A brand-new GT4 team, ProTechnika Motorsport, will contest the remaining three rounds of this season’s British GT Championship after Anna Walewska and Tom Canning are signed to drive its Mercedes-AMG GT4 from Spa-Francorchamps onwards.
Walewska, who drove for Team HARD Racing over the first half of 2018, has founded the squad, while her new co-driver Canning is also switching across from an existing British GT drive at Steller Motorsport.
Long-time partners, the University of Bolton and National Centre for Motorsport Engineering, also make the move in time for British GT’s annual cross-Channel excursion, which this season forms part of SRO’s inaugural Speedweek on 21-22 July.
“After two decades in the industry as a competitor I still have the hunger to win races but also feel that this is the right time to elevate my career to the next level, which is naturally team ownership,” explained Walewska.
“This allows me to use my vast experience in shaping a team around me and the needs of any driver to achieve the very highest possible standard with no compromises.
“Mercedes-AMG offer, in my opinion, the very best products to allow us to progress and provide a platform for us to build both competitively and commercially. Their GT4 car has proven pace and reliability, and I am very much looking forward to getting started!”
Credit: SRO Motorsport
Walewska also believes that founding ProTechnika will benefit National Centre for Motorsport Engineering students at the University of Bolton, for whom she’s been an ambassador for the last five years.
“I am thrilled to have the continued support from the University of Bolton with this new venture and will do everything in my power to continue to give the students the correct platform to begin their careers in this industry,” she added. “Owning the team allows me to serve better the students and their needs in line with the courses they are studying, which is very satisfying for me.”
Meanwhile, her new co-driver Canning, who became the youngest driver ever to start a British GT race earlier this year, believes switching teams and cars mid-season shouldn’t pose too many problems.
“After a challenging first half of the season suffering reliability issues I believe it is time for a fresh start,” he said. “I am excited to join ProTechnika, alongside Anna, in the Mercedes-AMG GT4. I will be joining the team for their first British GT event at Spa, an awesome circuit I’ve never visited but one I can’t wait to try.”
Both the Saturday and Sunday of SRO Speedweek, which also features the GT4 European Series, Blancpain GT Sports Club and BRDC British F3 Championship, are free to attend.
