Aston Martin Racing’s Darren Turner will return to the British GT championship for the first time since 2022 next year with a new GT4 team, Full Send Racing (FSR).
Gaydon’s longest-serving factory driver begins his 22nd year with the manufacturer, sharing one of two Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 Evos with FSR team director Daniel Lavery.
“It’s always great to be involved in a project from the very beginning,” said Turner, the three-time Le Mans 24 Hours class winner.
“Seeing how FSR has taken shape and is already operating at such a high level is hugely encouraging, with all the right pieces being put in place.
“The last time I raced in British GT was in GT4, where I was able to secure back-to-back Pro-Am titles in 2021 and ‘22.
“This time, the aim is to fight for the overall GT4 championship, and I genuinely believe that’s achievable with FSR.
“It won’t be straightforward – neither FSR nor Dan have competed at this level before, and British GT is incredibly competitive – but from the testing we’ve done recently, I can already see we’ve got a strong chance of making it happen.”
Lavery has enjoyed an ongoing career highlighted by two full seasons of a national one-make BMW series and several Masters outings with a Ginetta G55 GT4.
Furthermore, he is coached by team principal Elliott Cole, who himself competed in a Mosler during the 2006 and 2007 British GT seasons.
“FSR started as a bit of a giggle between friends but has quickly become a serious set-up,” added Lavery.
“I grew up watching British GT and seeing Darren competing, so having him with us is a real honour.
“To be competing at this level and seeing how we stack up against the other teams on the grid, both personally and collectively, is super exciting.
“With Elliott’s [Cole] leadership running the team and the over 50 years of experience between himself and Darren, I’m confident we can surprise a few people next season.
“Now the focus is on improving and being ready come the opener at Silverstone.”
“It’s fantastic to have our first entry confirmed for British GT in 2026,” Cole concluded.
“As a team, we’ve been working incredibly hard to get this finalised, and we couldn’t be more excited to line up on the grid.
“I’m also immensely proud of our Pro-Am driver lineup.
“To have a pro like Darren with his decades of experience and the immense success he’s had in his career is fantastic, and we’re unbelievably excited at the level of expertise he’s able to bring to the team.
“I’ve also been coaching Dan [Lavery] since before he had a race licence, and to see the journey he’s been on and to now be getting him on the grid in such a prestigious championship like British GT is brilliant.
“I’m also a former British GT competitor myself, and to be back now as a team owner and principal is a huge honour.
“I can’t wait to get started at the Media Day in March (31).”
The announcement for Grange Racing by FSR’s second driver lineup will be made soon, joining GBR Stratton Motorsport as the second confirmed GT4 customer team for Aston Martin.
Image courtesy of Full Send & SRO
