Words: Tyler Jones, TORA
Williams-JIM Esports’ Daire McCormack fired the first salvo in the opening round of this year’s 2020 TORA British GT Esports Championship by claiming pole position, leading every lap and taking both race wins at Road Atlanta (June 14). Both GT3 podiums were rounded out by the Ferraris of James Farkas and Jack Watkeys.
Leading the GT3 Teams’ standings after Round 1 is the Ferrari-based ART Esports by Squadios thanks to the combined efforts Watkeys and Josh Trett, who finished fourth. They enjoy a 30-point advantage over Team Fordzilla, who struggled under race conditions.
Meanwhile, 2019 GT4 class champion Daniel Southby picked up where he left off by taking pole position in his Aston Martin Vantage and fending off several challengers en route to a double race victory.
Lazarus Racing’s David Hoch shadowed Southby throughout Race 1 but was unable to make the pass stick. In Race 2, Hoch made a mistake on the opening lap and fell down the order before recovering to fourth place by the finish.
Southby’s Japspeed Racing team-mate, Ryan Beale, filled the shadow in the second race, but much like Hoch, was unable to get close enough to stick a wheel in. Maintaining a consistent result was Kallum Lawrence, who finished a strong third in both races.
As such, Japspeed Racing leads the GT4 class Teams’ standings with the McLarens of Lazarus Racing sitting 24 points behind, and a further 29 ahead of the Alien Motorsport Vantage squad.
Rounds 3 and 4 take place this weekend at Hockenheim where teams will be closely monitoring the weather forecast, as rain is a possibility for later on in the race weekend.