Meanwhile, Francisco Cruz, the 2022 Porsche Sprint Challenge Iberia Am class Champion, will team up with Roberto Faria, a Brazilian driver also affiliated with the Aston Martin Racing Driver Academy, in the other GT4 Pro entry.

Ruben Vaquinhas, who showed promising signs in his motorsport debut last year, will also compete in an Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 in GT4 Am. He will be accompanied by Pedro Bastos Rezende, a driver who has been building his career in classic racing and participated in the Estoril round of the Iberian Supercars and Campeonato de Portugal de Velocidade in 2022.

“Last year we showed that we can be very competitive in a squad that was already very strong. This season, the level will be even higher, but over the off-season we've been preparing and investing in our structure so that we can take on the competition. The team is ready and we have a very strong group of drivers and we're determined to fight for wins in our respective divisions and titles. We know it's going to be a huge challenge, but we're going to work hard to achieve our goals,” said Ricardo Antunes, the Team Principal of RACAR Motorsport.

Iberian Supercars and Campeonato de Portugal de Velocidade will kick off at Circuito Jerez in Spain.

Rounds one’s attendance of the all new 2024 Vantage GT3 at Brands Hatch was the first for an Aston Martin Racing powered team for several years but sadly, the early Qualifying pace of their Pro class car wasn’t converted into successful race pace around the Grand Prix layout.

This weekends visit to Misano sees the Comtoyou team enter THREE Vantage GT3’s with a new entry for Lorens Lecertua joining young GT4 racer Dante Rappange within the #11 silver class entered car, albeit at the cost of their #11 car bronze class entry that has been subsequently withdrawn. Rappange raced with Charles Clark at Brands Hatch.

They join full season entries of Mattia Drudi/Nicolas Baert aboard the teams #7 Pro entry and Matisse Lismont/James Jakes aboard the teams #21 Gold entry.

Like the GT4 European Series before it, the GT World Championship Europe Sprint Cup Series will run a similar Free Practice/Pre-Qualifying pattern tomorrow before Qualifying on the first of two races on Saturday before concluding with race two on Sunday.

Photo credits – Teams / Series / social media

The last round at Paul Ricard saw class success for the #7 Mirage Racing crew of Stanislav Safronov and Aleksandr Vaintrub who claimed the new Vantage GT4’s first podium finishes within Europe after their Pro-Am win in race one and second in race two.

The #72 GPA Racing AMR of Kevin Jimenez and Florent Grizaud also secured some silverware at the opening round with a second-place finish in Am in race one and so did the #99 Prosport Racing AMR of Hugo Sasse and Raphael Rennhofer who turned a DNF in race one into a silver class race win in race two.

Joining them on the grid this weekend will be the #5 Mirage Racing AMR of Ruben Del Sarte and Josh Miller who get to race their new 40A variant of the Vantage GT4 for the first after they raced their older 17A variant in France. It is the same for the #39 GPA Racing crew of Baudouin Detout and Roberto Faria after their new chassis was delivered to them just after the opening round.

The #100 Prosport Racing AMR entry for Hendrik Still and Fabio Rauer join their sister #99 car again as do the pair of Racing Spirit of Leman entries of Alexandre Machado/David Kullmann (#74) and Mateo Villagomez/Jamie Day (#82) with their pair of new Vantage GT4’s.

As usual, the series will have just completed private testing at the circuit today before going into more formally timed sessions of Free Practice and Pre-Qualifying of tomorrow. Qualifying on Saturday will precede race one on Saturday before rounding off the weekend at Sunday lunchtime.

Photo credits – Teams / Series / social media

Richard Morris has begun a programme of testing the Aston Martin Vantage GT4 car with Aston Martin Racing Partner Team Forsetti Motorsport. The 2023 European Sports Prototype Cup champion had his first taste of GT4 machinery on 10th May at Snetterton Circuit and, based on the success of that test, will now continue to build a programme across the year which will see him drive with Forsetti Motorsport at several UK circuits.

Forsetti Motorsport is a front-running team in the GT4 class of this year’s British GT Championship, with the number 7 car of Mikey Porter and Jamie Day leading the GT4 Silver Cup and overall standings having taken a pair of wins at the Oulton Park season opener followed by a further podium finish at the Silverstone 500.

