On the weekend of April 20-21, 2024, the Ferrari UK Challenge series launched its season at the legendary Brands Hatch circuit, delivering a spectacle of high-speed racing that thrilled motorsports enthusiasts. The opening round featured the Trofeo Pirelli and Coppa Shell classes, tackling two different track layouts over the two days of competition, starting with the shorter Indy circuit and culminating on the more complex GP circuit.
Qualifying Sessions: Intense Competition Sets the Stage
In the Trofeo Pirelli class, Saturday’s qualifying saw Thomas Fleming from HR Owen capture his first pole position of the year, continuing his formidable performance from practice. He clocked a remarkable 46:469, almost a full second faster than his nearest competitor, Andrew Morrow of Charles Hurst, who secured the second spot on the grid with a time of 47:373. In the Coppa Shell category, Darren Howell, racing for JCT600 Brooklands and a series rookie, made an impressive debut by taking the pole with a lap time of 48:595. Hot on his heels was Gary Redman from Graypaul Nottingham, just 0.010 seconds slower, indicating how competitive the field was right from the start.
Race Day One: Dynamic Strategies and Skilled Manoeuvres
The race on Saturday unfolded under clear skies with the track temperature rising significantly, which played into the strategy of the drivers. In Trofeo Pirelli, Fleming leveraged his pole position to dominate the race. He and Morrow aggressively tackled the first corner at Paddock Hill, with Morrow managing to fend off a strong challenge from John Dhillon of Graypaul Birmingham. Haymandra Pillai of Jardine Colchester also made a notable move, overtaking Gilbert Yates of Charles Hurst at Druids, showcasing his strategic acumen.
As the race progressed, Fleming continued to extend his lead, demonstrating the prowess that earned him the Ferrari Challenge World Championship title the previous year. Meanwhile, the Coppa Shell race was marked by fierce competition and tactical driving, especially from Robert Rees of Dick Lovett Swindon, who, despite starting last due to a spin in qualifying, fought his way to the front. His remarkable recovery was highlighted by a daring inside pass on Howell at Druids, ultimately taking the lead and securing victory.
Race Day Two: A New Challenge on the GP Circuit
Sunday brought a new challenge with the GP circuit. Thomas Fleming once again showed his class by setting the fastest qualifying time and converting it into a race win. His relentless pace kept him at the forefront, while newcomer Gilbert Yates proved his mettle by not only qualifying second but also securing his first podium finish. The Trofeo Pirelli race was intense, with positional changes and strategic plays, especially after a gearbox issue forced Morrow to retire, allowing Dhillon to battle for and secure a podium position.
In Coppa Shell, Robert Rees continued his impressive performance from the previous day, quickly establishing a lead that he would not relinquish. Behind him, Peter Hunter and Mike Dewhirst engaged in a tight duel, with Hunter eventually securing second place, while Dewhirst defended his position against a persistent challenge from Gary Redman.
Club Challenge: Fostering Future Talents
The weekend also featured the Club Challenge, which emphasizes individual improvement and serves as a stepping stone for drivers considering a future in the Ferrari Challenge UK series. Participants, piloting the same Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo cars used in the main races, gained valuable experience and exposure to competitive racing.
Looking Forward
The Ferrari UK Challenge promises more excitement in its next round, scheduled for May 10-11, 2024, at Oulton Park in Cheshire. Fans can look forward to another weekend of strategic racing and skillful driving, which can be experienced live at the circuit or through online streaming at live.ferrari.com. This series continues to showcase not only the engineering excellence of Ferrari but also the profound skills and competitive spirit of its drivers.