ADOR KT Racing Dominates APL GT Challenge Opener at Oulton Park

Cheshire, 14 January 2024 — The APL GT Challenge 2024 kicked off in spectacular fashion at Oulton Park last Sunday, with ADOR KT Racing securing a stunning victory in the 5 Hours of Oulton Park. The #1 ADOR KT Racing Mercedes, piloted by Keiko Takaboshi and Liam Blue, took the chequered flag, leading a podium sweep for sister teams as they finished in 2nd and 3rd places.

In a race filled with strategic pit stops, intense battles, and unexpected turns, the ADOR KT Racing team showcased their prowess on the track. The victory marked a historic moment in APL history, with the top three finishers all belonging to sister teams and finishing within 20 seconds of each other.

Ian Lonely, at the helm of the Orange #12 Arnage RC-F, led the initial stages of the race, setting the pace for the ADOR KT Racing contingent. The competition heated up as Keiko Takaboshi in the #1 NewJeans KT Racing Mercedes and Marko Snow in the #4 Goodsmile Racing AMG chased closely.

The #12 Arnage RC-F made a strategic pit stop to gain track position, setting the stage for a dynamic race strategy. However, Takaboshi's five-second lead was compromised when a miscalculation in fuel load prompted an unexpected pit stop on lap 16.

As the race progressed, the #111 Project 1 M4, driven by Zebin Sedghi, faced challenges, allowing the #12 Arnage RC-F, now under the control of Kiran Jones, to take the lead on lap 34. A period of relative calm ensued until the Arnage RC-F faced fuel issues on lap 112, leading to its retirement.

The #1 NewJeans KT Racing AMG, driven by Liam Blue, experienced setbacks after a spin at Lodge Corner, but the team recovered. A fierce battle unfolded between Blue and Zamora in the #2 296, culminating in a strategic move by Zamora to avoid potential hazards.

Late in the race, the #22 MPK NSX retired due to driver Tessa Kates's health complications. Keiko Takaboshi, taking the closing stint, secured a 5-second lead on Zamora, ultimately crossing the finish line to claim victory. Zamora and Simmons in the #662 ADVAN 488 secured 2nd and 3rd positions, respectively.

The #2 aespa KK Racing Ferrari initially faced a penalty, but after further investigation by stewards, the penalty was revoked.

In post-race interviews, Liam Blue expressed admiration for the flashy Ferrari livery of the KK Racing team, and Kento Kai exuded confidence, stating, "I think we got this in the bag, bros."

With the win, Takaboshi and Blue lead the championship with a 10-point advantage, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead. Kai and Zamora follow closely, adding to the anticipation of what promises to be a thrilling APL GT Challenge.