Century Motorsport are set to continue their expansion for 2017 having confirmed a deal with leading British Sportscar manufacturer Ginetta to act as their Factory team, fielding a pair of vastly improved and re-engineered Ginetta G55 GT3 entries for the 2017 British GT Championship.
Having already supported the Yorkshire marque’s GT3 model during its early development in 2011, Century Motorsport are more than comfortable taking on this new challenge. This will be a fitting addition to the team’s extensive fleet for 2017 which now includes the Ginetta GT4 Supercup and British GT4 specification models of the Ginetta G55, the Ginetta GT5 Challenge specification Ginetta G40 and of course their all new Ginetta G57-P2 prototype which currently makes its way back from a double podium in Dubai.
For 2017, the Ginetta G55 GT3 will sport several improvements that both the team and Ginetta hope will enable the car to challenge for it’s first outright British GT win. The major developments include an all-new 570bhp Chevrolet LS3 engine that is now repositioned to improve weight distribution. A revised front splitter will aid front downforce while the driver experience has also been re-designed to include revised braking master cylinders that require less physical effort, along with a new Motec driver interface and tactile keypad controls.
Taming the first of the team’s two GT3 contenders will be former McLaren Autosport BRDC Award Nominee and Formula Ford Champion Nathan Freke. No stranger to a variety of Ginetta machinery, Freke is a proven winner in any car, in any situation, and proved his talent on several occasions during the 2016 season racing in the University of Bolton backed Ginetta G55 GT4. For 2017, Nathan feels he now has the best opportunity to show what he is really capable of, with a committed season in the top flight of Europe’s leading GT Championship.
Joining Freke in the GT3 Ginetta, will be American Driver Harry Gottsacker. The 17 year old comes fresh from a season racing in the Pirelli World Challenge at the wheel of a Performance Motorsports Group run Ginetta G55. With a best finish of third in Utah, 2017 will represent a big step up for the Texan driver, as he takes to some of the UK’s best circuits for the first time.
The team’s second Ginetta G55 GT3 entry will be confirmed in the coming weeks, but looks set to be an equally competitive proposition for the 2017 season.
Nathan Freke – Century Motorsport Ginetta G55 GT3:
“This is a really exciting year for both Century and Ginetta as together we’re mounting a serious attack on British GT. We helped run the GT3 car when it first came out in 2011, but this year marks the first time we’ll be involved with a properly competitive GT3 entry. The changes to the car are massive. The new Chevrolet engine offers more low-down torque and usable power and the chassis changes will aid slow-speed traction. It will be interesting working with Harry as he’s a promising young driver. He’ll have a lot to learn with the UK tracks and style of racing, but we’ll work with him and he’ll only get stronger as the year goes on.”
Ewan Baldry – Technical Director, Ginetta Cars:
“We know the Chevrolet engine so well from the development in the G57-P2 and it’s perfect for GT usage. The Nissan was a very aggressive engine and we had some vibration issues with it. The Chevrolet is a lower-revving unit with a better torque band. The investment in GT3 this year is a big one as we want to get that win, and also use what we find to build towards our new plans for 2018.”
Clive Freke – Team Principal, Century Motorsport:
“This is a very big year for Century Motorsport as we make some significant steps in the development of our team. Having already secured a number of podium finishes with our new Ginetta G57-P2, it’s great to now add the highly improved Ginetta G55 GT3 to our fleet for this season. Furthermore, we are delighted to welcome Harry to the team and hope he will have a good season alongside Nathan and our other dynamic-duo to be announced in the coming weeks.”