Sumo Power GT prepares to defend the Tourist Trophy FIA GT1 World Championship - Round Five Preview Silverstone, Northamptonshire, England 4th & 5th June 2011
For the Sumo Power GT team, next weekend's round five of the FIA GT1 World Championship at Silverstone is its most important event of the year, as not only does the UK-based team want to win its home event, but it will also be fighting to retain its grip on the RAC Tourist Trophy.
The race at Silverstone in 2010 was a landmark moment in the Sumo Power GT team's history, as it was here it scored its first race victory. And, as if winning a round of the FIA GT1 World Championship in only its second ever event was not enough, the result also saw its drivers Warren Hughes and Jamie Campbell-Walter claim the coveted Tourist Trophy, the longest-standing award in motorsport which was first presented in 1902.
This weekend's event sees Hughes and Campbell-Walter return to defend their title. Although both are back with the Sumo Power GT team, they will compete in different cars and with different team-mates: Campbell-Walter with David Brabham and Hughes with Enrique Bernoldi.
Hughes replaces the Brazilian's fellow countryman - and team-mate for the first three rounds - Ricardo Zonta, who was released from his contract last week due to the driver's conflicting commitments in Brazil. The move comes following the fourth round of the Championship at Sachsenring, where Hughes was drafted-in at the eleventh-hour and, together with Bernoldi, finished fourth in the weekend's two races - the result seeing car 20 as the highest-placed of all four Nissan GT-Rs taking part.
After finishing a more than respectable fifth on the technically demanding German track, Campbell-Walker and Brabham are also looking forward to the fast corners and even faster straights of Silverstone, with the British half of the partnership eager to see his name on the Tourist Trophy for a second time. Although an Australian by nationality, Brabham lives in the UK and also regards this weekend's round of the championship as his home event and would like nothing more to help his team-mate achieve his goal and, at the same time, get his name on the trophy as well!
With many of Sumo Power's customers coming to watch the action - including the Nissan GT-R Owners Club - as well as doing its utmost to impress on the track with its two Nissan GT-Rs, the company will also be displaying a collection of its performance cars in the paddock. These will include some of its rally, race, drift, drag and track-day machines, together with a number of its modified and tuned road cars - plus a third Sumo Power GT GT1 Nissan GT-R which will be on static display.
The weekend's track action kicks off with Free Practice and Pre-Qualifying on Friday, with Qualifying scheduled for Saturday morning at 11.30. This is followed by the first of the weekend's two one-hour races at 16.15, with the main Championship and Tourist Trophy race getting the green light at 14.45.
Team Quotes
Warren Hughes (Car 20)"I'm delighted to be back with the team for Silverstone and to have the chance to defend my 2010 result and the Tourist Trophy. We were competitive then and the GT-R has improved since, so we should be even stronger this year. I'm really looking forward to this weekend, as Silverstone is a great track and it's our home event. Of course, it would be fantastic to get my hands on that trophy again as well!"
Enrique Bernoldi (Car 20)"For sure, Silverstone will be better for us than Sachsenring, so I'm certain it will be good for the Nissan GT-R because of its long straights and fast corners. You have to be smooth and not make mistakes and you must not try to over-drive the car. It is always good to race - and try to win - at Silverstone. It's a great track."
David Brabham (Car 21)The Silverstone circuit should suit the GT-R. I am really looking forward to it, especially as it's our home event. Like all tracks, you have to push the car and yourself to the limit, but at Silverstone you cannot afford any mistakes. It also really helps to get a clear lap here, without getting stuck in 'traffic' or involved in too many battles. It would be especially good if I can help Jamie retain the Tourist Trophy and, at the same time, get my name on it as well!
Jamie Campbell-Walter (Car 21)"Having won at Silverstone last year, needless to say, I am really looking forward to going back to try and do it again. I think the GT-R will be really well suited to the fast sweeping corners and long straights. The key is to make sure you have a well-balanced car, be committed in the fast corners and don't over-drive in the tight and twisty sections. I have to say that it would be great to get my name on the Tourist Trophy twice!
Hiroki Furuse (Team Manager)"I'm really pleased with the way the team's performance has been getting stronger - not just on the track - but in the pits as well. Silverstone provides us with a great chance to bring all that hard work together, as there will be nothing more satisfying for everyone in the team if we can deliver a repeat of last year's result."
Andy Barnes (Team Principal)"This is a big weekend for us and nothing would please me more than to see one of our GT-Rs win again and for us to get our hands back on the Tourist Trophy. I was delighted with the result at Sachsenring, which was never going to be our best track. So with Silverstone more suited to the GT-R I am really fired-up about our chances. We're also looking forward to putting on a great display for our fans and supporters, who are going to be out in force this weekend."
