Dumfries and Galloway lad set for three-hour race at the famous Silverstone Grand Prix circuit
Ross Wylie has set himself and co-driver Andrew Watson a mission in their next race at Silverstone – and the Dumfries race ace is hoping it’s not impossible! The 23-year-old McLaren GT Young Driver from Thornhill and Watson despite early season setbacks, is setting his sights on a top-six finish – or at the very least a point-scoring performance on Sunday (31 May).
Wylie and Watson race their Von Ryan Racing McLaren 650S GT3 sportscar in a three-hour race around the dauntingly fast 3.66-mile Silverstone “Grand Prix” track. The British Racing Drivers’ Club [BRDC] “Super Star” finished fourth in GT4 in the corresponding race last year.
The Scotsman and Watson have just a ninth place finish to show for their efforts as the duo head for the fourth round of the British GT Championship. Watson crashed out of the opening race at Oulton Park when challenging for the lead. In the second race at the Cheshire venue, the repaired Wylie/Watson McLaren finished ninth. Most recently, Ross started the two-hour race at Rockingham but was harpooned on the opening lap causing terminal damage. What this means is that Wylie has clocked up just 19-laps, equating to 51 racing miles to date in the McLaren 650S GT3 sportscar.
Ross was involved in the Race the Runway Event, supporting the St Andrews Hospice in association with McLaren Glasgow at Prestwick Airport, earlier this month.
Ross Wylie (GB): Age 23. Born & Lives Thornhill nr Dumfries, Scotland:
“We all really need to be on top of our game at Silverstone. We’ve endured a shocking start to the season but all have been completely out of my control. That said, I can’t think of anywhere better to turn things around than Silverstone, the ‘home’ of British Motorsport and the British Racing Drivers’ Club of which I’m a part of its SuperStar programme. I personally love racing at Silverstone and I am confident Von Ryan Racing will give me and Andrew a competitive car. Our target must be a top-six and to score points at the very least.
“It was great to pay a visit back to Scotland and get involved in the Race the Runway Event, supporting the St Andrews Hospice in association with McLaren Glasgow at Prestwick Airport. I was given the opportunity to represent McLaren and drive the P1 road car down the runway, I’ve never experienced anything like it! What an incredible car and what a real honour to represent McLaren as a brand ambassador. As if that wasn’t cool enough, I managed to reach 213mph on a very wet runway and all for a great cause. I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel!”
