Tom Hibbert has launched his 2017 Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup title challenge, with a superb pair of victories at Oulton Park closing him to within thirty points of Callum Pointon’s lead.
Following a mixed start to the season, Hibbert returned from a five week break since the last rounds at Donington Park to star with his first podium finishes of the campaign.
It was the returning Jack Mitchell who got the upper hand in mixed conditions during qualifying on Saturday, taking pole position ahead of Hibbert, Pointon and Carl Boardley.
On a completely dry circuit later that afternoon, a lightning start saw Hibbert storm into the early lead from Mitchell, though his advantage was eradicated by the safety car.
That emerged on circuit after first Charlie Ladell, and then a lap later Declan Jones, made contact with the tyre stack at Knickerbrook and were left stranded with damage.
On the restart, Hibbert was able to leaving the chasing pack to battle behind and edge away, though a dramatic finale saw him start to slow just as the red flags came out.
That was due to an off for Ben Green into the Druids gravel trap whilst running sixth, with the countback meaning fortune was in Hibbert’s favour as he was classified the winner.
Mitchell and Pointon completed the podium after a three-way battle with Boardley, with George Gamble and Adam Higgins rounding out the overall top six.
Green and Higgins had been battling with the leading AM class runners, with experienced hand Colin White fending off a race long challenge from series debutant Jason Baker for the class win.
Race two would see Hibbert once again lead from lights-to-flag for a flawless victory, though a mid-race safety car spell would once again put him under some pressure.
That was due to an off into the barriers for Boardley as he diced with Green for fourth position, a scrape the latter emerged from unscathed to take the position at the flag behind Pointon and Mitchell.
Gamble and Reece Somerfield completed the top six, while Jones bounced back from his opening race disappointment to finish a strong seventh at his home circuit.
A fantastic battle for the AM class win saw White fend off Jac Constable and Baker for most of the race, however a mistake for the leader would hand Constable the victory.
Full race results from the weekend and the championship standings can be found here: http://tsl-timing.com/event/172003
