Erik Evans will attempt to defend his British GT4 Championship crown this year in one of Academy Motorsport’s two new Ford Mustangs.
The 20-year-old links up with Multimatic Motorsports driver and series returnee Marco Signoretti in an all-North-American crew, while the familiar pairing of Will Moore and Matt Nicoll-Jones returns on the other side of Academy’s garage.
No driver has ever defended the British GT4 title nor won it twice. But Evans, who clinched it in dramatic fashion alongside Matt Cowley at Donington last season, is no stranger to rewriting history. He was the first American to win a British GT crown and also finally landed one for the now previous generation Mustang that had twice finished second overall.
Indeed, the new Multimatic-built model follows in the wheel tracks of a predecessor that claimed nine victories, and at least one in each of its five British GT seasons. Three of those wins came last year: once in the hands of Moore and Nicoll-Jones, and twice more across the final three races with Evans and Cowley.
That run-in ultimately helped the #61 crew overcome a whopping 63-point deficit with three races remaining.
“I am really pumped to be back in the British GT Championship with Academy Motorsport, Multimatic Motorsports, and Ford Performance driving the new Ford Mustang GT4,” he said. “Last year, seeing the passion and excitement the British racing fans had for the car and our team was remarkable and inspiring. With the support of our partners and having Marco as my team-mate, I am super excited to see what we can accomplish unleashing this new beast on our competition.”
Evans’ new co-driver, Signoretti, won once during his sole British GT season with Academy in 2022 after clinching his native Canadian sportscar title with a Mustang GT4 the year before. He is also part of the team that developed the new car throughout 2023.
“I am really excited to cross the pond again and return to these iconic tracks in the UK and the incredible Spa-Francorchamps,” he said. “Academy knows the ins and outs of this championship and I have full confidence in our team to give us all the tools to succeed.”
There are no changes on the other side of Academy’s garage where team owner and 2008 British GT4 champion Nicoll-Jones is again joined by team stalwart Moore. They raced together in 2017 and ’18 before Academy became a Ford Performance customer, before Moore finished second overall alongside Cowley in 2021.
“I’m anticipating another great year with Academy Motorsport in #62 and really looking forward to testing out what these new Mustangs have got going on under the hood,” he said. “Let’s get this season started!”
Nicoll-Jones added: “Following a fantastic end to 2023, the agenda is very much to retain the GT4 championship title for Academy and Ford Performance with the all new Mustang S650 GT4,” said. “We couldn't be more excited to get on track and show what the new car can do.”
The same quartet and pairings are also contesting this year’s GT4 European Series Powered by RAFA Racing Club with Academy.
But before that the new Mustang makes its first public appearance at British GT media day on March 12 before contesting the opening round over Easter Bank Holiday Weekend at Oulton Park.
