Barwell Set To Return To Endurance Cup
Barwell Motorsport will continue the UK-based team’s ultra-successful Endurance Cup programme for the 2020 season.
The squad has enjoyed a phenomenal two-year spell in the Am Cup class, with Leo Machitski and Adrian Amstutz ever-present aboard the #77 Lamborghini alongside a number of teammates. They have taken four victories and a further four podium finishes from the past nine Endurance Cup races, a run of success that has seen them earn class honours at the 2018 Total 24 Hours of Spa and back-to-back Am Cup titles.
Machitski is already committed to another campaign. Amstutz, however, has elected to step down from full-time driving in 2020.
Among the Swiss racer’s recent successes, his comeback from a fiery accident at the 2017 Total 24 Hours of Spa to win the event 12 months later was particularly well received by the motorsport community.
“I’ve had an incredible journey in the amazing Blancpain Endurance series, which is the absolute pinnacle of GT racing for Am drivers,” said Amstutz. “However I have achieved all my goals, and more, in this arena and the time feels right now to step back from competing at this level full-time, and focus on some different style of events with my favourite team, Barwell Motorsport.”
Amstutz will continue to compete in long-distance racing for Barwell and could make one-off appearances in GT World Challenge Europe next term. Meanwhile, the Barwell squad is actively seeking a new bronze-graded teammate for Machitski as it looks to capture a third successive class title in 2020. Efforts in both Am Cup and Pro-Am are being considered.
Barwell will also continue its successful Silver Cup programme next year. The #78 Lamborghini took class honours at this year’s Total 24 Hours of Spa with Sandy Mitchell, James Pull and Jordan Witt at the wheel.
Optimum Motorsport Set For Two Car GT3 Effort in 2020 GT World Challenge Europe
Optimum Motorsport will expand its race programme next year with an intention to field two entries in the highly competitive GT World Challenge Europe incorporating Endurance and Sprint Cup.
Optimum Motorsport has won championships at every level in the British GT Championship, taking success in the 24 Hours of Dubai on no less than three occasions and winning races this year in the Pro class in the International GT Open.
The team aims to continue to run both GT3 and GT4 entries in the British GT Championship next season, whilst also embarking on a new project to compete at the highest level on the international scene.
“It’s the right time for us to broaden our range of championships,” stated Team Principal Shaun Goff. “We have had a great run of success with both the original Aston Martin GT3 and with the new Vantage and with the infrastructure we now have in place and operational, we’re very much looking forward to racing in the Blancpain GT World Challenge Europe next season.
“We continue to grow as a team, we wouldn’t be taking this step without the resource and manpower to compete at this level. It will be a learning curve, but like any other championship, we go there with the expectations and aspirations to challenge from the outset.”
Bas Leinders is an integral part of the Optimum Motorsport operation and as Team Manager has helped direct the British GT Championship and International GT Open programmes this year. In addition, he has won the Blancpain GT Endurance Team Championship twice both with MarcVDS and Garage 59 and so brings a certain pedigree to the team.
“I have been involved in the series since the very beginning in 2011 as a driver and Team Manager,” he explained. “First with MarcVDS and later with Garage 59, I’ve been with Optimum Motorsport for almost two years now and the team is more than ready for this step up, we have the people and know-how to perform well in this championship.
“The GT World Challenge Europe is all about good preparation and forming a strong team – but on top of that you need to do some very fast pit stops and the only way to do that is practice. We’re looking forward to challenging.”
