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Many congratulations to Sam Li's Veloqx Motorsport team and its lead driver Jamie Davies who claimed the 2002 GTO title on 22 September after a thrilling season finale at Donington Park. Jamie, with co-driver Tim Mullen, won the category by just over a second from Championship title rival Tim Sugden in a Porsche. There was just one point in it! Here's how the three Veloqx 360GTs got on:
It wasn't until the seventh lap that start-driver Tim was able to improve on his track position and move into second. Following a good pit stop, the team rejoined in fourth, but strong driving saw Jamie move back through the field and take the lead. Although Sugden pushed him hard in the latter stages, the Ferrari crossed the line first, just a second clear of the Porsche. Jamie Davies: "I knew what we needed to do, but I didn't want to push too hard in the early part of my stint, as I knew I couldn't afford for us to have any problems with the tyres. I'm absolutely thrilled to win this title, not just for me but for all the team." Tim Mullen: "I got boxed in at the start, but was able to get up into second and I had started to catch the lead TVR by the time I came in to pit. It's been a pleasure to drive with Jamie, and I'm really pleased for him and the team. I'm grateful to them for giving me the opportunity to race for them in the last few races of the season."
The Scottish-Danish partnership ran as high as fourth in class before retiring with just two minutes remaining in the race, a broken exhaust causing the puncture which brought the car into the pits. Andrew Kirkaldy: "I didn't get the best of starts, but it was a case of being sensible and getting on the pace. We passed a few cars and were catching Flux [sharing the Porsche with Sugden] by the time I came in; I'm pleased with how I did." Allan Simonsen: "The race went really well for me; we were on for a podium position. I'd lost the exhaust early on, and towards the end of the session, it started banging on the tyre and so I lost rear grip. I had no choice but to come in and pit for a new tyre, but the exhaust couldn't be fixed easily."
The purpose of running a third car was to give FIA GT signing Ivan Capelli a chance to familiarise himself with the team and car, but Ivan was relishing the opportunity to go racing again. He made a blinding start, to be leading the GTO class by the end of the first lap and ultimately finished third, having enjoyed a couple of good on-track tussles. Ivan Capelli: "I got a really good start and the race itself was fabulous. To get a podium on my debut is a really good sign that the team is going in the right direction." Team Principal and founder Sam Li was understandably emotional about the team's success in its debut season. "To win the title in this, our first season, is beyond our wildest dreams. We came in, we started small and we gradually built things up as we achieved good results on track. We have built a really good team and I would like to thank them all for their hard work since February when we first set up." The next race for the team is the FIA GT Championship round at Donington on the weekend of 5/6 October when they will go head-to-head with the JMB 360s for the first time. Two cars will be entered and a shoot-out at a Snetterton test-day will decide who will get the other three driving slots with Ivan Capelli. Click here to return to the Ferrari Happenings page.
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