2006 British GT - Silverstone - Final Round

Andy Downes · Post by **Andy Downes** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 7:49 pm

The Final Round of the 2006 British GT Championship is at Silverstone this coming Sunday 24th September, featuring a 2-hour race with refuelling as well as the normal driver change. Practice and Qualifying are on Saturday.

In the Championship standings Team Aero are equal 3rd with Team Tiger (Marcos), unfortunately some way behind the Trackspeed Porsches.

In the Driver standings Keith and Oliver are equal 6th which is pretty respectable.

After two non-starts at Brands Hatch they will be looking to a return to form this weekend - they have had two 2nds and three 3rds this season but to finish on the top of the podium would be a suitable flourish with which to finish.

Billy Bellinger and father Jack are once again on the spanners.

Good luck Team Aero - see you on all Sunday.

Bellinger & Bryant

The Boss in his office

Have (GT) Fun

RICHARD PLANT · Post by **RICHARD PLANT** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 10:51 am

Andy,

As ever thanks for the info, I can't make Sunday but do you know what time practice will be on Saturday as I would like to go along to watch.

Regards,

Richard.

Andy Downes · Post by **Andy Downes** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 1:03 pm

Richard,

Saturday
Untimed Practice 09:40 - 75 minutes

Qualifying 15:15 - 16:00 - 2 x 15 minutes

Sunday
Race 13:20 - 120 minutes

Or go to http://www.britishgt.com/

Have (GT) Fun

RICHARD PLANT · Post by **RICHARD PLANT** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 1:52 pm

Hi Andy,

Thanks for the times. See you there.

Richard.

keith.ahlers · Post by **keith.ahlers** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:35 pm

Richard,

Can you email me keith.ahlers@btinternet.com to arrange entry passes for Sat. (Didn't want to post my mobile phone number).

Keith.

Andy Downes · Post by **Andy Downes** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 9:03 pm

I can't resist posting this from one of my favourite websites - http://www.Dailysportscar.com:-

But if there is any justice in this world, the ideal scenario would see Team Aero take the victory.

Keith Ahlers has supported the GTC class right from the off, but the successful Ahlers / Ollie Bryant partnership will probably be no more after Sunday afternoon, as the talented youngster heads off in search of bigger and better things in the world of sportscar racing. A win this weekend would be perfect.

But that is the romantic view and there will be 13 other cars doing their utmost to spoil Team Aeroâ€™s day.

I'll report more at the weekend - hopefully first-hand from the pit lane.

Have (GT) Fun - whilst you can.

Andy Downes · Post by **Andy Downes** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 9:03 pm

Details from today's qualifying in class GTC:-

12 GTC JMH Phil Burton Adam Wilcox Ferrari 360 1.27.460
17 GTC RPM Peter Bamford Matt Griffin Porsche 911 GT3 1.28.540
96 GTC RPM Alex Mortimer Bradley Ellis Porsche 911 GT3 1.28.856
3 GTC Trackspeed Phil Keen Ryan Hooker Porsche 911 GT3 1.28.870
5 GTC Trackspeed Jonny Lang Matt Allison Porsche 911 GT3 1.29.043
11 GTC Team Aero Keith Ahlers Oliver Bryant Morgan Aero 8 1.29.724
48 GTC Jaz Motorsport Paul Mace Hunter Abbott Porsche 911 GT3 1.30.079
28 GTC RSS Performance Graeme Mundy Jamie Smyth Porsche 911 GT3 1.30.261
16 GTC Motorbase Performance Rob Wilson Gary Eastwood Porsche 911 GT3 1.30.593
70 GTC David Dove Racing David Dove Bill Tulley Ferrari 360 1.31.135
8 GTC Hawthorns Motorsport Rod Barrett Jan Persson Porsche 911 GT3 1.31.516
44 GTC Richmond Racing Nick Marsh Richard Hollebon Ginetta G20 1.31.919
99 GTC Beechdean Motorsport Neil Cunningham Andrew Howard Ferrari 360 1.32.459
46 GTC Team Skater Stephen Keating Mark Powell Marcos LM500 1.34.102

And a quote from http://www.Dailysportscar.com

"Taking sixth place in GTC from Jaz was the Team Aero Morgan, with Oliver Bryant having taken over from Keith Ahlers. Unfortunately for the younger driver the new tyres didnâ€™t allow him to try for that coveted pole position; â€œCrapola!â€

Andy Downes · Post by **Andy Downes** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 11:35 pm

So, what was the story then ?

A slightly disappointing 5th in Class in the race - but a crucial 4 points to take Team Aero clear of Team Tiger (Marcos Mantis) and clinch 3rd in the GTC class Championship standings.

This is a terrific result for the Team and nothing less than they deserve after a long hard season - Congratulations Keith, Oliver, Billy and Jack for keeping the Morgan flag flying.

GTC Race Result
3 GTC Trackspeed Phil Keen Ryan Hooker Porsche 911 GT3 76 laps 1.30.484
96 GTC RPM Alex Mortimer Bradley Ellis Porsche 911 GT3 75 laps 1.30.086
5 GTC Trackspeed Jonny Lang Matt Allison Porsche 911 GT3 75 laps 1.30.116
12 GTC JMH Phil Burton Adam Wilcox Ferrari 360 75 laps 1.29.581
11 GTC Team Aero Keith Ahlers Oliver Bryant Morgan Aero 8 75 laps 1.31.346
99 GTC Beechdean Motorsport Neil Cunningham Andrew Howard Ferrari 360 73 laps 1.32.552
48 GTC Jaz Motorsport Paul Mace Hunter Abbott Porsche 911 GT3 73 laps 1.32.073
28 GTC RSS Performance Graeme Mundy Jamie Smyth Porsche 911 GT3 73 laps 1.31.608
16 GTC Motorbase Performance Rob Wilson Gary Eastwood Porsche 911 GT3 71 laps 1.31.076
8 GTC Hawthorns Motorsport Rod Barrett Jan Persson Porsche 911 GT3 55 laps 1.32.753
17 GTC RPM Peter Bamford Matt Griffin Porsche 911 GT3 52 laps 1.30.113
46 GTC Team Skater Stephen Keating Mark Powell Marcos LM500 27 laps 1.32.982
44 GTC Richmond Racing Nick Marsh Richard Hollebon Ginetta G20 18 laps 1.35.120

Overall GTC Championship
1 Trackspeed (Porsche) 111
2 RPM (Porsche) 85
3 Team Aero (Morgan Aero8) 53
4 Team Tiger (Marcos) 49
5 JMH (Ferrari) 34
6 Motorbase (Porsche) 23

My own personal "Thanks" to Keith & Sue - and my complete admiration to Billy Jack & Oliver for their downright hard graft in the pit and behind the wheel. Team Aero are a real favourite in the GT paddock - four guys, a girl, a transit and the Aero8 doing it 'their way' - just magnificent.

Have (Team Aero) Fun

PS - It was also a pleasure today to meet Rich Fohl over from the States, Rich bought the De Walt 2002 Le Mans Aero and also owns a +4 Supersports and a competition 4/4.

Parc Ferme - The Aero 8 stands out amongst a sea of Porsches