One of the highlight events of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship season awaits Aston Martin V8 Vantage driver Jake Giddings next weekend, 30th/31st May, when Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit hosts the longest race of the campaign – the three-hour Silverstone 500.
Off the back of a tremendous podium finish in the GT4 Class last time out at Rockingham near Corby, the 20-year-old and his JWB Motorsport team-mate Kieran Griffin will take boosted confidence into round four of the season on the opposite side of Northamptonshire.
Climbing into fifth position in the overall GT4 championship last time out, and fourth in the Pro-Am standings, the duo aims to continue the upward trend at Silverstone but Wisbech-based Jake knows the event will be a stern test.
While the 2015 season is the first in the prestigious and hugely popular series for the JWB team, it is also Griffin’s maiden campaign at British championship level and so the Silverstone 500 will be, by far, the Hertfordshire racer’s biggest test to date alongside the reigning GT4 champion.
“Rockingham was a great result, if a bit unexpected, so we need to keep our feet on the ground next weekend and just see where we end up”, said Jake, “It’s going to be a very long race and a big challenge for Kieran, but we just need to keep out of trouble – like we did at Rockingham – and look after the car.
“We’d love to be fighting for the podium again but if we aim for the top five it’d be a good result, that’s definitely realistic. So far this year Kieran and the team have done a great job, we’re all working well together and with my experience from last year we’re all moving in the right direction.”
Beginning the season with a pair of top eight finishes during the Oulton Park double-header over Easter weekend, the JWB team-mates certainly made big strides at Rockingham with Aston Martin Evolution Academy member Jake confirming his standing as one of the top talents in GT4.
Taking the second stint in the two-hour third round, the Finesse Paving & Civil Engineering, Cowley Road Garage and Toppesfield supported driver starred as he carved his way through the order from 12th position in class into third place, within a mere 3.5 seconds of second position at the flag.
Free practice and qualifying for round four at Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit will take place on Saturday, 30th May, with the race itself – which will be screened live on Motors TV – following on Sunday, 31st May, at 12.20.
Avon Tyres British GT Championship GT4 Driver Standings (after Rd3):5th Jake Giddings/Kieran Griffin, 30.5pts
Avon Tyres British GT Championship GT4 Pro-Am Standings (after Rd3):4th Jake Giddings/Kieran Griffin, 43pts
Avon Tyres British GT Championship GT4 Team Standings (after Rd3):6th JWB Motorsport, 30.5pts
