Strong Wet-Weather Drive From Kulkarni Delivers P11 Best On GB3 Debut
Aditya Kulkarni produced a highly creditable best finish of 11th position on his maiden weekend in the GB3 Championship partnered by the BRDC at Oulton Park International Circuit during the Easter break – the series rookie able to take away plenty of positives on his debut as a Hillspeed driver.
Bouncing back impressively from an opening lap retirement in round one on Saturday, 30th March, the 16-year-old from Harrow exceeded all expectation in a very wet round two on Easter Monday, 1st April, by almost breaking into the top 10 from 18th on the grid.
Aiming for more of the same in round three later in the day, GB3 rookie Kulkarni sadly ended the even wetter encounter in the gravel at Island Bend on lap seven – an unfortunate excursion resulting from the concertina of slowing cars behind the previously deployed Safety Car.
Kulkarni makes strong steps forward on maiden GB3 weekend
Other than a brief outing at Donington Park prior to the eleventh hour announcement of his 2024 deal to step-up into GB3 with Markham Vale’s Hillspeed, Kulkarni’s first true testing in the car came during two days of practice at Oulton Park on Thursday, 28th March, and Friday, 29th March.
Excitement was high ahead of round one of the season on Saturday. Starting in 19th position, following a solid run in his first qualifying session earlier in the day, the teenager made a good beginning to the contest and was running strongly until a tangle into the Shell Oils Hairpin on the opening lap brought his involvement to a premature conclusion.
After a break from track action on Easter Sunday, Kulkarni was ready to go again for the subsequent two races on Bank Holiday Monday and put the race one frustration firmly behind him. The track conditions were an entirely different prospect though, awful wet weather arriving for round two.
Marking Kulkarni’s first ever experience of GB3 in the rain, following the initial Safety Car start the action proper got underway on lap two. Holding 18th and running impressively, he moved up into 17th position prior to the reappearance of the Safety Car on lap four.
Racing resumed on lap six and Kulkarni had gained two positions before the re-start, a pair of rivals making contact at the end of the fifth tour into Lodge. Continuing to run strongly, with big rooster tails of spray making visibility incredibly difficult, the Hillspeed racer picked up the pace well.
Chaos ensued on lap nine, several incidents throughout the order resulting in a number of stricken cars. Kulkarni, avoiding the drama and making no mistakes, deservingly moved up into the top 12 and gained one more place on the 10th and final lap – completing a terrific drive in 11th position.
Starting 19th on the grid for the third and final race of the weekend, also taking place on a wet track following more rain during the lunchbreak, Kulkarni was edged back a place on lap one but was 19th again by lap five.
The Safety Car was soon deployed due to a stricken car and as Kulkarni followed instruction to catch the train ahead, received over the radio from race control, as the group slowed at Island Bend some contact resulted in a trip into the gravel on the approach and unfortunate retirement.
Richard Ollerenshaw – Hillspeed Team Principal:
“It’s been a bit of a mixed first weekend in GB3 for Adi, races one and three were very unfortunate and just the result of a couple of small mistakes. Race two was very good, we’re really pleased with the performance Adi showed and in very tricky conditions as well. He kept his head, raced well and took a very well deserved result just outside the top 10.
“Everything happens a whole lot quicker in GB3 than in GB4, so there is obviously still a lot to learn for Adi but he’s made a good start and we’re now looking forward to the next rounds at Silverstone where we’ll be looking to build further and put together three solid race finishes.”
There is now a four-week break in the GB3 calendar with rounds four, five and six taking place over the weekend 27th/28th April at Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit in Northamptonshire.
2024 GB3 Championship Driver Standings (after Rd3)
19th Aditya Kulkarni, 10pts
2024 GB3 Championship Team Standings (after Rd3)
8th Hillspeed, 10pts
