British GT organizers launch Allan Simonsen Memorial Trophy

The organizers of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship, SRO Motorsports Group Limited, have today announced the Allan Simonsen Memorial Trophy, an award to commemorate the Danish racing driver who sadly lost his life earlier this year, which will be award annually to the driver who races with pace, humility and good humour, characteristics which Simonsen possessed.

Simonsen was a stalwart of British GT and began racing in the series in 2004, soon getting the attention of Hector Lester, with whom the ‘Great Dane’ would race alongside for ten years. Always in Ferraris, Simonsen and Lester became a familiar presence in the British GT paddock and the Odense-born driver became known for his last-gasp qualifying pole-position grabbing laps and thrilling race stints that would often make the impossible seem possible.

Taking in the famous ‘star’ design of Simonsen’s race helmet and the national flag of the GT racer’s homeland, the trophy, which was given approval by Allan’s family, received widespread endorsement from British GT competitors when it was presented to teams and drivers at the Donington Park finale last weekend.

Speaking about the trophy, Benjamin Franassovici, the British GT Championship Manager said, “Allan was a special driver and a positive figure in the paddock. This award has been created to remember Allan’s greatness and to highlight emerging and established characters from our series. British GT won’t be the same without Allan in the Rosso Verde Ferrari he shared with Hector. This trophy is for the teams and drivers of British GT, it is their trophy to remember Allan with.”

The Allan Simonsen Memorial Trophy will be awarded at the upcoming SRO End of Season Awards in Central London on Friday 29th November.

SRO