British GT Championship action for Shaun Balfe and co-driver Adam Smalley

Fulbeck's Shaun Balfe and co-driver Adam Smalley will be aiming to cement top spot in the British GT Championship this weekend.

The fourth round of the series takes place at at Donington Park with the duo exceeding their early expectations by leading the way in their Garage 59 McLaren 720S GT3 Evo.

Balfe said: "I can't help but smile. If in pre-season someone had asked how did I fancy our chances of leading the Championship when we got to Donington, I would probably have laughed and wondered if they had been drinking."

It's a three-hour race at Donington and, by winning at Silverstone last time out, they face a longer success penalty pitstop too.

Balfe added: "For me, it's home advantage being at Donington too, but endurance racing can be a bit of a lottery and especially in the British GT. It can throw in the unexpected."

Currently holding a 6.5 point lead over the Lamborghini of Rob and Ricky Collard, Balfe is realistic about their chances.

He concluded: "We haven't had a weekend with a constant weather pattern yet, as Oulton and Silverstone were very mixed, so that could play a part.

"We will just do the best we can on the day and see what happens."

Shaun's son Tom will be in action again too in the Ginetta Academy races where Donington will be the first time he will have raced on a circuit he has previously experienced.

A penalty robbed him of his first podium finish at Silverstone but he was able to prove he has the pace to run at the front.

The GT action starts with two free practice sessions before qualifying on Saturday from 4pm. There is a 15 minute warm-up on Sunday morning at 9.40am before the race itself gets underway at 1pm and it can be followed live on the British GT Youtube channel.