Racer Hunter is back behind the wheel

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Maidenhead race driver Hunter Abbott returned to the race track last weekend, taking part in the Avon Tyres British GT Championship at Knockhill in Scotland just three weeks after surviving the biggest crash seen on a British racing circuit for many years. (see pictures)

The crash at Oulton Park in Cheshire meant the 160mph Ginetta G50 sportscar was completely written off and a new car was delivered two days before the two 60-minute races.

Abbott, who suffered minor back injuries and burns to his hands and face in the accident, got behind the wheel of the Ginetta on Saturday morning, the first time he had driven a race car since the Easter weekend race meeting.

 Not only did he get up to race speed in no time at all on a circuit he had never driven before, Abbott secured third place on the grid for the opening race of the weekend, while his teammate, Rob Austin, went even better to secure pole position for the second race.

Things went from good to great for the Rob Austin Racing team in the race as Abbott overtook the two cars ahead of him to take the lead in the first half of the race before handing over the car to Austin in the mandatory pitstop window.   

Austin initially dropped behind his rivals before fighting back to bring the car home to take the chequered flag.

"Until a couple of days ago I wasn't going to race at Knockhill due to back problems after the crash at Oulton, but I decided I wanted to come back as soon as possible.
"This win is the dream come back from one of the scariest crashes in motorsport for a number of years. It's a great result for myself, Rob, the team, Ginetta and our sponsors, Alcosense and Onkyo," said Hunter Abbott.

"When I got in the car this morning, which was the first time in a race car since the crash, it was a roller coaster of emotions, but once I was out there I was fine, I just built up the pace a lap at a time.  Everyone has been very supportive during this difficult time, helping me to come back this weekend. I¹m very pleased that I was able to perform and help take the win."

In the second race Austin led from pole position and came into the pits to hand over to Abbott but a technical problem forced the car into retirement before Abbott could take the Ginetta back onto the circuit, spoiling what was shaping up to be a perfect return for the 27-year-old driver.
 
The next two British GT championship races will take place on Sunday, May 26 and Monday, May  27 at Rockingham in Northamptonshire.