GT Cup Championship at Silverstone

The GT Cup Championship was founded in 2007 by Marc Haynes as premium GT Sprint series.

The aim of the championship to to provide a genuine driver race experience, putting sportsmanship and fun first. Add to this access for the drivers to quality race tracks giving the best service at an affordable price. Finally they look to share their passion with like minded racers and to create an environment to delight the drivers, teams, families and supporters.

The GT Cup aim is to help amateur drivers improve their race and driving skills with a professional drivers and have fun doing it. 

Professional drivers may enter the championship with an amateur driver as a two driver team.

Former drivers from this championship have gone on to race in the British GT Championship, World Endurance Championship and more.

The minimum requirement to enter the GT Cup is to hold an Inter Club (Race National B) License.

The GT Cup is home to a broad range of past and present GT race car. The grid is split into 6 groups.

These are:

 GT3 - For homologated GT cars running to the manufactures specification and subject to either current or the FIA performance figures that will be set down on the GT Cup balance of  performance document before each race. Cars in this class include the Mercedes AMG GT3 and and Ferrari 488 GT3.

GTO - Open specification cars built by very low volume manufactures (subject to meeting the balance of performance and the maximum power to weight for the group). GT2 and GTE class cars, modified challenge cars, cars that are not derived from universally recognised volume GT manufactures. Cars in this class include the Brabham BT62 and the Radical RXC GT3.

GTC - Later model year Challenge Cup specification cars, with performance balancing where required. Cars in this class include the Ferrari 488 Challenge and the Lamborghini Super Trofeo.

GTB - Early year Challenge Cup cars with minimum specification changes together with modified saloon based GT cars. Cars in this class include the Marcos Mantis and and the BMW 1 Series. 

GTH - For homologated cars running to manufactures GT4 specification. Cars in this class include the McLaren 570S GT4 and Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4.

GTA - Lower specification Cup, Challenge and one make series cars. This class is mostly made up of Ginetta's.

With this structure in place, it means that race cars current and past can race on an equal footing often passed their usual life cycle.

The weekend format will have a 15 minute warm up session and a 15 minute qualifying session separated by a brief break. There is then a 25 minute sprint race that only the amateur driver can race in  and a 50 minute pit stop race that if the team has two drivers, the amateur starts then handing over to the professional driver. This happens both days of the weekend so plenty of action is on offer.

I arrive at Silverstone in good time although its raining and park in the paddock. I have a quick look around the paddock before the warm up and qualifying.

All of the GT Cup cars this weekend had an orange heart on them to remember Robert Foote, the marshal who was tragically killed at Brands Hatch recently. 

Once the cars leave the paddock, I base myself around Copse corner.

Paddock, qualifying photo's.

 

After qualifying, I make my way to the paddock and to Bute Motorsport who organise the GT Cup Championship. I am warmly welcomed by Stephanie Inglis. Stephanie informs me that Hannah James, the Championship Director and my contact who I've been liaising with is making her way back from Race Control. 

I make my way through the paddock and grab lunch early. I then head back to Bute Motorsport and meet Hannah. We have a chat about the events during qualifying and Hannah answers my questions regarding the championship. Not wanting to take to much of Hannah's time I make my way back to Copse corner for the race

Cars on the grid before the race. The car on Pole Position is the No 88 Abba Racing Mercedes AMG GT3 Driven by Richard and Sam Neary. This car was re-shelled after it had a huge incident at Spa Francorhamps in Belgium recently. The team re built the car but did not have time to put the wrap on it or any of the liveries.

The No 88 Abba Racing Mercedes AMG GT3 Driven by Richard and Sam Neary leads the field on the 1st lap heading towards Copse Corner.

The No 50 Valuga Racing 911.1 GT3 Cup car driven by Carl Cavers and Lewis Plato is being challenged by the No 66 Enduro Motorsport Mercedes AMG GT4 driven by Morgan Tilbrook and Marcus Clutton.

The No 20 Saxon Motorsport BMW 1 Series driven by Tom Barrow trying to keep ahead of the No 27 FF Corse Ferrari 488 Challenge driven by Laki Christoforou and the No 1 Orange Racing powered by JMH McLaren 570S GT4 driven by Josh Jackson and Michael O'Brien

The No 9 Topcats Racing Lamborghini Super Trofeo driven by Jensen Lunn and Warren Gilbert, No 333 Kan Yan Racing Ferrari 488 Challenge driven by Andie Stokoe and David Mcdonald and No 113 Team Webb Lamborghini Super Trofeo driven by James Webb race towards Copse corner.

The No 4 Triple M Motorsport/Tecserv Nissan Nismo GTR GT3 driven by Grahame Tilley and Will Tregurtha leads the No 155 FF Corse Ferrari 488 GT3 driven by Laurent De Meeus and Jamie Stanley and the No 247 LK Motorsport Ferrari 488 Challenge driven by Lucky Khera down the Start/Finish straight.

