Those fortunate to be going to the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend will be treated to the sights and sounds of the #97 AMR V8 Vantage GTE fresh from its adventures at Le Mans, being thrashed up the hill by Aston Martin Racing Evolution Academy winner and Beechdean GT3 racer Ross Gunn. With the teams four Le Mans cars only being received back at the Prodrive factory yesterday a quick turn around will be needed ready to ship that car out again for the event that starts tomorrow.

He will be joined over the weekend by at least Darren Turner and Peter Dumbreck, who shall each share the driving of the Aston Martin Vulcan as it returns to 'the hill'. The IQ Option liveried V12 Vantage GT3 is also due to be run over the four day event as well as the highly successful Vantage GT8. The all new DB11 is also due to make its FOS debut.


Having only finished her A level exams this morning, seventeen year old Jamie Chadwick became the youngest person to drive an Aston Martin Vulcan at Silverstone this afternoon under the watchful eye of AML and AMR driver Darren Turner as nine other hypercars also hit the Nothamptonshire track.


Monday saw celebrity TV chef Paul Hollywood let loose with an AMR V12 Vantage GT3 at a very wet Silverstone (at least under the watchful eye of Jody Fannin though) as part of a making of a further BBC documentary about the baker cum aspiring race driver. This car would have needed extensive repair following its race ending damage sustained during the Nurburgring 24H earlier this month.


Both Hollywood and Chadwick are due to join driving forces in a second Beechdean AMR Vantage GT4 as the British GT Series returns to the tracks at Spa Francorchamps in early July.

Photo credits - Driver social media

Great to see Aston Martin release a whole series of photographs taken of their 2016 WEC specification V8 Vantage GTE at their recent winter test in Valencia.

Like they say 'a picture paints a thousand words' so if some of the shots are anything to go by - they've won already!!

View them HERE

Photo credit - AMR

Having almost fallen off the radar over the winter months, JWB Motorsport quietly turned up at Snetterton today with their revised Aston Martin Racing V8 Vantage GT4 for a piece of pre season testing in readiness for the 2016 British GT Championship.

Having last competed, and achieving a class podium at the 24Hours of Dubai earlier in the year the car has since been stripped and rebuilt to the latest 2016 AMR GT4 specification and has been bedecked in a heavily revised livery as well.


Unfortunately, a technical gremlin prevented the car from running for several hours today but the cars drivers - Kieran Griffin and Jake Giddings were clearly eager to get back out their and compete in what will be an even more competitive GT4 class.

The car will be at the championships Media Day at Snetterton next Tuesday.

It was only back in August 2015 that the then British GT GT4 Champion (Designate) was awarded the lofty position of being one of the BRDC select few Rising Star drivers of tomorrow.

The then eighteen year old then went on to win the GT4 Championship alongside his Beechdean co-driver Jamie Chadwick who was also awarded that accolade at the time. Not only that but at the turn of last year, and having seen off more experienced opposition, the now nineteen year old was awarded the coverted award of being the first Aston Martin Racing Evolution Academy winner 2015.


So it should come as now real surprise to read that Gunn's achievements, even over such a short period in time, have been again recognised by the BRDC who have today awarded him 'Superstar' status.

The BRDC SuperStars Programme is now an established programme that offers help to the worthy dozen with mental training, career guidance, team building skills, sponsorship advice, media and sales training, PR and marketing, motor sport seminars and workshops with other BRDC Members.

Ross Gunn: ‘It is a great honour to be selected as a BRDC SuperStar. It is another great opportunity for me, and I now need to make the most of it. I am looking forward to having the BRDC’s assistance and encouragement during the year to help push my on and off track performance with Beechdean and Aston Martin Racing. It’s something I am very proud of. I would like to thank Tim and the BRDC for this fantastic opportunity.

With only about seven or so weeks to go before the British GT Media Day (at a circuit as yet unconfirmed) and even fewer before the GT Cup Championship's Media Day at Brands Hatch in late February, there still seems to be a few too many TBA's that need filling.

Now that may be just one or both drivers or even confirmation needed from a regular team with the starting grid now obvioulsy filling up with constant announcements from the organisers.

According to my Post-It Note this is what we know so far:-

Beechdean Motorsport are offering the other seat in their second Aston Martin V8 GT4 Vantage entered in to the 2016 British GT Championship.

The last two years has seen the teams GT4 car win the overall GT4 titles and also the 2016 Aston Martin Racing Evolution Academy for which this driver would be eligible to enter.

Best be quick as the team shall start their pre season testing programme home and abroad very soon.

All enquiries to andrew@beechdean.co.uk or ross@beechdean.co.uk

2015 British GT GT4 Drivers’ Champion Ross Gunn (18) has won the inaugural Aston Martin Racing Evolution Academy, and in doing so has received a factory-backed contract with Aston Martin Racing for the 2016 season. In 2016, Gunn will re-join the British GT championship with double British GT champion Andrew Howard. They will be racing the Number 1 Beechdean Aston Martin GT3 V12 Vantage.

