Podium finish for Nicholas Mee Racing at Aston Martin GT4 Challenge finale

Nicholas Mee Racing, competing in the final round of the inaugural Aston Martin GT4 Challenge, completed the 2010 season on a high with a well deserved podium finish last weekend at Donington Park.

Nicholas Mee Racing welcomed two new drivers; Alastair James who is currently enjoying his first season of competitive racing and his experienced team mate, Charlie Hollings. The team arrived at the revised Donington Park circuit for the official Friday test day which allowed the drivers and team a useful opportunity to learn the circuit before the race day on Saturday.

After an early start, the NMR team was well prepared and ready for the 30 minute official GT4 Challenge practice and qualifying session. Charlie started the session and was getting up to speed for a flying lap and qualifying effort when the session was unfortunately red flagged due to an accident involving the Aston Martin Design car, driven by Engineering Director Chris Porritt, which would leave the car unable to take any further part in the weekend. A lengthy delay ensued as the circuit organisers were forced to make running repairs to the crash barriers causing some frantic strategy rethinking by Team Managers in the pit lane. Finally the session was able to be restarted and each driver able to post a qualifying lap. Charlie did a fantastic job, posting the second fastest lap of the session ensuring a front start for the NMR.

The feature two hour Aston Martin GT4 Challenge race was started by Alastair James who, despite his limited experience, had a superb stint and was able to fend of the challenge of Leo Mansell, son of the former World Champion Nigel, and deal with slower traffic and a safety car period before handing over to Charlie on the hour mark. Charlie Hollings immediately found his pace and retained second position for the majority of his stint but unfortunately, with around 20 laps of the race remaining, was unable to fend of the challenge of series regular Bernard Santal, driving a larger capacity 4.7 litre engined car, any longer but safely returning the NMR car in third place for a well deserved and well celebrated podium finish.

The final round of the Aston Martin GT4 Challenge attracted 13 cars and during the course of the meeting, Aston Martin Racing announced the outline structure for the 2011 challenge which will see the series extending to 8 rounds, including two races on the continent (Spa and Dijon TBC). Nicholas Mee Racing will now take a well earned break before returning to action in 2011 and would be delighted to hear from anyone interested in competing in the Aston Martin GT4 Challenge, or other GT racing.