Bird Ends ADAC GT Masters Season With Top Five Finish
Cumbrian racing driver Frank Bird contested the seventh and final round of the ADAC GT Masters Series which was held at Hockenheim in Germany this weekend but missed out on a podium despite another strong performance.
As usual, driving for MANN-FILTER Team LANDGRAF, Penrith-born Frank was in action as he once again teamed up with teenage Finnish driver Elias Seppanen for the two races in the Frank Bird Poultry Ltd-backed Mercedes AMG-GT3.
With the autumnal weather being a factor during practice and qualifying, the pair in the team’s green and yellow liveried ‘Junior Mamba’ car didn’t enjoy the best of times but managed a top five placing in the Junior class during the wet Free Practice session. Qualifying for the opening race saw Frank down in 14th overall meaning some work was required from down the grid.
In a traditional storming drive, Frank soon had the car up inside the top ten and crossed the line in tenth overall but fifth in the Junior class. However the second race didn’t go to plan and Frank retired the car with a puncture to end the season on a disappointing note after a solid first year in the competitive series.
Frank Bird: "That’s my rookie season finished in ADAC GT Masters. It didn’t finish the way I’d like it to with a DNF after a puncture caused by another car hitting me but that’s been typical of my luck at times. The race on Saturday was good as I made a strong comeback after a tricky qualifying to score a solid top five finish at a new track for me. It’s been a learning year with many new experiences for me but I’m happy with the progress made against the best factory drivers in the world and in one of the toughest GT series out there. Thanks to all the team for their hard work through the season and to our sponsors and my family. Also congratulations to my teammate Raffaele Marciello for winning the championship.”
Pictures (ADAC)