A very successful GT rookie season saw the 18 year old impress Aston Martin Racing with his on and off track performance. Gunn excelled in the academy’s seminars held throughout 2015 that focussed on developing key areas such as fitness, simulator sessions, engineering, marketing and PR. A successful test at the FIA WEC Rookie test in Bahrain aboard the works Aston Martin Racing GTE V8 Vantage followed, and he was able demonstrate the all-round potential and knowledge base that Aston Martin Racing were looking for.

The 2016 British GT championship will consist of 7 events, kicking off at Brands Hatch GP circuit on 17thApril, and this year looks to be one of the most competitive fields of both GT3 and GT4 cars.
Further Beechdean Aston Martin Racing announcements will be made in the next few weeks.
Andrew Howard Quote: “Having watched Jonny (Adam) develop into a world class factory GT driver, it is very exciting to be involved in the development of the next generation. It was Ross’s dad who got me involved in motor racing so it’s amazing to bring the story full circle. Beechdean will be continuing its commitment to young drivers in 2016.”

Ross Gunn Quote: “I am really excited to be joining Andrew Howard in his Beechdean AMR GT3 V12 Vantage as an Aston Martin Racing Factory driver. I have enjoyed my first year with the team so much and have been able to learn an awful lot on what it takes to become a Professional Racing Driver. This is great news for my career, but it is no secret that I still have a lot to learn and certain skills to develop and there certainly is no better place to do it. I am looking forward to getting to work on our 2016 test programme.”

John Gaw (Aston Martin Racing Team Principal) : “Ross has performed at an incredibly high level throughout the 2015 season. His ability on the track, coupled with his attitude and enthusiasm off of it, impressed us all here at Aston Martin Racing. We’re delighted to offer him this contract for 2016 as he continues to progress his career in GT racing”.

With the new young driver coaching and evaluation concept being announced just under a year ago, today saw the conclusion of that process with the announcement of the winner 2015 Aston Martin Racing Evolution Academy.

The winner was officially announced today as being one half of the 2015 British GT GT4 Champions in 18year old Ross Gunn.

As part of his title award today Gunn also earned an Aston Martin Racing factory supported drive in the Beechdean Customer team's V12 Vantage GT3 alongside (in a surprise move) of the 2015 British GT GT3 Champion and team owner Andrew Howard in his #1 blue and white liveried car.


Being one of six finalists picked by the factory team to shadow them at the final round of the 2015 World Endurance Championship in Bahrain, Gunn was eventually picked out by the adjudicating panel as being the one who expressed the greatest desire to learn and develop not only in the car but with everything else associated with modern sportscar racing - i.e. fitness, media and marketing, engineering, etc - the full package if you like!

John Gaw, Team Principal of Aston Martin Racing said, “Ross has performed at an incredibly high level throughout the 2015 season. His ability on the track, coupled with his attitude and enthusiasm off it, impressed us all here at Aston Martin Racing. We’re delighted to offer him this contract for 2016 as he continues to progress his career in GT racing”.

Without even letting the engine oil cool down but being spurred on by Saturday's Pro and Am class podiums, the garage crews were straight back at it on Saturday night getting three cars ready for the Rookie Test day the next day.

As listed previously the #99 V8 Vantage GTE  was de-liveried, fuelled and rubbered for each of the six remaining Evolution Academy finalists to be dispatched around the Sakhir circuit for between 10-15 laps each all under the ever watchful gaze of the team technicians and fitness guru's in order to prove their worth for that coveted prize.


2015 British GT GT4 Champions Jamie Chadwick and Ross Gunn, fellow British GT drivers Jody Fannin, Daniel Lloyd and Matt Bell together with 24H Series SP3 Champion Devon Modell all sampled the highest echelon of GT racing that Aston Martin Racing can offer driving the Tilke designed circuit along side other machinery from the World Endurance Championship - an opportunity of a lifetime!


This test was the final process in the 2015 Evolution Academy process before one (or two as we are expecting) winners are announced by the selection panel.

Along with this test programme the team were also utilising the circuit test sessions to put further mileage onto the 2016 specification V8 Vantage GTE for the purposes of data aquisition with works drivers Darren Turner and Jonny Adam at the wheel with Marco Sorensen to boot.


Having previously tested only in private in Span and Portugal the team also made available the #95 Young Driver car for the basis of direct chassis comparison. They also fielded at least three further test drivers in the form of Archie Hamilton, Bahraini Salman Rashid Al Khalifa and German Fabian Hamprecht in the still liveried #95 car.



Last but no means least would see Richie Stanaway swap his #99 Vantage GTE to test the Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro LMP1 as part of the series endeavours to promote accomplished drivers with the car categories.

Photo credits - Aston Martin Racing / WEC Adrenal Media

With the final seminar and practical sessions being held only this week the powers that be behind Aston  Martin Racing's Evolution Academy programme have now 'retired' to decide their champion.

The ten drivers aged between 16 and 25 years old all competed in either a V8 Vantage GT4 or a V12 Vantage GT3 in either the British GT, 24H Series or GT Asia series in 2015. Along with their own driving responsibilities came technical briefings, simulator sessions, media training together with fitness and nutritional advice all carried out under the watchful eyes of the selection panel.

