Howard steps down from British GT
Double British GT champion Andrew Howard has ruled himself out of returning to the series next season, but has every intention of keeping his Beechdean AMR team in GT3.
Howard, who lifted the GT3 title in 2013 and 2015, split his racing between British GT3 and the GTE class of the European Le Mans Series this year. However, for next term Howard will step back totally from British GT, and will instead concentrate on the running of the Beechdean team.
Beechdean plans to field cars in both GT3 and GT4, with Howard’s title-winning Vantage GT3 available alongside two GT4 cars.
“There are two sides to Beechdean AMR, what I do personally, and what the team does to develop other drivers, and next year the development takes priority,” said Howard.
“I categorically will not drive in British GT next season, but we want the GT3 car to stay on the grid so we’re looking for drivers. GT3 is still a huge category, and the British GT title is still the most prestigious national title in Europe, so there will be GT3 cars on the grid and it will be tight.
“This year I found it difficult jumping between the GT3 and the GTE, so next season I’ll focus solely on GTE as we’re gunning to win a Le Mans 24 Hours entry.”
Howard added that his teammate for this season, Ross Gunn, was an option for the GT3 car for next season and that Great British Bake Off star Paul Hollywood was also in talks to return.
“Ross is a rising star and we want to help him build a future in GT racing,” Howard added. “Paul’s racing will be dictated by his work schedule, but hopefully he will be back out with us next season in some capacity.”