Honda’s NSX GT3 will make its long-awaited British GT Championship bow this year with series debutants Bridger Motorsport, Chun Cheong Ip and Luke Garlick.
The first-generation Honda was revealed in 2016 before receiving evo updates three years later and in 2022.
Now, finally, the current ‘Evo 22’ version is joining the British GT fold thanks to Bridger Motorsport, which has contested several national single seater series since its inception in 2015.
The NSX programme is receiving support from Honda’s development partner, JAS Motorsport. It’s Bridger’s first-ever in any GT3 capacity, although it did run a McLaren 570S GT4 in a British Endurance Championship round last season.
That outing as well as Bridger’s 2024 Monoposto programme featured Hong Kong racer Ip, who goes by his English name Johnny.
“This year, I am proud to be competing in the British GT Championship, a stage where some of the world’s best GT racers push the limits,” he said. “I will be driving the Honda NSX GT3 Evo 2022, a car that truly represents performance, precision, and the racing spirit that I have always admired. Competing in British GT is a dream come true, and I can’t wait to take on this challenge, represent my roots, and push myself to the next level.”
He’s paired with another GT3 debutant, albeit one with significant experience of British GT’s support paddock following three successful years racing in Ginetta’s one-make series. Indeed, Garlick claimed the GT5 Challenge Pro title in 2023 before finishing third in the GT Championship standings last year.
At 18, he is likely to be the youngest driver on GT3’s entry this season.
“I am very excited to start my GT3 journey with Bridger Motorsport and Honda,” he said. “Having previously raced Ginettas, this is a new challenge for me but I am sure that we will make our mark on the British GT grid. I’ve tested the car and can’t wait to get behind the wheel for the season opener at Donington Park, nor make the most of this opportunity.”
Team principal Jay Bridger is also no stranger to the British GT paddock thanks to a single-seater CV that includes 2008’s British F3 National Class title. His time is now predominantly spent heading up an eponymous operation that is, by his own admission, taking a significant step up from its existing national-level programmes.
“We are very excited to be joining British GT with Honda this year,” he said. “It is a massive jump up for us as a team. We are working alongside JAS Motorsport and their support has been very valuable to us.
“It will be a big learning experience for everyone. We are running the only Honda on the grid so we will have a lot of catching up to do. But testing has exceeded our expectations and we have put a good team in place around us.
“It will also be a big step up for our drivers but I have a lot of confidence in our line up. I believe they will make a big impression this year. I am feeling confident that we will be competitive.”
British GT’s media day takes place at Silverstone on March 21. Fans can attend for free but must reserve their ticket in advance at silverstone.co.uk/events/british-gt-championship.
The seven-event, nine-race season itself begins three weeks later at Donington Park (April 5/6).
