Tuesday 9th May 2006

The British GT series is go!

Astons and Lotuses battle at Donington

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British sportscar engineering excellence at full throttle -- there'll be a triple helping of Aston Martin DBRS9s and Lotus Exiges debuting in the Avon Tyres British GT at Donington Park the weekend after next (21 May).

Despite being worlds apart in terms of capacity, size and weight, the two British built models will be more or less equal on the track, with the 500bhp, 1,200Kg Astons' horsepower advantage trading off against the 750Kg Exige’s nimbleness and cornering speed.

The Astons and Lotuses will be joined by a brand new Porsche 997 from TrackSpeed, which also runs three Porsche 996 cars in the GTC category. Porsches have been a mainstay of the British GT championship for years, but this will be the first time that the latest Stuttgart-manufactured offering has competed. The GT3 category is new for 2006 and will run alongside the more established GT2 and GTC classes to make up a 30-car grid at Donington.

Welcoming the arrival of the two British favourites to the grid, Avon Tyres Motorsport Director, Julian Baldwin said: “GTs have always been about great racing combined with an eclectic mix of models and manufacturers.

“To have Lotus and Aston Martin added to the ten other manufacturers starting is fantastic news and I look forward to hearing the DBRS9’s sonorous V12 engine at maximum revs on the Donington pit straight.”

As well as the Avon Tyres British GT race, spectators at Donington Park will also catch a glimpse of tomorrow's F1 Stars in the Lloyds TSB Insurance British F3 International Series. Bruno Senna, nephew of the late Ayrton, currently leads the single seater series.

Further thrills and spills will be served up by the Caterham Superlight Championship, UK Formula Ford and Volkswagen Racing Cup.

[venom500]

Sounds great! That must mean were gonna see more Viper`s in action! Yippee!

[shadytree]

The Aston's won't be that much slower around the twisty stuff... will they?

[archibold]

It's a pity that some of the Vipers, Lambos, Ascaris, Corvettes and F430s won't be present from the GT3 race at Silverstone last weekend (46 cars started in that race).

GT3 looks like being the future and I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't become the biggest class in British GT in a year or two.

Archibold

[S1 mon]

Does anyone know if this will be televised?

Sounds a lot more interesting than F1.

[GrahamG]

Not live but Channel 4 and Motors TV carry highlights packages

[Humpy]

GT Highlights are showing on Wednesday 10th May at 7:00pm on Motors TV.

[mutley]

The TV package should follow the same as last year.

1 hour on MotorsTV
30 min 'highlight' on Ch4 2 weeks after the race on Saturday

[nickytwohats]

Any Nobles competing?

[alan southeran]

The Ginetta G20s will also be racing at the Donington meeting.

[nutta29]

"British Sportscar engineering excellence....." states the first line....



but there is no mention of the morgan!!

[venom500]

mutley said:

The TV package should follow the same as last year. 1 hour on MotorsTV 30 min 'highlight' on Ch4 2 weeks after the race on Saturday

Thanks for that Mutley, will look out for it!

[lap_time]

Oh God I hope Foxtel (cable tv) shows this over here. They used to show the FIA GT series, but that got kinda boring seeing the Masers win all the time. Usually the only time I get to see GT racing is when they broadcast Le Mans. No kidding, this is SO much better than F1. Please, please, please show it!!! I'm also hoping they hold the Japanese Super GT race they said they would hold over here.