Lebbon and Oxley win at Brands Hatch as Browning steals championship advantage
Tom Lebbon and Branden Oxley were the winners on Sunday at Brands Hatch, with two enthralling contests on the mighty Grand Prix circuit. In the championship race, two positive results for Hitech GP’s Luke Browning and a difficult final race for Joel Granfors means the British driver holds an extended 15.5 point championship lead heading to the final weekend at Donington Park.
Race two
Lebbon claimed his third win of the year with a controlled drive from pole position in this morning’s contest. Lebbon finished just under a second clear of Browning with race one winner Matthew Rees third for JHR Developments. Granfors was fourth, and that result handed a slender 1.5-point championship lead to Browning. Arden’s Alex Connor and Elite’s John Bennet were fifth and sixth.
Lebbon led the pack away at the start but was challenged by Rees, while Browning and Granfors went wheel to wheel around the first few corners. Browning found his way past Rees down Pilgrims Drop, with Granfors following through. However Rees fought back and moved back into third at Sheene moments later. The positions remained static for the remainder of the contest, but proved another turning point in this year’s ever-changing championship battle.
Race three
The reverse grid was another typically dramatic affair, with the original start red flagged after a heavy accident for Callum Voisin and Max Esterson at Hawthorns, with both drivers emerging unscathed. The restart order was based on the classification at the red flag, with original polesitter Marcos Flack sent to the back of the grid due to a 10-second time penalty for a jump start at the original launch.
That put Chris Dittmann Racing’s Oxley on pole, and he capitalised by leading every lap, though he had to withstand big pressure from Hitech’s Cian Shields in second, who had Roberto Faria close by too for third.
Behind, Browning made strong progress from 16th on the restart grid to ninth, while Granfors’ race was ruined by a broken front wing, forcing him into a pit stop and putting him to the tail of the field. Therefore Browning now enjoys an extended championship lead heading to the Donington decider on 15-16 October.
Race two winner Lebbon said: “This definitely makes up for Silverstone. After the decision at Silverstone meant we started sixth yesterday, we struggled with pace in the race as well which was a bit surprising. We took the win today with strong pace and managed to hold off Browning with his pace at the end there and took the win.”
Race three winner Oxley said: “That was a long 10 laps but I pushed every lap, it’s not been the best of weekends but it’s nice to end like this. “I remained focused, my car was about to set on fire because it was so hot but it didn’t put me out of focus. Thank you everyone who stood by my side, this win is for everyone, it’s not the win I wanted but it’s a win, I’ll take it.”
Championship leader Browning said: “Obviously it’s been a great weekend. We had two of the three fastest laps, unfortunately being held up in quali made it a little bit more difficult in the races but ultimately the starts and getting off the line really helped us. The first laps, getting past a few people, making a few spots really made the difference.
“I think going into Donington we’ve got a good cushion, about Joel, I don’t wish that bad luck on anyone, I’ve had my fair share throughout the season, I know what it feels like, it’s tough but the championship is still on and it’s all to play for heading to Donington.”
GB3 Championship, partnered by the BRDC, Brands Hatch GP race two top-six:
1. Tom Lebbon, Elite Motorsport, 14 Laps
2. Luke Browning, Hitech GP, +0.700
3. Matthew Rees, JHR Developments, +1.252
4. Joel Granfors, Fortec Motorsport, +6.955
5. Alex Connor, Arden Motorsport, +7.628
6. John Bennett, Elite Motorsport, +8.076
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GB3 Championship, partnered by the BRDC, Brands Hatch GP race three top-six:
1. Branden Oxley, Chris Dittmann Racing, 10 laps
2. Cian Shields, Hitech GP, +0.923
3. Roberto Faria, Carlin +2.023
4. Zak Taylor, Chris Dittmann Racing, +4.486
5. Javier Sagrera, Carlin, +4.857
6. Nick Gilkes, Hillspeed, +5.875
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GB3 Championship, standings after race 21 of 24:
1. Luke Browning, Hitech GP, 430pts
2. Joel Granfors, Fortec Motorsport, 414.5pts
3. Callum Voisin, Carlin, 312pts
4. Roberto Faria, Carlin, 305.5pts
5. Tom Lebbon, Elite Motorsport, 294.5pts
6. Matthew Rees, JHR Developments, 276.5pts
Click here for full standings
GB3 Championship, Teams’ standings after race 21 of 24:
1. Carlin, 709.5pts
2. Hitech GP, 667.5pts
3. Fortec Motorsport, 588pts
4. Elite Motorsport, 583pts
5. Douglas Motorsport, 487pts
6. Arden Motorsport, 404.5pts
Click here for full standings
For more championship information visit www.gb-3.net.