The No 9 Topcats Racing Lamborghini Super Trofeo driven by Jensen Lunn and Warren Gilbert.

The No 7 Raw Motorsports Radical RXC GT3 driven by Steve Burgess and Ben Dimmack chases the No 61 Scott Sport Lamborghini Huracan GT3 driven by John Dhillon and Phil Quaife around Copse corner.

The No 4 Triple M Motorsport/Tecserv Nissan Nismo GTR GT3 driven by Grahame Tilley and Will Tregurtha

The No 28 SB Race Engineering Brabham BT62 Driven by Paul Bailey and Ross Wylie overtaking the No 9 Topcats Racing Lamborghini Super Trofeo driven by Jensen Lunn and Warren Gilbert. The Brabham would have a busy weekend. In the first race of the day it would spin at Copse corner on the first lap and be relegated to 41s and last place. By the time the chequered flag fell it was in fourth place overall. 

The No 155 FF Corse Ferrari 488 GT3 driven by Laurent De Meeus and Jamie Stanley

The No 23 Greystone GT McLaren 570S GT4 driven by Iain Campbell and Duncan Tappy.

The No 90 Balfe Motorsport McLaren 570S GT4 driven by Mike Price and Callum Macleod doing battle with the No 44 Signature RV/Paddock Motorsport McLaren 570S GT4 driven by Steve Ruston and John Whitehouse.

The No 44 Signature RV/Paddock Motorsport McLaren 570S GT4 driven by Steve Ruston and John Whitehouse leading the No 77 Greystone GT McLaren 570S GT4 driven by Mark Hopton and Adam Carroll, the No 17 Orange Racing powered by JMH Ginetta G5 Supercup driven by Russell Lindsay and Patrick Collins, the No 15 Century Motorsport Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 and the No 6 Century Motorsport Ginetta G5 Supercup around Copse corner

The No 20 Saxon Motorsport BMW 1 Series driven by Tom Barrow.

The No 26 Paddock Motorsport McLaren 570S GT4 driven by Moh Ritson and Tom Rawlings

The No 70 FF Corse Ferrari 488 Evo passes The No 26 Paddock Motorsport McLaren 570S GT4 driven by Moh Ritson and Tom Rawlings.

The No 96 Stanbridge Motorsport Lamborghini Super Trofeo driven by Chris Kemp and Stuart Hall.

The No 113 Team Webb Lamborghini Super Trofeo driven by James Webb, leads

the No 9 Topcats Racing Lamborghini Super Trofeo driven by Jensen Lunn and Warren Gilbert. the No 31 Valuga Racing Porsche 911.2 GT3 Cup driven by Jan Klingenberg and Dino Zamperelli and the No 34 Team Hard Racing Porsche 911.1 GT3 Cup driven by Richard Marsh and Sam Randon around Copse corner.

The No 88 Abba Racing Mercedes AMG GT3 Driven by Richard and Sam Neary.

 The No 247 LK Motorsport Ferrari 488 Challenge driven by Lucky Khera.

The No 118 Fox Motorsport Ginetta G5 Supercup driven by Ian Duggan and James Townsend.

The No 82 Feathers Motorsport Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 driven by James Guess and Darren Turner leads the No 96 Stanbridge Motorsport Lamborghini Super Trofeo driven by Chris Kemp and Stuart Hall around Copse corner.

 The No 66 Enduro Motorsport Mercedes AMG GT4 driven by Morgan Tilbrook and Marcus Clutton

The No 67 Orange Racing powered by JMH Ginetta G5 Supercup driven by Simon Orange.

The No 35 Valluga Racing Porsche 911.1 GT3 Cup driven by Nick Phelps.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent watching the GT Cup at Silverstone, if you like watching GT cars racing then this is a must watch. For me this is the best sounding championship in motorsport. The noise these cars create is just superb.

The racing is close and there are battles going on in every part of the field due the 6 class system the championship incorporates.

The drivers I spoke to were happy to chat briefly post race.

If you cant get to either of the remaining races at Donington Park in September or Snetterton in October, you can watch all of the action via the GT Cup Youtube channel a link has been provided below. 

I would like to thank Hannah James, Stephanie Inglis and the team at Bute Motorsport for making me feel welcome and for organising the championship.

For further information about the GT Cup please find links below to their website and Youtube Channel.

https://www.gtcup.co.uk/

https://www.youtube.com/user/GTCupUK

 

Audi R8 V8 at Castle Combe with Car Chase Heroes Part Four

My fourth car of my day at Castle Combe was the Audi R8 V8.