Morris began his career in karting before making his car racing debut in Formula Ford 1600 single-seaters in 2017. Taking pole position for his first ever race and claiming 4 wins in the 2017 Castle Combe series, he then stepped up to national-level Formula Ford in 2018, again claiming 4 wins and finishing as Vice Champion in class despite having to miss multiple rounds due to funding. A switch to prototype racing followed in 2019, and this is where Morris has forged his reputation over the last 5 seasons.

Two highly successful seasons in Sports 1000 with Spire Sports Cars saw him rack up 15 podium finishes from 22 races. In 2021 he raced the Praga R1T in the Britcar British Endurance Championship, in which Morris and his teammate Christopher Wesemael won more races and had more podium finishes than any other driver pairing. In 2022 Morris signed as a works driver for Revolution Race Cars to race their 500+ bhp carbon-fibre prototype. In his first year with the team, he took victories in both the UK and in Europe and claimed 7 podium finishes from 8 races overall. In 2023 Morris was crowned European Sports Prototype Cup Champion, the BRM Chronographes UK-European Trophy Winner, and the Dutch Supercar Challenge Zandvoort Trophy of the Dunes Overall Winner, in a stellar season which saw him take 7 wins and 9 podium finishes from 11 races.

Explaining the decision to focus on developing experience with GT cars in 2024, Morris said: “GT racing presents so many huge opportunities. There are fantastic series with thriving grids and broad followings, featuring iconic motorsport brands, not just in the UK but internationally, all over the world, and, by building familiarity with these cars, I can position myself to be ready to race in them. I have shown that I can race at the very front in prototype cars, but by focusing on expanding my skillset and becoming acclimatised to GT cars, too, I will open up a world of new possibilities for my career. Of course, it will require the right backing and sponsorship to build a race programme, but this is all about putting myself in the best place to gain experience and be ready to capitalise on opportunities.”

The Aston Martin Vantage GT4 is a highly appropriate choice, given the relationship between the British marque and Racing Pride, of which Morris is the CEO and Co-Founder: “Racing Pride has been working with Aston Martin since 2021 – initially with the Formula One team, and then with Aston Martin Lagonda. I’m massively proud of the relationship we’ve built and the work we’ve done together. I’ve visited all of Aston Martin’s UK production sites, met with so many of its employees, helped to deliver workshops and training sessions, and been part of nurturing the IAM Inclusion network. So this is a really wonderful opportunity for me to drive one of Aston Martin’s race cars at last and to bring together this amazing work off-track with my racing on-track.”

The first test at Snetterton saw Morris complete an impressive number of laps representing over 4 shared-driver British GT race distances in sweltering conditions across a series of high-fuel race simulations and low-fuel shorter stints to gain familiarity with the car, interspersed with data analysis sessions and coaching from 2023 British Endurance Champion Matt George.

Reflecting on the beginning of this programme, Morris said: “This was a really promising and productive start. I was able to get to grips with the Aston Martin Vantage GT4 quite quickly, despite it being very different from the prototypes I have been racing, and show strong initial pace. By the end of the day, I had so much more familiarity with the car and was beginning to feel at home which was reflected in the consistency of my lap times across my final long run, especially – for me that’s a very encouraging sign and is also testament to the work I put in constantly on my fitness. It was great to work with the team, I can’t praise their professionalism enough, and I’m excited to continue this journey.”

Joe Holloway, Forsetti Motorsport Team Principal, added: “Everyone at Forsetti is delighted that Richard has chosen Forsetti Motorsport and the AMR V8 Vantage platform to take steps into GT racing, enjoying a strong first day testing at the team’s local circuit, Snetterton. We are very much focused on the continued support for Richard and his testing programme, and our goal is to ensure that he has the best possible framework and opportunities to succeed in the future.”

Source material - Richard Morris Racing

This weekend’s second round will see the two older 17A versions of the Aston Martin Racing Vantage GT4 again do battle over the two solo and two pit stop/driver change punctuated races amongst a class of eight GT4 (GTH) class cars around the full Grand Prix loop.

Officially opening their new Snetterton based workshops to their sponsors and partners earlier this week, both cars got in some last minute on track testing whilst the likes of O’Meara-Hunt also needing some intensive simulator training having never raced at Brands Hatch before.

Photo credits – Team / series / social media

With no real surprises within the race entry lists for any of these, only the presence of the #16 Skip Barber Racing Aston Martin Racing Vantage GT4 entry for drivers Marc and Tyler Sharinn upset the applecart for what will be the series’ first ever single three-hour endurance race weekend.

