- Daventry squad targets further success in GB3 at Cheshire venue.
- Faria sets benchmark testing times, Browning re-joins team and Grundtvig aims for podium return at Oulton Park.
- Action live-streamed on GB3’s YouTube channel this Sunday (12 Sep).
Fortec Motorsport make the trip to Oulton Park, Cheshire this weekend (11-12 September) aiming to continue their silverware-laden form in the GB3 Championship.
The Daventry-based squad claimed a hat-trick of podium finishes in the UK’s premier tier of single seater racing at Silverstone – ‘the Home of British Motorsport’ – last month, with two courtesy of Brazilian rising star Roberto Faria, who also set the benchmark times in pre-event testing.
Although the team will be without GB3 race-winner Ollie Bearman this weekend, reigning British Formula 4 champion Luke Browning makes his return to Richard Dutton’s outfit for his first outing in F3-spec machinery on home turf.
The team-driver partnership has a strong track record at Oulton Park, Browning having secured a hat-trick of wins – the ‘Triple Crown’ – en route to the F4 title with Fortec last season.
Completing the team’s three-car entry is Danish ace Mikkel Grundtvig; after scoring a victory and a further podium earlier in the campaign, his first at this level, the 19-year-old will be aiming to upgrade his recent run of consistent points finishes into more silverware.
After two positive pre-event test days, the team’s first competitive action comes in the form of qualifying at 11:15 (BST) on Saturday morning, ahead of the opening race at 14:25 that afternoon.
Sunday features another double-header at 12:25 and 15:40 respectively, with both races streamed live on GB3’s YouTube channel and social media platforms.
Oliver Dutton, Team Manager said:
“The whole team is feeling really optimistic ahead of another competitive weekend of GB3 Championship action at Oulton Park.
“We’ve got every reason to hope and expect we’ll be fighting up front and battling it out for silverware once again, not least Roberto’s impressive lap times in pre-event testing.
“Luke re-joining the team is a boost, particularly on such a successful circuit for our partnership with him in previous seasons. He’s had less mileage than the competition in the car, but I don’t expect that will hold him back!
“And for Mikkel, this weekend is another opportunity to build on his really consistent points-scoring run; we know he’s got the pace to fight up front given the chance, so fingers crossed for another podium finish or better.”
Roberto Faria (#7) said:
“We’ve had a really productive start to the weekend with the quickest lap times in both days of testing so far, so that’s a really encouraging place to build from.
“After another two podiums at Silverstone last time out, I’m feeling confident and ready to attack the weekend. Oulton Park is a really fun circuit to drive, and suits my driving style, so if everything comes together, it should be a successful weekend.”
Luke Browning (#11) said:
“I’m really excited to make my debut in the GB3 Championship this weekend, and I can’t think of a better circuit than Oulton Park, or a better team than Fortec Motorsport, to take that step with.
“It’s obviously a circuit I know well, being my local, and I’ve got a good track record there. The team will give me a good car, so hopefully those factors combined put us in a strong position when the competitive stuff starts.”
Mikkel Grundtvig (#43) said:
“I’ve been really pleased with how consistent our results have been recently, it’s a definite sign of progress, but of course as a racing driver, you always want to be progressing and battling towards the front, so another podium would be a welcome result.
“The team and myself have been working very hard to make that a reality, and Oulton Park is a circuit where it’s possible to defend, so qualifying will be very important. If we can get that right, the rest should slot into place from there.”
