Carroll to replace Keen at Balfe
Balfe Motorsport, that currently sits second in the overall standings of the International GT Open and has debuted with its new McLaren 650S at the last round at Silverstone, will have a modified driver lineup at the next event at the Red Bull Ring. Phil Keen, taken by other commitments, will be replaced by Adam Carroll alongside Shaun Balfe.
Ulsterman Adam Carroll, 33, has been part of international GT elite since 2011 after a brilliant career in single-seaters that brought him up to Indycar and a A1 GP title in 2009 for Team Ireland.
“Phil is leading the British GT Championship entering the final race, which takes place at the same date as Red Bull Ring’s event,” explained Balfe. “He will rejoin the team for Monza. Adam is a fantastic driver with impeccable record and team are very happy to have him with us to help improve our 2nd place in the championship.”
SF Racing enters 488
A new Ferrari 488 will make its debut at the Red Bull Ring entered by SF Racing, the Chinese GT team which is expanding its activities also outside Asia. The team is supported technically by FFF Racing, which made its debut in the GT Open at the Ricard last June with a Lamborghini.
In Austria, the SF Racing Ferrari will be entrusted to China’s Songyang Fu, one of the top drivers in Asian GT racing, and Italy’s Andrea Caldarelli.
Lechner Racing and Plachutta-Jäger back for home race
The Red Bull Ring round will also see the return to the International GT Open of Lechner Racing. The Austrian stalwart GT team will be present with a new Mercedes AMG GT3, with a brand new livery.
The car will be in the hands of two familiar faces in the series: Mario Plachutta, the well-known Viennese restaurateur, and AMG star Thomas Jäger. The two often raced together in the GT Open in the past.
