TF Sport Damaged, Team Parker Retires in Spa Practice

Photo: British GT

The championship-leading TF Sport squad is in a difficult position ahead of British GT Qualifying at Spa-Francorchanps after a crash in Free Practice for its No. 17 Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3.

Derek Johnston, in the car that he shares with Jonny Adam, was pitched sideways into a barrier on the approach to Les Combes, as a result of oil left on the Belgian circuit by a GT4 European Series entrant.

The Aston Martin sustained serious damage to its front end after being shunted into the barrier, but Team Parker Racing was even more unlucky.

The Leicestershire-based squad has had to retire its No. 24 Bentley Continental GT3, which suffered from the same oil on track.

Callum MacLeod hit another Armco barrier but sustained more damage than Johnston. MacLeod and Ian Loggie will not be taking any further part in the weekend.

The two drivers reported speeds of 170 mph before crashing, but neither were injured.

Qualifying starts at 3:45 p.m. local time, giving TF Sport a difficult task to repair the car in time.

“It’s touch and go,” said Adam. “The Aston’s clever front chassis means we can repair the sort of damage that might sideline other cars.

“The guys have had plenty of practice so know what they’re doing. It will be very tight for qualifying but that’s definitely the plan.”

Interestingly, both teams topped the two practice sessions but with the sister cars. Seb Morris was fastest in Free Practice 1 in the No. 31 Team Parker Bentley, while Jon Barnes topped FP2 in TF Sport’s No. 11 Aston Martin.

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.