Adam Carroll and Nico Verdonck will join Rob Bell for Gulf Racing‘s assault on the 2013 Blancpain Endurance Series.
Carroll was recently announced as a works McLaren GT driver and now confirms that he will compete in one of Gulf Racing’s McLaren 12C GT3s. The Northern Irishman had a successful single-seater career before switching to GTs, including select rounds at last year’s Blancpain Endurance Series, where he showed strong pace.
“It is great to be involved with McLaren GT, and to join such an iconic team as Gulf Racing UK for 2013.” said Carroll. “The blue and orange liveried cars have such a fantastic heritage in motorsport, and it’s a real honour to now be part of that. I had a taste of what the Blancpain Endurance Series was like last year, and I loved it, so I am really looking forward to getting back out on track, and competing in the full calendar with the 12C GT3.”
Nico Verdonck moves across to Gulf Racing having driven a McLaren 12C in the Blancpain Endurance Series in 2012. “It’s great to be given the opportunity to drive for Gulf Racing and to race beside two other top class Pro drivers from McLaren GT.” added Verdonck. “I am sure that our combined experience and speed will enable us to extract the maximum performance from the 12C GT3. I feel we have all the ingredients to perform strongly and challenge for victories and the championship. I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel and I am looking forward to the first race in Monza”
Both Carroll and Verdonck join double Le Mans Series champion, Rob Bell, who had an impressive 2012 for Gulf Racing, and leads the 2013 challenge in the #9 car.
“The 12C GT3 had some really impressive results throughout the year, and became the car to beat during the latter half of the year, despite being in its debut season.” explained Bell “We have worked hard to move things forward, and the 2013 upgrades look to have made an even more well-balanced, competitive package.”
Gulf Racing will also field a second McLaren 12C GT3 in the Pro-Am class, piloted by co-owner Mike Wainwright and pro-driver Andy Meyrick, who raced for Gulf Racing at selected rounds in 2012.