Dumfries’ former class champion sweeps Brabham to two runner-up placings and fastest race lap
Thornhill race Ace Ross Wylie (pictured above right) made a successful return to the GT Cup Championship when the Dumfries race ace scored two GTO podiums in the opening rounds of the season last weekend (1-2 Apr).
The 31-year-old from Thornhill and car owner Paul Bailey swept the Brabham BT62 Competition to second place in both 50 minute races at Donington Park in Leicestershire. The duo lie fourth overall and second in the GTO class standings respectively.
Wylie, who won the GTO title in 2021, showed he was no “April Fool” by setting a searing pace in both races in an attempt to hunt down the class leader having taken over from Bailey. In Race 1, Ross brought the gap down to 1.7secs and on Race 2, 1.6secs having impressively set the outright fastest race lap, averaging over 115mph.
Wylie took over from Bailey with 22mins remaining in the opening 50mins pit-stop race in fifth overall, second in class, following a 100secs compulsory stop. The race was stopped after just one lap due to a car stranded on the track, Ross ultimately taking the GTO runner-up position in very murky and cold conditions on Saturday evening.
In Sunday’s pit-stop race, Bailey started seventh on the 24-car, multi-class grid around the 1.98-mile Leicestershire venue and again did a good job, handing the Brabham over to Wylie with 20mins to run. He resumed eighth, second in class, beginning an epic drive in the 45-lap race in which he finished within touching distance of the class winner.
The next rounds of the series are staged at Brands Hatch later this month (29-30 Apr), Wylie and Bailey having won at the corresponding event last year.
Ross Wylie (GB):
Age 31. Born & Lives Thornhill nr Dumfries, Scotland:
“Paul and I scored good points in both races, so a very pleasing start to our GT Cup season.“Race 1 was frustrating due to first a Safety Car then the race being stopped. It caused the tyre pressures to drop and the lightness of the Brabham made it very difficult for me to generate heat into the tyres when the race re-started for just 10mins.
“Sunday’s race was good fun and setting the fastest race lap was a bonus. As in the opening race, Paul did a very good job. I was catching the leader and another lap or two, I’d have got passed him, but it wasn’t to be.
“The Brabham ran faultlessly thanks to Kendall Developments. We now focus on Brands.”
