There was more success for Steve Burgess and Ben Dimmack, as the they took their RAW Motorsports Ginetta G55 to a first and second in class at the Britcar Dunlop. Endurance races at Donington Park.Qualifying for the first race had given the duo ninth overall and second in class, but 1.7 secs off the class pole. “I went out first , got a gap and some good times, as I was happy with the balance of the car,” said Burgess. “I was getting closer and closer to Steve’s time too. But want to match him. But I was comfortable with the car and set up,” Dimmack added.Race 1:Burgess took the start of the one hour race, but slipped to 12thon the opening lap, before losing second in class to the Valuga Porsche of Ian Humphries on lap two.He spent the next five laps in a train of cars before he managed to retake the Porsche and by the end of lap seven was a clear ninth overall and second in class again.
With the safety car out for a couple of laps, some of the solo drivers made their stops early. Burgess stayed out until lap 24, having climbed to fifth overall and the class lead, before handing to Dimmack for the second half. “I had a poor start and then got boxed in, struggling to get by. I got clear but had lost too much time though to challenge for the class lead,” Burgess explained.With the all the stops completed Dimmack was in seventh. He clawed his way back into the top six by lap 39 and held station to the chequered flag, consolidating second in class too. “Our stop went well, but I found the car a bit lively. I couldn’t compete for a class win though, so second was the best we could do,” Dimmack added.Race 2:It was Dimmack’s turn to start the second race, from the third row, with class rival Cunningham alongside. He was straight into a duel with David Brise’s Saker for sixth place though, which allowed Cunningham to get away.
Having gained the place on lap four, both Dimmack and Brise gained further places a lap later, before the Saker dived ahead into the chicane on lap eight. He then overshot and had to pit, which left Dimmack clear in fifth to pursue Cunningham.Although Dimmack stayed out until lap 24 again, Cunningham had pitted early and failed to show the same pace on rejoining.Dimmack was in third overall with a comfortable class lead when he handed to Burgess. “There were a few incidents with Brise, but I kept within my target and then managed to maintain the gap to Cunningham, to leave Steve with a chance.Burgess rejoined in fourth, with only the more powerful class 1 cars ahead, but more importantly he had a comfortable class lead which he maintained to the flag.“We had lowered the car after the first race and it felt much better. Ben did all the hard work though, so I just had to bring it home.” Burgess concluded.
Comments