Triple Podium For TCR At Oulton Ginetta GT5 Challenge

Oulton Park International Circuit provided some happy Easter celebrations for Total Control Racing on Saturday, 7th April, when Mike Robinson raced to a hat-trick of runner-up placings in the opening three rounds of the 2012 Total Quartz Ginetta GT5 Challenge.Marking a terrific start to the new season for Wednesbury-based squad TCR, which only made its category debut last year, 29-year-old Robinson set the pace all weekend and after posting the fastest time in two of the three practice sessions he went on to seal a double pole position.Grabbing the top spot on the grid for the weekend’s opening encounter thanks to a lap of 1m54.338 seconds (84.76mph) on his final tour of the drying session, Effingham racer Robinson also achieved the second best time of 1m54.535 seconds to ensure pole position for race two.Leading away at the start of round one, Robinson held off 2011 Vice-Champion Sean Huyton for the first three laps before succumbing to a challenge midway through the subsequent tour. Even so, he remained well clear of the battle for third to take a deserved runner-up spot for TCR.Once again holding the advantage at the beginning of round two, Robinson fell back to second on the opening lap behind Huyton but this time remained glued to the rear of his rival’s car. With never much more than half a second between the pair throughout, Robinson had to settle for second place a mere 0.3 seconds shy of the victory.For round three, Huyton started on pole position by virtue of his previous race win with Robinson alongside on the front row. This time the margin between the pair at the finish was even closer, just 0.2 seconds separating the TCR driver from the win, although he did have the consolation of fastest race lap with a time of 1m54.432 seconds (84.69mph).“It’s been a great start to the season for us in the GT5 Challenge”, said Total Control Racing team principal Lee Brookes, “Mike was quick from the start of the weekend and did a great job to take both pole positions in qualifying. It’s a shame he couldn’t take a win as he really did deserve one but to have three second places from the first three races, and be second in the championship, is great.”After such an excellent opening weekend for TCR in the Total Quartz Ginetta GT5 Challenge, the team is keen to expand its line-up in the championship and is therefore inviting drivers to get in touch regarding race deals for the remainder of the 2012 campaign. For more information, please contact Lee Brookes on 0121 5561999 or email p1tcr@aol.com

Away from the Ginetta GT5 Challenge, TCR will be back in action just a few days from now with its AirAsia Renault Clio Cup UK team – featuring drivers Nic Hamilton and Rob Smith – for rounds three and four of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship support series.After testing on Thursday, 12th April, qualifying will follow on Saturday, 14th April, with both races taking place on Sunday, 15th April, at 09.20 and 15.00 respectively. Round four will be screened live in the UK on ITV4, ITV4 HD and with the addition of live streaming at itv.com/btcc

 2012 Total Quartz Ginetta GT5 Challenge – G40 Challenge Driver Standings (after Rd2):2nd Mike Robinson, 93pts


Related Motorsport Articles

84,520 articles