2011 British GT Championship
The 2011 Avon Tyres British GT season was the 19th season of the British GT Championship. The season began on 25 April at Oulton Park and finished on 8 October at Silverstone, after ten races at seven meetings.[1]
On 22 November 2010, the SRO Motorsports Group announced changes to the structure of the 2011 season including a reduced calendar, however still with the inclusion of an overseas event. TV coverage continued to be broadcast on Channel 4 with the option to view again on 4oD and also on Motors TV.
Rule changes
Class restructure and new homologations
For the 2011 season, the GT3 class was brought right up to date with the inclusion of new FIA homologated cars. This gave teams the options to run the new Ferrari 458 Italia or the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 as well as the currently homologated cars. New to 2011 season was the introduction of the GT3B class catering for older, GT3 spec cars which do not conform to the latest FIA homologations. This should allow the running of cars such as the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe or Ferrari F430.
For the second year in a row, the GT4 class was a merger of Supersport-spec cars and GT4 homologated cars. Despite an unsuccessful return the previous year, the Cup class is to be continued. The cars eligible are the cars currently used in the Porsche Supercup and Ferrari Challenge series, based on the Porsche 997 and Ferrari F430 road cars. It is hoped that the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain's using updated cars will increase entries.
The ballast penalty system has been dropped in favour of a pit-stop time penalty formula where more successful driver pairings will be held during pit-stops for a longer time in order to level the competition. There are also plans for the development of a "Gentleman's Trophy", new logo and rebranding of the championship.
Entry list
A list of expected entries was released on 8 March 2011 after the championship's Media Day at Silverstone.[2]
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Calendar
A provisional 12-race calendar was announced on 22 November 2010.[1] This was then refined on 16 February 2011.[44] All races except Belgian round at Spa, were held in the United Kingdom.
Round | Circuit | Date | Length | Pole Position | GT3 Winner | GT4 Winner |
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1 | Oulton Park | 25 April | 60 mins | No. 5 Scuderia Vittoria | No. 1 Trackspeed | No. 44 ABG Motorsport |
Charles Bateman Michael Lyons |
David Ashburn Richard Westbrook |
Peter Belshaw Marcus Clutton | ||||
2 | 60 mins | No. 1 Trackspeed | No. 5 Scuderia Vittoria | No. 42 Century Motorsport | ||
David Ashburn Richard Westbrook |
Charles Bateman Michael Lyons |
Jake Rattenbury Josh Wakefield | ||||
3 | Snetterton 300 | 15 May | 120 mins | No. 10 CRS Racing | No. 23 United Autosports | No. 44 ABG Motorsport |
Glynn Geddie Jim Geddie |
Matt Bell Michael Guasch |
Peter Belshaw Marcus Clutton | ||||
4 | Brands Hatch | 19 June | 120 mins | No. 21 MTech | No. 2 Trackspeed | No. 44 ABG Motorsport |
Duncan Cameron Matt Griffin |
Tim Bridgman Gregor Fisken |
Peter Belshaw Marcus Clutton | ||||
5 | Spa-Francorchamps | 9 July | 60 mins | No. 59 McLaren GT | No. 1 Trackspeed | No. 50 Scuderia Vittoria |
Chris Goodwin Andrew Kirkaldy |
David Ashburn Richard Westbrook |
Dan Denis David McDonald | ||||
6 | 60 mins | No. 1 Trackspeed | No. 21 MTech | No. 48 Lotus Sport UK | ||
David Ashburn Richard Westbrook |
Duncan Cameron Matt Griffin |
Phil Glew Ollie Jackson | ||||
7 | Rockingham | 4 September | 60 mins | No. 23 United Autosports | No. 7 Beechdean Motorsport | No. 50 Scuderia Vittoria |
Matt Bell Michael Guasch |
Jonathan Adam Andrew Howard |
Dan Denis David McDonald | ||||
8 | 60 mins | No. 2 Trackspeed | No. 11 CRS Racing | No. 50 Scuderia Vittoria | ||
Tim Bridgman Gregor Fisken |
Alex Mortimer Andrew Tate |
Dan Denis David McDonald | ||||
9 | Donington Park | 25 September | 180 mins | No. 1 Trackspeed | No. 5 Scuderia Vittoria | No. 48 Lotus Sport UK |
David Ashburn Stephen Jelley |
Charles Bateman Michael Lyons |
Phil Glew James Nash | ||||
10 | Silverstone Arena | 8 October | 120 mins | No. 7 Beechdean Motorsport | No. 7 Beechdean Motorsport | No. 48 Lotus Sport UK |
Jonathan Adam Andrew Howard |
Jonathan Adam Andrew Howard |
Phil Glew Chris Holmes |
Championship standings
- Points were awarded as follows:
Length | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
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60 mins | 25 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
60+ mins | 37.5 | 27 | 22.5 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 1.5 |
Half points were awarded if a class had less than 3 cars |
GT3/GT3B/GTC
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† — Drivers did not finish the race, but were classified as they completed over 90% of the race distance.
GT4
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References
- "Multi-format challenges for British GT 2011". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 22 November 2010. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
- "British GT revs up for a breathtaking season of competition". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 8 March 2011. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
- "Trackspeed returns with twin-Porsche campaign". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 15 December 2010. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
- Turner, Kevin, ed. (17 February 2011). "Fisken to race Trackspeed 911". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. 203 (7): 79.
Now Fisken will return for a full campaign in the second of Trackspeed's Porsche 911 GT3 Rs. Reigning champion David Ashburn will defend his title in the other Trackspeed car.
- Turner, Kevin, ed. (17 March 2011). "Brit GT return for Westbrook". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. 203 (11): 116.
