Aston Martin Wins British GT Crown, Flick Haigh Makes History
Aston Martin drivers Flick Haigh and Jonny Adam clinched the 2018 British GT Championship title at Donington Park in a historic day for the sport.
Haigh became the first woman to be crowned outright British GT champion in a stellar year racing the Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 alongside Optimum Motorsport team-mate Adam. Her debut season in the series included the first pole position and victory for a woman in the season-opener at Oulton Park in April, followed by another at Brands Hatch last month.
Having come into Donington with a 27.5-point lead over their nearest rivals, and with two other cars still in title contention, Haigh and Adam needed to secure sixth position or higher to confirm their status as champions. In the end, they brought the car home fourth overall following a tough examination of race-craft under pressure, ensuring that Optimum won a championship in their first year as an Aston Martin Racing partner.
The result also confirmed Adam as the most successful driver in the series’ history, with a third title (to add to those he won in 2015 and 2016), and a victory tally of 14 wins in 80 race starts in the domestic series. The 34-year-old Scot is also the only driver to have won the title with three different teams and drivers, though all in the Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3.
Aston Martin Racing partner team TF Sport claimed the Teams’ Championship, and almost the final race victory for the venerable V12 Vantage GT3, which is set to be replaced as Aston Martin’s frontline customer programme machine by the new Vantage GT3 in 2019.
Works driver Nicki Thiim and Mark Farmer drove brilliantly on the Dane’s first visit to Donington. Thiim took the lead halfway through his stint to ensure the ‘Old Lady’ crossed the line first, but was denied victory by a penalty.
About the Author
Subhash Nair Written work on dsf.my. @subhashtag on instagram. Autophiles Malaysia on Youtube.
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