A further boost was handed to the popular GT4 catgory of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship today, with class stalwarts Century Motorsport setting out their title ambitions with a adventuruous pairing, reigning class co-Champion, Rick Parfitt Jnr and promising newcomer, Tom Oliphant.
Parfitt Jnr, 39, has announced his sole intention is to successfully defend his title: “Winning the title last year was something I could have never imagined, so retaining the title is my obvious aim for 2014. However, I’m under no illusions that this year will be even more competitive than ever before with some great drivers and the largest variety of cars racing on the grid.”
The Surrey-based rocker acknowledges the level of competition in GT4 this year will be significant, but is confident his new team-mate will make a positive debut.
“Last year proved that having a great team mate is key to success in GT4 and in Tom I have a young ambitious driver, who is hungry for success and very quick. This added to the fact that he will also be competing in the Ginetta GT4 SuperCup will mean he is practically welded into a G55 seat! We get on very well outside the car also which bodes well for a successful year. The beautiful G55 is a car I’m extremely excited to be in for this season. Hopefully it will be as quick as it looks, but our extensive pre-season testing programme will ensure we should be perfectly placed for the opening rounds at Oulton Park.”
Cheshire-born Oliphant, 23, who will run is British GT campaign in tandem with an entry in the 2014 Ginetta GT4 SuperCup, has competed in Protyre Formula Renault BARC and Ginetta GT Supercup over the past 18 months. And, the former kart champion is looking forward to the transition to GT, but is aware it marks a different chapter in his career to date.
“It’s a new style of racing for me, however one that I feel I can get to grips with quickly,” said Oliphant. “We have a very exciting partnership this year with Century Motorsport. Rick has shown his class in the series winning the championship last year so I feel he is the perfect partner to challenge for the championship again. Both Rick and I have winning the championship as our main aim and with the support from Century Motorsport in their new Ginetta G55 GT4 I feel this is a very realistic target.”
Having built up a strong relationship with British manufacturer, Ginetta, Century continue this relationship in 2014, taking an order for the all-new Ginetta G55 GT4.
Century Team Principal Nathan Freke commented, “I’m very excited to have Tom and Rick pairing up with us for 2014. Obviously Rick was one of our closest rivals in 2013, just beating us for the title at the last round and Tom has already shown that despite being a new GT convert, he’s got what it takes to be a very successful GT Driver. With the new Ginetta G55 GT4 and one of the strongest driver pairings on the grid, I believe Century Motorsport will be the team to beat in British GT4 this season.”
Source. British GT Championship
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