Brands hatch GP – 13/14th May 2023 Race Report, Images and Results

Posted on: May 22nd 2023 • Posted in: Race Results

Rounds 3 and 4 – Brands Hatch GP

Qualifying

A chill North wind blew across Brands Hatch as the cars assembled for their single qualifying session on Saturday 13th May. One of only two combined grid races for the 2023 season it had attracted an entry of 21 duratec cars and 10 Pinto cars for what promised to be the showcase event for the year. A forecast audience of 34,000 spectators would be coming for the weekend to watch the FIA sanctioned Fanatec GT sprint races. With a temperature hovering at 10c one imagined the crowd gathered for the Saturday morning qualifying would be clutching teas and coffees to keep warm. In the assembly area the Sports 2000 competitors were considering the implication of cold tyres on a busy track hoping the session would run without incident to get them a good time.
At the start it was obvious the battle for the Duratec Pole Position was going to be hard fought with Josh Law and Michael Gibbins trading fastest overall sector times around the circuit. Josh eventually claiming pole by just under 3/10ths of a second.
Such was the pace set by the top 2 Richard Johnson in 3rd spot was 1.6 seconds behind with Paul Trayhurn top of the Derek Bell runners a further half second back.
Richard always the competitor was disappointed to be so far off the pace of the leading 2. He aimed to be closer when the racing started. Behind Paul Trayhurn things were indeed a lot closer, with David Houghton next up from multiple Sports 2000 Champion Patrick Sherrington sharing Tim Tudor’s entry in the University of Wales MCR. With Ash Law being next from James Barwell and Mike Turner second in the Derek Bell class having a really good qualifying run with Colin Peach rounding out the top 10 Duratec runners.
In 11th spot was Peter Williams who had a real battle on his hands Grant Gibson Colin Peach and Roger Donnan all within 2/10ths of his time.
Steve Ough was having a bad weekend that started Friday when his dash display failed. He was rescued by Andrew Butler who had a spare.
In the Pinto Classes, there was a battle for top honours taking place between Jon Harmer Tiga SC80 Class C and Championship newcomer Will Schryver in his Royale RP37 from Class B. Their battle for top honours being even closer than the Law/Gibbons battle their positions being split by hundredths of a second in favour of Harmer.
Chris Snowdon returned to Sports 2000 after undertaking Historic duties at Goodwood Members Meeting in April. He was caught up in a close bunch headed by Nick Hyett in his Lola T88/90 leading Class A placing him 3rd overall in the Pinto grid placings followed by his father Ross then Chris Snowdon rounded out by Mike Fry. All was not going so well for Charlie Hyett , who was having engine issues that called for two pit stops. The problem would be fixed in time for the races.
Steve Ough’s problems continued into qualifying where he lined up at the back of the Duratec grid almost 12 seconds slower than Bryn Tootell and David Gorst on the row in front.
Equally Clive Steeper was starting at the rear of the Pinto grid when a rear anti-roll bar became disconnected. Making handling difficult. All 31 cars were prepared in time for the start of Race 1.

Race 1

The cars lined up on the grid with the Duratec cars forming the front of the grid with the Historic Pinto cars forming up behind them. They would start with a 10 second delay, their race having a union jack flag start. With the times having been so close a good race was anticipated, particularly as the weather had improved.
At the start Michael Gibbins dived into the lead as Josh Law had to contend with a fast starting Richard Johnson, who showed his nose into Paddock Hill bend then wisely yielded to look for an opportunity further round. Richard was going well setting fastest overall times in sectors 1 & 2.
Mike Turner having qualified so well, made a poor start dropping from 9th to 12th on lap 1. At the end of lap 1 Michael Gibbins led from Josh Law with Richard Johnson 3rd Paul Trayhurn 4th, David Houghton 5th Patrick Sherrington 6th and Ash Law in 7th. 11th was Colin Peach leading Duratec Class B. Steve Ough looked to be improving his luck, having started from the back of the Duratec grid he gained two places on lap 1 moving up a further place on lap 2.
In the Pinto Historic race, the three class leaders held the top 3 positions, that was Jon Harmer from Will Schyver with Ross Hyett 3rd heading the Historic A class. With Charlie Hyett having gained two places on the start.
Clive Steeper in the Pinto Historics made a great start overtaking 4 cars on route to Paddock Hill Bend, this advantage evaporating with gear selection issues from lap 2 his transmission popping out of 3rd gear on downshift. Post race inspection found worn dog ring. For race 2, a new dog ring and change of 3rd and 4th gear would prepare him for a demon start in race 2. Conversely Mike Fry went backwards at the start dropping to dead last.
Lap 2 brought Richard Johnson’s race to an end when in a rare mistake he missed the Apex running wide at Hawthorns the resulting spin sending him into the barriers and bringing his car to a halt. Whilst the car was damaged Richard was unhurt and his team along with MCR had him back and running for Race 2.
Those benefitting from Richard’s early exit were Paul Trayhurn who moved up to 3rd overall pursued by David Houghton who had Patrick Sherrington in close pursuit.
Lap 4 brought Steve Ough’s race to an end when a Rose Joint failed going into Paddock Hill Bend he suspected it could have been stressed in a previous incident. Sadly this brought out the safety car and a lengthy pick up period. The good news being that Steve was Okay Clive Hayes, Ian Law and Rodger all got his car ready for Race 2.
Whilst the Duratec order had remained pretty static prior to the Safety Car, Ross Hyett dropped back on lap 3 putting Nic Johnson into 3rd place in the Pinto Historics with Charie Hyett now 4th.
During the Safety Car period Joshua Needham retired to the pits, cause unknown. Bryn Tootell the former Monoposto Class Champion as well as a multiple F2 stock car champion having his first year in Sports 2000 came in to have a loose wheel tightened. Bryn finishing one lap down.
At the restart the race order remained very static although everyone did try hard to take advantage. With Josh Law and Michael Gibbins trading fastest sectors in their race to the line. Roger Donnan found a new favourite overtaking spot overtaking Mike Turner by going past at the outside at Hawthorns to finish 11th. John Owen passing John Iley for 14th place.
Charlie Hyett made good advantage of the restart to overtake Nick Johnson for 3rd overall in the Pinto Historics. Whilst Jon Harmer took the overall Pinto victory by just over 2/10ths of a second from a hard charging Will Schryver

