British GT: Speedworks Corvette back in action at Brands (From Northwich Guardian)

Speedworks target points-scoring finish in British GT return at Brands Hatch

5:51pm Thursday 16th June 2011 in Motorsport By Andrew Simpson

TEAM principal Christian Dick is confident Speedworks Motorsport’s Corvette can stand out from their rivals in this weekend’s Avon Tyres British GT Championship third round.

The Northwich team’s Z06R, ruled out of last month’s race by mechanical issues, returns to action as part of one of the largest fields ever to assemble for a meeting in the UK’s premier sports car series.

Competition bosses expect 30 cars to start Sunday’s two-hours race at Brands Hatch.

“It’s a big event,” said Dick.

“We want to kick start our season there too after the disappointment of missing out at Snetterton [last time out].”

A problem with the gearbox prevented Speedworks’ challenger, new to the series this season, from making the startline in Norfolk.

But driver pair Ron and Piers Johnson, buoyed by an encouraging debut at the team’s home circuit Oulton Park at Easter, is raring to go again after testing the repaired machine at Mallory Park earlier this month.

Dick said: “The shakedown gave us a chance to check all the car’s systems. It went well.

“Now it’s just a matter of getting the final bits and pieces together ready for the weekend.”

It is an important one for London-based Ron with 150 guests from sponsors Oilfield Production Consultants (OPC) Ltd, which provides advice to the global oil and gas industry, invited to watch the action.

Dick says Speedworks can target a points-scoring finish in the front-running GT3 class.

“I want the car to last the distance and come away with our first points on the board,” he said.

“We’re playing catch-up in part because we missed out on some miles at Snetterton, but not massively.

“It works another way for us; we can concentrate on making progress against rivals who, due to their success last time out, will have pit-stop penalties to contend with.”

Two hour-long practice sessions on Saturday are followed by a 30-minutes qualifying period later in the early evening.

Sunday’s race is due to start at 3.50pm.