Ollie Wilkinson is aiming for a repeat podium performance to continue his Silver Cup title defence, as the Intelligent Money British GT Championship heads to Donington Park this weekend, 15-16 August.
Wilkinson has got his 2020 season, and first year as a McLaren Professional Driver, off to a flying start with new Optimum Motorsport teammate Lewis Proctor in the Y.CO – The Yacht Company McLaren 720S GT3. Pole position, second and fifth place finishes at the Oulton Park season-opener mean the pair head to Donington Park lying third in the Silver Cup and fourth in the outright title fight.
The first foray of the delayed season proved that the level of competition, particularly within the expanded Silver Cup class and not least between the gaggle of McLaren entrants, will be more fierce than ever this year. Indeed, just seven points separate the Optimum duo from the current class leaders, whilst five points stand between the pair and the top of the outright table. There’s everything to race for in the five remaining rounds.
Donington Park holds a special place in Wilkinson’s so-far short career, it’s the circuit where he made his race debut in late 2016 before embarking on his maiden year of racing in the 2017 Ginetta GT5 Challenge. The Leicestershire circuit may have dished up two challenging British GT rounds and rare non-finishes for Ollie last term, but the Yorkshireman is confident that he and Proctor can carry their podium form forward with their McLaren machinery.
“It’s great to be heading back to Donington Park. I really like the circuit and it’s the closest I get to a home race, so I’d like to walk away with some good results,” said Ollie. “From the first round at Oulton Park, it’s clear it’s going to be a tough championship this year. The Silver Cup is much more competitive, and it’s particularly close between the McLarens, which is great to see.
“It felt good to be back on the British GT podium in what was a hard-fought first race of the season. We have every chance of being up there again at Donington, but I do need some fresh luck there. I’m confident that the 720S GT3 will be strong but we’ll have to see how we’re looking on the day. Our plan will be to stay out of trouble and keep consistent, and hopefully we’ll get back into the top three.”
The second round British GT Championship battle at Donington Park will begin with qualifying at 16:10 on Saturday 15th August. Three hours’ of racing on Sunday starts with the two-hour endurance at 11:00 and one-hour race at 16:20. Watch the live-streamed action via the British GT website or Facebook page.
Photo credit: British GT
