Michelin Ginetta GT4 SuperCup debutant Charlie Robertson underlined his status as one of the UK’s most impressive young racing drivers at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit on Sunday, 30th March, by winning only his second ever race in the championship and ending the weekend second in the standings.Taking third place in race one of the season on Saturday, 29th March, the Investigo-backed youngster starred with a sensational win during round two and was on course to make it two victories in the third and final outing on Sunday afternoon until contact from a rival resulted in a costly pit-stop.“I’ve been a little bit surprised with how competitive and quick we have been on our first weekend in the championship”, said Charlie, “The team is new to the GT4 SuperCup, like me, and we’re still learning about the car so what we’ve achieved this weekend is really encouraging. I’m so happy to have won a race on the first weekend, it’s a fantastic start.”Comfortably inside the top five during pre-event testing, Charlie was in the fight for pole position during his first ever Ginetta GT4 SuperCup qualifying session but a highly unfortunate suspension component failure late in the run resulted in a spin into the gravel.Having to be satisfied with fifth on the grid for race one, still only a mere 0.176 seconds shy of pole, the 17-year-old made a good getaway but had to hold position into Paddock Hill Bend. By lap five, though, he was into fourth after a superb pass as the first corner.Immediately closing on the lead trio, while dropping the chasing pack, the Whyteleafe-based racer moved into third place with two laps remaining and also concluded his first series outing with the second fastest lap of the race.“Finishing on the podium in the first race is what I really wanted to do”, said Charlie, “Qualifying was good, our pace was good, but unfortunately the component failure led to the session ending early for me. To come through from fifth to third in my first race in a Ginetta G55 was a good result.”Beginning round two on Sunday morning from third position, the HHC Motorsport driver wasn’t able to get his car away from the line as cleanly as he wanted and slipped to fourth position on the run to Paddock Hill Bend – but a tangle between two cars ahead enabled Charlie to slice past into second.Following a four lap Safety Car period, triggered by the first corner incident, racing resumed on lap seven and he stayed with race leader Andrew Watson. On lap 13, Watson made a mistake at Surtees and the loss of momentum enabled Charlie to close right up behind his rival before sweeping past to take the lead the next time around at McLaren.Thereafter, the teenage Scotsman dominated proceedings and pulled away to an eventual winning margin of almost six seconds to celebrate a magnificent beginning to his sportscar racing career in the Michelin Ginetta GT4 SuperCup.In round three, Charlie had to settle for the consolation of setting the fastest lap of the race after seeing a possible win go begging following contact at mid-distance. Beginning the ‘reverse grid’ encounter from sixth place, he made his best start of the weekend to grab fifth which then quickly became fourth place on lap two.Piling on pressure to the cars ahead, he worked his way through into second place by lap nine but a challenge for the lead on lap 11 went awry when Sean Huyton tried to close the door – resulting in the two cars inter-locking wheels and causing a puncture. After pitting for a replacement wheel, Charlie finished in 11th place but proved a point with the fastest lap of 48.753 seconds (89.19 mph).Donington Park National Circuit in Leicestershire will be the venue for rounds four, five and six of the Michelin Ginetta GT4 SuperCup season over Easter weekend, 19th/20th April.2014 Michelin Ginetta GT4 SuperCup Driver Standings (after Rd3):2nd Charlie Robertson, 72pts
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