Strengthens LMP3 pace at Brands Hatch

Jerseyman Jack Butel brought his Speedworks Motorsport Ligier JS P3 LMP3 machine into a fine sixth and fifth in the two, one hour-long races in the Henderson Insurance UK LMP3 Cup at the iconic Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit last weekend (20-21 May).
 
Butel made his sports car racing debut at Donington Park last month and adapted quickly to the closed-cockpit LMP3 car to net tenth and fifth in the opening two rounds of the series with teammate Dean Gibbs sharing the driving duties.  The 20-year-old went into Brands Hatch confident of another strong weekend and show the potential of the Speedworks prepared car.
 
In the UK LMP3 Cup the gentleman driver qualifies the car for both races and starts the two hour-long contests before the more experienced driver takes the helm for a dash to the flag. Gibbs was gaining confidence with every mile in the French machine and qualified the car in seventh and sixth for the double-header race meeting.
 
In the opening race Gibbs made a good start, but the red-hot pace at the front meant Butel’s teammate couldn’t keep with the pack infront. When the LMP3 weapon was brought into the pits, Jack got out on track and settled into a solid rhythm at the start of his stint and nestled the team back into sixth place, the position they would hold onto as the clock struck zero.
 
With a good finish in the bag, the Channel Islander felt comfortable and more at one with the car heading into the second and final encounter of the weekend.
 
Gibbs once again started and enjoyed a stint-long tussle with two other cars for sixth position. Whilst defending the cars behind, the pack infront were free to run away and escape ahead of the number 96 car. After a brief safety car a third of the way into the race, Butel took over and was a man on a mission.
 
The St Saviour resident punched in consistent laps around the 2.43-mile circuit.  Moving into fifth as a rival faulted, the young-gun got his head down and started to reel in the fourth placed car. Hunting down the opposition at 1.4 seconds per lap, Butel could smell his best LMP3 finish. Sadly a red flag was thrown as the marshals had to recover a stranded car and Butel didn’t have enough time to claw himself and his teammate any higher and had to settle for a strong fifth. More importantly Jack’s lap times put him fourth quickest overall – a good achievement despite his limited sports cars mileage.
 
“It was nice to get back into the car after a month break and we didn’t really know what to expect as we hadn’t properly driven around the Brands Hatch GP circuit as the media day back in February was more of a shakedown and we used the different Indy layout. We did the best we could, I was happy with my pace – a little bit off the frontrunners but I am happy considering my limited experience.
 
“It was really important to get two solid results as a lapse in concentration can lead to a mistake which others showed throughout the weekend. I am looking forward to bringing the car to Jersey next and pleased the car survived and ended back in the garage in one piece. After Jersey we go to Belgium.
 
“Spa is awesome and will really suit these cars. I am going to have to be really brave through some of the quick stuff as there are some long straights and fast corners to show the cars speed and downforce potential. The way we are going, it’s looking more and more promising for a podium. We have to keep learning and keep chipping away but I think we can do it this year.”
 
Jack will travel to Belgium for the next round to take on the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit. But before then, the menacing LMP3 machine will be traveling to Jersey for the RUBiS Jersey International Motoring Festival on 1-4 June. The exciting sports prototype will make its first trip to the Channel Islands next month as one of the mouth-watering highlights at the four-day motoring spectacular.
 
For those wanting to enjoy life in the fast lane, Jack and Speedworks are offering hospitality at the festival. On either Saturday or Sunday, for £40 per adult, £20 for children aged 10–15 and free of charge for children under 10, you can enjoy the racing experience with food and drink in the teams racing unit as well as a guided tour of the teams operation. 10% of every ticket sale will go towards the Teenage Cancer Trust Jersey Appeal and Jack himself will be on hand to sign autographs and talk about the car and his exciting racing season. Every person will also be entered into a prize draw to win VIP tickets to a UK LMP3 round of their choice. 
 
To find out more and book your place on the grid, contact Derek Butel on 0779785772 or email [email protected] Alternatively, tickets can be purchased from Express Auto Parts at Havre Des Pas.