Optimum Motorsport clinch CREVENTIC SP3 GT4 title in Portimao

Optimum Motorsport secured the SP3 GT4 teams’ and drivers’ titles last weekend in the CREVENTIC 24H Series at Portimao after finishing a fighting second in class. Champion-elect Dan O’Brien was joined on 25-car grid by Aleksander Schjerpen and Ollie Wilkinson for the final round in the #231 Ginetta G55 GT4.After a dramatic 24 hours of action, the team took the chequered flag in second position and secured double championship success.

Team Principal Shaun Goff

“This is endurance racing and it’s all about finishing. Despite some fairly significant setbacks we achieved that. The engine change was complicated in that we were also switching the running gear from one side of the car to the other, but the team performed flawlessly and it’s a credit to them that we finished the race and I’m very proud to have claimed both titles for Dan and the team.“Also, a big shout out goes to Ade Barwick who unfortunately couldn't attend this event having competed in all the other five races. I’d also like to thank Stewart Linn, Will Moore, Julio Martini and Tom Hibbert who all drove alongside Dan this year.”

Dan O’Brien

"I'm really happy that we've wrapped up the championship, there's been a lot of moments this year where it looked like we may not make it to a round so to see it concluded is a big relief. The team did an amazing job through the night to swap engines and keep us going, it's a real credit to Shaun and the whole team. I want to thank my teammates for stepping in for this round they did an amazing job and brought the car home for us and showed we were the favourites to win."

Aleksander Schjerpen

“My first weekend with Optimum Motorsport has been a really good one. We started the weekend being on the pace, and could work from there to prepare for the race. The team did a great job setting up the car and we had a mega start to the race. Even though we had some engine issues that cost us the first place, I am really happy to get a second-place finish and also helping Dan and Optimum win the championship. A big thanks to the Optimum team for their hard work during the whole weekend.”

Race Analysis

Saturday 26th August - 24 hours - race summary

Staring from the class pole position, O'Brien took the first stint before handing over at the two-hour mark to Schjerpen who immediately proved to be right on the pace. Wilkinson took over for his first laps in anger in race conditions and the cycle continued until an engine failure curtailed the running whilst Schjerpen was well into his second stint, forcing a lengthy stop in the dead of night.The team put in a tremendous effort to take the engine from a spare chassis and fit to the race car and after more than five hours of toil, the team were back out and in the race with over a third of the distance still to run with Wilkinson behind the wheel.The race duly unfolded and following impressive stints from all three drivers, the #231 took the chequered flag in second position, having pulled back an impressive 39 laps on the class winning car, despite a late race puncture that cost them further time.

24H Portimao on social media

Champagne celebrations! (Check that champions' ribbon) #24HSERIES pic.twitter.com/rukxXlYr5r

— Optimum Motorsport (@OptimumMSport) August 27, 2017

Radio le Mans has nominated the crew for their #SpiritoftheRace and I reckon they deserve it after working so hard overnight #24HSERIES pic.twitter.com/Yga6lw3uGf

— Optimum Motorsport (@OptimumMSport) August 27, 2017

After a 5:17 engine change and 18h of racing... #24HSERIES pic.twitter.com/T1l8UDipLR

— Optimum Motorsport (@OptimumMSport) August 27, 2017

Portimao squad #24HSERIES pic.twitter.com/xVT8eN6FnH

— Optimum Motorsport (@OptimumMSport) August 26, 2017

#24HSERIES | #231 @OptimumMSport scores best with 1:54.507 #QF1 pic.twitter.com/tTUiKzjpnm

— 24H SERIES (@24HSERIES) August 25, 2017