We love a British racing success story up here on the top floor of MotorMartin Towers and we love all things Bentley so the news that #31 Bentley Continental GT3 of Seb Morris (GB) and Rick Parfitt Jr (GB) has won the 2017 British GT Championship thanks to a fourth place finish for the Team Parker Racing crew at Donington Park was enough to send the office into pandemonium. For all the right reasons of course.
The team have shared with MotorMartin that they started the weekend, dubbed the Donington Decider, with a 10.5 advantage in the standings and that after a close qualifying session the pair started side-by-side with their championship rivals in third and fourth.
Parfitt Jr. started the two-hour race and, after some battling with, made a fantastic overtake on the famous Craner Curves and climbed into third. As the pitstops came, Parfitt Jr had pushed hard to get a 10-second advantage over their nearest rivals in the #31 Lamborghini. Exciting racing for all.
Morris took over and, after a 20-second success penalty for winning at Brands Hatch, emerged in fifth with the Lamborghini 12 seconds ahead in third. After climbing to fourth, the cars crossed the line and the British Bentley drivers were crowed champions.
The following quotes are from the successful drivers themselves and reflect the respect held between team and drivers, a trait MotorMartin certainly appreciates.
Rick Parfitt Jr.: “Team Parker have been incredible all season and Bentley have given us a car that is strong and reliable. Seb has really brought me on as a driver – he’s world class – and I’ve had my best season ever.”
Seb Morris: “That wasn’t bad, was it?! Rick drove amazingly and the car was faultless. To win the British GT Championship for a British manufacturer is incredible and I hope we continue to bring success to the brand.”
“Seb, Rick and all at Team Parker Racing have made history this weekend,” commented Bentley’s Director of Motorsport Brian Gush to MotorMartin. “For a British brand to win the British GT Championship is a great honour and one that makes everyone here at Crewe very proud. Congratulations to all at Team Parker Racing, who have done a great job throughout the season.”
Bentley have also shared with MotorMartin that as Team Parker Racing battled in the UK, Bentley Team Absolute made its Blancpain GT Asia Series debut in Shanghai and stood on the Pro-Am class podium after Adderly Fong (HK) and Vutthikorn Inthraphuvasak (TH) finished in second place.
“We’ve made a good start to our Blancpain GT Asia Series involvement and we’re sure this will continue,” Gush continued. “Bentley Team Absolute have proven themselves with the Continental GT3 and have won both races and championships in Asia so we look forward to continuing this success with them.
“Before that, we turn our attentions to the Blancpain GT Series finale next weekend and have our sights set firmly on the Endurance Cup title.” Fingers crossed then.
The Continental GT3 next races in Barcelona for the final round of the Blancpain GT Series and championship-leaders Bentley Team M-Sport are aiming for overall honours in the ultra-competitive Endurance Cup.
Where will you go?