Kirchhöfer Fastest In Damp Opening Practice At Oulton

British GT Opening Free Practice Report: Kirchhöfer Leads in Damp Conditions

In a thrilling opening free practice session for the British GT Championship at Oulton Park, McLaren driver Marvin Kirchhöfer narrowly outpaced four-time champion Jonny Adam. Kirchhöfer, piloting the #77 Optimum Motorsport McLaren 720S GT3 Evo, clocked a lap time of 1:33.571, while Adam finished with a 1:33.632 in the #7 Blackthorn Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 Evo.

The session commenced under damp conditions following an early morning shower, providing teams an opportunity to test Pirelli’s new wet tyre compound, the WHB. As track conditions improved, slick tyres emerged as the faster option, particularly in the latter half of the 60-minute session.

Hugo Cook secured third place with a time of 1:33.828 in the #1 Barwell Motorsport Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2. He was closely followed by McLaren drivers Callum MacLeod in fourth (1:33.842) and Oliver Webb in fifth (1:33.883). Marcus Clutton placed sixth with a 1:34.051 in the #67 Orange Racing by JMH McLaren, ahead of Alex Martin’s #78 Barwell Lamborghini (1:34.538). Notably, the top seven cars were separated by less than a second.

In the GT4 category, Mahiki Racing dominated with a 1-2 finish from its Lotus Emira GT4s. Steven Lake set the pace with a lap time of 1:41.599, while Aiden Neate followed at 1:42.238. Reigning champion Jack Brown gained third in the #90 Optimum McLaren Artura GT4 (1:42.411), with Ravi Ramyead fourth in the #71 Century Motorsport BMW M4 GT4 Evo (1:42.663).

The session faced disruption when Branden Templeton’s #14 Century Motorsport BMW encountered difficulties, requiring a full-course yellow and subsequent red flag to clear the vehicle from a gravel trap.

Pre-qualifying is scheduled for 11:55 local time, expected to be conducted in drier conditions, promising further competitive action.

Full Results:

GT3 Top Five:
1. Marvin Kirchhöfer (#77 McLaren) – 1:33.571
2. Jonny Adam (#7 Aston Martin) – 1:33.632
3. Hugo Cook (#1 Lamborghini) – 1:33.828
4. Callum MacLeod (#3 McLaren) – 1:33.842
5. Oliver Webb (#24 McLaren) – 1:33.883
GT4 Top Five:
1. Steven Lake (#69 Lotus) – 1:41.599
2. Aiden Neate (#84 Lotus) – 1:42.238
3. Jack Brown (#90 McLaren) – 1:42.411
4. Ravi Ramyead (#71 BMW) – 1:42.663
5. Luca Hopkinson (#17 McLaren) – 1:42.816