2023 runners up Jack Brown and Optimum Motorsport have been joined by Zac Meakin for another crack at the British GT4 Championship crown.
Brown and his former co-driver Charles Clark enjoyed a formidable advantage with three races remaining last year but eventually slipped to second in the overall standings after scoring just three points from Portimao onwards.
The duo and Optimum did at least clinch the Silver class title but were nevertheless disappointed to miss out on the big one, which ultimately went the way of Matt Cowley and Erik Evans.
Brown won twice and claimed a solo pole position at Oulton in the same Artura as he’ll campaign this year with Meakin, who moves across from Team Parker Racing. Still just 17, he became one of the championship’s youngest-ever drivers last year when he first raced a Porsche Cayman before switching to the Artura.
“I’m delighted to be back on the grid with Optimum motorsport,” said Brown. “To win the Silver title last season was great, but it did feel like we let the overall title slip away from us. This season we will be looking to put that right and give it everything we have to try and secure the overall championship.
“I have a very fast team mate in Zac and with Optimum giving us such a strong car I think we have all the ingredients needed to give it a good go. To continue my relationship with Xpel both on and off track is a real boost in what promises to be a very exciting season. Xpel set incredibly high standards with everything they do and I will do all I can to repay their faith in me.”
Three podiums and two victories with an Artura in the recent GT4 Winter Series point to a promising year ahead for Meakin whose progress was hampered by a frustrating first season in the Porsche.
“I’m very excited to join Optimum this year, the team had a good season last year and I’m hoping that Jack and I can replicate that or better it,” he said. “I’m happy that it’s in a McLaren again as I’m familiar with how the car acts and for the continued support from McLaren too.
“I’m hoping to achieve an overall championship win this season with Optimum in British GT and will give it my all to achieve this goal with Jack!”
Media day takes place on March 12 before the new season begins in earnest at Oulton Park on March 30 + April 1.
