Ryan Hooker Forced Out Of Latest FIA GT3 European Championship Rounds
It was the cruellest of blows for Upminster racing driver, Ryan Hooker as a mechanical failure in practice for rounds 5 and 6 of the FIA GT3 Championship meant a withdrawal from Sunday's races.
Ryan, who went to the event in the joint lead the Porsche Manufacturers Cup Table, had high hopes as the series visited Monza in Italy, a circuit where he has finished on the podium in his early career and so held good memories.
Not such sweet memories of his latest visit to Monza though as the Trackspeed Porsche 997, which Ryan drives alongside David Ashburn, suffered irreparable gearbox failure during Saturday's practice session putting them out of contention for the races the next day.
"Absolutely gutting" said Ryan afterwards. "No driver likes to be a spectator but sadly it is one of those things motor racing has a way of throwing at you. In terms of damage limitation, even though I haven't competed this weekend I am still third in the Porsche Manufacturers Cup and still within reach of that title so my focus now moves straight to the next race."
There is a summer break for the FIA GT3 series now, which returns in September when rounds 7 and 8 take place at Brno in the Czech Republic.
However, Ryan will be back in action in a fortnights time as he competes in the Uniroyal 25Hours race at Spa in Belgium when over 100 VW Beetles take to the circuit in a non-stop race that lasts over a day!
Not such sweet memories of his latest visit to Monza though as the Trackspeed Porsche 997, which Ryan drives alongside David Ashburn, suffered irreparable gearbox failure during Saturday's practice session putting them out of contention for the races the next day.