Tolman Motorsport is hoping that their planning will stand them in good stead for the Avon Tyres British GT Championship’s flyaway race at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.
The only race outside of the UK this year, many of the teams are venturing into the unknown with limited testing at the Belgian track – apart from those competing in the 24 Hours – but Tolman are hoping their testing in the team’s Ginetta G55 GT4 will pay off.
However, they’ve not only been testing, the Chris Tolman led team have also been racing with the squad entering a recent round of the European GT4 Series which saw them qualifying third for race one and leading at points during the pair of races.
Chris Tolman said: “We had a really good test at Spa earlier on this year with Joe Osborne driving and then, we also had a very useful experience at the European GT4 series. While it might not have been much fun in the wet, we got some incredibly valuable knowledge and data for the team and the drivers gained even more experience of running in the wet.
“I was also very pleased and impressed with the pace at which we were running and I think this hints at what might be possible.”
Drivers Luke Davenport and David Pattison are also looking forward to the halfway race of this year – even if Pattison did make a trip to the gravel trap in qualifying for the second race in their Euro GT4 excursion.
Pattison said: “We have learned a huge amount ahead of the race at Spa; particularly about racing in the rain! We do know the car goes well there and Luke was very quick at the European GT4 race weekend. For me, it is my favourite circuit in the world and it is a real privilege to be racing there.
“I think with the preparation work the team has put in, we are in a very good place and I am really looking forward to the weekend.”
For Davenport, he wants to reclaim what should be rightful his after a Silverstone race that didn’t live up to expectations.
He said: “I am going into Spa absolutely determined to make up for what could have been at Silverstone. I feel we are the best-prepared team in the GT4 category for this event. There is a feeling of expectation and I cannot wait for it all to get started.
“I have recently returned from competing in the European GT4 Championship at Spa where I lead the race against far more experienced professional drivers. I believe we can finish the race there next week in the same position.”
