Blake Angliss enjoyed a sensational return to competition in the Ginetta GT Championship with four race victories and a clean sweep of six podium finishes from six races at Silverstone (02-04 June).
With the crucial support of Concept Garage Equipment, Transend UK and Haigh Engineering, Angliss’ first race outing of the 2023 season came as part of the inaugural G Fest event, which featured three qualifying sessions and six races across the three days of action.
Utilising the experience gained across two seasons in the Ginetta GT4 SuperCup, the Coventry-based racer was straight on the leading pace as he drove his Breakell Racing Ginetta G56 for the first-time during pre-event testing on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit.
Going on to qualify third fastest overall on Friday morning, Angliss initially slipped to fourth in the opening race before commencing an entertaining race-long battle with 2022 title rival Luke Reade. It came down to a thrilling last lap, as he stormed past through the final sequence of corners to secure a podium finish in his return race.
A fast-start to race two moved him up to second place off the line and side-by-side with the race leader Ruben Hage. Slotting into second place, he tucked under the rear wing of his team-mate and looked to force an overtaking chance, but elected to take no risks and bring the car home in second.
With a double podium finish under his belt on the GP circuit, the action turned to the shorter National track for the weekend’s action. Having won on that layout three times last season, he was confident of further success this time out and duly stormed to pole position in qualifying on Saturday morning.
Angliss went on to produce a perfect performance over the day’s two races. Nailing his starts on both occasions, he would lead every single racing lap to secure remarkable, dominant wins by four and five second margins; his first overall victories in Ginetta racing.
More success was to come on Sunday as Angliss produced a near perfect replica of his performance the day prior. Once again setting the pace in qualifying, he produced two more flawless drives to lead every race lap again and come away with another pair of supreme race wins.
Blake Angliss: “It’s been a truly phenomenal weekend. It felt so good to be back out in a fast race car again and to get the opportunity to show everyone that I’ve still got it. While I hoped to be up there at the front of the field, to come away with four wins and six podium finishes is just incredible.
“My previous racing in the Ginetta G55 GT4 meant I felt instantly at home in the G56 GTP, with Breakell Racing doing a perfect job with the car as it ran faultlessly for every session. After getting up to speed on the Grand Prix circuit on Friday, I really pushed on around the National layout.
“It’s a special feeling to have led every single lap across the four races and I’m proud of the speed and consistency I produced. It’s all about taking the momentum of this success now and trying to get myself back out on the grid again this season.”
Angliss is interested in talking with potential commercial partners who could support him in entering more Ginetta GT Championship rounds this season, competing on the support package of the British GT Championship. Interested parties can get in touch with Blake via email, blake@anglissmotorsport.com.
Image from Jakob Ebrey Photography.