British GT Championship-leading team, Scuderia Ecosse, heads to Silverstone this week for an action-packed weekend of racing. Silverstone is hosting not only round nine of the British GT Championship but also round three of the Le Mans Endurance Series and Scuderia Ecosse is taking part in both events.

SCOTTISH DUO LOOKS TO CONTINUE WINNING STREAK

Nathan Kinch and Andrew Kirkaldy are well-rested after their last outing at Monza a month ago where they took second place in round two of the Le Mans Endurance Series. They are both keen to get the British GT Championship sewn up but also looking forward to competing in the LMES race at a circuit they both love. They will take part in the 1000km LMES race on Saturday and a two-hour British GT race on Sunday, making for a gruelling weekend. The Scottish duo has won seven out of eight British GT races so far this year and they have every intention of continuing their winning streak at Silverstone.

"I've been looking forward to this one", commented Nathan Kinch. "We had a lot of races packed into the first half of the season which was great from a momentum point of view but a tough schedule. We've had a good break now and we're refreshed and raring to go. I enjoy racing at Silverstone, especially on the Grand Prix circuit as it really suits the Ferrari. We won here last year so let's hope we can do it again this weekend - twice!"

"This is going to be a busy weekend for us", said Kinch's Scuderia Ecosse team-mate Andrew Kirkaldy. "It's important for us to get another good result in the LMES race as that Championship is wide open at the moment but it is vitally important for us to nail the British Championship as soon as possible so we'll be out for victory as usual. It should be a fun weekend."

NIARCHOS AND MULLEN SQUARING UP FOR BATTLE

Chris Niarchos and Tim Mullen have had to wait a long time for this event to come around as their last outing was the Castle Combe British GT races at the end of June. After winning a race last year and finishing as runners-up on four occasions this year, twice at Castle Combe, they are out to knock the Scots off the top step of the podium.

"We have an advantage this weekend", said Chris Niarchos. "Tim and I can concentrate purely on the British GT event whereas Nathan and Andrew are also doing the LMES race. It is also a bonus for us that this race is at Silverstone; it's a circuit I love racing at and Tim knows it incredibly well as he is an instructor there when he is not racing. With just the one race we will only have one bite at the cherry this weekend, the competition will be fierce, and I can't wait!"
 

Chris' comments are backed up by his team-mate, Tim Mullen: "We have been getting closer and closer to Nathan and Andrew all season and we are so well-matched now that it must be time for our first win. I know they're our team-mates but we're not here to make their lives easy; Chris and I will be gunning for victory, nothing less!"

SCUDERIA ECOSSE READY FOR THE CHALLENGE

Team Principal, Stewart Roden, knows how important this weekend is for his team: "I think most of the team have managed to grab a holiday of some sort since the last race so we'll be at Silverstone firing on all cylinders. We have three Ferraris to run: the two British GT cars and the LMES chassis so it will be all hands on deck. We cannot afford to take our eyes off the ball as we are so close to achieving our targets with the British Championship. By the same token the LMES Championship is still open so we'll be pushing for the top spot in the 1000kms too."

THE 2005 BRITISH GT CHAMPIONSHIP: CAN IT BE WON AT SILVERSTONE?

Scuderia Ecosse can win the British GT Team Championship at Silverstone as long as the no.34 or no.35 Ferrari finishes in the points, ahead of either of the Eurotech Porsches. If neither Eurotech Porsche scores a point then Scuderia Ecosse wins the Team Championship regardless of the Ferrari's finishing positions at Silverstone. If Kinch and Kirkaldy finish in the points and ahead of the Jordan/Caine Porsche, then Scuderia Ecosse will also win the Driver's Championship. All that will remain to be decided is whether it goes to Kinch and Kirkaldy or Mullen and Niarchos!

ABOUT SILVERSTONE

Home of the British Grand Prix and billed as the 'Home of British Motor Racing', Silverstone's Grand Prix circuit is a firm favourite of all the Scuderia Ecosse drivers. The flat expanse lends itself well to a medium downforce track made up of a combination of long straights and fast corners with a high level of grip.

SILVERSTONE TIMETABLE

Saturday 0945-1025 LMES Qualifying; Saturday 1040-1110 British GT Qualifying; Saturday 1600 LMES Race (1000km); Sunday 1300-1500 British GT Race