7TSix confirms drivers for Gulf 12 Hours
7TSix has confirmed that it will be gunning for AM class honours with Wayne Marrs, Ameerh Naran, Matt Topham and Tom Jackson sharing the wheel of its Mercedes AMG GT3 EVO (featured) in the IGTC season-ending Gulf 12 Hours next month.
Tom Jackson and Wayne Marrs are no strangers to the Mercedes AMG GT3, having enjoyed significant success taking the Britcar Endurance Championship title in 2022. They are joined by accomplished GT racer Matt Topham, who moved into GT3 competition for the 2023 race season, competing in British GT.
Ameerh meanwhile had a brief taste of the 7TSIX McLaren GT3 at the last round of the Britcar Endurance Championship, taking second place on his very first outing in GT3, partnered and coached by Tom Jackson.
While 7TSix has experience in long-distance GT racing, having finished on the podium in the 2023 Dubai 24 Hours, the forthcoming race at Yas Marina will be the Yorkshire-based team’s first outing in a 12-hour race.
“It has been an interesting second year for the team, showing amazing versatility across many championships with two different car brands,” said team owner Joe Edge.
“And now we take on a fresh challenge in the Gulf 12 Hours, and couldn’t wish for a better set of drivers. They all get along so well, Tom is the glue that binds them all and he has taken Ameerh and Wayne on an amazing journey so far, let’s hope that this may long continue. Matt has proven on many occasions his impressive driver skills and talent, and I am looking forward to working with him.
“I know come the evening of the 10th December, we will hopefully be tasting the fizzy stuff with a class result.”
WRT confirms Dubai 24 return
Reigning Dubai 24 Hours winner Team WRT has confirmed that it will return to the 24H Series event next January with a pair of BMW M4 GT3s.
Its full driver line-up will be revealed soon.
ELMS 4H Barcelona tickets already on sale!
With the dust now settled after the 2023 ELMS season, fans can already begin planning their visit to Barcelona for the 2024 season opener next April (13-14), as tickets are already on sale for the event.
The event organisers are offering a ‘Discovery’ ticket which includes paddock and VIP grandstand access for 12 Euros and a ‘Premium’ ticket for 17 Euros, which includes pit walk, autograph session and grid walk access before the race.
Children under 12 go free when accompanied by a full-paying adult.
Senior citizens (over 65) will receive a 50 per cent discount. The 50 per cent discount is also available to anyone requiring disabled access, with one companion also receiving a half-price ticket.
Circuit members and marshals also receive a 50 per cent discount and can purchase a maximum of two tickets.
All ticket holders will receive access to the Main Grandstand on the start-finish straight and to the VIP Grandstand at Turn 10.
AMG Young Driver Test winners to compete with GruppeM
Frank Bird and Lorenzo Ferrari, the winners of the 2023 AMG Young Driver Test at Valencia earlier this month, have been awarded a drive with GruppeM in the upcoming IGTC Gulf 12 Hours.
At the event, the duo will team up with works driver Lucas Auer, who formed part of the coaching team at the test.
The Test saw 22 drivers aged between 17 and 25 (graded Silver or Gold) hit the track at Valencia in a Mercedes-AMG GT3, assisted by a team of Mercedes-AMG Performance drivers.
Ferrari described the experience at the test as “tough”.
“I’m very happy that I was able to come out on top in the Young Driver Test,” he said. “It was my very first time driving in Valencia. It was tough competing against all the other talent on display but, with the guidance and help of Lucas Auer, I managed OK.
“We only had one day to get ourselves prepared, to analyse the data and videos and to get the maximum out of the car. The WINWARD Racing engineers and mechanics did a great job.
“Abu Dhabi will be a long and demanding race in hot conditions. But it’s a unique opportunity for me. I’m looking forward to it.”
Auer added: “The AMG Young Driver Test in Valencia was a great event and the quality of the participants was extremely high.
“Lorenzo Ferrari and Frank Bird did a really excellent job. I already knew the track from personal experience, but on arrival, I familiarised myself once again with the current conditions and was able to pass on my strategy to Lorenzo, who was in my team.
“He followed my instructions to the letter and was competitive right from the word go. Now I’m looking forward to competing with the two of them in Abu Dhabi, and I hope that we acquit ourselves well as a team.”
Images courtesy of 7TSix, Mercedes and WRT
