Paddock Motorsport’s expanded British GT Championship effort for 2024, featuring two McLarens and a Mercedes, is now fully confirmed with the news this morning that Alex Walker and Blake Angliss will compete in its Silver class Artura GT4.
Championship debutants Walker and Angliss’ Artura adds to the team’s previously revealed Pro-Am class Mercedes-AMG GT4 for Ed McDermott and reigning class champion Matt Cowley and its GT3 Pro-Am class entry with the McLaren GT3 EVO for Mark Smith and Martin Plowman.
Walker contested a handful of GT Cup events with the team last season alongside competing in the BMW M2 Cup in Germany. Prior to that he was a star in single-seaters, winning races in both the GB4 Championship and National Formula Ford Championship.
“A huge amount of work has gone into making this move happen, and now I’m just eager to get started in British GT with Paddock,” he said. “Ever since I switched from single-seaters, British GT has been my aim. It’s a massive challenge and a big step, but I feel ready and can’t wait to compete at such a professional level.
“I learned a load from the GT Cup races I did last year. It’s a very different style of racing, with longer durations in the car, bigger grids and having a team-mate to work with. The Artura is brilliant to drive and so well balanced.
“You can really attack it and it’s one of the newer GT4 designs so you can take advantage of all the technology in the car to find time. Working with Paddock has been brilliant so far. The team has such a strong support network and a lot of knowledge about how to get the best out of these cars. I’m just excited to get going alongside Blake and I’m sure we’ll enjoy a strong season together.”
Angliss graduates to British GT following a successful stint in Ginetta racing. After a promising karting career Angliss switched to car racing in the Ginetta GT5 Challenge in 2020, before making himself out as one to watch during two seasons in the GT Supercup.
During his last full season in 2022 he finished second in the G55 Pro class, having celebrated an impressive eight wins and nine further class podium finishes.
“I’m massively excited to be joining both the British GT Championship and Paddock Motorsport this year,” added Angliss. “Everything over the last 12 months has been building toward a move into British GT; it’s the first proper step toward top-level sportscar racing, and I think with Paddock I’ll be in a great environment to develop as a driver.
“I learned so much about GT racing from my time with Ginetta and, while I haven’t had the chance to test the McLaren Artura GT4 yet, I’m really confident that I’ll get to grips with it quickly. It’s mid-engined, so will require a different driving style to what I’m used to, but I’ll have experienced people all around me at Paddock to help me learn quickly.
“Pairing with Alex should be great, and I can’t wait to get going. I’m eager to learn as much as I can this season, work with the team to make sure we get the most from every session we do, and push for those big points scores right from the start.”
The operation of both Paddock’s McLaren Artura GT4 and the Mercedes-AMG GT4 will be led by experienced engineer Simon Pollock.
