The team lined up with returnee Dan Hickey, Australian Jack Taylor, and Swede Linus, and in qualifying it was the latter who led the way, running third quickest on several occasions during a fiercely contested session, ultimately finishing sixth. Jack fought his way up to tenth as he continued to improve throughout, with Dan in 14th.
Ahead of race one there was a long hold on the grid as a car spun coming to the line but retook its position. As the lights went out, Linus struggled to get away, thankfully not being collected by anyone else, while Dan had a storming launch, jumping up to 11th with Jack just behind. Sadly, Dan then locked up into the Brittens chicane, spinning and falling to the rear of the field.
Linus then worked his way forward with an impressive recovery drive, almost regaining sixth position at the flag, crossing the line just 0.1s behind the car ahead, having gained back eight places. Jack made a pass on Megan Bruce for tenth, while Dan put in a good series of laps as he fought back, taking 13th, also just 0.1s from the car in front as he crossed the line.
Easter Monday dawned wet and grey, with rain starting to fall as the cars took to the grid ahead of race two. Jack had a spin on the opening lap, falling back to 14th, while Linus ran seventh and Dan fought his way up to ninth. In the tricky conditions, cars struggled to keep on track, promoting all three drivers up positions, though the red flag was shown with three minutes remaining as a car went off at Druids, with Linus fourth, Dan sixth, and Jack 12th.
Back under sunny skies with a largely dry track for the final race, Dan started from pole position, getting a great launch to remain out front, though Linus was tapped into a spin at the hairpin and Jack was forced wide coming through the Knickerbrook chicane. After a Safety Car period, Dan opened a gap but then had to pit with a puncture having taken contact from another car, re-joining in 10th.
Behind, Jack climbed to eighth, while Linus was on the charge again, gaining 11 places in four laps to move into second and setting the fastest lap as he reeled in Chloe Grant for the lead, sweeping past into turn one on the final lap, taking his first international racing victory and the team’s first in the GB4 Championship.
The team will return to the series over the weekend of April 27/28, with races four, five, and six of the 2024 season taking place at on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit.
Linus Granfors, #16
Race 1: Start – 6, Finish – 7
Race 2: Start – 5, Finish – 4
Race 3: Start – 9, Finish – 1
Championship: 2 (64 points)
It’s been a difficult but good weekend and was great to finish with a win. We had a few little problems but in the last race I put it all together. It is a little bit difficult to overtake but I made it through and had the last move with just a few minutes left, which was really good. It’s been great to race with Fortec as I know everybody from before, so it feels great to win with the team.”
Dan Hickey, #17
Race 1: Start – 12, Finish – 10
Race 2: Start – 10, Finish – 6
Race 3: Start – 1, Finish – 10
Championship: 9 (31 points)
“Qualifying was poor on my side, as I didn’t find a gap, and in the first race I locked up and spun. Coming back on Monday I started P12 and made my way up to P6, so I was really pleased with that, especially in the wet.
“Starting on pole for race three I was hoping for better, but I had a lock up, lost a place down the straight, and then coming into the chicane I was battling with another car which clipped my rear right and gave me a puncture, which left us down the order. We’re still learning and building knowledge, so I am pleased in general with the pace we’ve had and hope to bring it to Silverstone.”
Jack Taylor, #50
Race 1: Start – 14, Finish – 13
Race 2: Start – 10, Finish – 12
Race 3: Start – 5, Finish – 8
Championship: 12 (28 points)
“It’s been a fun weekend, but I don’t feel like my results reflect the pace I had through practice. I know I definitely can do better and will be pushing to get further up the order over the next few weekends. The mixed conditions were difficult to drive, but it means I have gained much more knowledge which will help my learning and I am looking forward to Silverstone.”
