Mixed weekend for Academy Motorsport at Silverstone

The Silverstone 500 is certainly one of the highlights on the British GT Championship calendar. Three hours of British GT action at the home of British motorsport, what a combination. This year’s event saw Academy Motorsport strengthen its championship charge, with another podium finish.

Following on from a successful weekend at Oulton Park in the rain, a wet start to proceedings at Silverstone left the team feeling positive about the weekend ahead.

A heavy downpour during Saturday qualifying was even too wet for the Academy Motorsport Ford Mustang, with the session stopped before being cancelled due to severe conditions. With qualifying incomplete, grid positions for Sunday’s three-hour endurance outing were decided from the fastest combined practice times. From this Will Moore and Matt Nicoll-Jones lined up in fifth place on the grid, whilst Matt Cowley and Erik Evans slotted into 11th place.

With three hours of racing ahead of them, the team got themselves into position for one of the biggest races of the season. In contrasting conditions to Saturday’s qualifying session, a dry day lay ahead on Sunday. A frantic three hours soon followed, with strategy playing a key role once again. As others fell by the wayside, Academy Motorsport kept their heads down, focusing on the task at hand. As the chequered flag came into sight it was another podium finish for the shared Cowley/Evans Ford Mustang, with third place. Sadly, the Silverstone 500 wasn’t as kind to Nicoll-Jones and Moore, who finished in 13th place.

Commenting on the Silverstone 500, Academy Motorsport’s head honcho, Nicoll-Jones, said: “It was a frustrating day for Will and I, but what a result for Matt and Erik. They currently sit second in the GT4 championship standings, and we couldn’t be happier. Obviously it is frustrating we’re not there with them, but we are one team, and we celebrate together. Now to focus on the next round at Donington Park in a few weeks time.”

The next round of the British GT Championship takes place at Donington Park during 27th-28th May.