Trackspeed Ready for Battle at Brands

British GT’s top Porsche team Trackspeed Racing head to Brands Hatch this weekend, looking for further top results. The Demon Tweeks #63 Porsche 911 GT3 R will continue to be crewed by Jon Minshaw and Phil Keen, while team boss David Ashburn returns behind the wheel of the #31 alongside Porsche factory pilot Nick Tandy.

Minshaw and Keen have taken 81 points in 2014, lying fifth in the standings with two wins so far. The team can be buoyed by the fact that these results have come at contrasting circuits – the technical Snetterton and recently in wet conditions on the fast expanses of Spa Francorchamps.

Tandy and Ashburn have pedigree in the series, winning several races in 2013. Ashburn has also taken the Avon Tyres British GT Championship title, in 2010. There’s little doubt that both will be back into the swing of things in a team they know so well, on a track they’re both well acquainted with.

There’s also movement behind the scenes, as Peter Curtin will come in to take charge of affairs at the track. Curtin has worked for the team before, and this season has also been working with top BTCC team West Surrey Racing.

Brands Hatch offers one of Britain’s biggest racing challenges, with sweeping turns and no rest for a driver on its 3.9km. The daunting and fast Paddock Hill Bend rushes steeply downhill, and heads then uphill to Druids, the tight first gear hairpin. It’s one of the most difficult sections in world motorsport, let alone just the British championship.

The two-hour race begins on Sunday at 13:10. Follow @TrackspeedGT on Twitter for live race updates from the team.

Jon Minshaw, #63 Porsche 911 GT3 R
“We’re coming to Brands Hatch on the back of some pretty good results, with two wins in the last four races. I think we can continue that form here, and look toward the podium – it’s within the capabilities of the car, the team and me and Phil as drivers. I feel like we’ve got a really good understanding now. It’s a great track – one of the best in the country, a proper drivers’ circuit and it’s one we all love racing on, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Nick Tandy, #31 Porsche 911 GT3 R
“I’m excited to be coming back to the British GT Championship. It’s a great series and I’ve always had a lot of fun racing with David. I’m sure it won’t take any time at all to get back into the swing of things – Trackspeed have been doing a good job with the cars and although I haven’t run much this year in the GT3 spec 911, I have had a win in a similar car in the World Challenge series in the US. We’ll take it very seriously this weekend, but I’m sure we’ll all have a good time and put on a good show whatever the result!”

David Ashburn, #31 Porsche 911 GT3 R
“I must be really bad at retiring, because I’ve come back twice now! It’s just great fun racing in this championship, especially with a team like ours because we can run at the front. Racing with Nick is always a huge amount of fun, and that’s what I’m really looking forward to. It’s only two races, but there’s plenty of racing to do!”

Photos: Gary Parravani / www.xynamic.com