Team Abba Racing made it three wins out of four at Silverstone as Richard and Sam Neary dominated the weekend’s running extending their lead in the GT Cup Championship.
Saturday qualifying was fast and furious and went the way of the Mercedes AMG GT3 of 19-year-old Sam Neary, who scorched to another pole position ahead of the GTO Raw Motorsport Radical RXC.
Race One, driven by Neary senior delivered a victory margin of 15 seconds by the chequered flag ahead of GT3 rival John Dhillon. In the 50 minute sprint race Richard Neary held the lead and handed the car to son Sam who exited the pits behind the Steve Burgess/Dimmack Radical, which he swiftly passed with a bold move on the outside at the entry to Becketts on the restart.
Ross Wylie in the Brabham BT62 started his chase of Neary and made his move at Stowe in the final 10 minutes but was rebuffed at Club corner, only to repeat the move successfully minutes later to grab the lead and a first overall win for the Brabham.
Commenting on the race Team Abba Racing’s Sam Neary said: “It was a good day for us, two class wins and still leading the championship. There was nothing I could do against the Brabham, it’s just got too much horsepower and more aero. I gave Ross a run for his money I hope and held my own. I tried all my moves, pulled out all the stops, but kept it fair and kept it clean.”
Day two and the qualifying session went the way of Richard Neary. Sam Neary mastered the restart after a red flagged incident on the opening lap to secure a comfortable victory for Team Abba Racing, more than 20 seconds ahead of the GTO Radical.
In race two, Richard Neary had a close battle in the opening few laps with the GTO Radical and then set about extending his advantage, handing over to Sam at the halfway mark. Success penalties cut down Team Abba Racing’s advantage slightly, but the Scott Sport Lamborghini of Phil Keen couldn’t close enough to trouble Sam Neary’s victory.
The next GT Cup Championship meeting will take place at Donington Park over the weekend of 18th/19th September 2021.
Last year Sam Neary proved a revelation during his maiden British GT campaign and his ability in wet and changeable conditions was comparable with far more experienced factory drivers, while his pace in the dry also took a notable step forward as the season progressed.
This year Sam was selected to join the Motorsport UK Academy’s Team UK Futures programme, the governing body’s talent development pathway that equips the UK’s most promising young drivers with the knowledge, skills and attitude needed to maximise their performance https://www.motorsportuk.org/news/motorsport-uk-academy-selections-2021/
This year nineteen-year-old Sam has joined the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) as a Rising Star. The BRDC Rising Stars are aged under 24 and viewed as the `future of the club’, taking their motor racing seriously and aiming for a professional career within the sport.
Commenting on the prestigious appointment Sam Neary said: “This is a huge honour, and I am very pleased to know that my achievements to date having been recognised by such an influential organisation; I am really looking forward to representing the BRDC.”
More information about Sam Neary is available at www.samnearyracing.com .