OPS ISSUES FORCE BRANDS HATCH BRITISH GT SIT OUT

Matty will miss the chance to back up his impressive performances at Spa Francorchamps in this weekend’s British GT meeting at Brands Hatch, as operational issues for the Ebor GT team see the Maserati GT MC GT4 missing from the entry list.

Uncertainty over a second driver, following round five team mate Charlie Fagg’s decision to race with a different partner in the GT4 European Series, was ultimately resolved by the Northumbrian driver, but the lack of suitably qualified technicians available run the team’s entry resulted in an enforced absence.

The car in the hands of the 21-year-old proved to be a potent combination at the Belgian circuit as he and Fagg raced from last, to first in both of the one-hour races with Matty comfortably the fastest man in every session completed.

He was confident of another strong showing even with adjustments to the Maserati’s BOP formula and building on his eight podium visits from 14 races contested, but will now instead be forced to watch on from the sidelines.

Matty said: “I’m really disappointed that I’m not going to get the chance to back up what I did at Spa this weekend. I really, really enjoyed driving the car and know we would have enjoyed another strong weekend around Brands Hatch, even with a success penalty to carry over from Spa.

“Having spent the weekend finding a new partner after a couple of others were unable to come on board and we were told by the organisers I’d be unable to drive on my own, it’s a bit upsetting that has all been for nothing, with the team unable to get the people they need to run the car.

“Missing Brands Hatch probably means that is it in terms of my British GT outings for the year, so the focus will now switch to hopefully getting 2018 sorted and a step up into a GT3 car equally exciting as the Maserati.”