In the three seasons since its fulltime return to the Avon Tyres British GT Championship, Motorbase Performance has amassed an impressive record – two championships, four wins and ten podium-finishes – and the team will once again field a brace of Aston Martin V12s as it seeks to retain its GT3 Teams title and take a second GT3 Drivers title.
“I think we’ve got two very strong pairings for British GT and I can’t wait to get started,” said Team Principal David Bartrum. “We’ve got to try and go one better this year. We finished runner up last year in the driver’s Championship and won the Team Championship which was fantastic for the team, but you really want to win the drivers’ title as well so we’ll have to work even harder this year and try to achieve our goals.”
Ahmad Al Harthy returns for a third season, having come so close to taking the title with Michael Caine last year.
However, the Omani racer will have a new partner for 2015 in the #2 car as Daniel Lloyd joins the team for the full season; the 23 year old having had several outings in Blancpain Sprint and the BES last season.
“This all came about following my race at Silverstone last season with Beechdean in the Blancpain Endurance Series,” said Lloyd, shortly after arriving back from testing with Motorbase in Spain. “I qualified tenth in my session on my first weekend in an Aston and on my first run on new tyres. Then at the end of my first stint I was in fifth overall. David [Bartrum] noticed my pace and gave me a call after the weekend, and we stayed in touch after that. I’ve known him since my Carrera Cup days and we get on well, and we did the deal for 2015 just before Christmas.
“I had a very brief shakedown at Brands Hatch a couple of weeks ago, but the Monteblanco test this weekend was my first real opportunity to get to know the car and the team. The Aston is very different to the Porsche I’m more used to, but it’s comfortable and I like it a lot. We had two great days in Spain and I came away really impressed with the Motorbase guys. I couldn’t fault them for a single thing – they were mega!
“I raced against Ahmad in Carrera Cup in 2012 and know that he’s a very good driver. Fortunately, we didn’t clash at any point so there are no issues there! We don’t know yet what the effects of our Silver/Silver pairing will be, but I’m really looking forward to the year. My only other outing in British GT was in 2010 in a G4 Ginetta, racing with Julian Draper. We had two races and ended up first and second, so it would be nice to carry on where I left off! But I know that it is a massively competitive series and consistency is going to be the key to success.
“And it’s great that most of the races are in the UK – it will give me the chance to say thanks to my sponsors for all of their support through what was a difficult season last year.”
Also returning for the full season are Rory Butcher and Liam Griffin, who developed a strong partnership over the course of last season in the #6 Aston.
“It’s really nice to have the deal all tied up early this year, and I’m delighted to back with Motorbase for a second season,” said 27 year old Butcher .
“Liam is one of the best amateur drivers on the grid and an excellent partner. We have a great relationship and having him on-board for the full season gives us a strong chance of getting consistent results and to build on the successes of last year. We were the fastest Aston on the grid by the end of last season and I know that the team are capable of winning the Championship so I can’t wait for the season to get underway.”
“I really missed the cut and thrust of being in a really competitive Championship last year,” said Griffin, who contested three rounds of the BGT with Butcher in 2014. “I think I proved at the last round at Donington that I’m capable of mixing it at the front and we’re heading into this season aiming full tilt at the Championship.
“Having driven with Rory last year, I know that he’s a talented guy and he works very hard for the team on and off the track and it’ll be a pleasure to drive alongside him this season.”
“It’s great that Ahmad is back with us again this year, along with Liam Griffin in the other car,” added Bartrum. “I think they’re going to enjoy their season and to have two class drivers like Daniel Lloyd and Rory Butcher in the team is great.
“We’ve still got a third Vantage ready and waiting at the workshop and our intention is to expand the GT squad even further this year. We’re actively seeking new drivers to complement our existing line up and have a great package available for the start of the 2015 season.”
The team will announce its European racing plans and line-up in the coming weeks.
