Alex thinks big in Masters challenge
CUMBRIA’S Alex MacDowall will race in the ADAC GT Masters series this season after inking a deal with the bigFM Racing Team Schutz Motorsport squad.
The reigning European Le Mans Series champion will partner Klaus Bachler in the leading German series, which kicks off later this month.
After piloting an Aston Martin last season, the former BTCC and WTCC star has switched power for his maiden season in the ADAC GT series.
He will now drive a Porsche 911 GT3R when the series kicks-off in a fortnight.
To get a feel for his new machine, the 26-year-old last week competed in the DMV GTC Championship at Hockenheim. The club-level race gave him the chance to get some important mileage under his belt, and he opened his account in style with pole and a win.
He then headed to Oschersleben, where the opening round will be held over the weekend of April 29 and 30, for the official pre-season test
MacDowall said: “I am really pleased to be racing in ADAC GT this year.
“It is a strong championship and Schutz is a great team and I must thank Richard Coleman for putting the deal together.
“We will see how the first round goes and take it from there but the car looks quick from this week’s official test and Klaus and I have gelled well together.
“The Porsche is quite a quirky car to get your head around, with the engine right at the back and so much weight over the rear wheels.
“There is a precise driving style you have to adapt to, it is not easy but we are definitely getting there.
“It is going to be quite a tough year but I am confident of a solid season, especially with such an enthusiastic team around me.”
His new bigFM Racing Team Schutz Motorsport outfit is a family-run concern headed by Christian and Stefan Schutz.
This year, the German squad enters its sixth season in ADAC GT Masters having become firmly established as a title challenging force and consistent race-winning entrant.
MacDowall added: “There is a lot to adapt to, so it is going to be a tough challenge and I will need to accelerate my learning of the car and the tracks.and stay focused.
“I think I will have to accept I might have to spend time learning from my team-mate as he has a lot of experience with Porsche and the tracks.
“It is a new challenge but I am ready for it and looking forward to the first round.”
Following the opening event at Oschersleben, the championship will also visit the Lausitzring, Nurburgring, Sachsenring and Hockenheim in Germany with mid-season trips to the Red Bull Ring in Austria and Zandvoort in The Netherlands.