After purchasing Lamborghini, Audi wanted to build a Supercar. Audi already had engines and transmissions it then required was the base and design to build upon. Debuting at the 2006 Paris Auto Show, the Audi R8 is the production model of the 2003 Audi Le Mans concept of 2003. 

This car sports a naturally aspirated, rear mid mounted 4.2 litre V8 engine that produces 420bhp and a top speed 187 mph. This is paired with a 6 speed R-tronic gearbox. This is an all wheel drive car although the bias of this is towards the rear wheels

Getting into the Audi is quite easy and the seat is comfy. The dash is simple and the paddles behind the wheel are easy to reach, left takes you up through the gears, right takes you back down.

Below is the video of my drive around Castle Combe.

https://youtu.be/33j6D9NO37s

To conclude, this car is the best handling car I've driven. Through the corners it feels like it's on rails due to the all wheel drive and it does not fall short on acceleration.  It's challenging but so rewarding. The V8 behind you growls nicely at speed and will leave you smiling. This car has gone down as a classic already and I suspect soon, prices for these will rise above what they are going for now.

Next time hopefully the seatbelt stays done up.

Let me know in the comments how you think I did driving the Audi R8 V8 around Castle Combe.

For more information about Car Chase Heroes, U Drive Cars and Castle Combe please visit

https://www.carchaseheroes.com

https://www.udrivecars.com

https://castlecombecircuit.co.uk

Lotus Cortina at Castle Combe with Car Chase Heroes Part Three

My third drive of the day with Car Chase Heroes was the Lotus Cortina.

The Cortina was made by Ford and launched in 1962 as a family car made to compete with Morris Oxfords and Vauxhall Victors.

During 1961, Colin Chapman of Lotus wanted to have his own Lotus engine and commissioned Harry Mundy (Designer of the Coventry Climax engine) to develop a twin cam version of the Ford Kent engine.

With the engine in development, Ford's Walter Hayes asked Colin Chapman if he can fit the engine to 1000 Cortina's for Group 2 homologation, Chapman agreed. Ford would provide a 2 door shell of the car and took care of the distribution and marketing, Lotus built the cars and sorted out the mechanical side of it.

The engine was a 1597cc twin cam that produced 105bhp and a top speed of 145mph. This was paired with the 4 speed gearbox from the Lotus Elan.

Lowered suspension and servo assisted disc brakes meant the the Lotus Cortina handled well. 

Then there was the iconic colour scheme, Ermine White with a Sherwood Green Flash stripe, although Private race teams would use their own colours. 

The Lotus Cortina was launched in 1963 in Monte Carlo.

Jim Clark would win the British Saloon Car Championship in a Lotus Cortina in 1964. This would enhance Clark's reputation as a driver and the Cortina's reputation as a sports car.

Inside the Lotus Cortina there is plenty of room and the leather seats are comfy.

Once strapped in I turn the key and the 1597cc twin cam comes to life.

It's at this point I would go into detail about driving round the track, but on this occasion, I'm going to let technology step in. Below is a video of my drive around Castle Combe.

https://youtu.be/wBjv0FG_uuk

To conclude, the Lotus Cortina is a must drive car for classic car enthusiasts. It's speed, steering and handling make this car easy and fun to drive. And if that's not enough, the engine noise is fantastic. 

What Colin Chapman did to this humble family car may have given rise to the phrase wolf in sheep's clothing in terms of motoring. If you tried to drag race one of these in the early 1960's the chances are you lost.

Let me know in the comments how you think I did driving the Lotus Cortina around Castle Combe.

For more information about Car Chase Heroes, U Drive Cars and Castle Combe please visit

https://www.carchaseheroes.com

https://www.udrivecars.com

https://castlecombecircuit.co.uk

 

VW Golf Mk 1 at Castle Combe with Car Chase Heroes Part Two

My second drive with Car Chase Heroes would be the VW Golf Mk 1.

Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro the Golf named after the Golfstrom, the German for Gulfstream appeared in May 1974 and would remain in production until 1983 selling 6.99 million cars worldwide. The Golf was the successor to the Beetle but some drastic changes were made. Firstly The Beetles engine was air cooled and in the rear, the Golf was water cooled and in the front with front wheel drive.

What was round became angular and this gave more space inside the car.

The Golf was a family car but due to the efforts of some VW engineers doing work after hours on a Sport Golf project saw the release in the late 1970's of the Golf GTI that would see the rise of the Hot Hatch.

This Golf has a 1.6 litre engine with around 110bhp that has a 0-60 in 8.8 seconds and a top speed of 113mph. The gearbox is a 4 speed manual.

I walk to the car and notice a couple of burly chaps stood at the back of it. I get in and familiarise myself with the interior. The instructor explains to me that this is the cars first outing and it has to be bump started. Once I'm ready I turn the key, put the car into second and give the signal to the chaps to start pushing. I bring the clutch up and the car clunks into life. 

