British GT – Silverstone – Saturday Morning Report
Predictable – Or Unpredictable?
A mixed bag of weather for Silverstone this morning: it is warm whilst the sun shines but there are some big black clouds skirting around the circuit and occasionally soaking the track. The morning free practice session was effectively ended five or six minutes early owing to such a downpour – only the little Elises staying out in the wet.

Top of the times was perhaps predictably the Balfe Mosler, but the Eclipse TVR was much more promising than yesterday (when it was still quick) as the “brand spanking, spanking” engine is run in - ending the session second, having topped the timesheets briefly. Tom Herridge ended up third for Rollcentre – a sniffly Rob Barff having not yet settled into the seat today.

Sadly the Richard Jones Ferrari F40, which runs a 550 V12, was not in attendance this morning – the rumour being that the tyres did not suit the rim and arch size. Also missing from the timesheets so far today was the Peninsula TVR – the car awaiting its gearbox back from Hewland after it began making worrying noises yesterday. The Le Mans TVR is apparently rather the worse for wear after an off yesterday, which would explain its absence today (was it going to race anyway?), so just the three T400Rs for tomorrow’s race.

Xero Competition were fourth with their Corvette, which unfortunately is still running the ‘taxi’ engine – the more powerful unit is still awaiting a number of parts – and the lack of straight-line speed is apparent. Lap times are still very promising though.

The Glenn Eagling Marcos was also running very well – Tom Shrimpton probably enjoying himself more today than his three hour Geography exam., which he sat yesterday. Not many GT drivers could use that excuse for missing testing!

One to watch could be the RML entered Lotus Elise – the car was fast but seemingly fragile at Snetterton. Three hours could be interesting for the little car, with McLaren SLR development driver Chris Goodwin (and Paul Whight) sure to prove the pace of the Lotus express.

The Team Aero Morgan seemed way off the pace compared to yesterday, but there are no dramas – Keith Ahlers explained that “Rob was just bedding some new brakes in after a long night last night working on a failed wheel bearing and power steering. We are within a second of the Porsches realistically and that is excellent on such a long lap. We’re the only team to be on the podium for every round, so our goal is to do the same again.”

Phil Hindley’s Porsches were fastest in GT Cup – Bob Berridge being the quickest of the Tech 9 drivers (so far today).

Qualifying will really see the 21 going at it. Dry weather please – otherwise the grid could be a real topsy turvy affair.
Paul Slinger