Chris Dittmann Racing enjoyed a strong visit to Spa-Francorchamps this weekend (May 31-June 2) as the team showed front-running pace and collected four top-10 finishes for its efforts.

The expanded line up of Seb Murray, Flynn Jackes, and debutant Kanato Le made the most of three practice sessions on Friday, with every kind of weather thrown at them before qualifying, which took place on a fully dry track, later that afternoon. Seb finished 10th fastest, while Kanato was 14th but just one second from pole on his debut, with Flynn just behind.

Conditions were damp ahead of Saturday’s opening race, albeit with no rain falling, Seb slipping back to 15th on lap one. With the race being fairly calm throughout the field, at the flag Kanato gained two places to finish 12th, Seb crossed the line 16th, and Flynn was 17th.

All three had a clean start to race two, Kanato up to eighth, Seb 10th, and Flynn 17th, before the Safety Car was called on lap three of the scheduled nine. As the track went green, the SC returned before a racing lap was completed, remaining on track to the flag, as Kanato ran sixth, Seb eighth, and Flynn 15th.

Race three featured the partially reversed grid and Seb lined up third, having a great start, taking second place off the line. Slipstreaming into the lead, the driver in third had a double tow, getting past both cars and as Seb took contact, he went onto the kerb and spun, having to retire as the Safety Car was called.

When racing resumed, the SC returned before a lap was complete and sadly, it was called for a third time soon after, as Kanato moved into fifth and Flynn 10th. The latter made a move for ninth on the restart, but couldn’t quite complete the pass, while the former almost took fourth down the Kemmel Straight, crossing the line fifth.

Showing plenty of pace and promise, the team is aiming to continue the momentum heading to a new venue for the GB3 Championship – the Hungaroring, home of the Hungarian Grand Prix, over the weekend of June 21-23.

Seb Murray #91

G1 – 10, R1 – 16
G2 – 13, R2 – 8
G3 – 3, R3 – DNF

Championship: 16 (43 points)

“Race one was tricky at the start. I had contact front and rear, which hindered my pace, and the track was evolving constantly as it dried out. I struggled for the first few laps but couldn’t bring it back as the gap to the cars ahead was too big – we could have done with a Safety Car. Race two was much better as it was dry. I made up five places, so overall it was a good day where I learned a lot and we could show our pace.

“Race three was an unfortunate end to a good weekend. I had just made the move for the lead, Gerrard [Xie] had a good run and overtook both of us, and at the apex of the corner I was tapped, which unsettled me. That put me on the outside kerb, and I had nowhere to go, so that was the end of the race. We’ll keep our chins up and look forward to Hungary.”

Flynn Jackes #55

G1 – 16, R1 – 17
G2 – 19, R2 – 15
G3 – 16, R3 – 10

Championship: 19 (38 points)

“The pace for race one was pretty good, but I was stuck where I was. Race two I made my way up to 15th, though made a mistake which let a couple of cars through, but I will take that result around Spa. It’s a great track.

“Race three was good as the pace felt really strong in the car, as we made a small change which really helped out a lot. I was stuck battling with Colin Queen and couldn’t get past him, and I feel like I could have made up two or three more places with the pace in the car, but it was a fun race. I’ve loved coming to Spa, despite the weather, as the track is brilliant.”

Kanato Le #19

G1 – 14, R1 – 12
G2 – 11, R2 – 6
G3 – 14, R3 – 5

“Race one was wet and a bit difficult for my first time racing at Spa in those conditions, and my first race in the GB3 car. I managed to move up a few places, but then made a mistake and lost one, but overall, it was positive learning how to race in the wet. The car felt amazing in race two and as a team it was really good with Seb a few places behind. I felt like I could come through and it was fun, but it was a shame with the Safety Car at the end.

“The final race was chaotic. I managed to keep calm, stay out of trouble, and avoided the incidents ahead, so I was happy with a good finish. The weekend went well, with a new team and new car, I think it’s the best I could have hoped for and hopefully I can do a few more races in the GB3 Championship in the future.”