Peter and Matt Smith's Redgate/Virgo Ginetta G55 Cup (Photo Credit: Chris Gurton Photography)
In their first race in their brand new Ginetta G55 Peter and Matt Smith left Silverstone second in points for Class Three in the MSA British Endurance Championship.
In their Redgate/Virgo Motorsport entered car the Essex-based father and son team qualified 15th fastest for the three hour race on the full Grand Prix track, a spot Matt moved up from during his opening stint, racing towards the bottom of the top ten.
Speaking to The Checkered Flag before the race the younger Smith admitted to be unsure of how the new car would stack up against the variety of machinery in Class Three – including Lotus, Porsche and Ferrari – and despite competitive lap times their qualifying deficit proved too much of an obstacle against their class rivals ahead.
After Smith Sr. had taken the middle stint in the race his son took the car to the checkered flag, setting the car's best lap (2:15.455) of the race on new tyres shortly after stepping back into the cockpit.
Matt crossed the line in tenth overall and fourth in class. However, with non-points scoring invitation entries taking first and second the Ginetta pairing were awarded the points for second place to begin their championship chase behind the Bullrun team's Lotus Evora.
“Unfortunately a Porsche and a Ferrari invitations finished ahead of us so deprived us of a podium, but I suppose its points that count,” said the elder Smith. “Overall a good day, a satisfactory start to the season and we look forward to Donington in April.”
The British Endurance Championship continues with another three hour event at Donington Park on April 21.
