The second round of GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS took place at the world-famous Brands Hatch Circuit on the iconic Grand Prix layout, providing a classic backdrop for one of the world’s premier GT championships.
For Mikey Porter and the UK-based Optimum Motorsport squad, the event represented a genuine home race, with Porter lining up in the McLaren 720S GT3 Evo carrying strong momentum following an impressive run of performances for both team and driver. With the team, driver and machinery all competing on home soil, expectations were understandably high heading into the weekend.
From the outset, Porter and the Optimum Motorsport team showed highly competitive pace throughout practice and testing around the demanding Brands Hatch GP circuit, quickly establishing themselves as genuine Silver Cup contenders.
The GT World Challenge Europe format featured two separate qualifying sessions, setting the grids for both Race One and Race Two respectively. In Qualifying One, Porter secured P2 in the Silver Cup category, ending the session less than two tenths of a second away from the pole-sitting Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo.
Qualifying Two delivered another outstanding performance from the McLaren crew, again securing P2 in class, this time just a couple of tenths shy of the benchmark pace set by a BMW M4 GT3 Evo. With two front-row Silver Cup starts secured, confidence was high that the team could challenge for podium honours across both races.
That confidence was fully justified in Race One, where Porter and teammate Guilherme Oliveira converted their front-row start into a superb Silver Cup victory. Delivering a clean, composed and highly competitive performance throughout the race, the pairing moved forward from their starting position to secure Porter’s maiden GT World Challenge Europe class victory.
The result marked a major milestone for the British driver and represented a particularly special achievement given it was secured at the home event for both Porter and Optimum Motorsport.
Race Two on Sunday completed an exceptional weekend for the team. Starting once again from P2 in class, Porter and Oliveira delivered another faultless performance to secure second place in the Silver Cup category, rounding off a superb double podium weekend at Brands Hatch.
The combined results represented a significant success for Porter, Optimum Motorsport and EDGE Sporting Management, continuing a strong run of form in one of the most competitive GT championships in world motorsport.
Following the event, Porter reflected positively on a memorable home weekend:
“It’s an amazing feeling to take my first win in GT World Challenge Europe, especially at our home race at Brands Hatch. Huge thanks to Optimum Motorsport for giving us such a fantastic car all weekend and to EDGE Sporting Management for their continued support. Guilherme also did an excellent job in his stints, and to come away with a double podium weekend is something we can all be really proud of.”
A breakthrough victory, two podium finishes and a standout home event performance ensured Brands Hatch became another major milestone weekend in the career of Mikey Porter.
RESULTS:
Q1 – P2 (Silver Cup) / Q2 – P2 (Silver Cup)
Race 1 – WIN! / Race 2 – P2 (Silver Cup)