International GT ace Richard Westbrook will aid reigning British GT champion David Ashburn's bid to retain his title in 2011. Westbrook made occasional appearances for Ashburn's Trackspeed Porsche squad last year. Glynn Geddie drove with Ashburn for most of the season, but Westbrook is now set to share with the experienced amateur in five events in 2011.
- "Large field attracted to Snetterton for two-hour British GT round". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 9 May 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
- "Results: 2011 Round 4 – Brands Hatch". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. Retrieved 17 June 2011.
- "Stunning field gathers for British GT 2011". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 15 April 2011. Retrieved 16 April 2011.
- "BTCC stars Shedden & Nash to race in British GT". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 21 September 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
- "Dockerill, Kane & Chad to campaign British GT Ferrari". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 13 April 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
- "Largest field yet gathers for Brands Hatch GT classic". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 13 June 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2011.
- "New team plans two-car British GT campaign in 2011". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 13 January 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
- Turner, Kevin, ed. (10 March 2011). "Lyons and Bateman to British GT". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. 203 (10): 80.
Historic racing ace Michael Lyons has switched his modern focus from Formula Renault UK to British GT in a Scuderia Vittoria Ferrari 458. Lyons, 20, finished 12th in Formula Renault UK last year with CRS Racing. He will contest the full season with Charlie Bateman, who moves to GT after four seasons in the Porsche Carrera Cup.
- Turner, Kevin, ed. (24 February 2011). "Denis ready for British GT4 attack". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. 203 (8): 76.
Denis will race a Ginetta G50 prepared by new team Scuderia Vittoria, run by ex-BTCC racer Tom Ferrier, former Renault Clio Cup champion Danny Buxton and veteran team boss Piers Masarati.
- "Corvette joins British GT grid with Speedworks". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 10 February 2011. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
- Turner, Kevin, ed. (3 March 2011). "Adam in Aston for Brit GT". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. 203 (9): 77.
Former touring car ace Jonathan Adam is switching to the British GT Championship this season and will race a Beechdean Motorsport Aston Martin DBRS9...Now he will share Beechdean's Aston with team boss Andrew Howard, who returns after a year away working with Nigel Mansell in the Le Mans Series.
- "Lamborghini, Ford join the Silverstone showdown". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 4 October 2011. Retrieved 7 October 2011.
- "Two CRS Ferraris for British GT 2011". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 16 February 2011. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
- "Predator Ferrari back for another British GT campaign". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 29 January 2011. Retrieved 29 January 2011.
- "MTECH confirms twin-Ferrari 458 attack on British GT". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 22 November 2010. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
- "Westbrook's Porsche heads Silverstone testing". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 7 October 2011. Retrieved 7 October 2011.
- "Rollcentre back to Brit GT with G55". Rollcentre Racing. Basekit. 1 September 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
- "British F3/GT 2011 – Round 6 – Donington Park: Avon Tyres British GT Championship Practice 1". TSL Timing. Timing Solutions Limited. 24 September 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
- "Jones twins to race Mercedes SLS". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 9 December 2010. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
- "Full British GT season planned by United Autosports". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 19 August 2010. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
- "United Autosports confirms first pairing for 2011 title assault". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 7 October 2010. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
- "Bintcliffe returns to race in British GT". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 14 October 2010. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
- Cliffe, Andrew (20 April 2011). "Six Ginettas entered for 2011 British GT campaign". racingexposure.com. Racing Exposure. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
- Turner, Kevin, ed. (21 April 2011). "More aces to British GT". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. 204 (3): 86.
Hodgetts will also appear in the main GT3 class at Oulton, sharing a JHR-run Ginetta G55 with former GT Supercup runner Adam Morgan.
- Turner, Kevin, ed. (17 March 2011). "Century to run G55 in Brit GT". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. 203 (11): 116.
Former G50 Cup frontrunner Freddie Hetherington will drive Century's G55, and could be joined by Formula Renault BARC convert Jake Rattenbury.
- "Andrew Jordan to make British GT debut". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 23 April 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
- "British F3/GT – 14/15 May 2011 Snetterton 300: Entry lists, Avon Tyres British GT Championship" (PDF). msvracing.co.uk. MotorSport Vision. 12 May 2011. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 August 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
- "CRS Ferrari leads way in first Rock test". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 3 September 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
- Turner, Kevin, ed. (31 March 2011). "Hill and Wakefield land drives in Ginetta Supercup and British GT". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. 203 (13): 75.
Former one-make touring car driver Josh Wakefield will also race a G50 this season after signing a deal with crack Ginetta squad Century Motorsport for British GT.
- "Mallock seals drive in Avon Tyres British GT Championship". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 13 April 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
- Wilkinson, Andy (19 April 2011). "New squad to run GT4 Aston Martin in British GT Championship". Motors TV. LMC. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
- Turner, Kevin, ed. (24 March 2011). "Clarke lands Lotus Evora drive for British GT4 Championship". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. 203 (12): 95.
Former Sport MAXX champion Leyton Clarke will contest the British GT4 Championship this season for the factory assisted Lotus squad. Clarke, who only appeared in a handful of Porsche races last season, will join the CM Consolidated team, driving one of its two Evoras.
- "Two-car Lotus Evora campaign for new British GT team". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 24 January 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
- Wilkinson, Andy (4 April 2011). "Freddy Nordstrom confirmed for Lotus British GT4 campaign". Motors TV. LMC. Archived from the original on 19 March 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
- "Team Magic conjures up GTC Ginetta for British GT". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 7 February 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
- "MP4-12C GT3 to make race debut". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 5 July 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
- "JRM continues development of Nissan NISMO GT-R GT3 with British GT entry". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 15 September 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
- "Chevron GR8 to contest British GT in 2011". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 14 January 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
- "Race format change for Oulton & Brands". British GT Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 16 February 2011. Retrieved 16 February 2011.