Nantwich sportsman Jordan Witt travels to the Hockenheimring in Germany this week ready for races three and four of the inaugural Fanatec GT2 European Series – the endurance driver’s first ever visit to the renowned Rhine Valley track.
The 30-year-old is absolutely relishing the second event of the GT2 season which takes place on Friday, 14th May, and Saturday, 15th May, as he and Toro Verde GT team-mate David Fairbrother aim to secure their first silverware of the year.
At Monza in Italy during the championship curtain-raiser just over three weeks ago, the Lamborghini Huracan pairing took a best finish of fifth in the Pro-Am class in round one. Although missing out on a podium finish, Witt had run in the top three throughout his stint to confirm the squad’s potential.
Lucklessly, an issue with the brakes ahead of race two the following day prevented Toro Verde GT from actually taking the start. With that in mind, Witt and Fairbrother – who is also the team boss – are even more focused on delivering a successful and trouble-free weekend in Germany.
“I really can’t wait to get to Hockenheim, it’s always exciting to race somewhere you haven’t been before and after some of the bad luck at Monza I know I can speak for David when I say we’re even more determined to try and challenge for our first GT2 podium”, said Witt.
“I’m absolutely loving being back racing in Europe this season, and also being back behind the wheel of a Lamborghini – it’s an awesome car to drive. We didn’t have the start to the season we wanted in terms of results, but the Toro Verde GT guys did a fantastic job and we definitely learned a lot about the new car which should stand us in good stead for this weekend.”
Witt, a GTC Class Champion in British GT in 2011 and winner of the GT Cup crown in the UK in 2016, is a welcome returnee to international competition this year after racing back on home soil in British GT last year when the COVID-19 pandemic halted his original plans to compete in Europe.
Having previously been a Silver Cup class winner in the prestigious twice-round-the-clock Total 24 Hours of Spa, the blue riband GT3 event of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup Powered by AWS, Witt’s stock within endurance racing is certainly high.
With a new challenge awaiting the Cheshire driver at the 2.8-mile Hockenheimring, free practice this Friday will be hugely important as will a clean and uninterrupted run. He is quietly confident, though, his extensive experience will enable him to hit the ground running.
“I’ve obviously got to learn the track but I’m sure we’ll be up to speed pretty fast”, said Witt, “Qualifying wasn’t as strong as I’d have liked at Monza, so that’s the first aim in Germany to try and start on the first couple of rows. If we can do that, hopefully we can take away our best results so far in GT2.”
Opening free practice will get underway at 12.30 local time on Friday, 14th May, with session two set to follow at 14.45. Qualifying for race three of the GT2 season will then commence at 16.30, with the race four session immediately after.
On Saturday, 15th May, the opening 50-minute encounter will get underway at 10.30 local (09.30 UK time) with the second contest scheduled to begin at 14.05 local (13.05 UK time).
Both races will be streamed live online HERE
GT2 European Series ‘Pro-Am’ Standings (after Rd1)
6th Jordan Witt & David Fairbrother, 10pts
Source. Marc Orme/Photo. GT2 European Series