British GT Ace Giddings Confident For Spa-Francorchamps Return

Belgium’s Spa-Francorchamps will host round five of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship next Saturday, 11th July, where reigning GT4 Class champion Jake Giddings says his sights will be squarely fixed on extending his, and team-mate Kieran Griffin’s, unbroken run of points scoring results.Marking the midway point of the British GT campaign, the sole overseas event for the category is always one of the most popular and hotly contested race meetings of the season with the 4.35-mile Belgian Grand Prix venue offering one of motorsport’s greatest challenges.As one of Jake’s favourite tracks, the Wisbech 20-year-old is relishing the return to Spa and as a venue where he has enjoyed strong results in the past – including GT4 victory last year – the Aston Martin Evolution Academy driver is confident of another strong weekend this time around.Heading into round five, Jake and JWBird Motorsport team-mate Griffin are sixth in the GT4 Class standings, with one podium finish to their credit from round three at Rockingham, and an improved fourth in the Pro-Am classification for GT4.“Spa is a brilliant place to go racing and I’ve had some good results there in the past so I’m really looking forward to next weekend”, said Jake, “If we aim for the top five and work to keep with the front-runners, we should be on for a good result. I think the championship has gone as well as it could have really up to now, it’s been a good season so far.”As the ‘Pro’ driver in the JWBird squad, Finesse Paving & Civil Engineering, Cowley Road Garage and Toppesfield-backed racer Jake has been working closely with team-mate Griffin to improve his pace and racecraft and the Hertfordshire businessman has certainly been making big strides in his maiden season in British GT.Importantly, Griffin has past experience of Spa from his days competing in the Volkswagen Racing Cup and he also benefitted from additional seat time in the JWBird Aston Martin V8 Vantage during the Aston Martin Racing Le Mans Festival race, which supported last month’s Le Mans 24 Hours.“Kieran knows the track from before in VWs and he definitely seemed to step-up his pace last time out at Silverstone, so I think he’ll go well next weekend”, added Jake, “He’s more determined now and trying to improve as much as possible, so things are looking as good as they can for Spa.”Following two free practice sessions for the British GT runners on Friday, 10th July, qualifying for round five of the season will get underway at 16.05 (local time). The two-hour race is scheduled to start at 12.15 (local time) on Saturday, 11th July.Avon Tyres British GT Championship GT4 Driver Standings (after Rd4):6th Jake Giddings/Kieran Griffin, 39.5ptsAvon Tyres British GT Championship GT4 Pro-Am Standings (after Rd4):4th Jake Giddings/Kieran Griffin, 58ptsAvon Tyres British GT Championship GT4 Team Standings (after Rd4):6th JWBird Motorsport, 39.5pts


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