TF Sport returns to Britain’s ‘Home of Motorsport’, Silverstone, for the second time in as many months for the fourth instalment of the GT Cup, where driver pairing Paul Bailey and Andy Schulz will be success penalty free and intend of fight towards the sharp end (13-14 June).
The Redhill, Surrey team overcame rain, wreckages and ravaged rims to finish eighth in the Avon Tyres British GT Championship Silverstone 500 at the tail end of last month, collecting some highly useful data, which will be implemented that into this weekend’s GT Cup event at the Northampton circuit.
Climbing the winners’ rostrum on two occasions last time out at Rockingham Motor Speedway, despite being handed a 30-second success penalty and their TF Sport-prepared Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 not suiting the tight and twisty infield of the Corby circuit, all of which while juggling engine issues, Bailey and Schulz were able to extend their lead at the top of the Drivers’ standings.
With this weekend’s venue, Silverstone, better suited to their 600bhp machine with its long straights followed by fast flowing corners, which makes for ample overtaking opportunities, Bailey and Schulz will be success penalty free this weekend and will be looking to spray the victory champagne once again.
“I am really looking forward to the race this weekend and hopefully we finish at the front end once again,” said Bailey. “There will be lots of competition once again for this weekend’s meeting, which provides the fans with a great spectacle. The car is all fixed after its engine problems last time out at Rockingham and this weekend we won’t have any success penalties, so I’m really excited to get back in the drivers’ seat alongside Andy (Schulz) and, fingers crossed, bring home some more trophies.”
Favouring Rockingham’s tight and twisty infield, AllFloors Express Director, Martin Johnston, who’s confidence within the TF Sport and its Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT4 continue to grow at a rapid rate, ran door handle-to-door handle with his class rivals last time out.
Prior to this weekend’s meeting, Johnston will, for the first time this season, test at the circuit with a pro-driver alongside him to give advice on how to best extract the performance from the car and himself.
“My confidence behind the wheel of the team’s Aston Martin certainly grew at Rockingham, and I am excited to further my knowledge again this weekend,” said Johnston. “So far this season I have been able to beat all my personal best lap times with each and every session, and with all the help the team have been providing me, I am certain that I once again continue that trend and hopefully get into the mix and fight for some positions.”
Qualifying for the GT Cup is scheduled for 13.20 on Saturday (13 June), with the headline 50-minute pitstop compulsory race later that day at 16.35, with the weekend’s two sprint races the following day (14 June) at 12.20 and 15.30 respectively.