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John S Allen
Photographic
June 2008: Matech Ford GT update

Of late we have been rather slow in updating our news pages, so here’s some information on the exploits of Matech Racing’s Ford GTs.
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ADAC Masters, Norisring, 28-29 June:

For the season’s third meeting the ADAC GT Masters championship added glamour and spectacle at the legendary Norisring.
Matech were present with Ford GT #5 in the capable hands of the German duo Marc Hennerici and Kenneth Heyer. During qualifying, Heyer recorded the 4th best time for the first starting grid order, whereas Marc Hennerici held his own with an incredible 51"719 from his 3rd lap, giving him pole position for the second race, scheduled for the Sunday. This brilliant demonstration once again proved the competitive edge of the Ford GT, and this notwithstanding a 140kg handicap ballast imposed by the FIA and ADAC.  
In Saturday’s race they were holding 4th when a technical problem forced the car’s return to the pitlane.
On the Sunday, Marc Hennerici left the pack behind him right from the start. This second race then experienced a lengthy neutralisation due to an accident, during which the placings were turned upside down several times. Having set-off in 5th place after the compulsory pit-stop, gearbox problems put a stop to Heyer’s race, which in fact came to an early end.
Notwithstanding the numerous race incidents Hennerici and Heyer still managed to find themselves in 4th place in the championship.  The next round of the Masters is scheduled for Assen, on 19th and 20th July.
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Snetterton photos courtesy Matech Racing
Norisring photo courtesy Matech Racing
Snetterton - Avon Tyres British GT Championship, 7-8 June:
Double pole, victory and lap record for the Matech Ford GT!

Following on from a fantastic double victory in the FIA GT3 European championship at Monza, the young Brits Bradley Ellis and Alex Mortimer were back on English soil for the first appearance of the Matech Ford GT competing in the Avon Tyres British GT Championship, at Snetterton circuit. The two drivers were in top form for this meeting, clocking up the best lap times during the practice sessions on Friday and Saturday, on a rain-soaked track.
And it was under pouring rain on late Saturday afternoon that the start was given for the first race, with Mortimer managing to retain the lead. He held on to this position until the compulsory pit-stop of 45 seconds... with an additional 30 seconds for the Ford GT, non-regular competitor in the championship! Having set best lap time at the beginning of the race, he enjoyed a 10-second lead in the first 12 laps... before the Safety-Car put in an appearance, reducing to nothing the hard work put in . Ellis took
over from Mortimer, and after the 75-second stop he found himself back on track in 14th spot. After only a few laps the 21-year old  was back in the top 10; his exceptional driving skills brought him up to 2nd place one lap from the flag. Notwithstanding a splendid charge in the final lap, Ellis took the chequered flag in 2nd spot, a mere 0.6 seconds behind the victorious Viper!

On Sunday the sun was back over Snetterton, the ideal opportunity for Bradley Ellis to take control of the race, absolutely flying…and beating the GT3 lap record during the 6th lap. As was the case the previous day, the Matech Ford GT boasted a 10 seconds advantage when the race was neutralised. Once the restart was given the young Englishman was soon out front once again, handing over the wheel to Mortimer with a 17-second lead. Notwithstanding the time penalty, identical to the previous day, Alex managed to get back on track in 2nd place, some 9 seconds down on the leader. Four laps later the Ford GT blasted its way through to take the lead and clinch another victory, and the first in the British GT championship!