Dumfries and Galloway Motor Racing Star Ross Wylie roared back into race action in style by posting a second in class on his GT Cup début at Silverstone last weekend (17 Aug). The 27-year-old from Thornhill has been forced to endure a 11-week hiatus after regular co-driver David Mason unexpectedly withdrew from racing after an accident.
The former British GT4 Champion and Mason had been placed second in the overall Britcar Dunlop Endurance Championship standings, looking good for a second outright Britcar title and class honours for a third consecutive year.
With “race seat” opportunities at a premium mid-season, Wylie was obliged to patiently bide his time until receiving an offer from Richard Guy to share his FF Corse entered Ferrari 488 Challenge car at Silverstone, returning to the Northamptonshire venue where Ross had already scored two Britcar class podiums this year.
Starting from the sixth row of the grid, Guy handed the Ferrari over to Ross with 10-laps completed around Silverstone’s 3.66-mile Grand Prix circuit, Wylie leading his class in the 50mins race until three laps from home, ultimately finishing less than six-seconds behind the class winner and fourth overall. Ross was due to race again today but Guy damaged the Ferrari beyond repair in an earlier race.
Ross Wylie (GB):
Age 27. Born & Lives Thornhill nr Dumfries, Scotland:
“I was delighted to be back out racing with the added bonus of getting on the podium. It was my first time racing in the GT Cup, first time racing with Richard [Guy] but drove a Ferrari 488 Challenge car like I raced with David [Mason] and prepared by the same FF Corse team.“I was obviously disappointed when David decided to retire from racing after the Donington Park BritCar round but completely respected his decision. Trying to find a seat mid-season is a difficult task so I was incredibly happy when Richard asked me to race with him in the GT Cup last weekend. I have been coaching Richard this season in his Ferrari Challenge campaign.
“I took over from Richard in Saturday’s race and was heading for a class win when I lost a lot of time lapping a backmarker which inadvertently blocked me in the closing stages. Nevertheless second place was cool but then it was a shame not to start Sunday’s race. Hopefully there could be another opportunity to race with Richard.”
*Photos courtesy of Adam Piggott/JEP
