HHC Motorsport has confirmed that Luke Williams and Tom Jackson will drive its second McLaren 570S GT4 in British GT this season.
The 2017 GT4 Teams’ and Drivers’ champions confirmed their new status as a McLaren Customer Racing outfit in January when also revealing Callum Pointon and Dean Macdonald as their first Silver Cup pairing. Now, just one day before this year’s full-season entry list is revealed at British GT’s Media Day, the Yorkshire squad has announced a second Silver-graded duo for its other 570S GT4.
Williams has spent much of the last 10 years competing in various domestic Formula Ford championships. He was runner-up in the MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain’s Scholarship Class in 2010 and won the 2017 National F.Ford 1600 title. Switching to HHC represents his first full season of GT racing.
Meanwhile, Jackson’s career began in the Ginetta Junior Championship with HHC in 2012 before progressing to the BRDC Formula 4 Championship two seasons later. Third in the championship in 2015, the now-22-year-old’s CV also features stints in the European Le Mans Series’ LMP3 class, Gulf 12 Hours and Porsche Carrera Cup GB where he raced at the end of 2018.
Representing HHC ensures both Jackson and Williams are in contention for McLaren’s end-of-season shootout to join its Driver Development Programme in 2020. The manufacturer-supported initiative is designed to give up-and-coming drivers experience on and off track to develop the next generation of Woking’s factory drivers.
And it’s that chance which Jackson considers a major incentive in 2019.
“I know HHC well having raced for them and against them over the years,” he said. “HHC is a great team and its dedication and ability is second to none on the British GT grid so I am looking forward to a great season. My aim is to get on to McLaren’s radar and show what I can do.
“The McLaren brand has helped to attract sponsors because it is so well known, both through motor racing and its supercars on the road. Being in a two-car team will help as well by being able to share data. I am after wins and podiums this year and I can’t wait to get started.”
Williams, meanwhile, has one clear aim for the season ahead.
“I’m after a championship win!” he said. “I know we have to get on top of the car but McLaren is such a professional brand that I am sure we will do that quickly, especially with HHC and McLaren behind Tom and I and with some test days booked pre-season. I’ve never driven for HHC before, although the team is based just down the road from me, but I have a really good feeling for this year.
“It will be a real change from single-seater racing but I am sure that my Formula Ford racecraft will help me get through any traffic, and apart from a couple of Britcar races last year it will be different actually sharing a car. So a new team, new car, new co-driver, new championship – there is a lot to learn but I am up for the challenge.”
HHC Motorsport’s Charlie Kemp added: “I am delighted to have such a strong partnership in our second car. Both Tom and Luke have proved their ability but have struggled to make career progress in the costly arena of single-seater racing. Now, with a full season confirmed, they have the opportunity to learn and develop into GT racers, and with the help of HHC and McLaren they are well placed to enhance their careers in British GT. We look forward to watching their progress but also to sharing in their success in GT4 this season.”
Both drivers will test HHC’s McLaren during tomorrow’s British GT Media Day at Donington Park before making their series debuts at Oulton Park on April 20 & 22.
Fans can attend Media Day for free from 08:30 and purchase tickets for Oulton here.