MAIDEN BRITISH GT SUCCESS FOR TURNER AND TOPHAM
Aston Martin stalwart Darren Turner and endurance racing newbie Matt Topham both took their maiden victories in British
GT, as they came out on top of an intriguing strategic battle in GT4.
The duo, who were driving for the returning Newbridge Motorsport outfit, initially languished down in the midfield as polesitter Richard Williams (Steller Motorsport Audi R8 LMS) led from Will Burns (Century Motorsport BMW M4), with Matt Cowley’s Academy Motorsport-run Ford Mustang moving up into third in the opening laps having started last due to a lack of running in qualifying.
Williams was an early stopper, coming in just before the half-hour mark and handing over to Sennan Fielding, as Burns took up the lead and, once the opening stops had been made, Turner had cycled through to second, ahead of Moore (in for Cowley) and the battling BMW of Andrew Gordon-colebrooke and Scott Mckenna (Toyota GR Supra).
Just past the halfway point, Turner’s Aston Martin Vantage took to the front for the first time, passing Gus Burton’s BMW along the Wellington Straight and began setting impressive times – which were needed as the Williams/fielding
Audi had already made its second stop and was a threat for overall victory despite not featuring at the front for much of the race.
Burton, who was victorious with Burns at Brands Hatch, not only had to contend with an additional 14 seconds per stop due to being a Silver Cup entry, but would have to sit for a further 20s at the final stop due to their opening round success. As a result, they gambled on a safety car and didn’t make their second stop until 35 minutes were left on the clock, and their final stop with 15 minutes to run.
They were unable to overcome their additional time though, dropping to fourth behind Turner, Fielding and Mckenna, who along with John
Ferguson had steadily brought the Toyota into the podium places.
Despite closing to within two seconds at one stage, Fielding couldn’t mount a challenge on Turner, who despite his years of sportscar racing had never won in British GT before, while Topham was making his debut in the championship.
“Newbridge have done a lovely job and they are still getting up to speed with the car,” said Turner. “They are a young team with lots of enthusiasm and are really promising.
“Matt did a stand-out performance, it’s been his aspiration since he started racing to get into GT4.”