Proctor pairing secure GT Cup race win for Balfe Motorsport

Balfe Motorsport enjoyed another stellar weekend in the fifth and sixth rounds of the GT Cup at Brands Hatch.

The Fulbeck-based team secured overall victory in the first race – a first for the McLaren 720S in this championship – and a further podium in the GTH class in the second race.

Having secured a double podium at Donington Park last time out, expectations were high heading into this compressed race weekend.

Starting 12th overall and tenth in class, the first 50-minute race quickly came the way of Stewart and Lewis Proctor in the GT3 McLaren.

A strong start from Stewart saw him vault to sixth position in the opening laps, whilst fending off a challenge from Nick Jones in the Parker entry.

The race settled with the Brands Hatch rookie pitting mid-race for teammate Lewis in sixth position.

Lewis returned to the circuit after a great stop from the team, running in fourth position, albeit a five-seconds behind third-placed Phil Quaife.

The gap quickly diminished ahead of a safety car.

The final laps of the 50-minute race were frantic, with Lewis passing Adam Balon for third, then chasing down the battle for the lead.

Minor contact between Leo Machitski and Phil Quaife at Surtees opened the door for an audacious pass for the lead, with Lewis sweeping through at Hawthorns to take the lead, and ultimately the race victory.

“We can certainly build on that result,” Stewart said.

Lewis added: “That was good fun, I really enjoyed today.

“The battle for the lead was really good. They touched on the right at Surtees and then I went around the outside of them at Hawthorns – I’ve seen it on YouTube a lot, so I thought ‘yeah I’m going for that!’”

With a 20-second success penalty in the second race, it was always going to be difficult for the Proctor pairing, but still, it was another strong showing followed with a fifth-place finish.

The GT4 entry of Mike Price and Callum MacLeod, in the McLaren 570S, finished race one fourth in the GTH class.

The second race was far more rewarding with a standout third place finish.