Hankook 24 Hours Silverstone

The Hankook 24 Hour of Silverstone took place at the famous Northants circuit at the weekend and this 2017 event marks the second running of the endurance race, one that is now a firm favourite in the calendar…

Sunny spring weather was welcomed by all but although some of the public where reaching for the suncream a very cold wind reminded all that we are still only in March and certainly kept drivers on their toes for the first few laps while they worked to get some heat in their tyres. Practice took place Friday morning (31st March) for round 1 of the TCE Endurance Series, with 2 free sessions before mid day and then hour long qualifying started in the early afternoon. Fastest out the blocks were the MONLAU COMPETITION SEAT Leon TCR securing pole, with the Red Camel-Jordans.nl SEAT Leon TCR taking second and completing the front row, Team Bleekemolen SEAT Leon TCR .

Also filling the paddock on the Saturday, the Toyo Tyres Caterham Super 7 Series whose drivers got started on their 2017 championship, with a 50 car grid they gave the spectators their a fine display of fast and furious racing which is always expected with this marque.

4 O’Clock Saturday afternoon the 1st April 30 teams and drivers lined up on the Silverstone grid and as the lights changed battle commenced. The early lead went to the Red Came-Jordans.nl SEAT leon but after setting a fine pace unfortunately retired with engine problems Sunday Morning. The pole sitting car, the MONLAU COMPETITION SEAT Leon, was struck with an gearbox issue that the team ultimately changed Saturday night but the delay meant finishing 7th overall. But my heart went out to last years winner, the Team ABBA with Rollcentre Racing BMW M3 V8 who’s engine let go a mere 3 hours into the race, however with the car having had an engine change got back out for the final lap with Ian Stinton behind the wheel.

The overall win went to Team Bleekemolen, a much deserved result after last year’s bad luck having led the event for for 19 hours only to retire with an engine failure. This year however the team stayed out of harms way and with no mechanical issues and some fine driving took the chequed flag with 549 laps completed on the 5.89 Km Northamptonshire circuit.

If you fancy having a crack at endurance racing get a team together for next year and give this meeting a go.

A big thank you has to go to the Creventic team and especially all the marshals who hard to work hard all weekend.