Ross Wylie bags GT Cup leadposted in OTHER01 | 05 | 2023
SCOT ROSS WYLIE (pictured above left) leads the GT Cup Championship outright after experiencing a bizarre but successful weekend for the second consecutive year at Brands Hatch. (Related: Ross Wylie bags Porsche podium)
Twelve months ago in the corresponding event at the Kent venue, the Dumfries race ace retired his Brabham BT62 Competition with an engine issue from second place in the closing stages of the Scotsman’s first race of the weekend. Co-driver Paul Bailey and Ross switched cars for the second race the following day, the pair duly claiming GTO class honours. (Related: Scot Sandy Mitchell targets another Silverstone 500 win)
History repeated itself at the weekend when Wylie retired the same Brabham with no power with 10mins remaining when second in the opening race. The Bailey/Wylie Brabham was ultimately classified fourth in class, while Ross also set the outright fastest lap.
Renting a Mercedes AMG overnight for the second 50mins race the next day, the duo placed second in class. Ross, who had only completed two laps of the 2.43-mile Brands Grand Prix circuit in the Merc prior to taking over from Bailey, set the fastest GTO class race lap but was thwarted in his attempt to catch the class leader by a late Safety Car period.
The 31-year-old from Thornhill returns to Brands Hatch this weekend when he drives the Glenturret Porsche Carrera Cup in the latest two Porsche Carrera Cup GB races.
“It was déjà vu last weekend looking back 12 months at the corresponding Brands Hatch event,” Wylie said. “I was really enjoying my laps in the Brabham on Saturday afternoon, had good pace, then the engine expired with a few minutes remaining. I set off for home that evening but got a ‘phone call from Paul saying he could loan a Mercedes for Sunday’s race, so I turned back around.
“The Merc was a total unknown to me, but a car I’d always wanted to drive. It was a great experience and I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge. Much of my stint behind the wheel was behind a Safety Car and then lapping slower traffic when the race resumed.
“But we’re now leading the championship outright and the GTO class, which is very pleasing so early in the season. Now my focus switches to the Glenturret Porsche Carrera Cup car and achieving some decent Pro-Am placings on the Brands Indy circuit.”
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Jim McGill