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Nikolas Taylor wins season opening GB4 race at Snetterton

3 Mins read
Credit: Jakob Ebrey

Fortec Motorsport’s Nikolas Taylor claimed the win at the GB4 season opening race at Snetterton. 

The seventeen-year-old claimed two pole positions and won the first race in the championship’s history, setting the fastest lap and taking his fantastic racing pace into his performance on Saturday. 

3.7 seconds ahead of Elite Motorsport driver Alex Walker who claimed second, Taylor won the opening race, with Kevin Mills Racing driver Tom Mills claiming third. 

Qualifying

Taylor claimed a double pole position in Qualifying with just a dozen kart races in his profile. Setting his best lap of 1:48.694 and was over a quarter of a second quicker than Walker. 

Kevin Mills Racing driver Jarrod Waberski impressed with the third fastest time in his debut for the team, despite only stepping into the car two days prior. The top three were covered by just under half a second. 

Qualifying also decided the grid line up for Sunday morning’s race two. The grid was based on each driver’s second fastest times. 

Taylor topped the timesheets once again with his next best lap a 1:48.930. Walker was just 0.132s behind in second and Waberski again third quickest. 

Taylor won £250 in prize money with his double pole position as part of the new scheme in the George Russell Pole Position Cup. 

Race One 

Taylor didn’t get the best of starts but was able to battle alongside Walker. Both contenders locked up at Wilson with Taylor holding the lead while walker was demoted to third by Tom Mills who looked to pull alongside Taylor for the lead. 

Walker and Mills continued their battle behind which ultimately allowed Taylor to pull away further into the lead, crossing the line six tenths of a second ahead of Mills. 

A battle for the top spot looked to be forming but Taylor was able to continue to pull further away, extending his lead over two seconds by mid race. 

Taylor took the chequered flag nearly four seconds ahead of Elite’s Alex Walker, with Mills taking third. 

Max Marzorati claimed fourth after making a move on Jarrod Waberski during lap one. Waberski dropped further down the ranks into sixth early on but made his way back up to claim fifth. Adestam was next behind in sixth on his UK racing debut. 

Megan Gilkes managed to climb her way up the ranks from ninth to seventh on the grid for Hillspeed, with Elite’s Jack Sherwood behind in eighth after stalling at the start of the race. 

Fortec’s Jessica Edgar claimed ninth with Graham Brunton Racing’s Logan Hannah completing the top 10. 

All 12 entrants completed the race with Chloe Grant taking eleventh and Christian Lester taking twelfth. 

Taylor commented: “I think Alex got a really good start but I defended into turn one and turn two. It was exhausting, we both locked up into turn two and after that we were side-by-side for about 100 metres. I saw the guys behind started battling after that and I was able to pull away and kept my head down.

“This gives me a lot of confidence to be honest, with the car and the team and I feel really confident with this car.

“Hopefully we can make it a double tomorrow, hopefully the tyres are ok. I’d like to make a better start so I’m not under as much pressure on the first lap but I’ll have my head down and push all the way.

“I just want to thank Fortec for their amazing car and they’ve really made me feel like I’m part of their family for the past year. I also want to thank my sponsors Clean Tech for making this happen, it wouldn’t be happening without them, and of course my dad for the support he’s given me my whole life.”

Qualifying Results

  1. Nikolas Taylor 1:48.694 
  2. Alex Walker + 0.285
  3. Jarrod Waberski + 0.482
  4. Jack Sherwood + 1.185
  5. Tom Mills + 1.361
  6. Max Marzorati + 1.425
  7. Elias Adestam + 1.534
  8. Logan Hannah + 2.157
  9. Megan Gilkes + 2.601
  10. Jessica Edgar + 2.986
  11. Chloe Grant +3.354
  12. Christian Lester +7.370

Race one results

  1. Nikolas Taylor 10 laps 
  2. Alex Walker + 3.740
  3. Tom Mills + 6.368
  4. Max Marzorati + 16.348
  5. Jarrod Waberski + 16.500
  6. Elias Adestam + 19.653
  7. Megan Gilkes + 20.117
  8. Jack Sherwood + 22.366
  9. Jessica Edgar + 40.702
  10. Logan Hannah + 41.154
  11. Chloe Grant + 42.165
  12. Christian Lester +1.07.730 
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I am currently studying a Sports Journalism degree at Sunderland University, aiming to become a full time Sports Journalist. My main interests are F1 and WRC. I cover ROKiT British Formula 4 for The Checkered Flag.
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