Who will win? Who knows but the lucky individual will then embark on a factory drive in one of the many race programmes the team undertakes every year. One thing for certain is that the winner will be one of either Ross Gunn, Jamie Chadwick, Devon Modell, Daniel Lloyd, Jonathan Venter, Dennis Strandberg, Jade Edwards, Jake Giddings, Jody Fannin or Matt Bell.

Some have won their race in class, others have won their class championship whilst others have suffered abject misfortune with their race programme. The results will not be the sole basis of the panels decision that is for sure - rather who is/has the full package?

We understand that a short listed group of six finalists (now confirmed as Ross Gunn, Jamie Chadwick, Matt Bell, Jody Fannin, Devon Modell and Dan Lloyd) will also attend the final WEC race of the season with the AMR team in Bahrain, which kicks off next weekend before getting the opportunity to drive an actual V8 GTE on the circuit during the post event test before the eventual winner is announced.

Photo credits - Aston Martin Racing

The entire 2015 GT Asia Series championship has boiled down to the final round in Thailand this weekend, where Craft-Bamboo Racing will be fighting to take both the drivers’ and teams’ championship at the Chang International Circuit. #99 VLT driver, Darryl O’Young, is four points clear of his closest competitor after a stunning double win in Shanghai with teammate, Daniel Lloyd. The pair will be looking to make a repeat of their performance this weekend to seal the drivers’ championship and help Craft-Bamboo Racing to close the gap in the teams’ championship. Richard Lyons and Frank Yu will be hoping for a better weekend after a tough round in Shanghai but the pair is positive that they can deliver the results to move the team into the number one spot in the teams’ championship.

After their dominant double victory in Shanghai, Darryl O’Young was able to take the lead in the drivers’ championship and stay four points clear of his closest competitor. The #99’s season rivals in the Bentley sit only four points behind, placing them within striking distance of the VLT Aston Martin. O’Young and Lloyd will be doing everything in their power to keep the Bentley behind them while they make their final championship assault, and a good qualifying session will give them the best opportunity of staying ahead. Achieving pole position in the last two rounds, the #99 pair are set on continuing their streak and have shown how quick they can be at the head of the pack.


Richard Lyons and Frank Yu were off to a great start last round in Shanghai after taking pole and were leading for the majority of the race. Unfortunately, the pair’s bad luck struck once again and thanks to multiple incidents, prevented them from taking home a top result. With the #88 Interush Aston Martin’s pace undeniable; Lyons and Yu will be challenging at the very front of the field in Thailand and are on the hunt to capture their first win of the season. With only 14 points separating the top of the teams’ championship, the #88 pair will be fighting to score as many points as possible to help the team towards their goal of taking both championships.

Practice for rounds ten and eleven of the GT Asia Series will begin on Friday, October 23rd. Qualifying one will be held on Saturday, October 24th, from 9:40-9:55, with qualifying two running from 10:05-10:20. Race one will be held on Saturday from 13:35-14:35 (local time GMT +7) Race two will be held on Sunday 15:15-16:15. Live streaming of the event will be available from the GT Asia Series YouTube page, https://www.youtube.com/user/afosTV.

Richard Lyons, Driver

"It hasn't been the campaign we had hoped for in the #88 Interush Aston. However, Thailand is a new circuit for most teams and drivers so we might see a shakeup in the results. I've raced there twice in the last year so I'm hoping I can share this experience with Frank and get us running at the sharp end."

Frank Yu, Driver

“It is the last round of the championship and we haven’t had much luck this year so we are looking for a strong finish to score some points for the teams’ championship. We would also like to see our VLT sister car win the drivers’ championship this year.”

#99 VLT Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3

Darryl O’Young, Driver

“I'm looking forward to the weekend in Buriram as the championship is really down to the wire. With only a 4 point spread and several competitors in the championship fight, anything is possible heading into the season finale. I'm not going to think too much about the points, we just want to repeat the job we did in Shanghai which is to execute a mistake free weekend, and hope that is enough to win the title. It’s anyone’s championship and Craft-Bamboo Racing is ready to step up our game in this critical moment in the championship.”

Daniel Lloyd, Driver

“Really looking forward to Thailand, it is a little different because not many people have been to the circuit before which is a good thing for me because I haven’t been to any of the circuits out in Asia. I have been doing a lot of preparation on the simulator to get ready for the last round. The track seems great, a real driver’s circuit. The main focus is going to be working together to take the championship the last two rounds have been really positive and we will be trying to repeat this success in Thailand.”

Richard Coleman, CEO of Craft-Bamboo Racing

“This is the most important race of the season and with both the championships on the line we are going to have to dig deep. After the success in Shanghai, the team has proved what they can do and we will be going out there with the intention of taking both championships.”

Darryl O’Young now leads the drivers’ championship after a dominant race two win in Shanghai, where Daniel Lloyd helped the #99 pair to lead from start to finish. O’Young is now four points clear of second place, with only one round left in the championship scheduled for next month in Thailand. The #88 Interush Aston Martin of, Richard Lyons and Frank Yu, proved to be even quicker, setting the fastest lap of the race but were unable to capitalize on their speed after having to fight their through their way through the midfield.