
GT4 Developments: Manufacturer Switches and Title Races
An interesting development in the GT4 category is Mahiki Racing’s switch from Lotus Emira GT4s to Ginetta G56 GT4 Evos for the Spa race. After facing mechanical issues this season, including a retirement at Silverstone, the team aims for redemption. Their lineup includes reserve driver Blake Angeliss, returning after a year, while Ian Duggan and Joe Wheeler remain with their unchanged #88 Ginetta.
The GT4 title battle is heating up as Optimum’s #90 McLaren Artura GT4 leads the standings, bolstered by the misfortunes of Century Motorsport’s #71 BMW M4 GT4 Evo, which suffered damage at Oulton Park.
Endurance Cup Considerations
As the penultimate round of the GT4 Endurance Cup approaches, the #12 Team Parker Racing Mercedes-AMG and Rob Boston Racing’s #41 Porsche Cayman will compete to claim crucial points in a tightly contested championship. Both cars arrive at Spa tied on 64.5 points, setting the stage for a decisive race.
Conclusion
The British GT’s return to Spa promises intense competition as teams vie for crucial points in both the GT3 and GT4 categories. With the championship landscape in flux and new manufacturer dynamics at play, Spa is set to be a pivotal weekend ahead of the illustrious 24 Hours of Spa.
For more updates and detailed coverage, stay tuned as the action unfolds.