Race 2

This was the race that promised so much in front of a capacity audience waiting for the second of the Fanatec GT Races. On paper there would be plenty to watch with Richard Johnson and Steve Ough both cars repaired starting at the back of the Duratec Grid. The only non starter being Joshua Needham this left 30 cars to take the start.
A lightning start from from 4th on the grid saw David Houghton take the lead from both Michael Gibbins and Josh law. Further back Paul Trayhurn was having a dice with the second of the Law brothers Ash for 4rd Overall. David Houghton was passed by Josh Law at Clearways and led at the end of the first lap. With race One winner Michael Gibbins having a problem heading into the pits at the end of this first lap. At the end of the lap Richard Johnson had moved up to 15th with Steve Ough 17th by the end of lap 2. Nick Johnson was placed 3rd in the Pinto Historics from Jonathan Harmer and Will Schryver. Mike Turner again made a poor getaway at the start dropping to 13th behind Grant Gibson.
Mike and Peter Brouwer’s race came to an abrupt end at Paddock Hill bend. Mike Turner is uncertain but he believes he probably made a mistake that caused him to spin. It has been mooted by fellow competitors on the day that Mike was caught out by a spillage in that area, that provoked the unusual spin. Most of the pack managed to avoid Mike but unsighted Peter Brouwer collided with the stranded Mike, the cars hitting nose to nose. The result was a Red Flag stoppage, whilst both drivers were extricated carefully from their cars as they each reported back pains.
Following checkups by the on site medical team both drivers were released to go home. Everyone in the paddock wishing them well. As anticipated everyone in the paddock rallied round to load cars and where possible get car and drivers home safely. The Hayes family coming in for particular mention for their kind assistance.
On track Marshals and officials were fighting time. Due to the nature of the following race there was no leeway to overrun. There was a lot of tension within Race Control as the deadline approached with the possibility of the Sports 2000 race not restarting.
As it was the race did get to restart from the original grid positions, (as the red flag had come out before 2 laps were completed first part was declared void). This was in single file with one lap behind the safety car which effectively gave the runners a one lap sprint. It was almost like a Grand Prix.
For Michael Gibbins the restart was a real bonus as he had been able to resolve the problem on his car. I am sure it was not a way he would wish to lead and eventually win the second race. Josh Law came second with Paul Trayhurn 3rd winning the Derek Bell class for the second time in the weekend. David Houghton had to content himself with 4th place and 3rd in Duratec A. Ash Law could not repeat his good start from the void race finishing 5th in class behind Tim Tudor.
Peter Williams second in Derek Bell class with Roger Donnan 3rd who again utilised his Hawthorns overtaking place on the Final Lap to pass Colin Peach who won the Duratec Class B.
The Pinto Historics was a second win for Jon Harmer from Will Schryver and Charlie Hyett all winning their class.
It was a muted Prize giving at the end of the weekend. Everyone wishing Mike and Peter well. We now look forward to Castle Combe. Back with the split races away from the pressures of International racing. Everyone is anticipating 4 good close races with the usual high standard of competition and lots of smiling faces at the end.
Race Report by Alan Jones with especial thanks to all who contributed to this piece your personal insights are greatly appreciated.

Full results are available via the Results Page. Here

Race Images

Many thanks to Kevin Gibson of KJG Photograpy for these Images from the event. To view the full set or purchase copies visit https://www.kjgphotography.co.uk