TF Sport hopes to continue on an upward curve when the 2014 Avon Tyres British GT Championship resumes at Silverstone – the Home of British motorsport – this weekend (31 May-1 June).
The Avon Tyres-backed British GT Championship is set for its Blue Riband event, with a bumper field of almost 40 cars taking to the grid for the ‘Silverstone 500’ – the jewel-in-the-crown of what is arguably the world’s premier national GT series.
TF Sport has held its own during its maiden full-time British GT assault and will look to continue its climb towards the sharp end in this weekend’s three-hour endurance feature race, after Paul Bailey and Andy Schulz most recently fought their way to a first points finish in the championship’s headlining GT3 division at Rockingham Motor Speedway.
“Silverstone is an absolutely fantastic circuit,” said Bailey. “What makes it particularly demanding is its high-speed, flat layout, as it becomes increasingly difficult to judge your speed and braking points accurately over the course of a three-hour race. However, it’s exceptionally safe and anybody who gets to race on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit is a very lucky person.
“I think the TF Sport with Horsepower Racing Aston Martin V12 Vantage will be well suited to Silverstone’s demands, as the track’s long straights and quick corners appear to favour the more powerful cars like the Aston and I think the Bentleys. This will undoubtedly be a very competitive race with a large and exciting grid of cars, but I have some great memories of the circuit and I hope to make some more this weekend.”
Andy Schulz added: “Historically, Aston Martin has always performed well around the fast and flowing Silverstone Grand Prix circuit, so fingers crossed we can continue that legacy! I’ve always performed well there, but while the latest GP layout is very good and is more challenging for drivers, I do have a soft spot for the old Bridge corner. I do miss it.
“This being a three-hour endurance race, it will get very hot inside the car, which will make the race physically demanding; I would prefer two one-hour sprints, rather than a single two-hour stint, but we will discuss strategies nearer the time. I’m anticipating a great event and, having collated a huge amount of data and experience at Rockingham, we have some momentum going forwards. We’ve got to keep our heads down and hold it together and I’m sure we’ll have a fantastic race!”
The Redhill, Surrey-based TF Sport outfit has already established itself as a force in the GT4 class, as its drivers, Andrew Jarman and Devon Modell, currently lie second in the standings having featured on the podium in all three races to date.
Having set the bar so high, the driver pairing can only target the top step of the podium and bid to recapture the championship initiative from Beechdean Aston Martin rivals Jake Giddings and Ross Wylie on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit.
“I’m really looking forward to this weekend, as it will be a new experience for me,” said Modell. “The characteristics of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage should suit Silverstone more than Rockingham, as it’s full of long straights and fast, sweeping bends. It’s also quite a wide track, which will help make allowing the quicker GT3 cars past less frantic for us GT4 drivers.
“Other than a few test days, I haven’t had much experience of Silverstone’s Grand Prix circuit, so it will be a new and exciting challenge for me. It’s certainly an opportunity I’m relishing! This will also be the first time I’ve run in all sessions, so I will be able to get a better understanding of the car and its setup. Having said that, I can’t complain about how my season has gone so far. It was a bit disappointing to lose the championship lead at Rockingham, but another podium finish at Silverstone would be fantastic. Of course, the main aim is always to finish first”
Jarman added: “I’ve not raced in an endurance race like this before and there will be some added factors, but it is certainly something I am looking forward to as it gives every driver the chance to spend more time behind the wheel and hone their skills.
“Rockingham wasn’t ideal, but had we qualified well, there is no reason why we couldn’t have won that race. It shows that Devon and I have the pace and are closely matched, which will help over the longer endurance races.”
Qualifying for the Avon Tyres British GT Championship is scheduled to take place on Saturday (31 May) at 13.40, followed by the three-hour endurance feature race on Sunday (1 June) at 14.15.
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