Donington Park opened its gates to a cold, grey February morning, the kind that leaves the circuit looking deceptively calm.
Beneath the stillness, the surface was greasy and unforgiving. Grip was limited, confidence had to be earned, and every lap required patience.
For Mtech Motorsport, the focus was on measured progression. John Seale was back behind the wheel of their Lamborghini Huracán, evaluating potential programmes in Britcar and possibly Super Trofeo, with this being the final competitive year for the Huracán platform. A regular in the CSCC ranks, Seale is working his way back into rhythm after a long winter break. The team acknowledged the tricky conditions, noting the surface was making the track more difficult than usual. The objective was simple: seat time, feel, and reacclimatisation.
One of the headline stories of the day came from the newly formed GBR Stratton Motorsport, a merger between Graham Brunton Racing and Stratton Racing, backed by Aston Martin Racing. The team is preparing for its first British GT campaign with two Aston Martin GT4 entries. For a debut outing, the mood inside the garage was composed. An engineer described the running as “pretty much plain sailing so far.”
John Hartshorne’s car showed encouraging pace before an afternoon spin sent him briefly off circuit, a reminder of how marginal the conditions were. No lasting issues, just part of pushing the envelope on a cold test day. Multiple British GT and Le Mans winner Johnny Adams was also present, wearing full AMR race kit and quietly lending experience to the programme.
Pitlane News had three members of its press team on site( two officially accredited , Ty Richard ), capturing the early foundations of what promises to be a competitive season. Test days are where intent becomes visible. Conversations are candid. Development paths begin to take shape.
One car that turned heads throughout the paddock was the Dallara EXP, run by Track Focused. Originally used as an experience machine for customers at RMA track days, the car is now being prepared for a more serious competitive future, with long term ambitions of entering Britcar alongside pro driver Jamie Falvey. Having spent significant time as a high performance track day weapon, the team were deep into setup refinement, working to extract consistency and balance from a car transitioning into race trim.
Jack Davidson added a completely different tone to the day, testing his Euro NASCAR machine ahead of the 2026 season. The sound alone cut through the otherwise measured rhythm of GT testing, drawing attention from across the pit lane.
Lots of variety at a test day - from grassroots 116 cup to GT cars - 📷Ben Feetham
There were also familiar faces around the garages. BTCC driver Charles Rainford was present in a coaching capacity with one of the Cayman GT4 Supersports entries, while Century Motorsport’s Max Bird was overseeing activity with their Ginetta Juniors.
Alongside the GT4 and Super Trofeo machinery, several Porsche 911 Cup cars were logging valuable mileage, notably Team Parker’s Seb Hopkins, who demonstrated strong pace throughout the sessions despite the evolving conditions
Some 911 992 Cup cars also showed face that day - 📷Thomas Kenyon
Testing may lack the spectacle of race day, but it remains one of the most important components of a season. Engineers gather data. Drivers rebuild instinct. Teams measure ambition against reality.
On a cold and greasy Donington surface, the foundations for 2026 quietly began to form.
Pitlane News was there to witness the first steps. 💪💪🏁
Team Parker racings Seb Hopkins was also present - 📷Nick Murphy
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