Despite losing out on the 2012 Michelin Ginetta GT SuperCup by the thinnest possible margin, there can be few amongst the Brands Hatch crowd or ITV4 viewers who would not have be impressed by Tom Sharp’s bravery, determination and resilience this weekend.

Sharp, who has led the Ginetta GT SuperCup for nine of the season’s ten rounds, suffered the most incredible ill-fortune at the Kent track, denying what would have been a deserve crown.

In the first of the season’s final three races, a broken driveshaft prevented Tom from taking to the grid and allowed rival Carl Breeze (on the same points as Tom at the start of the day) to wrestle the initiative in the dramatic head-to-head. In the second race, Tom started from the back of the field and raced to an incredible fourth spot, leaving a 15-point gap between he and Breeze. In the rain-soaked third and final race, Tom had to finish first and Breeze fifth to land the 21-year old the Ginetta GT SuperCup title.

The final race (using reverse grid) saw Tom Ingram starting from pole, Jake Hill second, and Sharp third. On lap three, after he had passed Hill, Sharp closed in on Ingram passing the leader on Druids while Breeze was held up by Hill.

VCARS.co.uk driver would go on to dominate the day’s final race winning by a margin that suggested had that driveshaft not intervened, the season’s title could have had a different destination. However, it was veteran driver Carl Breeze who finished third and secured the 2012 GT Ginetta SuperCup crown. VCARS.co.uk wish him a hearty congratulations.

From everyone at VCARS.co.uk, you did us proud Tom. Well done, there’s always next season.

Tom Sharp has retained the slenderest lead possible as he and veteran driver Carl Breeze go into the final round of the 2012 Ginetta GT Supercup LEVEL on 655 points. After a gruelling season, the VCARS Driver goes into Round Ten of the current season on top due to more first place finishes. The Brands Hatch meet in a fortnight’s time looks like being the most dramatic end to a Ginetta GT SuperCup season yet.

In Round Nine – Race 23, VCARS’ Tom Sharp finished fifth 

Qualifying saw Richardson on pole and a strong start saw him lead for the first lap, until Jake Hill took over on lap two. By lap six, the leading trio (Richardson, Hill, Breeze) had run clear of the battling Sharp. Richardson’s retook the lead on 11, whilst Breeze cut and eventually second place around the outside of Copse on lap 13. Meanwhile, Sharp was working hard to pass Ingram an clinch fourth place. Two laps later and only 0.7 seconds separated Hill, Ingram and Sharp, whilst Richardson was 3.1 seconds ahead of Breeze. Race 23 - The eventual placings: 1 Richardson, 2 Breeze, 3 Hill 4 Ingram, 5 Sharp

In Round Nine – Race 24, VCARS Tom Sharp Sharp finished second

The second race saw Breeze take the lead from Richardson whilst Tom Sharp ploughed through the field from fifth place to take third by the end of lap one.  On lap seven, Sharp found a way past Richardson for second place. Over the final laps of the race, Ingram worked his way into the Richardson and Hill battle, taking third place on the track from Hill on lap 22. As the flag dropped, Breeze took the win from Sharp. However, Sharp bravely retained the Championship lead going into Brands Hatch.

Race 24: The eventual placings: 1 Breeze 2 Sharp 3 Hill 4 Richardson 5 Ingram

Provisional points following Silverstone: 1 Tom Sharp 655 2 Carl Breeze 655 3 Tom Ingram 587 4 Andrew Richardson 418  5 Colin White 372 6 Hunter Abbott 348

VCARS.co.uk driver Tom Sharp embarks on what could be the most important weekend of his driving career this weekend as Round Nine of the Ginetta GT SuperCup descends on Silverstone Race Track. Continue reading →