The 1996 British GT Championship, organised by the BRDC, delivered a landmark season of high-performance endurance racing. The year was defined by a shift in the regulations, introducing a 45-minute race format, two drivers per car and compulsory 60-second pit stops.
The premier GT1 class centred on the formidable 6.1 litre McLaren F1 GTR piloted by Ian Flux and Jake Ulrich. While Flux consistently set a blistering pace—often building massive leads—Ulrich’s developing experience frequently left the door open for the "underdog" Harrier LR9C. Driven by the legendary Win Percy, the Ford Cosworth-powered Harrier secured spectacular single-handed victories at Brands Hatch and Oulton Park.
The championship was equally fierce in the lower classes. The Marcos LM600, driven by David Warnock and Rob Schirle took overall honours in the GT2 class. The ultimate glory in the GT3 class went to the diminutive yet reliable Darian T90 with drivers Ken Thomson and Del Delaronde utilizing class consistency to clinch the title. And in GT1, it was Flux and Ulrich who triumphed in the championship.
Highlights include the following rounds of the Championship:
- Round 1 - Silverstone
- Round 2 - Donington Park
- Round 3 - Brands Hatch
- Round 4 - Donington Park
- Round 5 – Thruxton
- Round 7 - Oulton Park
- Round 8 - Silverstone
Motorsport doesn’t get much more raw than this - own it forever.