British GT Media Day
A cold Donington greeted the teams as the 2019 British GT Championship Media Day got underway with a record 38 entries. This means that in the 27- years of the championship this is the biggest season entry list, consisting of 10 manufactures across three classes and five new-generation GT3s as the major headlines. Circuit restrictions in the UK have limited the championship from accepting more entries.
In the GT3 class there are no less than six manufactures contesting for honours. Aston Martin replace their V12 and instead running the V8 Vantage GT3, the new-generation Bentley Continental GT3 makes it British GT debut, the brand new Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO, all new McLaren 720s GT3, BMW M6 GT3 makes its British GT debut, and finally the returning Mercedes AMG GT3.
There is also a Porsche 911 GT3 R which is competing in the returning GTC class.
Reigning GT3 champion Jonny Adam is back to defend the title he won with Flick Haigh in 2018, but this year paired up with Graham Davidson. Phil Keen is eager to try and claim that elusive title having missed out previously. In a late development, 2017 Champions Seb Morris and Rick Parfitt Jnr resume the pairing for 2019.
Over in the GT4 class there are 23 cars and eight manufactures all eager to claim the title. Brand new for the 2019 championship is the Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT4, Ford Mustang GT4, KTM X-Bow GT4 and the Porsche GT4 Clubsport. Returning are the Jaguar F-Type SVR GT4, McLaren 570S GT4 and Mercedes AMG GT4.
In the quest for the Drivers' title, there is a chance for new championship contenders. Reigning champion Jack Mitchell has moved up to GT3 and taken 2018 runner-up Ben Green with him. Over in the Pro-Am class Nick Jones and Scott Malvern are back to defend their title.
Both the GT3 and GT4 championships look like they will be hard fought over with the wealth of drivers and manufactures battling it. The racing starts in earnest over the Easter weekend at Oulton Park in hopefully better conditions than last year.
A selection of images from media day can be found by this link.
