Century Motorsport started their 2015 Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup season with a host of visits to podium in the first three races of the year at Brands Hatch.
Running an expanded three-car entry this season for Supercup race-winner Tom Oliphant, Ginetta GT5 Challenge graduate Osamu Kawashima and former BTCC racer Ollie Jackson, the team headed into the season in confident mood following a positive pre-season.
Oliphant led the Century charge in qualifying, carding a top four grid slot for the opening race. Maintaining that position throughout the opening race, his pressure on the top three paid off when a mistake from a rival gave him a podium finish in third along with fastest lap.
Race two proved to be a more action-packed affair for the 24 year old as he fought back from fifth early on to take a hard-earned fourth place, a result he matched in the final race to end a hugely positive opening weekend in the championship top five.
For Jackson, the weekend marked his introduction to Ginetta Supercup racing. Qualifying well in sixth overall, he challenged for a top five finish in the opening race, though elected not to make a risky move and settled for sixth at the finish.
Duelling with reigning British GT vice-champion Michael Caine in the second race, Jackson took eighth at the flag, before going one better in the closer to secure a seventh place championship position.
Kawashima meanwhile returned to the scene of his Supercup debut in 2013 for the start of his first full season in the category. Improving every time he went on track, the Japanese racer produced a great drive in the opening race to finish fourteenth overall and second in the AM class, giving him his first trip onto a Ginetta podium.
He went on to repeat the trick in the second race of the weekend with third place in class, his two trips to the podium putting him second in the AM class standings at the end of the weekend despite an early incident in race three.
Tom Oliphant – #15:
“It was a brilliant weekend. We did a really good job as a team, and getting a fastest lap and a podium in race one was particularly pleasing. A small mistake in qualifying cost us race wins, but this isn’t one of my best tracks so to be quick here shows me that we’ve got a very good race car for the season.”
Ollie Jackson – #48:
“It’s really nice to come and have a good weekend’s racing with a great team around me. It’s also nice to be slightly disappointed with three top eight finishes in a strong field, we showed good pace whilst we’re still getting used to the car. Once we get it nailed and I get used to it fully, there should be some good results ahead.”
Osamu Kawashima – #11:
“It’s been a really good weekend in the Supercup. Getting my first podium finishes in Ginetta racing, I’m very, very happy. The team have really supported me and I’m happy to have this success with them. I’m looking forward to racing next at Donington Park.”
Nathan Freke – Team Principal, Century Motorsport:
“It’s been a really positive start to our 2015 Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup season across the team. Tom starting the year with a podium finish and a strong points haul is a great platform for his championship challenge.”
“Ollie has really got to grips with racing the Ginetta over the weekend, he got three good points finishes on the board and is capable of moving up the grid in the next few races. We’re delighted for Osamu, he improved his pace every session and really deserved those two podium finishes. They’ve done wonders for his confidence. As a whole, the team are really looking forward to Donington Park next time out.”