Team Modena head into their first full season of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship with confidence high after the pace and performance their Lamborghini Gallardo displayed in its initial outings last year. Setting three lap records in what was very much a learning half-season, the rapid Italian supercar was right on the race pace in the final rounds, and should be one of the cars to beat when the series kicks off at Oulton Park on Easter weekend.
Prepared at the team's Lamborghini Wycombe facility, the close links between the team and the Italian marque should see that valuable experience pay dividends over the rigours of a full season's racing. With Adam Jones, returning to driving duties after giving the Gallardo its race debut last year, to be partnered by Piers Johnson, and Rachel Green stepping in for three races when Adam has other commitments, the strong and settled driver line-up should see the car a pacesetter in this season.
"We have a well-sorted car after our races last season and a strong driver line-up," says Team Principal Graham Schultz. "We are pleased to have Adam back with us after his performances last year, and Piers is a welcome addition to the squad and is local to our High Wycombe base which is a nice link. Rachel should ably fill in for Adam when he has other commitments, and we look ready for a strong season."
"It is great to have the opportunity to race with Team Modena again," says Adam. "We put in a lot of work last year to learn about what was a brand-new car, and pushed it hard where we had to work on reliability. That effort should pay off this year, and I don't see why we shouldn't be in with a good chance of a winning campaign. Piers is very experienced and I am looking forward to working with him, and also to getting back in the Lamborghini, it's a great car."
Piers Johnson joins Team Modena for the 2008 British GT season, bringing with him a wealth of GT experience and pace. Having raced extensively on the national and international stage, Piers is well aware of what it takes to be successful in the often tactical GT races, and should complement team regular Adam in a driver line up already acknowledged by the specialist media as one of the strongest in the series.
"It is going to be great to do the whole championship," says Piers, "it will be my first full season since 2002 and I am really looking forward to it. The British GT championship looks to be very competitive this season with a lot of strong teams and drivers, but I have heard good things about the Lamborghini and now can't wait to drive it.
"The car was obviously quick last year and to join Team Modena and have Adam there who drove it last season is great. We will need to play to our strengths this season as we will be up against some good teams and drivers, but I am really looking forward to it."
Rachel Green, one of the UK's leading lady racers, will slide into the driver's seat of the Team Modena Gallardo for the three race meetings where Adam has other commitments, starting at Knockhill in April.
"This will be my first time in British GT," explained Rachel, "though I have raced a GT3-spec car in the FIA series. I've already had a run in the Lamborghini and found it really easy to drive, and once I went out on slicks I just feel in love with it, it handles well and is so responsive. I would have liked to do a full season, but I have the budget for the three races Adam can't do, so it's a case of maximising the opportunities I will have in the car.
"The car is very nimble and that should pay off at the tighter circuits - I am really excited about our chances and can't wait to drive the Gallardo again."
The Avon Tyres British GT Championship will see the Team Modena Lamborghini up against some of the most famous marques in GT racing. A host of Ferraris are contesting the 2008 series, as well as Aston Martins, Dodge Vipers and Porsches, making it one of the world's most competitive national sportscar series.
Held over eight race meetings between March and October, the series visits the UK's leading circuits and features a mix of one and two-hour races, each featuring compulsory driver changes, the pit-stop action adding to the power and spectacle of big grids of some of the world's most exciting sportscars.
Opening British GT Race: Oulton Park, Cheshire, March 22nd / 24th 2008
Click here for the Official Team Modena web site - designed and built by Racecar
Click here for the Official Lamborghini Wycombe web site - designed and built by Racecar
