Tom Wood delivered an impressive performance at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend, securing a Silver-Am podium and seventh place overall in the latest round of the British GT Championship aboard the Mahiki Racing McLaren 720S GT3. The result marked Tom's first competitive outing in the McLaren and continued his strong form following last season's championship-winning campaign.

The weekend carried extra significance for Tom as he reunited with teammate Steve Lake. The pair's relationship stretches back more than a decade, with Steve managing Tom's karting team during his successful 2014 LGM Cadet National Championship-winning season. Sharing a GT3 car together at one of the world's most iconic circuits was a true full-circle moment for both drivers.

The race began positively, with Lake taking the opening stint in the McLaren. Despite a competitive start, the experienced campaigner found himself shuffled back through the order and handed the car over in fifth position in class at the mandatory pit stop.

From the moment Tom climbed aboard, the fightback was on.

Quickly settling into the McLaren 720S GT3, Battling wheel-to-wheel with rivals throughout the second half of the race, he steadily worked his way forward, making decisive overtakes and closing down the cars ahead amoungst GT4 traffic

As the chequered flag fell, Tom had gained three positions, crossing the line third in class and seventh overall after an intense charge through the field. Remarkably, the podium was secured by the narrowest of margins, with Tom finishing just half a second behind second place after applying relentless pressure in the closing stages.

The result represents an excellent debut in the McLaren 720S GT3 and a strong first outing with Orange Racing by JMH.

"It's been a fantastic weekend. Spa is always a special place to race and to come away with a podium on my first outing in the McLaren 720S GT3 is something I'm really pleased with.

Steve and I go back a long way, all the way to my karting days when we won the LGM Cadet National Championship together, so sharing a car with him at Spa was pretty special. We weren't quite where we wanted to be after the first stint, but the team did a great job and we kept fighting all the way to the flag.

The car felt stronger and stronger as the race went on, and to finish just half a second away from second place after gaining two positions shows the pace we had. A huge thank you to Steve, Mahiki Racing and everyone who made the weekend possible."

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