The Oman Racing Team are in a buoyant mood ahead of this weekend’s British GT championship meeting at Spa, with the Motorbase Performance–ran team looking to close the half point gap to third.
The teams main car, the #4 Aston Martin Vantage V12 of Omani Ahmad Al Harthy and long-time driver Michael Caine, currently lay fourth in the standings, half a point off third, and are looking to bounce back after a disappointing round at Snetterton, with the Spa track suting both car and drivers.
“Spa is the best circuit we race on, and one that should be well suited to our car,” said Caine. “Snetterton wasn’t an Aston Martin track, but Spa is much faster and similar in some ways to Silverstone, where we were strong all weekend. I don’t see any reason why we can’t go there and be challenging for the podium.”
The team’s second car, the #5, will this weekend be piloted by regular driver Rory Butcher and, for the second time this season, former BTCC driver Jeff Smith. The pair had a good race last time out in Norfolk, with the duo now aiming for points at Spa.
“We’ve got so much potential! I’ve been to Spa once and Jeff has been there a couple of times and I think we’ll do well there,” said Butcher. “Driving the Aston Martin around Spa will be unbelievable. There are so many fast corners at Spa and the Aston is so good in fast corners. I can’t wait!”
“I’m very much looking forward to my month of Spa! It’s a great circuit with a great atmosphere and to get to go there three times in a month is quite special,” said David Bartrum, Team Principle of the Oman Racing Team. “Testing went well, we think the Aston will go well down at Spa and I’m hoping we’ll get some good results behind us.
“The one sad part of doing the British GT this weekend is that Bernard Cottrell can’t be with us. I’ve known him for a long time and I’m sure he’s in good hands at the hospital; we all wish him well and hope to see him back at a race track soon. I dare say he’ll manage to find someone to fine me for something in his absence!”
Cottrell, as Bartrum mentioned, won’t be at Spa this weekend, with the British GT race director recently being diagnosed with Leukaemia. All of us here at The Checkered Flag wish Bernhard well in his fight.