Out of the pit, I have a clear track so it's foot down and up to third and fourth. The pit exit is at Folly Corner, making my way to Avon Rise before braking and back down to third to turn into Quarry corner, Once out of Quarry it was back on the power and up to fourth and down the farm straight towards the Esses, with Mini making a great noise. Break and change to third for the tight chicane is the Esses. Back on the power and up to fourth round the Old Paddock Band and Hammerdown before going back down to third for Tower Corner, Once through this tight corner, back on the power and then break for the next tight chicane Bobbies.

Once through this chicane back on the power up Westway then onto the Dean Straight before braking and changing down to third for Bybrook and then back on the power through Camp Corner and the start finish straight heading towards Folly.

Taking it around Castle Combe it becomes easy to see why this car started the Hot Hatch boom. 

It feels quick on the straight and good in the corners although it felt like there was a lot of body roll through the chicanes. The gearbox is also easy to work.

To conclude the Golf is a great car to drive. It's iconic lines still have to power to make people smile if you are driving it or one passes you by in the street. Even though this car has a radio and tape player, the engine make a good noise at speed. It's comfortable and easy to drive at speed but don't take chicane style corners too quickly.

I imagine the team at Car Chase Heroes will get the starter motor issue sorted soon as starting with a key will be easier than having people on standby to bump start it.

For a car that's 47 years old, it's still going strong.

For more information about Car Chase Heroes, U Drive Cars and Castle Combe please visit

https://www.carchaseheroes.com

https://www.udrivecars.com

https://castlecombecircuit.co.uk

 

Mini Cooper S at Castle Combe with Car Chase Heroes Part One

 

With the UK in the coming out of lockdown, after what felt like an eternity, it was time to book some cars to drive. This post and the next four will detail the cars and how they were. All of the drives took place at Castle Combe in Wiltshire and booked through Car Chase Heroes and U Drive Cars.

First up, the Mini Cooper S. For regular readers, this has a family connection, back in the mid 1960's my 2nd cousin used to race mini's at Castle Combe and did quite well.

So the Mini, designed by Alec Issigonis as a small family car the Mini was launched in 1959 and went on to sell millions. The revolution in this car came from the engine. Most cars as the time used rear wheel drive with a longitudinally mounted engine with a gearbox bolted on. The Mini however had a transverse 4 cylinder engine with the gearbox under the engine driving the front wheels. This meant the powerplant took up less space allowing more room inside the car and better off overall efficiency of the car. 

In 1961, racing driver and manufacturer John Cooper modified the original Mini creating the Mini Cooper.

This Mini was equipped with a 1275cc engine that gives out around 6ohp and a top speed of  around 88mph. 

On paper this does not sound a lot but when you consider that the car only weighs 840 kg's and given the cars firm suspension setup it makes for quite a car. In it's day and now at historic meetings you can see just how good a car this is. Between 1960 and 1972 the Mini won 32 rallies around the world including 3 victories at the Rally of Monte Carlo

Getting inside the mini is easy even for a big chap like myself, once in I familiarise myself with the pedals, 4 speed gearbox and steering wheel.

With the turn of the key, the Mini's engine barks into life and settles into it's idle. 

I put the Mini into first and begin to head to the it exit, before I reach the exit I move up to second. Out of the pit, I have a clear track so it's foot down and up to third and fourth. The pit exit is at Folly Corner, making my way to Avon Rise before braking and back down to third to turn into Quarry corner, Once out of Quarry it was back on the power and up to fourth and down the farm straight towards the Esses, with Mini making a great noise. Break and change to third for the tight chicane is the Esses. Back on the power and up to fourth round the Old Paddock Band and Hammerdown before going back down to third for Tower Corner, Once through this tight corner, back on the power and then break for the next tight chicane Bobbies.

Once through this chicane back on the power up Westway then onto the Dean Straight before braking and changing down to third for Bybrook and then back on the power through Camp Corner and the start finish straight heading towards Folly.

Making my way around the track, it's easy to see why the Mini was a popular car to race. It's low centre of gravity and suspension make it feel planted through the corners and it's light body and engine also mean it can accelerate quickly out of corners. The steering at speed is light and responsive and the clutch and gearbox are easy going.

To conclude, the Mini is a car I would like another drive in. It was great fun to take it around Castle Combe to see what my 2nd cousin did and the fun he would have had. When I got in, Dom the instructor said it was like a Go Kart, he was not wrong. When you drive it, you understand why this car has stood the test of time and keeps coming back for more. It's iconic design and performance were why it sold in it's millions to your average person and celebrities alike.

This was a great start of what would turn out to be and amazing days driving.

For more information about Car Chase Heroes, U Drive Cars and Castle Combe please visit

https://www.carchaseheroes.com

https://www.udrivecars.com

https://castlecombecircuit.co.uk