Race Report for Race One
WEBB LEAVES IT LATE TO SNATCH SNETTERTON VICTORY IN FERRARI SANDWICH
James Webb emerged victorious in Group GTB for Saturday’s first race at Snetterton after a race-long tussle with fellow GTB runner Warren Gilbert as well Paul Bailey and John Seale in GTC Ferraris.
Gilbert had the advantage for much of the 25-minute event, but Webb managed to take the position late on, finishing third on the road behind Seale and ahead of Bailey, to take the Group win.
James Webb - Team Webb (8)
“One of the Ferraris out-braked himself and I had to give him room, and lost three or four places, which ruined my good start. Once the Ferraris went through I had similar pace to them, but they had too much power for me to pass. Fortunately for me Warren had a spin, so I was able to get past for the win.”
Group GTA featured a close battle between the Ginettas of James Reveler and Tom Hibbert, with the Topcats Racing driver leading for much of the contest. But after a slight error coming out of Riches, Hibbert managed to get past before opening up a small gap before the end of the contest.
“It was a struggle but a good race,” said Hibbert. “I made a mistake at the start and ran a bit wide and the Ginetta got through. He made a little mistake getting on the straight and I managed to slipstream and get around him.”
Taking a dominant overall win was Michael Igoe who followed up on his earlier pole position with a clear lights-to-flag victory. The WPI Motorsport man got away well in his Porsche and wouldn’t look back, building an almost 30-second lead at the end of the race.
“I’m very happy,” said Igoe. “To get almost a 30 second lead over a 25-minute race… it felt like I was on my own. It was a little bit boring to be honest! Adam [Wilcox] is an amazing guy. He puts a lot of work in on me, a lot of hours behind the scenes and its paying off nicely. It’s only the second time I’ve been here so it’s been a learning curve, but I’ve managed to get to grips with it.”
Group GTH went the way of Phil Ingram and Century Motorsport in a Ginetta G55 GT4. Phil made a solid pass on pole-sitter Adam Hatfield and held on from then on to take the win.
“It was a difficult qualifying with a puncture,” said Ingram. “That meant I had to make a pass on Adam Hatfield early. Once I did that I could just manage the race. Century Motorsport has put together a great car for us and David is going to love it in race two.”
In Group GTO Gareth Downing made up some places in the National Motorsport Academy’s Lotus Evora GTE which only arrived at the circuit last night, but overheating issues curtailed his drive from the back.
“It was a struggle but a good race,” said Hibbert. “I made a mistake at the start and ran a bit wide and the Ginetta got through. He made a little mistake getting on the straight and I managed to slipstream and get around him.”
Taking a dominant overall win was Michael Igoe who followed up on his earlier pole position with a clear lights-to-flag victory. The WPI Motorsport man got away well in his Porsche and wouldn’t look back, building an almost 30-second lead at the end of the race.
“I’m very happy,” said Igoe. “To get almost a 30 second lead over a 25-minute race… it felt like I was on my own. It was a little bit boring to be honest! Adam [Wilcox] is an amazing guy. He puts a lot of work in on me, a lot of hours behind the scenes and its paying off nicely. It’s only the second time I’ve been here so it’s been a learning curve, but I’ve managed to get to grips with it.”
Group GTH went the way of Phil Ingram and Century Motorsport in a Ginetta G55 GT4. Phil made a solid pass on pole-sitter Adam Hatfield and held on from then on to take the win.
“It was a difficult qualifying with a puncture,” said Ingram. “That meant I had to make a pass on Adam Hatfield early. Once I did that I could just manage the race. Century Motorsport has put together a great car for us and David is going to love it in race two.”
In Group GTO Gareth Downing made up some places in the National Motorsport Academy’s Lotus Evora GTE which only arrived at the circuit last night, but overheating issues curtailed his drive from the back.
Results
Group GTC
1) Michael Igoe, WPI Motorsport – Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Gen II
2) John Seale, FF Corse – Ferrari 488 Challenge
3) Paul Bailey, SB Race Engineering – Ferrari 488 Challenge
Group GTB
1) James Webb, Team Webb – BMW M3 GTR
2) Warren Gilbert, Topcats Racing – Marcos Mantis
3) David Frankland – Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Gen I
Group GTH
1) Phil Ingram, Century Motorsport – Ginetta G55 GT4
2) Adam Hatfield, Whitebridge Motorsport – Aston Martin Vantage GT4
3) Ross McEwen, Track Focused – KTM X-BOW GT4
Group GTA
1) Tom Hibbert, Harlaxton – Ginetta G55 GT4
2) James Reveler, Topcats Racing – Ginetta G55 GT4
3) Andy Robey, Gemini Cars – BMW M3 GTR
Group GTC
1) Michael Igoe, WPI Motorsport – Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Gen II
2) John Seale, FF Corse – Ferrari 488 Challenge
3) Paul Bailey, SB Race Engineering – Ferrari 488 Challenge
Group GTB
1) James Webb, Team Webb – BMW M3 GTR
2) Warren Gilbert, Topcats Racing – Marcos Mantis
3) David Frankland – Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Gen I
Group GTH
1) Phil Ingram, Century Motorsport – Ginetta G55 GT4
2) Adam Hatfield, Whitebridge Motorsport – Aston Martin Vantage GT4
3) Ross McEwen, Track Focused – KTM X-BOW GT4
Group GTA
1) Tom Hibbert, Harlaxton – Ginetta G55 GT4
2) James Reveler, Topcats Racing – Ginetta G55 GT4
3) Andy Robey, Gemini Cars – BMW M3 GTR
