Richard and Sam Neary, driving the Invitation entry Team Abba Racing Mercedes GT3, took convincing wins this weekend at Snetterton in the Britcar Dunlop Endurance Championship.
17-year old Sam bagged pole position in his first outing in a GT3 machine and is believed to be the youngest ever pole sitter and winner in a GT3 car, made all the more important by his maiden success. Richard Neary, taking the first stint in the Mercedes, led away from the rolling start. Bang on schedule, with 24 minutes of the race run, some brought their cars into the pits to hand over to second drivers. This, while sensible in normal circumstances, would prove to be not the best option, as the Safety Car was deployed just minutes later. A dash for the pits ensued for most runners - and in Team Abba Racing's case, a double stop to take on two churns of the maximum-allowed 25 litres of fuel. The Mercedes, now with Sam Neary on board, had retained the lead during the caution period, and once it was lifted, had a one-lap lead. Sam Neary and Team Abba Racing brought their high-level experience to the party to claim a comfortable win, having flexibly strategized a history-making performance by teenager Sam against the experience of dad Richard.
Richard and Sam Neary did it again in race two making it a clean sweep across the weekend in the Mercedes GT3; pole, two wins, two fastest laps and the Sunoco Driver of the Day trophy for Sam for his record-setting achievement.