Artist's impression of the Redgate/Virgo Motorsport Ginetta G55
Father and son team Peter and Matt Smith are to return to the Britcar MSA British Endurance Championship (BEC) this season with a Ginetta G55 and a new team in Redgate/Virgo Motorsport.
The Essex based pairing have made intermittent appearances in Britcar during recent seasons. Competing under the Reflex Racing banner they ran the opening rounds of the 2011 season with a Ginetta G50 before the plans were curtailed by the need for kidney patient Peter to undergo a second transplant.
The start of the 2012 sees Peter recovered well enough to commit to a full season of GT racing for the first time, assisted by his son. The pair and team are also planning to enter the Britcar 24 Hours in September, when additional drivers will be added to the roster.
“We have shown in 2011 we can be competitive when we have a reliable car and to this end we have changed most elements of our racing over the winter in order to secure better results,” said Peter. “We will again be looking to Matt to lead the driving effort as he steadily increases his experience”.
The entry will bring Virgo Motorsport into the British Endurance Championship for the first time, the team, headed by Chris Warne returning to endurance racing after having exited the GT2 class of the Le Mans Series having clinched back-to-back class championships in 2007 and 2008 with a Ferrari 430.
The new car will show support for the British Kidney Patients Association in recognition of Peter's illness. Through his racing since 2003 he has raised thousands of pounds which has gone to help less advantaged kidney patients.
Personal submarine manufacturer Subeo – long an associate in Peter and Matt's racing – will continue to support the team, while they continue to look for further sponsorship.
While the team are initially concentrating on a competitive season in the British Endurance Championship there is also the potential for outings in the GTC class of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship, with a different driver joining Matt in the car.
