Duckhams Yuasa Racing wins blue riband Silverstone 500
Duckhams Yuasa Racing took an incredible victory at the Silverstone 500 at the weekend (April 27/28), as Adam Smalley and teammate Shaun Balfe secured the prestigious RAC Trophy.
Coming off the back of two Silver-Am class wins to open their British GT Championship, hopes were high for the drivers and the Garage 59 team after two days of testing at the venue. However, with rain threatening all weekend, it made qualifying even more important.
In the first ten-minute session, Shaun went quickest in class, before Adam repeated the feat and finished fourth overall, meaning the duo combined for a fourth row start and third straight class pole position.
The three-hour contest started behind the Safety Car on Sunday, after persistent rain led to the cancellation of support races earlier in the day. After three laps of running, the racing began, but just three laps later the Full Course Yellow was called, allowing the team to complete one of its mandatory three pit stops, and for Adam to take over from Shaun.
Completing a trouble-free stint of nearly an hour, the race strategy fell the way of the McLaren GT3 Evo, progressing through the field as the order ebbed and flowed and strategies played out. Shaun was also able to run a longer stint before another Full Course Yellow was called. Immediately diving for the pits, the team were able to execute the last stop of the race, with Adam once again getting behind the wheel and re-joining in third place.
As rivals fell by the wayside, the Lancastrian simply had to keep it clean and bring the car home, crossing the line after three hours, 70 laps, and 256 miles of racing, recording a memorable victory and ensuring the pair now lead both the Silver-Am and Overall GT3 championship standings.
Adam Smalley
G1 – 1, R1 – 1
Championship: Silver/Am Cup – 1 (87.5 points) Overall - 1 (59.5 points)
I'm absolutely lost for words. To be the winner of the Silverstone 500 is a lifelong goal achieved, so to be able to do that on my debut is a dream come true.
Qualifying was good. I was P4 in my group, but I made a little mistake on my best lap which would have put me fastest. However, Shaun did a fantastic job and to be on the second row overall was definitely a great effort.
The race planned out perfectly. Shaun drove brilliantly and the Garage 59 crew did an amazing job, they didn't put one foot wrong and the strategy calls were perfect, meaning it fell into our hands. They put me out into clean air at the end and we ended up with a little bit of a gap, so I didn't need to do anything crazy and just brought the car home.
A massive thank you to Duckhams, Yuasa, Car Finance 24/7, and all my sponsors, as I wouldn't be here without them. Also, to everyone at Garage 59 and McLaren for the perfect weekend. What a result!
