Chloe Grant's Silverstone showdown: triumph, turmoil, and unyielding resolve.
In the high-speed battleground of the Silverstone GP circuit, Chloe Grant faced both triumph and turmoil in Round 2 of the 2024 GB4 Championship. Despite a valiant charge to seventh in Race 1, her hopes were dashed on the cusp of glory in race two, ending her weekend prematurely.
Qualifying showcased Grant's grit, setting a blistering time of 2:18.631 in damp conditions. Thus Chloe would start P8 for Race 1, P7 for Race 2, and P5 in Race 3’s grid reversal. However, the GB4 Championship only saw two out of three scheduled races across the weekend, with Sunday morning’s 11:06 race cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.
For Race 1, the 18-year-old got off the line, narrowly missing a stalled car in the grid position in front of her, and slipped into 6th place for turn 1. Despite having no 2nd gear for the entire race, Chloe challenged the tail of her teammate, Harry Burgoyne, until Marcus Luzio caught up with her on the Wellington Straight. On the third lap Chloe initiated a fantastic battle for 6th place between herself and the number 27 car of Wilson. Chloe impressed with an overtake around the outside of turn 11, directly followed by a close-to-contact move by Wilson at the apex of turn 13. Allowing enough space and carrying her speed through, Grant held P6 until a switchback into Brooklands. Chloe gained 6th place back the following lap. On the tail of Burgoyne once again, Grant kept the pressure on her teammate down to the last lap when they were joined by the third car in the KMR outfit, Brandon McCaughan, who grabbed P6 at the chequered flag.
Race 2 saw Grant surge to fifth from the get-go, engaging in a spirited tussle with teammate McCaughan. However, a late-race skirmish with Palmowski spelled disaster, forcing her into early retirement and denying her a deserved podium finish.
Reflecting on the rollercoaster weekend, Grant remained upbeat, citing improved pace and confidence. "We've made strides forward," she remarked. "Despite the setbacks, we know what we're capable of for Donington."
Chloe Grant now gears up for Round 3 at Donington Park GP, which takes place on 25th - 26th May and is poised to unleash her full potential. During the 2024 GB4 Championship, Chloe - with KMR Sport - will return to Silverstone GP and visit Snetterton 300 and Brands Hatch GP.
