Ryan Hooker Takes a Well Deserved British GT Class Win at Snetterton

20 July 2006

MSportUK Feature Driver, Ryan Hooker has had a British GT season of 'so near but so far' until this weekend when at last his luck changed and he was atop the podium. After a string of podium finishes Ryan was head of the pack, taking the Race One GTC win in style alongside his partner for the weekend, Andy Demitriou.

The fifth round of the British GT Championship took place at Snetterton in Norfolk in baking hot temperatures. Snetterton has always been a firm favourite of Ryan's and he was hoping his good results of seasons past would be echoed this weekend in the double header event.

As always, Ryan and his team-mate in the #3 Trackspeed Porsche qualified well up in the field, second in their GTC class in an event which saw a bumper grid of entrants.
Ryan started Race One and made a good start, slotting behind 'stablemate' Jonny Lang in the #5 Trackspeed Porsche. Ryan's circuit knowledge came to good use as he passed Jonny under the bridge to take the GTC lead. Ryan then made good use of the backmarkers to edge out a lead over second place before the pit window. Ryan handed over to Andy who brought the car home with ease to take #3's first, and many would say overdue and long deserved, win.

Followed home in the GTC class by the #5 and #4 Trackspeeds, the first podium was a yellow lock out!

"It was a fantastic feeling and a huge relief to take the win" said Ryan afterwards. "It is nothing more than the team deserves and of course the overall championship remains in our sights."

Race Two was to see a further podium visit for Ryan but this time in second place. Andy started the race but a brake problem reared its head and thwarted their attack on the #5 Trackspeed ahead of them. Ryan took over for the final stint and drove a sensible race to ensure the vital points for second which would realistically be the best they could hope for.

"It's been a great weekend" Ryan said, "and a huge morale boost for all involved. We can now look forward to the remaining races with the confidence we are proven race winners."

Ryan, who is backed by Essex company Firesure, now lies third in the GTC Driver's Championship, just eight points adrift of the lead.

The next round of the British GT Championship time is at Rockingham in Northamptonshire on 12-13th August.

RHPR

See 2006 series calendar for British GT Championship

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