The Avon Tyres British GT Championship continues on Norfolk’s Snetterton ‘300’ circuit this weekend (21-22 June) and there’s optimism within the TF Sport camp that it can forge ahead in the headlining GT3 class and consolidate its GT4 championship lead.
TF Sport – an official Aston Martin Racing Partner Team – has held its own during its maiden full-time British GT assault and is keen to move onwards and upwards from a weekend of mixed emotions at Silverstone three weeks ago.
An unfortunate collision resulted in a DNF for GT3 pairing, Paul Bailey and Andy Schulz, at the Home of British Motorsport, as Andrew Jarman and Devon Modell resolutely continued their impressive unbroken run of podium finishes in TF Sport’s GT4 entry.
Bailey and Schulz have previous form on the 2.99mile Snetterton ‘300’ circuit, having achieved a race win there with a similar specification Aston Martin V12 Vantage, and both feel that they have a genuine shot of bettering their season-best ninth place result in among Norfolk’s picturesque farmland.
Bailey said: “I’m clearly not happy that Andy and I have had three consecutive DNFs during our recent outings in the Blancpain Endurance Series, the Dutch Supercar Challenge and Silverstone’s British GT round, but I feel we’re back in the groove after finishing third in the last race at Spa. Having achieved my first ever race win at Snetterton, I’m hoping for a solid top ten finish that either matches or betters the ninth place we achieved at Rockingham earlier in the season, although it’s difficult to set any specific targets, not knowing how fierce the competition will be.
“I’ve always liked the Snetterton ‘300’ circuit and it requires a good balance of power and downforce that I think we have with the Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3. Also, the gap between myself and Andy is usually narrower at Snetterton than at any other circuit, so we should be a strong driver pairing.”
Schulz said: “I’m really looking forward to this weekend. Historically, Paul and I have done really well at Snetterton so I’m hopeful we can do the same this time around, especially as the circuit should suit the Aston Martin. If we get the car hooked up, we can certainly finish in the top ten.
“I like the two one-hour race format, as the sprints mean you have to get on with driving and there’s little need for strategy. You never know what’s around the corner, but we will be looking to put the Silverstone misery behind us and better the ninth place we achieved at Rockingham.”
TF Sport has already established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the GT4 battle, Jarman and Modell reclaiming the championship initiative from their Beechdean Aston Martin rivals, Jake Giddings and Ross Wylie, by charging to yet another top-three result on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit.
At such an early stage in the season, the intention is to continue consolidating their points lead, although both Jarman and Modell foresee a challenging weekend with the Aston Martin V8 Vantage at Snetterton.
“Snetterton is a circuit I’ve driven quite a lot and have fond memories of,” said Jarman. “I won the Aston Martin GT4 Challenge there last year, but it’s a circuit that doesn’t suit the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, with an infield section that requires quick direction changes. On the straights and through the back end of the circuit, the car excels, but it feels unbalanced elsewhere.
“Having finished on the podium in all four races this season, the benchmark is to match that again this weekend. As long as we stay ahead of our Beechdean Aston Martin rivals in the races and the championship standings, I’ll be happy.”
Modell added: “It’s good to be back in the lead of the championship, but I’m not sure if the Aston Martin will suit the Snetterton circuit. It’s a mixed track with long, fast straights and then there are the tight, twisty sections that shift weight balance, which is something we’ve struggled with. This weekend features two one-hour sprints, which I prefer; anything can happen in GT racing, but this format gives you a chance to recover in the second race. We have to take each event as it come and we don’t really know how we’re going to fare until qualifying.”
Avon Tyres British GT Championship qualifying is scheduled to take place at 16.40 on Saturday (21 June), while Rounds 5 and 6 will take place at 11.40 and 16.25 on Sunday (22 June).
For more on TF Sport, visit the official www.tfsport.co.uk website, ‘like’ the team’s Facebook page of follow @OfficialTFSport on Twitter.