Strong Points Haul at Oulton Park

Ecurie Ecosse began their 2013 British GT Championship campaign with a pair of strong finishes at Oulton Park yesterday (1 April).

The Ecosse duo of Oliver Bryant and Marco Attard quickly got to grips with the Barwell Motorsport-run BMW Z4 GT3 to take a fine sixth place in the first race of the day. Attard maintained his qualifying pace and after a solid and consistent stint handed over to Bryant in eighth position. Bryant then engaged in a thrilling battle which saw five cars fighting for third place.

Following an off-track excursion caused by contact from Alan Simonsen in the Rosso Verde Ferrari 458 Bryant set about making up for lost time, consistently lapping quicker than those in front on his way to a strong sixth place overall finish.

Race two was equally competitive. Bryant started and lost touch with the lead pack while battling with Rob Barff (Ferrari 458) and Joe Osborne (BMW Z4 GT3), but made up a huge amount of time with a very impressive 'in lap' and speedy pit work from the Barwell crew. As things settled down Attard emerged in sixth spot. After making more progress the race was neutralised for a car on fire, bunching the field up.

With two laps to go the safety car came in and Attard drove fantastically. After a superb pass on the Jay Palmer Ferrari he took third overall, a performance that netted him the coveted 'Mobil 1 Driver of the Weekend' award.

Ecurie Ecosse now lie third in the championship following the first two rounds and were consistently the fastest BMW throughout the weekend.

The sister BMW Z4 GT3 driven by Piers and Ron Johnson under the 'Ecurie Ecosse with Barwell Motorsport' banner finished 16th and 17th in the two races, maintaining Ecosse's 100% finishing record in all the events in which the team has entered since it was reformed in 2011.

Mark Lemmer, Barwell Motorsport Team Principal: "We've been working hard and have made the solid championship start that we deserve. Marco, Olly and the team did a fantastic job and we're now looking forward to the longer races."

Oliver Bryant, Ecurie Ecosse driver: "Hats off to Marco and the team for an excellent job this weekend. We know the key is to be quick and consistent and to stay out of trouble. A huge amount of work has gone in from everyone at Ecurie Ecosse and Barwell Motorsport in the off-season to pull this deal together so a podium is very rewarding!"

Marco Attard, Ecurie Ecosse driver: "What a great result at Oulton Park following two eventful races! Thanks to the Barwell crew who did a great job, our engineers Andy and Adam and the whole Ecurie Ecosse team, not forgetting Olly Bryant who drove two great races and was a huge support to me."

The next rounds of the British GT Championship take place at Rockingham on 6th May. Before that the team turns it's attentions to the opening round of the European Le Mans Series at Silverstone (13 April) where the car will compete for honours in the GTC class driven by Ollie Millroy, Andrew Smith and Alasdair McCaig.