Brett Stepens and Kris Hudson Grab Wins in the First Touring/GT4 Endurance Event of the Season

Story and Images by Tim Collier

Michael Parker leads the Touring Class field to the green flag

Michael Parker leads the Touring Class field to the green flag

March 5th, 2022 –A quick flight across the pond from last week’s race in The Great White North, this week the CMS Touring Car/GT4 Series would take on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit in the first endurance length race of the season. The weather was mild, but that didn’t stop tire wear from becoming a concern for some. In races like this, the pit stop can make or break your entire race!

Qualifying in the Touring Class was led by Michael Parker with a 2:15.388 best lap, with Kris Hudson beside him on the front row, JT Tami starting in third and Jean Claude Quintero starting fourth. With thirteen Touring Class cars starting the race, any mistake sending you to the back would cost you precious Championship points.

Front row starters Tim Collier (211) and David Nelson (42) try to hold off the rest of the GT4 field

Front row starters Tim Collier (211) and David Nelson (42) try to hold off the rest of the GT4 field

In the GT4 Class, Tim Collier took his first pole position of the season with David Nelson starting alongside on the front row.  Behind them James Gong and Auddie Reynolds would be in the second row at the start, ready to pounce when the green flag fell. Fourteen GT4 cars would start this race making the field a total of 27 for yet another crowded track come race time.

The Touring Class battle up front would last the entire race between Parker and Hudson coming down to a pass by Hudson with 3 laps to go and holding off Parker for his second win of the season!  Behind them, JT Tami continued his streak of podium finishes this season and a fantastic drive by Kevin Ayers to finish fourth in class, holding off James Sauceman who rounded out the Top 5.  The victory by Hudson would give him the Touring Class points lead, with Parker only 3 points behind him in second, and Tami another 3 back in third!

Kris Hudson (43) takes the lead from Michael Parker (23) and holds on for the Touring Class Win

Kris Hudson (43) takes the lead from Michael Parker (23) and holds on for the Touring Class Win

At the start Reynolds would move from fourth to first by the end of the first lap and hold the lead until Lap 12 when Drew Lidkea and Brett Stephens caught up and made it a 3-car battle until pit stops. Johnson had a great stop and would take the lead and a consistent run gave him his first win of the season!  Reynolds would pull to within 3 seconds to finish in second place, his first podium of the season. Behind them in third, Lidkea would hold off Sullano to grab his second podium finish in three races.

Marc Johnson would grab the lead after pit stops for his first win of the season!

Brett Stephens would grab the lead after pit stops for his first win of the season!

Race Results:  https://members.iracing.com/membersite/member/EventResult.do?&subsessionid=44723794&custid=17154

Season Standings:  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1W2gQGy2ugDtCB4q_0T7pR62KboVNnst-/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=103646735400572091282&rtpof=true&sd=true

With three races in the bag, it’s Nathan Sullano leading the GT4 Class Standings by two points over Drew Lidkea, with Brett Stephens and Marc Johnson not far behind.

Nathan Sullano in the #112 Porsche GT4 finishes the race in 4th and takes the series points lead

Nathan Sullano in the #112 Porsche GT4 finishes the race in 4th and takes the series points lead

Our next league race is scheduled for March 16, 2022 as we stay in Europe and head to Brands Hatch which has always been home to incredible races here at Champion Motorsports.

We hope to see everyone there!!