GT Open Notebook… Poulsen Motorsport to enter M4 GT3
Danish squad Poulsen Motorsport will be entering its BMW M4 GT3 in the Am class for the Poulsen brothers, Kristian and Roland.
Now 49-years-old, Kristian was a top WTCC racer for many years, took the Michelin Le Mans Cup in 2022 with the now defunct GMB Motorsport, and has two class wins (LMP2 in 2009 and GTE in 2014) at the Le Mans 24 Hours to his credit.
His younger brother Roland (39) is a Bronze driver who has raced in the ADAC and VLN series and debuted two years ago in GT3 in the 24H Series, sharing the BMW M4 with his brother.
The team has so far confirmed its presence in four events: Portimão, Hockenheim, Red Bull Ring, and Monza.
Kristian Poulsen commented: “After so many years in motorsports, we were eager to have a program based on just enjoying racing and to go back to sprint races. The GT Open offers us a perfect platform to do that, on superb tracks and in a competitive yet friendly environment.”
Elite to make GT Open debut with Ferrari
Elite Motorsport regulars Tom Emson and Tom Lebbon will fly the flag for the British team in its maiden International GT Open Championship season.
The British duo step-up from GT4 to race Elite’s brand new Ferrari 296 GT3 in the eight-event series which gets underway in Portugal at the end of April.
Emson (aged 22) raced in a variety of Ginetta championships (2017-22) with Elite before moving into GT4, contesting the GT4 European Series for the past two years. Lebbon (aged 19), meanwhile, joined Elite in 2019 and graduated to GB3 single-seaters after winning the 2020 Ginetta Junior title. He has raced in the GT4 European Series since 2023, winning the Driver’s title last year.
Emson remarked: “I am really excited to be racing the Ferrari 296 GT3 with Elite Motorsport in the GT Open Championship this year.
“I have been racing with Elite since my time in Ginetta Juniors back in the winter of 2017. So it’s an amazing journey progressing with them all the way up to their first season in the GT3 category.
“It is testament to the dedication and commitment of all involved.
“I am feeling very positive about the season ahead and can’t wait to get testing started with Tom and then the season itself.”
Elite, which took delivery of its brand new Ferrari last month, will be present at an official series Winter Test in Barcelona staged in late March.
“I am extremely pleased that my idea 12 months ago of stepping up to the ultra-competitive GT3 category is becoming a reality – especially now that we have our Ferrari 296 at our facility in Norfolk,” Eddie Ives, Elite Motorsport’s team manager.
“There is no question it’s going to be a massive challenge for us a team to adapt and it’s going to take a lot of hard work from everyone involved in the programme.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with our driver line-up, both are super-fast and talented. Taking two of our long-standing Elite drivers from Ginetta Juniors all the way into International GT3 racing, in a new Ferrari 296, shows the progression I’ve always wanted to achieve with our drivers, creating a ‘ladder’ for them and the next batch of professional racing drivers.
“I keep having to pinch myself that Elite Motorsport, which I only founded at the end of 2011, will this year be racing one of the most iconic brands in motorsport, the legendary Prancing Horse of Ferrari.”
ISR back for more with Audi
ISR Racing has confirmed it will be back for a second full campaign in the International GT Open with its Audi R8 LMS Evo II. The Czech team led by Igor Salaquarda will field again the Pro-Am pair composed of Filip Salaquarda and Libor Milota, who had a very strong end of the 2024 season, clinching their maiden podium finish at Barcelona.
Libor Milota commented: “We are looking forward to the new season. We have been preparing thoroughly during the winter break, both in the car and in the simulator as well as in the gym! I firmly believe that we will come out stronger this season with respect to 2024. Class podiums are our goal.”
Vimana By GetSpeed Makes It Four AMGs from German superteam
After a four event programme in GT Open in 2024 Ameerh Naran and Tom Jackson will contest a full 2025 season with GetSpeed.
The British duo will drive one of its Mercedes AMG GT3s in a Vimana livery in GT3 Pro-Am.
Ameerh Naran commented: “I thoroughly enjoyed the racing in GT Open last year and so I am thrilled to return for a full eight-round entry in the 2025 season. I am looking forward to experiencing some of the great European circuits that the championship is attending, especially Spa-Francorchamps! Returning alongside my teammate Tom, and the always successful Getspeed, I believe we are in a great position to capitalise on this year’s opportunities and continue my motorsport journey.”
Tom Jackson added: “It’s great to announce our return to the championship and a full-season entry with the AMG GT3 and Getspeed. Hopefully, myself and Ameerh can continue to build on the foundations and experiences from the 2024 season, and aim to achieve a Pro-Am podium this season.”
Anthony Bartone and Fabian Schiller, who came 5th in the overall standings last year and took one race win, are back for a new title bid in Pro.
Estonian AMG factory driver Ralf Aron is paired with Marcelo Ramírez, who joins from the NASCAR México in a second Pro car.
In Pro-Am the Vimana entry will be joined by another GetSpeed machine. Aaron Walker, 5th last year, will be paired with Steve Jans, who returns to the series;
