A MAGNIFICENT performance from both of the Academy Motorsport Aston Martin Vantage cars resulted in the Pershore-based squad being crowned British GT4 champions at Donington Park.

An outstanding display from the team’s #62 car, led by Chris Webster alongside regular GT3 podium finisher Dan Lloyd, ensured the car scored its maiden win, as well as the team’s first victory of the season.

Lloyd, who was making his GT4 debut, only took to the track in dry conditions for the first time ahead of the season finale.

The sister #61 Scope-liveried Vantage GT4 car, raced by regulars Will Moore and Dennis Strandberg, lined up on the front row of the grid after qualifying second, by far the quickest Aston Martin GT4 machine. Webster and Lloyd began 11th for the two-hour endurance event.

But Lloyd’s DCB (Kent)-liveried machine took victory by six seconds with Strandberg having to settle for third. With both cars on the podium, the 60 points gained were more than enough to score the team’s championship title.

Team boss Matt Nicoll-Jones said: “Everyone at the team must take their share of this success. We have had the quickest Aston Martin by far in the final couple of weekends which is fantastic news as we begin to look to next season.

“Chris as always handed over a really good car to Dan, who did an amazing job and took no risks.

“He did exactly what I brought him into the team for. I wanted a strong end to the year.

“The team perfectly executed the pit stop for both cars and there’s nobody I would have liked to have seen take their first Aston win than Chris. It’s been a really tough season, so this is a great end to it.

“Dennis and Will were unfortunate not to take their first win, but that will undoubtedly come.

“This has been an amazing end to the season and gives us some fantastic momentum as we look towards winter opportunities and the 2016 season with Aston Martin once again.”