GT World Challenge

Motorbase’s GT Squad Expand Into Blancpain Series

2 Mins read
Motorbase's Astons will run under the Oman Racing Team banner (Credit: Xynamic Photography)

Motorbase Performance will join the Pro Cup category of the Blancpain Endurance Series alongside their Avon Tyres British GT Championship campaign.

The team have moved from Porsche to Aston Martin machinery for 2014, fielding a pair of GT3 Aston Martin Vantage in the British series. However, they will also enter a single car in the European championship, which begins at Monza on April 11.

Racing under the Oman Racing Team name Omani driver Ahmad Al Harthy will be joined by Michael Caine and Stephen Jelley in the car. Al Harthy and Caine drive together in British GT in 2013, and will do so again this season, while Jelley rejoins a Motorbase team for which he raced for three times in the 2012 British GT season, filling in for Nick Tandy.

“We’re in the pro-class and it’s going to be stiff competition,” said team principal David Bartrum, “but Michael and Ahmad know each other very well and Stephen has slotted in very nicely with them so they make a really good trio and the early testing at Paul Ricard and Portimao has been very positive. Michael’s been exceptionally good in the car, a good strong team leader, shown the other guys the way forward and I think that makes for a brilliant line up for our first season in the Blancpain Endurance Series”.

Both Al Harthy and Jelley have previously raced in the Blancpain Endurance Series, though for Caine 2014 will be the first year in the championship.

Having raced as part of the Von Ryan Racing team with the McLaren MP4-12C in 2012 Jelley race for Fortec Motorsport and MTECH during 2013. Al Harthy shared the Gentleman Trophy class ARC Bratislava Porsche with Miro Konopka, the pair winning the class at the Silverstone round.

“It’s great to be involved with the Blancpain Endurance Series as well this year with Ahmad and Stephen,” said Caine. “This is a new chapter for me and Motorbase with a chance to compete at the highest level and represent Aston Martin Racing at some of the best circuits in Europe.”

Jelley added; “I’m delighted to be racing with Motorbase for a full campaign for the Blancpain Endurance Series this year. I know the team well now having raced with them a few times in the past couple of seasons.”

“I have great team-mates alongside me in Michael and Ahmad and so far the testing in the new Aston Martin has gone really well and we’re gelling well as a partnership.”

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