Fortec Motorsport heads to Brands Hatch’s iconic Grand Prix circuit this weekend [9-10 September] chasing a first victory of the 2023 GB4 Championship season to add to an already-extensive silverware haul.
As was perhaps expected of the defending series champions, the Daventry-based team have been at the forefront yet again in 2023 of MSV’s entry-level single-seater category, with 11 podium finishes across the five events held so far.
The team arrives at the 2.4-mile Kent venue in buoyant form, with rising stars Colin Queen and Aditya Kulkarni keen to make some last-season progress and improve on the fourth and seventh-places they currently occupy in the championship.
Queen has been an ever-present at the front this year, the American outside the top five on only two occasions from the 14 races held thus far.
Kulkarni, meanwhile, has displayed impressive aptitude after a late call up from karting, and has two trips to the podium to his name already in his rookie season. Both drivers have done so whilst juggling exams but are now free to concentrate full-time on their racing programmes.
Fortec also arrives a convincing second in the Teams’ standings. Leaders KMR Sport are a way clear, but the battle is on to fend off a host of challengers behind over the remaining six races.
In prospect this weekend is Brands Hatch GP. One of the UK’s most famous motor racing venues, the mixture of low, medium, and high-speed corners, plus changes in gradient and heavy braking zones make this a complete challenge for any star of the future.
After a day of pre-event testing on Friday to help the duo get dialled in, competitive action begins with qualifying at 12:10 on Saturday. The opening race follows at 17:00 (all times BST).
Sunday brings with it two further contests, at 10:25 and 17:35 respectively. All races are live-streamed on MSV TV’s YouTube channel.
Aditya Kulkarni (#15) said:
“It’s been a good summer break. I’ve been keeping fit by training, as well as completing some testing.
“I’ve reset since Silverstone, and I’ve changed my approach to the weekend slightly, in the hope we can go forward and get some more podiums.”
Colin Queen (#62) said:
“I’m really excited to have my first racing experience at Brands Hatch this weekend.
“It’s a legendary track, with such complex corners that require a great degree of mental and technical focus.
“Six races to go, so the focus from my side and from the team is making sure we end the season on the strongest possible results.”
Oliver Dutton, Team Principal said:
“There’s definitely a feeling as a team that we’re right on the cusp of finally getting that win in GB4 we’ve been so close to all season.
“Brands Hatch GP is a tough circuit, but we’ve prepared well, and the boys are going there feeling confident and looking forward to getting stuck in.
“It’ll be competitive, but if we can keep qualifying at the sharp end, then that gives us every opportunity to mix it with the front-runners and bring home a result.”
