Twelve short months ago I first hit upon my GT40th challenge….and yesterday – at the Donington Decider - that challenge was successfully completed! It’s been a truly remarkable journey – but before I look back at my season highlights, I need to share my fan’s perspective of yesterday’s British GT finale.
Donington is effectively our home circuit and is just over an hour’s drive away. We knew that the pit walk session was going to be around 12 o’clock – but wanted to squeeze in a walk around the paddock and garages to say hi to the various teams and drivers that we’ve built up a bit of a rapport with over the course of the year. We made our way into the circuit and were immediately struck by just how full the paddock was. There were visibly more race cars here compared to previous years – with the usual support races of British F3, Mini challenge and Ginnetta’s – further bolstered by the Volkswagen Racing Cup and the very cool machinery of the Excool OSS Championship. Because it was my final GT40th race weekend, I was joined by the rest of the family – which I have to say was superb. The kids in particular are brilliant – and their enthusiasm for all things racing is just a treat. They had reliably informed me that a new children’s programme – Ali-A’s Superchargers (they take a family’s beat up old car and essentially ‘pimp-it up’) – was co-presented by Rebecca Jackson…who just so happens to compete in the Mini Challenge. With the kids on the case, we had soon located Rebecca and the kids had the obligatory photo, and a quick chat about plans for a second tv series. With the kids positively beaming, we then made our way to the Barwell garages to find Jonno. As I’ve mentioned before, Jonno is one of the race engineers who looks after the stunning Lamborghinis. As ever, it was great to catch-up – hearing about his (very brief) summer break, and discussing the prospects for the race ahead. Whilst Phil Keen and Jon Minshaw were really happy with the set-up – Jonno and the team were under no illusions for just how tough a race it was going to be – particularly as the TF Aston Martins were running so well. Moving down the garages, we stopped next at the TF Aston Martin garage of Derek and Jonny. My son had wanted to get Jonny to sign his special Aston Martin cap. As is the case for all the drivers, Derek and Jonny were just so welcoming and lovely. Jonny happily signed the cap, and then quite unexpectedly, Derek invited the kids into the garage to sit in the newly wrapped ‘Dave’. With the kids besides themselves with excitement to sit in their heroes’ car – I got to have a great chat with Derek – and was surprised to learn that despite it being the same car from last year (with the same set-up, on the same tyre) – that the car was in the region of a second quicker this time round. Wishing Derek the best of luck for the race, we then headed out to join the pit walk queue…. And what a queue!! The turnout was simply staggering – and to be fair, why not? The sun was out, it was the season finale – and you’d get to watch the finest cars and drivers battle it out. Given that we’d already spoken to several drivers already – and of course, over the season picked up all the autographs we could ever want – why would we be queuing up for the pit walk?? Well in two words – Jake Yorath!! He is the chap who has designed all the British GT posters – and to pick one up you need to attend the pit walk. I am so very, very happy to have the full collection – as not only is it a great way to mark my GT40th challenge – but also because they are beautiful works of art in their own right – and which now take pride of place on my bedroom wall! Whilst in the pit lane, I had also arranged to meet up with Andy from Endurance>. As mentioned in previous posts, we had first met to chat about my GT40th challenge – but had since kept in touch, meeting up at races and discussing all things GT! Andy really is a top bloke – and his articles are well worth a read (his Le Mans coverage is particularly great). I hope we will be able to meet up next year – and continue our shared enjoyment of sportscar racing! With the pit walk concluded, we made our way through the supercar display – particularly appreciating the new McLaren 720s. I hadn’t seen one before – so was pleasantly surprised to find three examples in various specifications. I should also mention the Bentley Speed 8 that was on display. A serious race machine that won Le Mans back in 2003. It would have been awesome to see that do a lap or two of Donington – but sadly not on this occasion…. As the rumble in our stomachs reach audible levels, it was time to make our way to Hollywood (our favourite spot) to setup camp and have some lunch. As 13:30 approached – I really started to get quite excited. I had followed the season every step of the way – and it had all come down to this very final race. Whilst the Bentley boys had the points advantage – there was a slim chance that the Barwell crew could nick the win and the championship. From the off, with a roar of thunder, it was clear that Jon Minshaw only had the top spot in mind. He made a cracking start – but then….he spun. With that we thought the chance of the championship was over. But to give him and the team credit – they didn’t give in. Jon brought the car in at the halfway mark within 15 seconds of the Bentley – which meant with the 20 second success penalty – the Lambo, being piloted by the consistently quick Phil Keen, left the pits ahead of the Bentley. As the race unfolded, and Phil on a charge, I genuinely believed that the Barwell team might just pull off the impossible. Phil took it all the way down to the wire, but in the end it wasn’t enough – and the Bentley boys of Rick Parfett and Seb Morris (finishing 4th) had the points advantage and took their well-earned maiden British GT championship title. In terms of the race, ‘Dave’ finished first (giving Jonny a British GT record of top spot finishes) – which made the kids day because it had only been a few hours earlier that they had been sat inside it! Buoyed by the Aston’s victory, the kids were keen to see if they could find Derek and Jonny to congratulate them. Still dripping from the champagne celebrations, the kids found the guys and had their photos taken – and even getting to hold the winner’s trophy. But, for the second time in one day, Derek completely blew us away and gave my son his winners cap. I really can’t describe in words just how amazingly kind and generous that was – nor will I find the words to fully express just how much that means to my son and to me. It really was the icing on the cake for what has been just the most incredible journey. After all the excitement of yesterday, I have had chance to reflect on the season as a whole and to think about what have been my highlights. This has proven to be harder than imagined as every single round of the British GT (without exception) has been an absolute privilege and thoroughly, thoroughly entertaining. That said, there have been some consistent ‘themes’ which have made my GT40th challenge as enjoyable as it has been and that I’d like to acknowledge. Firstly, I want to thank all my family and friends who have accompanied me along the way and for helping make the experience so memorable. Not all have necessarily had the same passion for motorsport as me, but have embraced my madness and come along and shared in that journey. Secondly, I’d next like to thank the teams and drivers for making me feel so welcome and feel a part of their community – from Jonno the race engineer at Barwell, to Derek and Jonny (and ‘Dave’), to Jamie Chadwick from British F3, Andy at Endurance>, Tom from BritishGT press team, and all the other drivers who have been so happy to talk racing and pose for photos. My blog has named you all – so I shan’t repeat here – but its because of that genuinely welcoming paddock feel that makes the British GT the great championship that it is. In addition to the people – I should also acknowledge the machinery. The race cars on display – and the wheel to wheel action they provide, is immense. It’s such a visceral experience – and to see them driven on the limit is something special and something I will never tire of. I think everyone should attend a round of the British GT once in their lifetime….and if pressed on which round that should be….well – I’m going to have to say the round at Spa. Possibly controversial as it’s the only non-British round of the championship – but wow, wow, wow – what a circuit. If you’ve not been – then you absolutely should!!! And so with my GT40th challenge complete – this is where my blog ends. I will, without doubt, be attending the British GT next year. But as for my next challenge, I will have to give that some thought…. Although that said, I’ve always quite fancied taking in a 24hr race……. To be continued…..
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AuthorHi I'm Jon - an almost middle-aged motorsport fan - blogging for the first time.... Archives
September 2017
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