Aston Martin Racing has placed works driver Alex MacDowall in a V12 Vantage GT3 for the last two rounds of the British GT Championship season in preparation for the five remaining races on the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) calendar.
Gaydon, 29 August 2014 - Aston Martin Racing has placed works driver Alex MacDowall in a V12 Vantage GT3 for the last two rounds of the British GT Championship season in preparation for the five remaining races on the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) calendar.
MacDowall, who switched from the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) to the World Endurance Championship at the start of this year, has adapted well to the change in discipline but, with five tough and challenging races ahead, Aston Martin Racing’s Team Principal John Gaw could see that the 23-year old would benefit hugely from a seat in the PGF-Kinfaun V12 Vantage GT3.
“At Aston Martin Racing we are committed to supporting upcoming British talent,” commented Gaw. “At Spa 24 Hours we had seven potential stars of the future racing with us and we placed them with current Aston Martin Racing works drivers to help develop and assess them.
“We run seven V12 Vantage GT3s in the British GT Championship, so we are able to tap into this to give our drivers, like Alex, extra seat time.”
The first of the two remaining British GT Championship rounds will take place at Brands Hatch on the world-famous GP circuit this weekend (30/31 August) and, as the season approaches its climax, teams will be pushing hard for valuable points.
“The competition at Brands Hatch this weekend will be really tough,” adds Gaw. “It’s got to be the top national GT championship in the world and this is the toughest it’s been all year. It’ll be great preparation for Alex.”
Alex will race alongside British GT Championship regular Phil Dryburgh (GB) in the two-hour long race that starts at 13.10 on Sunday afternoon.
“It feels like a lifetime since Le Mans and, when Aston Martin Racing gave me the opportunity to get more competitive seat time ahead of the second half of the season, I jumped at the chance and I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity,” commented MacDowall who is contesting the WEC in the #99 Craft-Bamboo Racing V8 Vantage GTE.
“Any extra seat time ahead of the second half of the WEC season is a real boost to my career. I have thoroughly enjoyed my season so far with Aston Martin Racing and am delighted they are investing in me with opportunities such as this. I’ve had some great results at Brands Hatch and I’m looking forward to racing with Phil.”
Dryburgh, who is regarded as one of the Championship’s top AM drivers commented: “I’m very much looking forward to partnering with Alex. Brands Hatch is one of my favourite tracks and there is no reason that we can’t be challenging with the best of them. It’ll be great to share data, walk the track and work alongside somebody of Alex’s ability and pedigree, I’ve heard great things about him and can’t wait to get cracking.”
MacDowall will also join Dryburgh in the final round of the Championship at Donington Park on 14 September.