Team CarSafe claim first P1 podium

The latest round of the GTS Equipe was on the 23rd June on the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit.

A 20 minute qualifying session consisting of a 28 car grid, saw Team CarSafe driver Mark Holme qualify as the fastest MGB, P3 in class and P6 overall.

The race was a furious 40 minutes with a mandatory pitstop so planning and timing were going to be crucial.

As the lights went out, Holme made a good start and gained a place to put him in P5, although the faster TVR's and Porsche's pulled ahead for their own private battle. The strategy was tyre conservation as the searing track temperature was not kind to historic Dunlop tyres and grip needed to be saved for the final push, as well as to wait for the front runners to tussle, loose time and wear their tyres as they jostled for position. The lack of clean lines and increased track coverage pushed the front runners back onto Holme who sat painently waiting for the right moment to take the advantage. It wasn't long before the opportunity presented itself as Holme moved up to P4 after one of the TVR's went off line at Graham Hill.

With the pit window now open, the safetly car had been deployed, this was a chance to make an early stop and Holme entered the pits. This gamble paid off and saw Holme emerge from the pit lane into P2. Shortly after the front runner had to do their pit stop, putting Holme into P1.

With 20 laps still to go, the challenge was consistant lap times and pace and here the earlier saving of the tyres was paying off. The nearest car was now over 4 seconds behind and not lapping any quicker. A slower Porsche 911 proved difficult to pass but now with a 7 second buffer, it was decided to follow and not make any moves that would jepordise the final result.

Holme drove a superb race, calm and strategy paying off to see him not only first in class which would have been a fantastic result in itself but in only the second race for our plucky little MGB, P1 overall.

Needless to say champagne was sprayed and many congratulations were given.