ARCHIE Hamilton had his best weekend of the season so far, claiming a pole position, a class win and two podium appearances at a GT Open Championship event at Monza, in Italy.

The Basingstoke driver was the only driver to dip below 1min 48sec in his SRT Selleslagh Racing Team Barzani Corvette GT2, which he shares with Isaac Tutumlu.

Hamilton led the pack away from the start and held off Maxime Soulet until a small error saw him passed 20 minutes into the race. He handed over to Tutumlu at the 70 minute halfway point and he ended up finishing second overall, winning the Super GT race.

Tutumlu began race two in second, a position he held to the pit-stops. Hamilton took over with 25 minutes of the 50 minute race remaining, rejoining in seventh due to the team having to take a success penalty during the pit stop.

He managed to pass four cars to finish third, a result that leaves him sixth in the drivers’ standings heading into the final round of the championship in early November.

Hamilton said: “That was another great weekend. Soulet gave me a big challenge in race one and defending position against such an experienced professional driver for over 20 minutes was a very good experience.

“Race two was the drive of my life. I made some of the best moves I’ve ever done and was quickest on track to get where I needed to be.

“Consistency is key. It’s fantastic to have set pole position for the second event in a row and two podium finishes prove that we have what it takes.”