AmDTuning.com has confirmed that Lee Mowle and Ryan Ratcliffe will team-up aboard its all-new Mercedes AMG GT3 for this year’s British GT Championship campaign.
The outfit announced its entry back in November and took delivery of the car earlier this year. However, the final piece of its jigsaw - a driver crew - has remained under wraps until now.
Mowle had already signed up to race the AmDTuning-run Mercedes in the Michelin Le Mans Cup but will also continue competing domestically for a sixth season, as well as second with the West Thurrock-based squad, after he and Joe Osborne took their older generation BMW Z4 to sixth in last year’s GT3 standings.
“Although it wasn’t part of my original plans, I’m really excited about the prospect of racing the Mercedes in British GT this year,” he said. “When the opportunity came along to race in the series, it was one that made perfect sense and I’m pleased to be returning for another season.
“As a Silver/Bronze driver pairing, we know that it will be difficult to challenge for the title but there is no reason why Ryan and I can’t surprise a few people as the year goes on; particularly as the Mercedes is a car that will be well suited to the British circuits.
“Personally I think I’m going into the season in good shape and I feel Ryan is a young driver who continues to improve and get quicker, so I think we are in for a good year together.”
Ratcliffe, meanwhile, moves across from the Optimum Motorsport Audi R8 LMS GT3 that he and Will Moore shared in 2016.
The 2013 domestic GT4 champion and Mowle were British GT co-drivers as long a go as 2012 and also contested two rounds together in 2014 before teaming up a year later for the Blancpain GT Series.
“I had a few things lined up for this year but no full season programme, so when I got the call from Lee to see if I was interested in racing the Mercedes, I almost bit his hand off!” said the Welshman. “It’s something that was really unexpected but I really can’t wait to get started and having already driven a new generation GT3 car, am keen to see how the Mercedes compares.
“Hopefully the experience I gained last season will help us get up to speed quickly with the new car and will ensure we are right on the pace when we get to Oulton Park.
“On a personal level, 2016 was a difficult year on track, but I think me and Lee will be a good pairing who can run towards the front end of the grid. I think we’ll have good pace when it comes to the races where strategy will also play a role, and I’d like to think we can challenge for the podium positions.”
With the British GT pairing completing AmDTuning’s driver line-up for what promises to be a busy 2017 season, team boss Shaun Hollamby is confident that a strong year lies ahead.
“We’re pleased to have sorted a deal for Lee and Ryan to join forces in the British GT Championship this season, and are confident that they will be a strong pairing,” he said. “They know each other well from their time together at Triple Eight, and we saw first hand on track last year what Ryan can do when he was up against us.
“In the Mercedes, we have a car that should be a competitive package on track, and when it comes to the drivers, Ryan knows how to put a championship bid together - having won the British GT4 title previously - and Lee is keen on improving on his most competitive season yet in 2016.
“With that in mind, I'm keen to get started with what promises to be an exciting season.”
Mowle shook down the car at Silverstone earlier this month and will be back the behind the wheel at Snetterton this week for his and Ryan’s first proper pre-season test.
This year’s British GT Championship gets underway at Oulton Park on April 15/17. Click here to purchase tickets - Adult prices start at just £19 and under-13s go free!
Plus, don’t forget there’s free general admission to our Media Day, which will be held at Snetterton on March 28!