The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Le Mans looms large for Adam
MOTORSPORT: Fife driver thrilled to have legendary race on his schedule
The world’s greatest 24-hour sportscar race awaits Fifer Jonny Adam in June after confirmation of a full FIA World Endurance Championship programme with Aston Martin Racing.
Reigning British GT champ Adam has told Courier Sport he is relishing the challenge of chasing glory in the ultra- competitive series, with the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours another “massive tick in the box” of his burgeoning career.
The Camberley-based star is due to begin testing in Valencia with the latest Aston Martin V8 Vantage GTE after he was unveiled alongside New Zealander Richie Stan away and Brazilian Fernando Rees in the factory team’s #97 machine for a three-car assault on the WEC GTE Pro category.
Having savoured the podium last season, Kirkcaldy’s Adam is hopeful his growing WEC experience will pay off.
“It is great to be included in the factory programme and it’s going to be a super busy year again,” said 31-year-old Adam, who will also stay with a Vantage GT3 for his British GT title defence after a move to TF Sport.
“I’ve been part of the Aston Martin family for a few years now and you always want to race at the highest championship level possible, so to be taking part in the WEC is fantastic and Le Mans is just a massive tick in the box.”
With a field which will include a new Ferrari 488, Corvette, Porsche and the return of Ford to top level GT racing on the 50th anniversary of the marque’s overall victory at Le M ans, Adam predicts the WEC championship will be probably the most competitive ever.
Adam will be competing alongside Scottish Motor Racing Club counterparts Ryan Dalziel and Marino Franchitti and says the Scots have every chance of WEC glory in their different machinery.
Franchitti joins Brit Andy Priaulx, German Stefan Mucke and Frenchman Olivier Plain one of the Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GTs for the campaign, which gets under way in April with the 6 Hours of Silverstone.