Fortec Motorsports added a sixth victory in the GB4 Championship at the weekend (September 7/8) as Linus Granfors takes a 35-point lead in the standings to the final meeting of the year.
The team had test sessions on both Thursday and Friday, with Linus fourth fastest on day one and second on day two, while Jack ended inside the top ten on Friday, Dan doing the same the day prior.
Qualifying, held after lunchtime on Saturday, took place with low cloud and drizzle drifting across the circuit, making it damp and slippery for the trio of drivers. In the closing stages, Linus put in a good lap to finish third fastest, while Dan finished 12th, and Jack 13th.
The first of the weekend’s races took place at the end of the day, with the track mostly dry but damp off the racing line. Linus started well and was looking to take second, but suddenly slowed on the run to turn one as struggled to select a gear. He fell to 10th, just ahead of Jack and Dan, but quickly went on the charge, up to sixth with six of the 18 minutes elapsed.
Jack had a good move mid-race, around the outside of the Melbourne Hairpin to take ninth, as Linus caught a three-car battle for third, pulling off a clever move to claim two places into the Esses. He took the flag in fourth after a great recovery. Jack continued to push, crossing the line ninth, with Dan finishing 13th.
Race two, on Sunday morning, was on a very wet track with rain intermittently falling. Linus started well, taking a comfortable lead into turn one, while Dan and Jack both gained a spot each as well. In the closing minutes, Linus was caught in by the car in second but always had plenty in reserve for the win, setting the fastest lap on the final tour, with Jack 11th and Dan 12th.
The third and final contest took place under dry, sunny skies, with Dan lining up on pole position but being pipped off the line by a fast starter from row two. Behind, Jack went up two spots on lap one, running just behind Linus, who started to move forwards. Out front, Dan fell back to third, coming under pressure and unfortunately being passed at turn one, despite trying to hold on, on the outside, finishing fourth, while Linus would take the flag sixth and Jack in 13th.
Linus Granfors, #16
Race 1: Start – 3, Result – 4
Race 2: Start – 2, Result – 1
Race 3: Start – 10, Result – 6
Championship: 1 (391 points)
It was a great weekend. In the first race third gear didn’t want to pop in, which cost time, so to get to P4 was really good, and race two was super slippery so I was just trying to hold the car on the track. I got a very good start, and I was on the outside of the first corner so that was just an easy pass and then I was trying to get a gap. In the third race I didn’t want to take risks as the chances of crashing were quite high. A few points were better than no points in the championship.”
Jack Taylor, #50
Race 1: Start – 13, Result – 9
Race 2: Start – 13, Result – 10
Race 3: Start – 13, Result – 13
Championship: 8 (179 points)
“I think it was a good weekend. I feel like I had a lot more pace in the dry than the wet, so I think a bad qualifying in the rain put me on the back foot and I didn’t even make the reverse grid places. In the last race, in the dry, I was held up for a while even though I had good pace, so the result didn’t really show it. Now we’re in the later stages of the year I have more pace, so it’s a shame that earlier this season I wasn’t up to speed, but at Brands Hatch I will be trying to get a good qualifying in and score even better results.”
Dan Hickey, #17
Race 1: Start – 12, Result – 13
Race 2: Start – 12, Result – 12
Race 3: Start – 1, Result – 4
Championship: 13 (146 points)
“I am pleased with my racing and to get the best result of the season, though it is annoying to be so close to the podium and losing it in the final laps. I thought I was pushed wide at turn one, so it was a bit unfair, but overall, it’s good positive form to take into the final round. It was a tricky weekend going from one extreme to the other, like on Sunday where race two was very wet to a dry one later. It’s all good experience and the best way to learn, and Brands Hatch GP is probably my favourite circuit, so I am hoping to end the year with that elusive podium.”
