Motorbase Performance confirms new look line-up for 2015 British GT campaign
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Motorbase Performance has bolstered its Avon Tyres British GT Championship squad for 2015, signing up 23 year old Daniel Lloyd to partner 2014 British GT runner up Ahmad Al Harthy in the #2 Aston Martin V12 Vantage for its assault on the Championship Title.
The silver rated driver pairing will be joined on track
by the returning duo of Rory Butcher and Liam Griffin in the Kent-based squad’s
second Vantage, with the silver and bronze drivers contesting all seven of the
British GT rounds this season.
“It’s great that Ahmad is back with us again this year, along with Liam Griffin in the other car. I think they’re going to enjoy their season and to have two class drivers like Daniel Lloyd and Rory Butcher in the team is great;” said Motorbase Team Principal David Bartrum.
“I think we’ve got two very strong pairings for British GT’s and I can’t wait to get started. We’ve got to try and go one better this year. We finished runner up last year in the driver’s Championship and won the Team Championship which was fantastic for the team, but you really want to win the drivers’ title as well so we’ll have to work even harder this year and try to achieve our goals.”
Having narrowly missed out on the overall title last
season, securing the Teams’ Championship in the process, Bartrum is upbeat
about his rejuvenated squad and is looking to expand its efforts further in
2015 with the addition of a third Aston Martin GT3.
“We’ve still got a third Vantage ready and waiting at the
workshop and our intention is to expand the GT squad even further this year;”
Bartrum added. “We’re actively seeking new drivers to complement our existing
line up and have a great package available for the start of the 2015 season.”
Al Harthy returns to the Motorbase squad for his third
consecutive season competing in the British GT Championship following a highly
successful 2014 campaign that saw the 33 year old claim the runners up title;
securing two race wins, two podiums and a further five top ten finishes along
the way.
After a bit-part GT season in 2014, Lloyd is relishing
the opportunity of a full campaign with a strong chance at the shot of a title
and the MSA Team UK driver is confident that his new partnership with Al Harthy
in the #2 race winning Motorbase Vantage will see the duo challenging at the
front of the pack.
“Last year was not the best year for us; we were in and
out of different championships so to be back in our first full season in the
British GT Championship is really exciting;” said Lloyd.
“I raced against Ahmad back in 2012 and we got on well,
he’s a really nice guy. I knew how much he worked back then and I know he puts
in a lot of hard work away from the track. Ahmad [Al Harthy] puts everything
into his racing just like I do, so I’m sure that we’ll make really good team
mates and we’ll be strong contenders for the championship. We’ll be going for
the win.”
Following an impressive rookie British GT season in 2014
that saw Butcher secure two podiums and four top ten finishes; the Scotsman is
justifiably enthusiastic about his return to the 2014 Teams’ Championship
winning squad; “It’s really nice to have the deal all tied up early this year,
and I’m delighted to back with Motorbase for a second season,” commented
Butcher.
Liam [Griffin] is one of the best amateur drivers on the
grid and an excellent partner. We have a great relationship and having him
on-board for the full season gives us a strong chance of getting consistent
results and to build on the successes of last year. We were the fastest Aston
on the grid by the end of last season and I know that the team are capable of
winning the Championship so I can’t wait for the season to get underway.”
“Having driven with Rory last year, I know that he’s a
talented guy and he works very hard for the team on and off the track and it’ll
be a pleasure to drive alongside him this season;” Griffin added.
Source - Motorbase
