Brands Hatch played host to the third round of this year’s Blancpain GT Series, with the second Sprint Cup event of the season contested against a backdrop of clear blue skies.
That’s not to mention the heat, with sun cream and plenty of refreshments the order of the day for the many fans that had made the journey to the Kent venue.
There were plenty of good-natured jokes from the series’ international contingent about not being prepared for such sweltering conditions, but the heat really was unprecedented. In fact, it was the hottest Early May Bank Holiday weekend since records began in 1978.
Despite the temperatures, Belgian Audi Club Team WRT were able to remain seriously cool throughout the weekend – aided by a few champagne showers, of course – as they took a double one-two finish at the British track.
A MAIDEN BRITISH VICTORY AT LAST – AND THEN ANOTHER
Brands Hatch proved to be a happy hunting ground for British drivers this year, with Will Stevens triumphing in race 1 and his WRT-Audi teammate Stuart Leonard winning race 2.
It certainly gave the home fans plenty to cheer about. This was the first time since the Blancpain GT Series began visiting the Kent circuit in 2014 that a British driver had taken an overall win at the venue.
Five years of waiting, then suddenly two come along at once. What is it they say about London buses?
EMIL FREY DRIVERS GET MAIDEN OUTING AT BRANDS HATCH
Despite being a veteran of international motorsport, Emil Frey Racing driver Christian Klien was competing at Brands Hatch for the first time this weekend. The same was true of Albert Costa, who shares the #14 Lexus with the Austrian driver.
Fortunately, they had some expert advice during Friday’s track walk. The #114 Emil Frey-Lexus driver Stephane Ortelli – who took his first win outside France at Brands Hatch in 1996 – was there to offer the wisdom of experience.
Both newcomers were impressed with the venue, calling it a “proper old-school circuit