Most Consistent GB3 Weekend Yet For Nick Gilkes Capped With Top Five At Spa
First year GB3 Championship partnered by the BRDC driver Nick Gilkes delivered his most consistently competitive outing in the category yet over the weekend, 23rd/24th July, with a series of very strong race performances and a top five best at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.
Hillspeed’s Gilkes, making his maiden appearance at the legendary Ardennes track, produced some impressive driving in all three contests to make strong progress in each – finishing 12th in round 13, 11th in round 14 and fifth in a Safety Car and red flag interrupted round 15 on Sunday morning.
The final encounter could have delivered more for the British-Canadian racer and his Markham Vale squad, with a genuine and realistic podium challenge curtailed following the second of two Safety Car interventions which left no time for a final lap fight to the chequered flag.
Nonetheless, the strength of the weekend’s performance gives a major boost of confidence for team and driver ahead of the next three GB3 races mere days from now, at Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit this coming weekend.
“Three solid finishes, good consistency and competitiveness and Nick learnt one of the best circuits in the world, so all in all a very strong weekend”, said Hillspeed team principal Richard Ollerenshaw, “There was the potential for more in every race, and I think we could’ve been back on the podium with third in race three, but we’re pleased with the progress in every race and fifth was still good.
“Most of the drivers had been able to go to Spa at some point this year already, whereas Nick and only a small handful of others only saw the track for the first time on Friday. It’s very difficult to go straight from the test sessions into qualifying on the same day, not having the time overnight to go through things more, but Nick adapted to the track well and produced a very good performance.”
Ever-improving Gilkes showcases great speed and consistency at Spa
Gilkes made good steps across the three test sessions on Friday, 22nd July, and in qualifying he posted the 16th fastest time from the 22 drivers – a lap of 2m16.984 seconds placing him less than half a second shy of the top eight. His initial hopes of progress in round 13 on Saturday, though, were dealt an early blow when a couple of spinners ahead led to a delay and drop to 17th position.
After a brief Safety Car period the action resumed and Gilkes quickly moved into the top 15 before taking another place on lap six. Grabbing 13th on the final lap, post-race he was elevated into the top 12 when Matthew Rees was disqualified from the results.
Starting round 14 from 13th on the grid, courtesy of his second fastest time in qualifying which was a mere 0.2 seconds away from the top 10, Gilkes held position through the first part of the lap before a dramatic tangle just ahead, as the cars headed to Malmedy, led to a delay and a slip to 14th.
Breaking into the top 12 on lap two, Gilkes started to apply heavy pressure to Alex Connor mid-race and on the sixth tour he sliced past before immediately pulling away. Taking the chequered flag in 11th almost three seconds clear of Connor, Gilkes was also just 1.6 seconds shy of the top 10.
Starting the ‘reverse grid’ race on Sunday, round 15, from seventh on the grid, Gilkes made a great start to move into sixth and through La Source positioned his car beautifully to power into fifth place as the cars streamed down the hill. Looking to challenge for fourth along Kemmel Straight, on lap two Gilkes did momentarily take the place into Les Combes but was edged back on exit.
Running strong pace, and driving superbly, the Hillspeed racer remained within just 0.4 seconds of the lead quartet but the Safety Car was deployed soon after before red flags were shown after an unfortunate incident.
Racing resumed a short while later behind the Safety Car over a 10-minute duration, with the cars then unleashed for battle a lap later with less than six minutes on the clock. Holding fifth, Gilkes was all over the back of Zak Taylor’s car at the end of the lap but the Safety Car was required once again and there was no time left to resume competition – Gilkes taking the flag in fifth.
Due to the resumption of the race being done with an incorrect grid formation, though, a revised result was issued from the end of the first racing lap instead. It doesn’t impact Gilkes however, as he was fifth at the time. Due to the shortened race duration, half points have been awarded.
Now, of course, there’s a quick turnaround for the team with its GB3 entry and newly expanded GB4 squad both in action this coming weekend, 30th/31st July, at the home of the British Grand Prix, Silverstone in Northamptonshire.
UPDATED Provisional 2022 GB3 Championship – Driver Standings (after Rd15)
17th Nick Gilkes, 99.5pts
UPDATED Provisional 2022 GB3 Championship – Team Standings (after Rd15)
9th Hillspeed, 99.5pts
