The Cooper Tires British Formula 3 and Avon Tyres British GT Championships make their annual visit to Brands Hatch – a circuit known for its fearsome corners, hills and dips – for this weekend’s penultimate meeting of the 2014 season.
The Kent circuit will see the next generation of F1 drivers battle it out on one of the world’s most iconic circuits, attempting to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Stirling Moss, Jim Clark and Emerson Fittipaldi, who have all raced and won at Brands Hatch over the years. In particular, Matt Rao and the Fortec Motorsport team will look to extend their championship lead even further.
Meanwhile, the Avon Tyres British GT heads to Brands off the back of a sensational run at Spa-Francorchamps last month. Marco Attard will be seeking to extend his lead in the championship and secure the position of the Ecurie Ecosse team at the top of the table.
The British GT series features the world’s finest supercars, including Ferrari, McLaren, Bentley and Porsche; making it one of the most prestigious grids of the year.
Cooper Tire Motorsport General Manager, Paul Coates, said, “British F3 runs on the Grand Prix circuit at Brands Hatch, which is famous for being an undulating track featuring the plunging, fast downhill Paddock Hill Bend. With a total of nine turns, the track consists of six right and three left turns, meaning that car set-up is extremely important to allow for the loads exerted on the front left of the car due to the greater number of quick right-handers. Brands Hatch is an excellent circuit for young drivers to show their tire management skills.
“Most drivers would name Brands Hatch as being among their favorite tracks in the UK, with its fast configuration and long sweeping corners. However, overtaking at this circuit can be difficult and this is where the challenge comes in for the British GT grid. Competitor numbers are greater in this championship than in British F3, making it even harder. In terms of looking after their tires, the drivers need to take into consideration heavy braking zones, the prime example of which is at Druids.”
Qualifying for British F3 at Brands Hatch will get underway at 14:30hrs on Saturday 30 August, with the opening race of the weekend following at 17:10hrs. On Sunday, 31 August, races two and three will take place at 10:55hrs and 16:35hrs respectively.
