The countdown to race season is here and Fenny Compton-based team, Century Motorsport, have some more exciting news for you. They will be returning to the British GT Championship, not only with the recently announced BMW M6 GT3 but they will also be returning to defend their GT4 title in the BMW M4 GT4. Angus Fender and Andrew Gordon-Colebrooke have been confirmed as the first driver pairing for one of the BMW Motorsport-built GT4 machines and both drivers are no strangers to Century.
In 2018, Fender and Gordon-Colebrooke both raced with Century Motorsport in the Ginetta GT4 Supercup and finished the championship in fifth and tenth respectively.
It is a large step up from Supercup to British GT – the races are longer and the drivers have to be aware of the faster GT3 machinery on the grid, which adds to the challenge. Both confirmed drivers have grown immensely over the past year with the support from the team and those around them and they look to be a strong driver pairing.
Fender, 18, has moved through the ranks quickly, as 2019 will be his third year racing in cars. Fender impressed in last year’s Supercup, achieving several podiums, along with his first ever double-podium at the penultimate round. Fender raced in this year’s Dubai 24H in the SP3 class in a Ginetta G55. He finished second in class after qualifying on pole.
Gordon-Colebrooke, 26, had originally been looking at competing in the Ginetta Supercup for a second year running however after racing in the Dubai 24H with Century just a few weeks ago in the BMW M4 GT4, named as “Race Car of the Year 2018”, Gordon-Colebrooke decided that it was time to step up.
The British GT season-opener will be held at Oulton Park on 20-22 April, with race day being on Easter Monday.
Nathan Freke, Owner of Century Motorsport:
“It’s great to have Andrew and Angus stepping up to British GT with us. Both drivers impressed greatly last year with us in Ginetta Supercup and British GT is the next logical step. Having already worked together makes the pairing strong from the offset and I am sure they will be fighting at the front from the very first round. Both drivers competed in the Dubai 24 just a few weeks ago so are race-ready and sharp. We will be conducting a testing programme ahead of the season so we turn up at round one fully prepared.”
Fender:
“I still pinch myself at night thinking it’s all a dream. Ten years ago, little 8 year old me, who was just starting out in karting, wouldn’t believe what I’m doing now and it’s a real honour to be representing a marque such as BMW in British GT. Partnering with Andrew is great for us both; the fact we know each other and get along well is really beneficial to the team and ourselves. I can’t wait to get out on track in March for the media day and transfer my recently acquired experience from the Dubai 24 hours into race results this season!”
Gordon-Colebrooke:
“I’m absolutely over the moon to have signed up with Century for the 2019 British GT season. The team proved last year just how strong they are as a team and how quick the BMW is as a car by taking both the drivers and teams titles in GT4 and I have every confidence that we’ll be just as competitive this year. Securing a drive on the British GT grid has been an ambition of mine for the last couple of years so to achieve it for this year feels amazing and to have signed with the reigning GT4 champions makes it even better. Having worked with both the team and Angus last year in Ginetta Supercup, I know that we are strong enough driver pairing to help the team and BMW make 2019 a special year for us all. I can’t wait for round 1!”