Fortec Motorsports showed front-running pace in the GB3 Championship at the weekend (September 7/8), narrowly missing out on a podium finish.
The series continued its 2024 campaign with a return visit to Donington Park in Leicestershire, as the team fielded a two-car line up of Colin Queen and debutant Alexandros Kattoulas.
Qualifying was held on a wet Saturday morning after having practice sessions on Thursday and Friday, where Colin finished ninth fastest, losing his best lap when red flags were shown, whilst Alex ended his first official session 21st.
Colin had a good start off the line for the opening race, but unfortunately with the track being damp off the racing line and the field on slick tyres, he was caught out by a damp patch, one of many drivers to run wide, finishing 19th. Meanwhile, on his debut, Alexandros coped well, taking the flag 20th.
The track was very wet on Sunday morning, where Colin started eighth and put pressure on the car ahead, not quite able to get by, remaining in that place to the end of the contest. Alexandros gained to positions early on and in the final classification, finished 17th for another solid race.
The final race was fully dry and under sunny skies, Colin getting a great launch off the line to take third place. He remained comfortable in that position throughout, but having exceeded track limits while pushing hard in the early laps, recorded one further transgression, taking a five second time penalty which dropped him to eighth. It was another good race for Alexandros behind, who took the flag in 20th, capping a learning weekend for the young rookie.
Fortec Motorsports will return for the final three races of the 2024 GB3 Championship season, which take place at Brands Hatch in Kent, over the weekend of September 28/29.
Colin Queen, #62
Race 1: Start – 9, Result – 19
Race 2: Start – 8, Result – 8
Race 3: Start – 4, Result – 8
Championship: 13 (162 Points)
“We had really strong pace in the dry conditions during Thursday and Friday’s practices, and we put a really good car together. We have always been strong, and we just needed to dial everything in which I didn’t quite maximise this weekend. I had a bit of bad luck in qualifying, with the red flag, as I was on for the second row but had to settle for P9 which is still one of my best qualifying sessions.
“It wasn’t a good first race, but in the second I was able to put some pressure on the more experienced drivers in front but couldn’t do anything as it’s difficult to pass. Race three I shot myself in the foot with not being within track limits in the first couple of laps, but our pace was really good. We were catching Creswell at the end, and we ended up a tenth off the fastest lap, but we held it for most of the race, so we know the pace is there. It’s my rookie year in GB3, but I expect a little bit more out of myself. Everything is really coming together so I am looking forward to Brands Hatch.”
Alexandros Kattoulas, #51
Race 1: Start – 21, Result – 20
Race 2: Start – 21, Result – 17
Race 3: Start – 21, Result – 20
“For my first weekend there have been a lot of challenges, but they are good lessons to take on board. In testing before the weekend, I had a lot of dry running, and we looked pretty good, which considering how many days I had been in the car, was promising.
“Qualifying was the first time that I drove the car in the wet and it’s against a really good field of drivers that I’m quite inexperienced to in comparison, so it was tricky to find my footing. From there it was about learning all of the different conditions and situations that race weekends can throw at you. There’s a lot of knowledge between everyone here at Fortec Motorsports, so I’ve been picking everyone’s brain and it’s been great to be part of the team.”