With that team (not drivers) having taken part within last weekend’s IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge race at Laguna Seca, they will join the three full season entries of Todd Parriott/Tom Dyer aboard the #13 Flying Lizard AMR entry as well as the two Heart of Racing AMR entries of Gray Newell/Roman De Angelis and Hannah Grisham and Hannah Greenemeir aboard their #24 and #26 entries respectively.

The previous round of this series from Sebring proved productive for both Heart of Racing crews as both secured class podium finishes at the end of each of those two races.

The opening races to the season at Sepang gave some hope that the new 2024 Vantage GT3 was a competitive package within the multi-national field as the #777 scored a P4 finish in race 1 before a P8 finish in class in race 2.

Two arduous races within the heat of Thailand saw the Japanese crew eventually finish their two races with a best result of P7 in class at the end of race two whilst Santosa again finished at the rear of his four strong Am Class.

The series now moves onto three consecutive rounds within Japan as part of their Japan Cup series before seeing out the season in China in September.

Only a DNF at the end of race 1 for the #92 crew blotted an otherwise near perfect return to the circuit after their five-week break.

At this early one-third season distance, these results see the #92 crew climb up to P6 in class after Sunday’s class win whilst the #74 crew climb up to the top of the silver class with their new maximum points haul from the weekend.

For the solo running Mirage Racing AMR Vantage GT4 of Stanislav Safronov and Aleksandr Vaintrub, Ledenon was not quite as forthcoming for the Pro-Am classed entry as they finished their second round with a pair of P5 finishes in class at the end of these two one-hour races. 

Now sitting on thirty points within the class, this #7 car duo will need to claw back some points at the next round of the series from Spa Francorchamps in late June if they are to reduce their present fifty-four-point points deficit to the class leaders.

Both teams now venture across to Misano for the second round of the sister SRO GT4 European Series.

Photo credits – Teams / Series

Thursday saw two practice sessions where Mancinelli set the third fastest lap of the first practice session with a 2:21.387 second lap in the No. 27 Aston Martin Vantage LMGT3. The team ended the third practice session Friday morning with the seventh fastest lap time before qualifying in the afternoon.

James qualified for the trio setting a 2:21.368 second lap, the fourth fastest lap of the 15-minute session moving him onto the hyperpole round. When the hyperpole round went green, James was on the verge of a pole setting lap when a Porsche caused a red flag before he could cross the finish line. James ended up setting the sixth fastest lap, but was moved to fifth when a competitor was disqualified. 

James was first behind the wheel Saturday morning for the six hour enduro race, which was staged in front of a record crowd of fans on hand. Towards the end of James’ stint, a nearly hour-long safety car period saw Mancinelli take over the wheel. At the three hour mark, Mancinelli worked his way up from sixth to sit third.

On lap 88 a red flag was displayed forcing the field to a halt, with Mancinelli having raced up to run in second position at the time. The red flag ran down the clock to the final minutes before the checkered, but race control took the decision to add an hour and 47-minutes back on the countdown clock. When the field went back to yellow, the No. 27 Aston Martin Vantage LMGT3 was forced to pit lane for an emergency fuel stop before the circuit went back to green. 

Mancinelli came down pit lane once again as the green flag waved for a full service pit stop where Riberas took over the wheel rejoining the field in tenth on lap 93. Riberas worked his way up to third before pitting for one last pit stop. Unfortunately on lap 124 Riberas was caught in the marbles while avoiding a hypercar, forcing the Spanish driver off track. During the off track excursion, the engine shut off but as Riberas coasted into pit lane the Aston Martin Vantage refired. Ultimately Riberas crossed the finish line in eleventh.

“Performance wise this could have been our weekend, but we were not so lucky,” said Mancinelli. “We had a problem fitting the rear left tire during a pit stop and lost 50 seconds when I was third. We then had a red flag and when we resumed the race we were out of energy so we had to do two pit stops, one emergency and then a regular one three laps later. We finished eleventh which doesn’t reflect our potential. Now we look forward to Le Mans, we know that the Heart of Racing Team is strong and we are looking forward to one of the greatest races in the world.” 

The Heart of Racing Team’s WEC program will be back in action for the 24 Hour of Le Mans June 15-16.

“The weekend was difficult, I would say,” said Farnbacher. “I mean, we started from zero where other cars had a test here since the repave, so I think that we did a good job. I think we needed a bit more time to work with the front of the car, that was one of the limiting factors. We did the best we could and we got points, which was the main goal. We basically just drove with the flow, but ultimately we are lacking speed a little bit.”

