Leung/Harper and Evans/Cowley crowned champions at Donington Decider humdinger

Darren Leung and Dan Harper, and Erik Evans and Matt Cowley are the 2023 Intelligent Money British GT champions after GT3 and GT4 drivers’ titles were decided in dramatic fashion during a humdinger of a #DoningtonDecider.

Barwell’s Shaun Balfe and Sandy Mitchell winning for a second time this year despite serving an early drive-through penalty perfectly illustrated what an unpredictable race this was. However, if further proof were needed then look no further than Academy’s Mustang overturning both a 16.5-point deficit and 46 seconds of additional pitstop time to emerge victorious both on the road and in GT4’s six-way title showdown.

However, for pure drama it’s hard to top Century’s 120 minutes. Two Safety Car periods before the pitstop window ended Leung’s chances of overturning his maximum Competition Time. A brilliant stint, which included a daring pass around the outside of pole-sitter Andrew Howard down the Craner Curves on lap one, meant he was 19 seconds clear when the second caution occurred just before the pit window opened. All appeared lost until Harper – who rejoined 13th but finished second – embarked upon one of the greatest stints in series history.

Their cause was helped by erstwhile points leader James Cottingham collecting a drive-through penalty for overtaking under yellow flags. His 2 Seas co-driver Philip Ellis battled back to score 1.5 points, but that wasn’t enough to deny Century.

Barwell’s other Lamborghini also celebrated a class title after Will Tregurtha sensationally passed title rival Chris Froggatt at the end of the penultimate lap. The winner-takes-all-scenario meant Tregurtha and Mark Sansom clinched the championship by just one point.

But there was disappointment at Optimum where Charles Clark and Jack Brown missed out on the overall GT4 drivers’ crown. The long-time leaders do at least end the season as Silver class champions.