GT3 Legends made its Silverstone Festival debut with a 35-car grid celebrating the first generation of GT3 machinery. After 50 minutes of racing, Danny Winstanley came out on top in his Audi R8 LMS GT3, inheriting the win on debut after penalties hit others ahead.

Davidson denied

Fellow debutant Graham Davidson was first to the flag in his Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3. The 2019 British GT champion chased Rob Huff’s BMW Z4 GT3 in the opening stages, before moving ahead when Huff lost time in the pits serving the additional stop penalty for elite drivers. Davidson then inherited the lead after the cycle of pitstops.

A short stop, however, meant Davidson was handed a time penalty that dropped him to second overall and elevated Winstanley into first place.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever raced GT3 before and I’ve only driven the car four times since we’ve had it, so I’m made up with a win,” said Winstanley.

Podium places

Olly Bryant’s BMW Z4 GT3 completed the podium, while Julian Thomas took GT3B honours with his Audi R8 LMS Ultra GT3 in fourth. He finished ahead of Nick Maton’s Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 and the delayed Huff.

Rounding out the top ten were Andrew Jamieson’s Lamborghini Gallardo GT3, Massimo Vignali’s Audi R8 LMS GT3, Fred Shepherd’s Ford GT GT3 Evo and Marcus Oeynhausen’s Audi R8 LMS GT3.

Class wins and troubles

In GT3C, Robert Oldershaw Jr. led throughout in his Aston Martin DBRS9 GT3, finishing clear of the two Ferrari F430 GT3s of the Pearson brothers and Christopher Compton Goddard.

Jonathan Mitchell, twice a winner at Donington, charged from the back in his Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 after qualifying fuel pressure issues and climbed as high as fifth before retiring with a vibration. Rob Hall pitted his BMW Z4 GT3 early with a problem, while Max Lynn and Alex Brundle’s Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 retired after 13 laps.

Camaro debut and red flag

The Reiter/SaReNi Chevrolet Camaro GT3 also made its first appearance in GT3 Legends. Driven by Nigel Mustill and Craig Dolby, the distinctive American GT3 car had only turned its first laps with the team during Wednesday’s test, yet already showed flashes of potential over the race distance.

The race ended under red flags after Freddie Lillingston-Price crashed heavily at Woodcote in his Lamborghini Gallardo GT3. He walked away unharmed, bringing a dramatic close to GT3 Legends’ Silverstone Festival weekend.

Back to Spa

The championship now moves on to Spa-Francorchamps on 26-28 September, taking the old cars back to one of GT3 racing’s most iconic tracks.

Learn more about the GT3 Legends championship.