BGTC: Silverstone: Jeremy Metcalfe weekend summary

METCALFE SECURES FIFTH PODIUM OF 2008 AT SILVERSTONE

British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) Rising Star Jeremy Metcalfe achieved the fifth podium finish of his debut season of sportscar action at Silverstone International Circuit on Sunday, 17th August, during round 13 of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship.

Marking the 20-year-old's maiden two-hour endurance race, the CR Scuderia driver and his team-mate Luke Hines were in a position to win at one stage but a stop-go penalty for a refuelling infringement during the driver change pit-stop dropped them down the order. Fighting back into third, Jeremy was still satisfied with a great result.

"I'm pleased to be third, it's good to be on the podium again and we're back in the runner-up spot in the championship now so that's good with one race left", commented the Fleet-based driver, "Luke did a great job during his stint, I took over from the lead and we did look to have a great chance to win.

"Then we were given the stop-go penalty which, although frustrating, is fair enough as it's in the regulations. It's disappointing to see the chance of a win slip away when it's not in your control but I'm pleased with how I drove this weekend, I raced well and did as good a job as possible. The car was great too."

Following Sunday afternoon's result, Jeremy and his team-mate are now in the runner-up position in the driver standings behind already crowned British GT Champions, James Gornall and Jon Barnes.

Coupled with the race win for CR Scuderia's No.14 Ferrari, the Silverstone results have ensured the Bardon-based squad has secured the British GT Teams Championship crown during its maiden season of competitive action.

Lining up sixth on the grid for the first two-hour event of the season, Hines took the first stint and did a good job to move into the top four and by the time he pitted at mid-distance to hand over the No.16 car to Jeremy, it was from the lead of the race as others had all made their compulsory stops.

When Jeremy rejoined the track, Michael Bentwood was in first place in his Aston Martin but when he entered the pits on lap 50, Jeremy took over the lead of the race. Things changed 12 laps later though when CRS radioed to Jeremy and the second-placed sister car of James Sutton as both were being given 10 second stop-go penalties.

During the driver-change pit-stops, both cars had doors open while refuelling took place and this is against championship regulations. Unfortunately, the call to Jeremy came through late as he was passing the pit entrance and so a last-minute attempt to get into pit-lane resulted in an excursion across the grass.

This allowed Sutton to move ahead and after both cars emerged, Jeremy was down into fourth place. However, during the final half hour the Hampshire racer managed to pass Nick Foster's RPM Viper Competition Coupe to seize the last podium place.

Jeremy added: "Now we need to see what we can do at Donington Park in October, it's another two-hour race so I'm really looking forward to it. Hopefully Luke and I can try and end the season on a high with a win -- that would be a great result."

Jeremy now has a lengthy eight week break in British GT race action until the final event of the 2008 season, round 14, which will take place over the weekend 11th/12th October at Donington Park in the East Midlands; the home venue for Bardon based CR Scuderia.

-credit: jeremymetcalfe.com