Two teams proved the class of the opening British GT meeting at Oulton Park. Adam Carroll and Shaun Balfe (Balfe Audi) narrowly beat Jules Gounon/Ian Loggie (RAM Mercedes) to win a breathless first race, before the order was reversed for the second. But a bizarre set of circumstances meant the first and second cars on the road were classified fifth and sixth as Kelvin Fletcher and Martin Plowman’s Paddock McLaren came from 14th on the grid to top the podium after a mid-race stoppage.
Poleman Balfe lost out at the start of the opener as his tyres took their time to heat up. He tumbled to sixth on lap one as Richard Neary (Abba Mercedes) headed returning 2019 champion Graham Davidson (Rocket RJN McLaren), Morgan Tillbrook (Enduro McLaren) and 2 Seas Mercedes pair James Cottingham and Kevin Tse.
Through traffic, the leaders were tightly bunched and Davidson was ready to pounce when Neary was baulked up Clay Hill. But, as Neary moved back to the right, Davidson was already there and was edged onto the grass on a collision course with the barriers.
