> GT3 champion Lind wins coveted Allan Simonsen Award
> British GT teams recognised for carbon neutral commitment
Champions from SRO Motorsports Group’s global series gathered at The Brewery in London this evening (March 4) for the promoter’s 2021 awards ceremony.
Among them were the Intelligent Money British GT Championship’s GT3 and GT4 title winners who were formally crowned on stage at the prestigious black-tie event hosted by the Voice of GT Racing, David Addison.
Dennis Lind flew in to collect the Drivers’ title alongside his team boss Mark Lemmer who picked up the Teams’ Championship trophy on behalf of Barwell Motorsport.
The Dane also received British GT’s highest non-title achievement, the Allan Simonsen Award, in recognition of a stellar campaign alongside Leo Machitski who was unable to attend. Announced on the night, this trophy is traditionally won by a driver embodying the same speed and spirit that epitomised championship great Simonsen, who tragically lost his life at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2013. Six fastest laps from seven weekends and the GT3 title to boot made Lind this year’s clear winner in the eyes of SRO’s judging panel. He is also the second Dane after Nicki Thiim to win the distinctive red and white trophy whose previous recipients include Nick Tandy, Alexander Sims and Jonny Adam.
“Denmark has a remarkable history in British GT so it was a real honour to win the title last year,” said Lind. “But this extra award is something really special. Growing up, we had Tom Kristensen dominating at Le Mans while Allan was a real star in GT racing as well as a personal friend - and mentor - while I was karting. It’s not something I’ve spoken about previously but Allan and his parents helped me a lot when I was younger, and I owe them a great deal. More than I can ever repay, to be honest. Allan was more than a driver: he was a good man. And winning the award that bears his name means a great deal.”
Lind was joined on stage by two more GT3 champions: RAM Racing’s Yelmer Buurman, who claimed the Pro-Am spoils along with Ian Loggie, and Silver-Am winner Stewart Proctor (Balfe Motorsport). His son and class-winning co-driver Lewis was unable to attend.
GT4 was also well represented. Indeed, only one driver from the class’ top-three overall, Pro-Am and Silver Cup classifications couldn’t attend in person.
Century Motorsport were the biggest winners on the night thanks to their Overall and Silver Cup Drivers’ titles, and Teams’ crown with BMW. Will Burns and Gus Burton proved unstoppable last season and duly celebrated their double championship win in style, while Nathan Freke collected the Teams’ award.
Matt Cowley and Will Moore’s strong end to the season netted Academy Motorsport’s duo second in the final standings ahead of James Kell and Jordan Collard (Team Rocket RJN). All four were presented with their Overall and Silver Cup trophies on the night.
And Newbridge Motorsport’s Pro-Am champions Matt Topham and Darren Turner were also in London to collect their class titles after a hard-fought battle with Nick Halstead and Jamie Stanley (Fox Motorsport), and Mark Sansom and Charlie Robertson (Assetto Motorsport).
Elsewhere, James Baldwin (GT3) and Nils Naujoks (GT4) were recognised for their British GT Esports Championship success.
And a special SRO Sustainability trophy was also collected by championship manager Lauren Granville on behalf of British GT’s teams in recognition of a collective commitment to limiting their environmental impact. Last year’s opening round at Brands Hatch featured SRO’s first-ever fully carbon neutral entry.
Season 30 of the Intelligent Money British GT Championship gets underway at Oulton Park on April 16 & 18.
2021 INTELLIGENT MONEY BRITISH GT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (TOP-3)
GT3 Drivers’ Championship: Overall
1st – Leo Machitski & Dennis Lind (Barwell Motorsport, Lamborghini)
2nd – Ian Loggie & Yelmer Buurman (RAM Racing, Mercedes-AMG)
3rd – Adam Balon & Sandy Mitchell (Barwell Motorsport, Lamborghini)
GT3 Teams’ Championship
1st – Barwell Motorsport (Lamborghini)
2nd – RAM Racing (Mercedes-AMG)
3rd – WPI Motorsport (Lamborghini)
GT3 Drivers’ Championship: Pro-Am
1st – Ian Loggie & Yelmer Buurman (RAM Racing, Mercedes-AMG)
2nd – Leo Machitski & Dennis Lind (Barwell Motorsport, Lamborghini)
3rd – Adam Balon & Sandy Mitchell (Barwell Motorsport, Lamborghini)
GT3 Drivers’ Championship: Silver-Am
1st – Stewart Proctor & Lewis Proctor (Balfe Motorsport, McLaren)
2nd – Richard Neary & Sam Neary (Team Abba Racing, Mercedes-AMG)
3rd – Sam De Haan & James Cottingham (RAM Racing, Mercedes-AMG)
GT4 Drivers’ Championship: Overall
1st – Will Burns & Gus Burton (Century Motorsport, BMW)
2nd – Will Moore & Matt Cowley (Academy Motorsport, Ford)
3rd – James Kell & Jordan Collard (Team Rocket RJN, McLaren)
GT4 Teams’ Championship
1st – Century Motorsport (BMW)
2nd – Team Rocket RJN (McLaren)
3rd – Academy Motorsport (Ford)
GT4 Drivers’ Championship: Pro-Am
1st – Matt Topham & Darren Turner (Newbridge Motorsport, Aston Martin)
2nd – Nick Halstead & Jamie Stanley (Fox Motorsport, McLaren)
3rd – Mark Sansom & Charlie Robertson (Assetto Motorsport, Ginetta)
GT4 Drivers’ Championship: Silver Cup
1st – Will Burns & Gus Burton (Century Motorsport, BMW)
2nd – James Kell & Jordan Collard (Team Rocket RJN, McLaren)
3rd – Will Moore & Matt Cowley (Academy Motorsport, Ford)