Will Burns took the 2019 Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 SuperCup title fight down to the final race of the year as he was crowned series vice-champion for the second time in his career after a tense season finale weekend at Brands Hatch (12/13 October). Burns headed into the final meeting of the season only seven points adrift at the top of the standings. He had experience on his side in the battle at the top, having already been in this situation three years prior as finished runner-up in 2016. The Cases Ltd, Eurocams and Absolute Plastering Services supported driver kicked off proceedings in positive fashion with encouraging pace in both wet and dry conditions across free practice on Friday, finishing first and second quickest in the two sessions. The changeable weather continued the next day as Burns tackled qualifying and the opening race. In the former, he excelled on a damp circuit to secure a crucial third pole position of the season so far behind the wheel of his Rob Boston Racing prepared Ginetta G55 GT4. Heavier rain greeted him for the opening race and a small set-up gamble unfortunately didn’t go his way. Slipping to second on lap one and unable to keep pace with the leader, Burns smartly focused on maintaining his position in the tricky conditions to secure a good haul of points. It was a similar story on Sunday morning as Burns once again ran in second place throughout race two. Negotiating a trio of safety car restarts, the Somerset racer kept in touch with the leader to the chequered flag to ensure he headed into the final race in title contention. Burns knew he needed a small miracle to emerge with the title though as he lined up fifth on the reverse grid in front of the live ITV4 television cameras. Slotting into third in the early running, he was right on the tail of his title rival and got ahead on the final lap. While second wasn’t enough to be crowned champion, it ensured he ended the campaign with 17 podium finishes, more than anyone else. The 29 year old now has a total of 49 outright podiums to his name in the series from 104 race starts; second on the all-time list. Will Burns: “It’s a shame not to win the title, but the quicker guy won at the end of the day. I gave it everything I had this weekend and achieved the best I could with three second place finishes, but unfortunately it wasn’t quite enough. “I came back to this championship after three years away, was competitive right away and competed for the title right to the end. That’s something I’m pleased with and I’m happy with the record of podium finishes and race wins I’ve achieved. “A huge thank you to Rob Boston Racing, who have done a great job with the car throughout the year, and also to my sponsors who make all this possible. We have some exciting opportunities available for 2020 and I’m looking forward to getting a plan together.”
Image from Jakob Ebrey Photography.