RACING returns to Rockingham next weekend (April 30/May 1), when the British GT & BRDC British F3 Championships roars back into town for what has fast become a traditional date on the Northamptonshire circuit’s motorsport calendar.
With no less than 10 different manufacturers confirmed on the 30-strong grid, there will be no shortage of glamour on show as the ground-shaking noise of some of the world’s most exotic machines reverberates around the iconic venue.
As always the GT entry list reads like a Who’s Who of supercars with Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Bentley, Audi, BMW, McLaren, Ginetta, Maserati, Lotus and Toyota all represented. With so much racing pedigree on show it will be hard to pick a favourite.
The opening round generated plenty of excitement and surprises as teams and drivers across both the GT3/GT4 classes battled for early bragging rights but Rockingham presents a totally different challenge. This is the first two-hour endurance encounter of the season so racing strategies will be the difference between success and failure.
Four manufacturers filled the top four positions a fortnight ago, and that diversity is once again on show at Rockingham thanks to seven different marques represented in the GT3 class. With the Brands Hatch podium finishers all expected to serve varying degrees of pit-stop success penalty, the way could be left clear for an unexpected winner.
In the GT4 class, the combined efforts of PMW Expo Racing/Optimum Motorsport, Century Motorsport and RCIB Insurance Racing ensured the Ginetta G55s locked out the podium positions. With the same pit-stop success penalties applied as in GT3, they will have to work even harder to win at Rockingham.
Supporting the British GT, BRDC British F3 Championship will also be in action at Rockingham. Still only in its second rebirth season, it is establishing itself again as the UK’s leading single-seater race series, attracting some of the hottest young driving talents. So look out for the Grand Prix stars of the future.
In addition to the headline championships, the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge, Super 7 Inter Series, Milltek Sport Volkswagen Racing Cup and Ginetta Racing Drivers Club, will guarantee to deliver some spectacular action from the support series.
Advance adult tickets cost just £11 for Saturday, £17 for Sunday, while weekend passes are great value priced at just £22. Tickets can be purchased online at www.rockingham.co.uk or via the hotline on 01536 500500 (option1) up until midday on Friday, April 29. Adult tickets will also be available on the day priced at £15, £22 and £37 respectively. Children aged 15 and under get in FREE.
