As we rapidly approach lights out on the 2022 GB3 and GB4 Championships, the majority of the two fields headed to Donington Park on Wednesday (March 16th) for the latest installment of pre-season testing.
Despite a day of contrasting conditions for the contenders, with plenty of dry running in the morning and almost non-stop rain in the afternoon, drivers in both categories were able to accrue significant and reliable mileage.
GB3’s new Tatuus MSV-022 cars racked up nearly 1,300 laps during the day, with the fastest time being set by Hitech GP’s Luke Browning. Browning mustered an impressive effort of 1m22.997s, set towards the end of the morning session, while Arden’s Alex Connor was quickest in the wet, with a lap of 1m46.111s.
The increased pace of the GB3 was evident for all to see, as Luke Browning’s time was a whole 1.2 seconds quicker than last year’s best pole position effort at the same circuit. The Hitech GP driver commented: “Happy days, it’s a good way to start off the season I guess! It was my first day in the new car with Hitech and it’s gone swimmingly, and quite literally in the second session!”
Meanwhile, the debuting GB4 Championship was well represented through: Fortec Motorsport, Graham Brunton Racing, Hillspeed, Kevin Mills Racing and Rossoverde Racing. Competitors also managed to amass considerable mileage despite the weather conditions, with the honor of fastest lap going to Fortec’s Nikolas Taylor. Nikolas, who is evaluating a move into the championship, set the fastest time of 1m30.533s on his 44th lap of 47.
Rossoverde’s Christian Lester, who has commenced a pre-season testing campaign with the family-run squad said: “We were at Snetterton yesterday and it was dry, but at Donington today it started dry but got wet. But it was a great chance to get lots of good laps in and it’s all positive.”
“We’ll see what we can do across the next few weeks. I’ve been away from racing for a long time so it’s good to be back. We’ve got plenty of prep and testing to be getting on with now!”
As well as seven hours of on track running, the drivers were also kept busy with media work including TV interviews and official championship photography, which will be published across the championship’s social media feeds in the weeks leading up to the start of the championship.
Next on the pre-season testing calendar for both GB3 and GB4 is Oulton Park on Tuesday 22nd March 2022.
