02.Mar.2010 Deal Done and Dusted!

The deal is done. The contracts are all signed and I can tell you that I will be tackling the British GT Championship this season.

I have joined former British GT champions ABG Motorsport and will be driving a stunning KTM X-Bow along with Ben Harvey.

The chance really came out of the blue, but I was ready to grab it with both hands.
I had done some coaching with Ben at Knockhill last year before the Gt Cup round and it was great fun. His Porsche 996 broke down and we ended up hiring a Chevy Matiz from Dunfermline.
He didn?t hold that against me and we maintained contact. Then, at New Year, Ben got in touch to say he was stepping up to the British Gt Championship with a KTM X-bow and wanted to give me a shot at the drive.

Ben?s prestigecarleasing.co.uk firm is the major backer and it was a tremendous opportunity, especially as we are looking at doing some European rounds as well.
Don?t forget to check out his site ? I might even ask him for commission if he gets a load of hits!
He has a great vision for what he wants to achieve ? and I was delighted to be asked to be part of it.
But, amazingly, I did have to think twice. I had already had a test and had a chance to compete in the Benelux Formula Ford championship with Geva Racing.
The guys had been brilliant and I was sorry when I had to phone to say I wasn?t going to be able to join them.

But I knew chances like the one Ben was offering don?t come along every day.
And my mind was made up after we tested at Oulton Park. The car has the potential to be really quick. I loved driving?it and I feel there is more to come as I get used to the X-Bow and the team get used to me.

It may be a new project but the team has already done a great job. The X-Bow has excellent aero grip – that makes it very stable through the fast stuff. In fact, it feels very familiar to what I have driven the last three years so that helped me settle in more quickly.
?
The carbon fibre tub is built by the single-seater manufacturer, Dallara, and it only weighs 700kg. We aren’t giving away any secrets by saying we have a reliable 2.0 turbo Audi engine with bags of torque.
?
So it basically feels like a single seater-sports car combo and that suits me just fine. It is the perfect start for me in such a prestigious series as the British GT.
?
So I am glad I know what I will be doing. This is the series where Andrew Kirkaldy made a massive impact. It is full of famous names like Ferrari, Mosler and Ginetta.?

It will be a big step up, but I am really looking forward to the challenge.
I know I will have to raise my game, but that is what I am in it for.

We know we have plenty to work on before the opening race, so I will keep you posted!