Blackthorn joins British GT full-time this year with two new Aston Martin Vantage GT3s.
Its first driver line-up features serious Silver-Am contenders in the shape of Matt Topham and Josh Rowledge, while its second line-up will be confirmed tomorrow.
Founded in 2022, the team made its British GT debut at Silverstone last year with the then current spec Vantage, Claude Bovet and David McDonald. But its 2024 programme and ambitions are much greater in scale.
Topham previously won two GT4 Pro-Am titles with Aston Martin, but can also call upon some GT3 experience from last year when he raced the now previous-generation Vantage – affectionately known as ‘Skully’ – and a McLaren 720S GT3 Evo run by Enduro Motorsport.
He first worked with Rowledge in the McLaren Trophy, a collaboration he was keen to continue in 2024.
“After gaining experience in a multitude of GT3 cars over the past year I am super excited to be back for a full British GT Championship assault with Blackthorn and their new Aston Martin,” he said. “And Josh was the obvious partner; after working together in McLaren Trophy at Spa it was clear to me that we work well as a partnership.
“With the speed and consistency he has shown throughout his 2023 British GT campaign I believe we have a good foundation to build on for this season and I can't wait to get going and bring Skully back to the front grid.”
Still just 18, Rowledge won the Ginetta Junior title in 2022 before making his British GT debut with Aston Millar and DTO last year. They were one of GT4’s standout combinations but only finished fifth in the standings thanks to a series of unfortunate results.
Still, Rowledge was pleased with his progress and is now looking forward to his GT3 graduation with Blackthorn.
“I’m super excited to be stepping up into GT3 after having a great season last year in GT4,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to getting to grips with the New Aston Martin GT3 – with the support of Blackthorn I’m sure the transition will be smooth. Also, partnering up with Matt is awesome! We have won together before and will be aiming to do it again.”
British GT’s full-season entry list will be officially revealed at media day next Tuesday before Oulton Park stages the season opener on March 30 + April 1.