Gunn was in the driver's seat for just 16 laps when a caution came out which unfortunately put the No. 23 team back on strategy with the rest of the GTD PRO class. Gunn worked his way up to third before his second pit stop on lap 70. The English driver crossed the finish line in sixth after spending the final 49 laps in the position. 

“First of all, it was a really fun weekend driving a track as high grip as this,” said Gunn. “We've become very used to a kind of low grade dusty surface here. But to come here and experience lap times three to four seconds faster is really good fun. The race kind of played out as we expected. Great pit stops and great strategy by the guys here at Heart of Racing Team. It really gave us a chance to fight for the top five. We've got some work to do and a few things to look at but this team has a lot of character and I'm sure that will come back stronger in Detroit.”

Roman De Angelis and Spencer Pumpelly joined forces once more after co-driving for the first time in Long Beach in April. Pumpelly qualified the No. 27 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 securing a fourth place in class starting position for the duo.

Pumpelly drove the No. 27 Heart of Racing GTD entry for the first 37 laps and was able to keep the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 in the top five ahead of handing it over to De Angelis.

“It was great working with the Heart of Racing Team and Roman again,” said Pumpelly. “I really appreciate the opportunity and how hard everyone works to give us a good car. I think there were some things out of our control that put us back today. Despite a great effort from Roman there at the end, he just got beat up by some competitors and we had to replace parts on pit road. A big thanks to everyone at the Heart of Racing Team for having me.”

A caution came out just two laps after De Angelis took the wheel. De Angelis had a run in with another car which took off the left side mirror just before pitting for the last time on 76 where the team was forced to replace the drivers side door. On lap 97 De Angelis was forced off track by a GTP car putting the Canadian driver in eighth, but De Angelis was able to make up two spots in the final 21 laps. 

“I wish I could say it was a great day here at Laguna Seca, but it's probably one of the most difficult races I've ever driven,” said De Angelis. “We seemed to just not be able to catch a break today, with issues with tire pressures, our camera going out, and contact with other cars. I'm more disappointed in not being able to get the team a good result after this many weekends of bad luck. I just hope that at some point our luck changes, once again, thank you to the guys for hanging in there with us. They did everything they could, but it was a frustrating day. It will make our next good result even better.”

Source material - HoRT

As per previous rounds of the Championship so far, just the #27 Heart of Racing and #777 D’Station Racing teams represent the Aston Martin Racing brand within the WEC as full season entries as driver crews Ian James, Alex Riberas, Daniel Mancinelli and Clement Mateu, Erwan Bastard and Marco Sorenson (respectively) each looked towards Spa to consolidate their Champiosnhip positions after their mixed bag of results from the previous round at Imola and their podium winning results at the season opener in Qatar.

With so many new factors determining this season’s LMGT3 class to that of last year’s finale for the GTE class, the earlier Free Practice sessions were all about bedding both the new Vantage LMGT3 and their new drivers (where applicable) into their optimum performance window in time for today’s Qualifying and Class Hyperpole Sessions. Mancinelli finished the three Free Practice sessions eighth fastest overall in LMGT3 after his FP1 session.

With the teams bronze drivers of James and Mateu each qualifying their respective cars this afternoon, track limits again came into play as the #777 had its best opening two laps deleted whilst James also had had all of his completed laps deleted for the same reason, leaving the #27 car still with no time set with just over three minutes remaining.

Whereas James was able to enter two last gasp laps to climb up first from last in class to P7 before rounding off the session in P4, the #777 car of Mateu was unfortunately not able to do the same as the Japanese lead squad would Qualify to tomorrows race down in P15 out of the eighteen class runners.

For James, that meant for an additional few more laps within Hyperpole within which he could try to elevate their position still further, but that session was interrupted with a nasty looking accident for the #92 Manthey PureRacing Porsche at the top of Raidillon.

With the session clock halted whilst that red flagged incident was cleared and the circuit barriers restored, that allowed the remaining nine runners just over seven minutes. Again losing another lap to track limits, the #27 Heart car would eventually claim P6 in class for tomorrow's race.

The six hours of Spa Francorchamps is due to start at 13:00hrs tomorrow and it will not disappoint!!

UPDATED

Both Aston Martins move up a grid slot after the subsequent disqualification of the #95 United Autosport McLaren for being underweight - #27 now starts P5 and the #777 P14.