After 2 successful weekends with the #28 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car, Daryl DeLeon Taylor and its owner Brad Thurston added another set to silverware to their trophy collection when the British Endurance Championship (BEC) visited Silverstone GP. The pair went on to deliver another class win and overall podium, which further extended their points lead by a smidge.
Team HARD Racing spent all of Free Practice making minute adjustments to the green-and-black liveried Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car. Although it was already quick as it is, these small setup changes would allow them to shave tenths per lap and make the #28 machine more compliant going around Silverstone All these translated well into Qualifying where Daryl managed to set a time of 2:06.459, which was good enough for 2nd row on the grid behind an Audi R8 LMS GT3 and an Aston Martin Vulcan.
Brad took the race start at exactly 2:39 PM on Saturday afternoon for 120 minutes of non-stop racing. He was able to hold position on the opening lap and kept a trail of cars behind from getting past. But once the race had settled, Brad comfortably slotted into P7 overall, yet still P1 in Class C for the remainder of his 50-minute stint. Daryl then jumped in the driver’s seat to continue their pursuit for an overall podium.
The Filipino-British driver immediately chased after the leaders as soon as he left the pit road. He gained several places as the time ticked away and with 20 minutes left on the clock, got them into P3 overall. Daryl was already within striking distance of the Lamborghini Super Trefeo Evo in P2 spot when he was suddenly called back into the pits. Although he had to serve a stop-and-go penalty for a pitstop infringement, it made no effect on the final results of the race.
Daryl, Brad, and Team HARD Racing eventually crossed the finish line after completing 51 laps around the 5.891 km Silverstone GP circuit to secure 3rd overall and 1st in Class C.
The 2-hour race at the Silverstone marks the 2023 BEC season’s halfway point with the team now holding onto a 2 point advantage in the overall championship. There’s going to be a long 2 month break ’til the season resumes on the 16th of September at Snetterton.
Daryl DeLeon Taylor: “A really good weekend for me, Brad, and Team Hard Racing. We got an overall podium and P1 in class that puts in 2 points in the overall championship lead. I’d just like to thank everyone at Team HARD Racing, Matt my race engineer, Alex and Ben who worked on the car, Dave Tyson, and everyone involved. They all did an amazing job. Also thanking my mom and dad, Train Maintenance Services, Time Attack Manila, and especially to my new sponsor Auntie Ann’s who is supporting me in my racing.”