Speedworks Motorsport will co-operate with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Europe (TGR-E) to support future stars of British GT racing with the launch of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK Young Driver Programme.
Speedworks has enjoyed a long relationship with Toyota in the United Kingdom and last year ran under the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK banner in the British Touring Car Championship, registering three race wins and eight further rostrum finishes with the Toyota Corolla – in what is widely acknowledged as the world’s toughest tin-top series.
In parallel, and with engineering support from TGR-E in Germany, Speedworks debuted the 430bhp GR Supra GT4 in the British GT Championship in 2020, achieving a pole position, fastest lap and brace of podiums in the fiercely-disputed GT4 category.
Behind-the-scenes, meanwhile, the Northwich, Cheshire-based outfit was working closely with TGR-E to define a UK Young Driver Programme and select the first candidate for the scheme. It is open to competitors aged 25 and under with a background in GT racing who demonstrate the ability and motivation to forge a professional career in the sport.
In addition to benefitting from Speedworks and TGR-E’s combined experience and expertise, UK Young Driver Programme members will enjoy privileged access to TGR-E’s state-of-the-art Cologne facility and driving simulator. They will also benefit from the experience of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing stars such as reigning FIA World Endurance Champion and multiple Le Mans 24 Hours podium-finisher Mike Conway.
The first member of the new TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK Young Driver Programme and Speedworks’ full British GT Championship line-up for 2021 will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Christian Dick, Team Principal, Speedworks Motorsport, said:
“It is an immense honour to collaborate with TGR-E to establish the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK Young Driver Programme, an exciting project that we have been working on for several months now. We have an excellent relationship with TGR-E and believe this new initiative can genuinely help to discover and develop British GT stars of the future.
“We have spent a lot of time evaluating potential drivers to become the first member of the programme, taking into account not only their pace and performance inside the cockpit but just as importantly their work ethic, attitude and media skills away from the car to ensure we make the right choice.
“This is a golden opportunity for initially one young driver – and, moving forward, hopefully more – to significantly advance their career prospects through an association with one of the most prestigious and successful companies in global motorsport, and we look forward to helping to guide the next generation in tandem with our friends at TGR-E over the coming months and years.”
Rob Leupen, Managing Director, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Europe, said:
“The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK Young Driver Programme is a great initiative to support up-and-coming British talent and we are happy to co-operate with Speedworks on this project. Christian and his team have a strong relationship with our colleagues at Toyota UK and participate in the BTCC under the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK banner, so they are already part of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing family.
“The GR Supra GT4 has made a positive impression in series around the world and we value the feedback and support of our customers, who have put their trust in TGR-E. With the UK Young Driver Programme, we intend to add further value while supporting Speedworks to nurture a new generation of British talent.”
