Round 4 preparations for the REMO British GT3 2026 Championship are well underway, and with the field now firmly into the second half of the season, the pressure is beginning to build.
While some drivers have quickly found their rhythm around the technical confines of Oulton Park, others are still searching for the right balance, with setup choices becoming one of the biggest talking points heading into Monday night’s main event.
Two New Drivers Join the Grid
Round 4 welcomes two new additions to the championship, with Simon Quinn and Mikey Storey joining the field.
Both drivers have already been putting in the laps ahead of race day, getting valuable track time under their belts and learning the demanding Oulton Park layout. With a narrow circuit, limited overtaking opportunities and plenty of unforgiving barriers waiting for even the smallest mistake, every lap of preparation could prove valuable.
Conditions across the practice sessions have remained relatively calm and clear throughout the weekend, giving drivers a consistent platform to work from and providing an early indication of what could be expected when the green flag drops on Monday 28th September.
Turner Sends a Message
Following a disappointing conclusion to Round 3 at Snetterton, where Ethan Turner was disqualified following a black flag infringement issued by the stewards, the driver has returned to Oulton Park with something to prove and so far, he has made his intentions very clear.
Turner topped the FP3 timing sheets with a 1:31.362, putting himself at the top of the order and immediately throwing down a marker ahead of race day. Close behind was Brad Pickett, who recorded a 1:31.551 for P2, while Jon Larssen completed the top three with a 1:31.595. With less than three tenths separating the top three, the early pace suggests qualifying could be extremely competitive.
The Setup Problem
One of the biggest concerns emerging from the practice sessions has been the lack of readily available setups for the current British GT3 car selection.
Oulton Park presents a very different challenge to some of the circuits visited earlier in the championship. Its combination of technical corners, slow-speed sections and rapid changes of direction means drivers are looking towards setups from circuits with similar characteristics rather than simply relying on their usual baseline configurations and as the championship battle intensifies, that information is becoming increasingly valuable.
The driver chat has become noticeably more competitive too. The willingness to share setups, technical information and race strategies that was evident when the REMO British GT3 championship began in September appears to be fading.
With the championship now past the halfway point, the friendly cooperation of the opening rounds is beginning to give way to something much more competitive.
Nobody wants to hand their rivals an advantage!
Everything Still To Play For
The championship standings remain incredibly close, and after last week’s shake-up at Snetterton, the battle at the front has become even harder to predict. With only three rounds remaining, every position matters.
A strong qualifying result, a clean opening lap and consistent pace could be worth significantly more than outright speed at Oulton Park. The circuit is narrow, and opportunities to overtake are limited, meaning drivers could find themselves relying heavily on strategy and racecraft to make progress... and then there are the chicanes.
Both chicanes present their own challenges, with solid tyre barriers leaving very little room for error. A misjudged entry, aggressive kerb usage or compromised exit can quickly result in front-end damage and a costly visit to the pits. At Oulton Park, keeping the car clean may be just as important as keeping it fast.
Qualifying Could Decide Everything
After observing the practice sessions throughout the weekend, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: qualifying could be critical at Oulton Park.
With limited overtaking opportunities and a circuit that rewards track position, getting the car towards the front of the grid could have a major influence on the outcome of the race. That doesn't mean we should expect a quiet race, though...
The narrow layout, competitive field and championship pressure could create some bold moves, particularly into the few corners where drivers have an opportunity to attack. The challenge will be knowing when to make the move and when to live to fight another lap.
With incident points also playing an important role in the championship, consistency could ultimately prove decisive. Drivers who can maintain their pace while avoiding contact, damage and unnecessary incidents may find themselves in the strongest position when the chequered flag falls.
Watch Round 4 Live
The REMO British GT3 2026 Championship returns to action on Monday 28th September from 8PM UK time.
Refined Motorsport will be broadcasting the race live from start to finish, with Connor Deasey and Jacob Reid bringing you all the action, battles and drama from Oulton Park.
Tune in on Twitch, YouTube and TikTok and see who can master one of Britain's most demanding circuits. The championship battle is heating up.
Three rounds remain. One mistake could change everything.
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