Cars on track can only mean one thing, the season is getting ever closer. The annual British GT media day returned after a three-year COVID-induced sabbatical with all teams running their cars in anticipation of a hugely competitive season ahead.
Not only media day but a huge announcement from RAM Racing has left us all eager for that all-important season opener on Easter weekend in just three weeks’ time.
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➤ The first announcement of the week came from RAM Racing who had been teasing a spectacular announcement the week prior. John Ferguson returns after clinching his first outright GT3 victory last season but this time with a different co-driver. None other than Raffaele Marciello will join him as eight factory drivers will now compete for glory.
Raffaele Marciello to join Ferguson and RAM Racing in British GT title push
➤ As media day rolled around, the final two entries for 2023 were officially announced. The first comes the way of RaceLab who confirmed the driver pairing for their second McLaren 720s GT3. Iain Campbell will partner James Kell in a silver-am pairing, bringing the class tally up to four.
The second and final entry sees Toro Verde run two Ginetta G56 GT4s. Joe Wheeler returns for another crack at the GT4 crown whilst his co-driver is yet to be announced at this stage.
➤ Media day also saw the first timed sessions of the season as the majority of teams took to the track throughout the day.
In GT3, the morning session was topped by none other than reigning champion, Ian Loggie who was joined by Phil Keen as Gounon was on duties elsewhere. Shaun Balfe marked his intent by going 1.1 seconds quicker in the afternoon session for Barwell Motorsport.
GT4 meanwhile saw Optimum Motorsport top the times in the mornings running. However, newcomers Drivetac were not having any of it and also went 1.1 seconds quicker in the afternoon session to top GT4.
https://twitter.com/BritishGT/status/1635602241259200514?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1635602241259200514%7Ctwgr%5E245157d246bcab651ed933789691d9d51f9b4e81%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gt-report.com%2F2023%2F03%2F15%2Fbritish-gt-media-day-donington-park%2F
https://twitter.com/BritishGT/status/1635689531222503426?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1635689531222503426%7Ctwgr%5E245157d246bcab651ed933789691d9d51f9b4e81%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gt-report.com%2F2023%2F03%2F15%2Fbritish-gt-media-day-donington-park%2F
➤ GT Report were in attendance at Donington and Jurek braved a multitude of weather conditions to bring us the first gallery of the season. Wind, rain, snow and even some hail meant track conditions were far from ideal for those competing but could come in handy with more bad weather expected soon.
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➤ Jules Gounon has continued his mission to collect as much silverware as possible this year. He along with co-drivers Maro Engel / Dani Juncadella clinched third place at the weekends Sebring 12hrs.
https://twitter.com/MaroEngel/status/1637459203940835328
➤ Raffaele Marciello meanwhile has been busy at the green hell. With NLS 1 taking place on Saturday, the Swiss superstar took to the track in preparation for the Nurburgring 24 Hours later on in the year. A P6 finish would come his way after the four hours had elapsed.
https://twitter.com/Team_RMarciello/status/1637119706665476097
➤ Alongside their British GT campaign, Lucky Khera / Euan Hankey will compete in GT Cup with their RaceLab McLaren 720s GT3 Evo. They will join the likes of Team Orange and Enduro Motorsport who will also be dovetailing their British GT programmes with outings in GT Cup.
https://twitter.com/GTCUP/status/1636669135022088192
➤ Whilst not on the British GT grid this season, Sennan Fielding will be competing in GT Cup with Grahame Tilley in his Mercedes AMG GT3 Evo. Tilley was originally set to partner with Will Tregurtha once again but a late change sees Fielding in the bright red Mercedes.
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