MIN SHAW EX ITS BRITISH GT AS BAR WELL GETS NEW LAMB OS
Runner-up to focus on new challenges, while cock er/ de ha an remain
British GT runner-up Jon Minshaw is the latest front-running driver to reveal they won’t be contesting a full season in the series next year, as Barwell has unveiled its first pairing for 2019.
Minshaw, 55, has finished second in the standings, alongside Phil Keen driving a Barwell Lamborghini Huracan, in each of the past three seasons. He’s taken a total of 13 wins in the series. It is understood he has other commitments for 2019 and will contest a select few international events, and could make the odd British GT appearance. Minshaw joins 2018 champion Flick Haigh, ’16 title winner Derek Johnston and ’17 victor Rick Parfitt Jr in ruling out a full campaign next season. A new driver will be announced soon and is expected to partner recently-unveiled Lamborghini factory racer Phil Keen. The team has announced that 2004 British GT champion Jonny Cocker and Sam De Haan will continue with the squad as Barwell takes delivery of upgraded Huracan Evos for next season as part of a new three-year deal with the Italian manufacturer. The pair finished eighth in the standings this year.
Team boss Mark Lemmer said: “We are thrilled to announce the continuation of our highly successful partnership with Lamborghini with the new Huracan GT3 Evo. The Evo is exactly that, a natural evolution of what has already proved to be a fantastic car. We are privileged to welcome back Sam and Jonny and we can’t wait to reveal an exciting driver for British GT in the coming weeks.”
The team has also unveiled some of its drivers for the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup next year. Am Cup champions Leo Machitski and Adrian Amstutz will return in one Huracan, while Scot Sandy Mitchell will be back in another. ● TF Sport has confirmed Alex Toth-jones as its first driver as the team returns to the GT4 category of British GT. As well as running the new GT3 Aston Martin Vantage, TF Sport also plans to run two of the new GT4 model as well. Toth-jones joins the team after finishing fifth in the Ginetta GT5 Challenge this term.