GT Cup Oulton Park 27th & 28th June
30th June 2008
GT Cup organisers Bute Motorsport have announced a capacity grid for their next round at Oulton Park on June 27th & 28th. Part of the MSVR 'Blast in the Park' meeting running with FPA it will be the first time for this new series at Oulton Park. An unusual Friday and Saturday format is being tested to see how it suits competitors who as well as substantial business interests also have families to consider.
Bute Managing Director Marc Haynes said "Being mostly successful businessmen our competitors have huge work commitments and find time with families precious so this is a way of helping them balance work and family with motorsport". The second of the Saturday double header races will be over by 1pm giving time for lunch in the race centre with awards presentation to follow. "This will allow competitors to be away from the circuit by 3pm. on Saturday."
If the format proves popular with competitors more races scheduled in a similar way may be considered for 2009. As well as potentially helping competitors life balance issues the format may also help reduce noise problems. MSVR Race Operations Manager David Scott commented "Noise issues are becoming an increasing threat to our sport which we can not afford to ignore. If there are sensible solutions which are good for everyone then we should explore them and implement them as soon as possible."
Bristling with Porsches and Ferrari's the capacity grid of 34 cars will also see entries from Lotus, Marcos, and BWM. Nick Whale is expected to be very competitive in his new 2008 997 GT3 although he will be carrying the maximum success ballast of 60kg from the Anglesey round. Colin Simpson's powerful Marcos Mantis should give Nick a good run for his money along with fellow Porsche 997 runners Hogarth and the Leonard brothers from Ireland. Mark Stephenson had a good performance at Anglesey and with Oulton Park being his home circuit may also pose a challenge for the lead. Two Ferrari 430 Challenge cars are entered with both drivers only being in their third race meeting so will have their work cut out to get on top of the strong Porsche field although both drivers showed remarkable improvements in a short time.
Race Coordinator Jock Simpson said "we ran comparisons between the Porsche 997 GT3 and Ferrari 430 Challenge at Anglesey with Aaron Scott driving both which showed the Ferrari needed to be allowed modifications which we expect to be available at a later round".
