Laser Tools Racing: GB4 Championship Silverstone Report
On the weekend of May 7-8 the Laser Tools Racing team of Logan Hannah and Chloe Grant took to the track again at Silverstone for the third round of the 2022 GB4 Championship.
Logan’s Report:
“Lots of good miles done in testing with a few hours at Base Performance Simulators with Jonny Adam and two full days on track, I was set and ready to head into the race weekend!” said Logan.
“During the two days of testing we had been down on power and were unable to figure out what the reason for that was. So we headed into qualifying with a car that wasn’t giving its full potential. I was still ready to try and make the most of the new tyres and try to make the most of the situation.
“Qualifying in P11, I knew I should have been further up the grid but there was now a big push to try and figure out what was wrong with the car before Race 1. With lots of help from the MSV and Mountune engineers, we were able to find the problem and get it fixed!”
It was discovered to be a cracked intercooler in the turbo system resulting in the engine getting very little turbo boost. The intercooler was replaced and Logan later reported that “It was a different car!”
Race 1:
Now with a car that is starting to work the way it should be, Logan was happy to get her head down and continue the progress she had been making: “Lots of close racing and a few close shaves later, I was happy to bring the car home in 10th. Looking ahead to Race 2 there were some changes to the car to make and I was delighted with the chance to be able to show what I was really capable of.”
Race 2:
“Another good start off the line in Race 2 and another race full of incredibly close racing. For majority of the race I was part of the nine-car train for the lead, dropping back off of the lead pack and having another incredibly close battle for 9th but coming out in front this time by .007 of a second over the finish line!”
Race 3:
“With the reverse grid, full Laser Tools Racing front row lock-out! I knew that now with the car underneath me, I had to give it my all!
“A decent start but a bold move round the outside of my team mate into Maggots gave me the lead of the race that I held for 4 laps before being forced into a tiny mistake that meant the driver in 2nd got the run on me into Stowe. I pushed to try and catch the driver in front to challenge for the lead again but wasn’t quite able to get close enough. So over the line in a comfortable 2nd place and three fastest laps over the full race distance.
“I can’t thank the team at MSV and GBR for their hard work overnight on the Friday and throughout the whole weekend with fixing the issues that we had.”
Chloe’s Report:
Chloe, meanwhile, had previous experience of Silverstone’s National Circuit, but had yet to drive on the longer (3.7 miles) GP circuit. The sixteen-year-old had set off from Scotland on Wednesday right after completing her first two exams, and went straight into a sim session with Jonny Adam (Base Performance in Banbury) when she arrived. “This put me in a better position to catch the pace during Thursday and Friday testing,” said Chloe.
“However, all the preparation in the world can’t save you from the unpredictability that is racing…
“With a setup change on Friday night ahead of Saturday’s qualifying and Race 1, we started off P12 and brought back P13. With improved pace on Sunday, we moved up the grid in Race 2, bringing us within the percentile to qualify for the reverse grid off pole for Race 3. However, after starting Race 3 on Pole, I got tangled up between two other cars and finished the race in P11.”
“I’d say we are lucky to have made it over the line after the collision and to miraculously not have much damage,” commented Chloe after the race. “Well done to my teammate, Logan Hannah, for bringing it home in P2! Thank you to Graham Brunton Racing for the hard work all week, and to my loyal partners, Laser Tools Racing, John Clark, Workflo Solutions, Bonthrone Security Services, and Charlie Reid for the support into GB4. We’re already in prep for Donington Park in at the end of the month!”
