Battles at Donington: Orange & Smith Shine in GT Cup Opener
The GT Cup Championship’s 2025 season commenced with an exhilarating weekend at Donington Park, featuring intense competition across multiple classes.
Saturday Sprint Races
The opening 25-minute sprint race saw Simon Orange of Orange Racing with JMH Automotive clinch victory in his McLaren 720S GT3. Orange seized the lead from Track Focused’s Darren Kell at the first corner and maintained his position despite a mid-race safety car that brought G-Cat Racing’s Greg Caton into contention. Orange’s composed driving secured him the win.
In Group GTC, Topcats Racing’s Fraser Fenwick led a team one-two finish in their Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo.PMT Motorsport’s Tom Walpole converted his pole position into a Group GTB victory with his KTM, while Archie Clark of Feathers Motorsport triumphed in Group GTH driving an Aston Martin Vantage. Matt Eddolls added another win for Aston Martin in Group GTA.
The second sprint race featured Mark Smith of Paddock Motorsport starting from pole. Despite a strong challenge from James Kell of Track Focused, Smith maintained his lead to secure his first GT Cup win. Topcats Racing continued their dominance in Group GTC, while Uber GT Performance’s Porsche claimed victory in Group GTB. Feathers Motorsport and SVG Motorsport each secured wins in Group GTH and GTA, respectively.
Sunday’s GT Cup 100
The weekend’s highlight was the inaugural 100-minute endurance race on Sunday. Qualifying saw Simon Orange secure pole position, but the race unfolded dramatically. An early spin by PB Racing’s Peter Erceg led to a safety car intervention. Post-restart, Orange led with Smith in close pursuit. A collision between Orange and JMH Auto’s Frank Morris at the final hairpin necessitated repairs for Orange, allowing Smith to take the lead.
Opting for a solo drive, Smith built a substantial lead post-pit stops. However, James Kell, taking over from his father Darren in the Track Focused McLaren, mounted a significant challenge in the final stint. The race culminated in a thrilling finish, with Smith narrowly holding off Kell by just 0.024 seconds—the closest margin in GT Cup history.
Topcats Racing’s Iain Campbell and Fraser Fenwick dominated Group GTC, leading from start to finish. Feathers Motorsport’s Archie Clark and Tom Canning showcased a commanding performance in Group GTH with their Aston Martin, while Uber GT Performance’s James and Bill Caley secured the Group GTB win in their Porsche. SVG Motorsport’s Neil Wallace and Ian Astley claimed victory in Group GTA, and SBR Engineering’s Paul Bailey took top honors in Group GTO with his McLaren 720S.
The GT Cup Championship will resume on May 17-18 at the Brands Hatch GP circuit in Kent.
