British GT 2019 – GT4

Something old, something blue….lots of things nice and new

GT racing in the last 3 to 4 seasons has seen a boom in GT4 action, but even with the European series British GT is leading the way with GT4 competition.
On the 5th of march the 2019 full season entry list was revealed, and to no surprise we saw 20+ GT4 entrants on the list. This class and format is having its finest hour and shows no sign of slowing anytime soon with all the new machines being produced by the manufacturers the class is becoming the perfect stepping stone for sportswear drivers of the future.

Aston Martin not only have produced a new GT3 but a new GT4 Vantage as well. The new GT4 Vantage is proving hugely popular with 7 full season entrants bringing their machinery to the fight.
Optimum and TF sport both have brought GT4 versions of the big boy GT3 counterparts but were also testing them up at Oulton Park.

Beechdean were present with their fresh GT4 Vantage for Kelvin Fletcher as well as Martin Plowman, running in it’s barebones pure white from the factory, I can happily say I’m excited to see their livery if it’s anything like matching it’s big brother counterpart from Beechdean.

Academy Motorsport also were present with one of their GT4 Vantage’s. Their car more like their race livery with their stunning matte Grey/Silver finish and matte black, it was certainly looking splendid in the spring time sunshine. Micah Stanley and Ben Hurst were the drivers getting their selves set for the season on the test day in the #61 car putting in some consistent strong times. #62 will be in the trusty hands of Will Moore and Alex Toth-Jones when the seasons kicks off at Oulton Park on easter weekend.

Mclaren now become the old boy on the block this season with all the other GT4 cars new to the series for this season.
Balfe Motorsports come out showing good pace in their 570s, strongest of the Mclaren teams posting the 3rd quickest time of the day in their class.
Michael o’brien and Graham Johnson are working well together and could be a real title contender with their eye catching Mclaren this year.
Balfe Motorsports running both the 720s and the 570s become one of the 6 season contenders to run in both categories this year making a busy season for them, just like TF sport, Optimum, Century Motorsport, Team Parker Racing and Beechdean AMR.

Tolman Motorsport had both of their Mclaren’s present for the Media day to gain as much mileage as they can before the season. Mclaren have put 4 of the development drivers into the team for the season. #4 driven by James Dorlin and Josh Smith and the #5 piloted by Jordan Collard and Lewis Proctor for the full season.

Finally the last Mclaren present is from HHC. The British outfit has made the switch over to the Mclaren for the British GT championship but this is the sad part about the class. In GT4 since 2008 there has always been a Ginetta in the grid but with the switch for HHC this season It means for the first time in over a decade a mainstay brand and car has been wiped from the grid. Ginetta definitely pushed the GT4 class and helped it get to where it is now but with none present on the grid it certainly feels a bit strange not seeing the little Ginetta sportscar holding the grid together.

Another new car to the British GT championship is the Ford Mustang GT4 built by Multimatic.
Multimatic have been producing the ford fora few generations but now it’s the time where customers are starting to have faith in the GT4 machinery, certainly helped by the success of the Ford GT within the WEC and IMSA championship. Multimatic are taking a lot that they’ve learnt from these cars and adding it to the Mustang and pushing to enter big into the GT4 market.

3 Mustangs will run in the 2019 season, the first is from Multimatic themselves with Canadian Veteran Scott Maxwell with the next generation of Priaulx’s to race. Seb Priaulx steps up into the GT ranks trying to follow the footsteps of his father, it certainly helps having the priaulx name to open doors for you but Seb can hold his own and has showed some serious pace in a car still developing.

The First UK customer Mustang was also on show at the media day for RACE Performance pairing Sam Smelt and Aron Taylor-Smith.
The Third mustang will again be a Multimatic Entry for the season and will be in the hands of Billy Johnson and what seems a rotation of professional drivers throughout to boost the image and sales of the Mustang within the European base after it’s success in the U.S.

Not only are Century running in GT3 with their big M6 GT3 machines they are returning to GT4 with their GT4 M4 machines too.
As current champions of the GT4 class, every other team will be gunning for their title and to prove they can be quicker than current champions.
Last year stronghold drivers moving up into the GT3 class see’s a new line up with #43 Angus Fender paired with Andrew Gordon-Colebrooke.
#42 is still to be confirmed but Nathan Freke should be out running that car this season.

Fox Motorsport return this season with their AMG GT4 as well as Parker racing, another team running in both GT3 and GT4 this season.
Debuting this season is Track Focused with their KTM and their crazy looking clam shall door/room it’s a sight to be seen when that car appears on pitlane. KTM’s have been running in the European series as well as Creventic series too with strong results I certainly think this team has potential as they find there feet in this competitive series.

Invictus racing return this season but dropping down to only a single car effort, making it more of a unique car as it literally is the only Jaguar GT4 racing now. The team showed pace in the opening session of the day by topping the sheet. last year was a learning year for the squad but this year the car has already shown it has pace and can really keep up with the rest of the GT4 field.
Finally GT Marques round out the GT4 lineup with their new 718 Cayman Clubsport, another new addition to the GT field this season as we haven’t had any Cayman’s running in the series.

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