JRM Nissan takes Tourist Trophy in Silverstone thriller
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| JRM Nissan GT-R |
| Gary Parravani/AR1.com |
JRM Nissan claimed the Tourist Trophy with a thrilling victory in the Championship Race at Silverstone.
Less than half a second separated the top three cars at the finish, with the No.7 Young Driver Aston Martin and No.11 Exim Bank Team China Corvette swarming over the back of the lead Nissan.
Lucas Luhr held on the in the No.23 GT-R however, earning him and team-mate Michael Krumm victory – and the prestigious RAC Tourist Trophy.
After a clean start, the race hinged around a crucial period at the halfway stage when a Safety Car period coincided with the opening of the pit lane.
Richard Westbrook in the No.22 JRM Nissan had been working his way through the field, but made contact with Stefan Mucke in the No.8 Young Driver Aston Martin. As the pair recovered with stricken cars, Mucke chased Westbrook down and the pair made contact again, writing off both cars,
Prior to the incident, which brought out the Safety Car, Luhr and Krumm had lain second behind the lead Young Driver Aston Martin of Enge and Muller, but jumped into the lead during the pit stop window.
Muller twice sought to find a way back through, passing Luhr on the restart and on the final lap, but on both occasions Luhr was able to repass immediately, hanging on to take a hard-earned win.
Stef Dusseldorp and Clivio Piccione finished fourth for Hexis Aston Martin, ahead of Marc Basseng and Markus Winkelhock in the No.38 All-Inkl Lamborghini – who now sit second in the overall standings, three points behind new leaders Luhr and Krumm.
Stewards confirmed they would look at the incident between Westbrook and Mucke after the race, in addition to a clash on the restart which ruled out several cars including the No.47 DKR Corvette, which had been fifth before the pit stops.
Bas Leinders and Marc Hennerici finished as the top Ford in the No.40 Marc VDS GT, while both Belgian Racing cars finished inside the points.
26,000 spectators flocked to Silverstone to watch today's action, which saw Michael Krumm and Lucas Luhr claim a trio of accolades for JRM Nissan – victory in the Championship Race, the Tourist Trophy and the lead in the current Drivers' Standings