Lamborghini made an impressive start to the British GT Championship, clinching victories in both races of the season’s opening round at Oulton Park.
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The event, held on 1 April 2024, saw Barwell Motorsport‘s #63 and #78 cars dominate the competition under challenging weather conditions.
In the first race, the #63 Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2, piloted by Rob and Ricky Collard, navigated through the wet conditions to secure the win. The second race saw the #78 car, driven by Sandy Mitchell and Alex Martin, achieve victory in a race that was significantly affected by safety car interventions.
A Dominant Display
This double win at Oulton Park marks Lamborghini’s eighth victory at the Cheshire circuit since their partnership with Barwell Motorsport began in 2016. Notably, this event also marked their first clean sweep at the track since 2017, setting the team off to a strong start in the championship standings as they look forward to the next round at Silverstone.
The weekend’s success was heralded from the onset, with the #78 Lamborghini setting the pace in the opening free practice session and the #63 not far behind. Qualifying saw the #63 and #78 cars securing strong positions for the races, with Rob Collard clinching pole position in a dramatic last lap during the first qualifying session, and Sandy Mitchell taking pole for the second race.
Challenges Overcome
Race day brought heavy rain and overcast skies, making the conditions less than ideal for the competitors. Despite this, the #63 car, starting from pole, managed to hold its lead, while the #78 car also maintained a strong position throughout the race.
A full course yellow period and a subsequent safety car restart added drama to the race, with the #63 facing a post-race penalty that was later rescinded, allowing the Collards to celebrate their first domestic GT victory together.
The second race, though still wet, showed signs of drying, allowing Mitchell and Martin in the #78 car to display their skill by quickly building a lead. Despite a longer-than-expected pit stop, the #78 car reclaimed and maintained its lead until the end, securing Lamborghini and Barwell Motorsport’s double win amidst less competitive laps due to a full course yellow period.
Sandy Mitchell, a Lamborghini Factory Driver, and part of the Barwell Motorsport team, reflected on the challenges and strategy that led to their success, highlighting the importance of tire pressure adjustments, and managing the gap to competitors without a success penalty.
With such a strong start to the season, Lamborghini and Barwell Motorsport have laid down a marker for their competitors in the British GT Championship, demonstrating not only the performance capabilities of the Huracán GT3 EVO2 but also the strategic judgement of their team and drivers.