Zoom Returning to the Old Continent for 2009

British GT/sportscar team Barwell Motorsport is returning to European competition in 2009, having spent this season contesting the American Le Mans Series (ALMS).

The former British GT Champions operated under the banner of Drayson-Barwell in the 2008 ALMS, as part of its joint venture with driver Paul Drayson. The Surrey-based outfit, which is an official partner team of Aston Martin Racing, spent the season honing the new Aston Martin Vantage GT2 into a competitive proposition against world-class opposition in the US.

For 2009, Barwell Motorsport plans to contest the full European Le Mans Series (LMS) and ideally the Le Mans 24 Hours. This would involve either one or two cars in the main Le Mans Series championship, and one car at Le Mans.

Having been at the forefront of developing the beautiful Aston Martin Vantage GT2 this year, it is highly likely that the team will continue with the Vantage. The pace shown by the Drayson-Barwell Vantage GT2 at Petit Le Mans and by the works AMR chassis at Zolder has, however, demonstrated that the new car is on course to be a major challenger for GT2 honours around the world in 2009.

Barwell is currently in discussion with many drivers interested in this programme, and is working on arranging a testing opportunity in the coming weeks.

"The Aston Martin Vantage is moving closer and closer to the outright GT2 pace," said Barwell MD Mark Lemmer, "and the FIA has certainly got on top of the balance of performance for the DBRS9, which is a serious contender for the 2008 FIA GT3 title."

"With all this is mind, I am really looking forward to the team coming back to the European stage and showing what we are capable of," concluded Lemmer.

© CAPSIS International