> 570S GT4 entries also expected
Shaun Balfe and Rob Bell are teaming up for a third British GT campaign together next season after confirming their championship return aboard Balfe Motorsport’s McLaren 720S GT3.
The duo missed out on this year’s overall crown by just five points after winning the final round at Donington Park. That achievement was all the more remarkable considering they failed to register a single point in each of the first three races.
A run of four podiums across the next six outings, which included Balfe’s first British GT victory since 2003, established the duo as GT3’s most potent pairing over the second half of the campaign. Now they’re back with an unchanged line-up eager to improve on third overall.
The second half of 2019 represented a welcome change of fortune for the team and driver crew who originally returned to British GT as International GT Open’s reigning Pro/Am champions a year earlier.
“We’re really excited to be returning to the British GT Championship with the McLaren 720S GT3,” said Balfe. “The car was quick last season and we have some of the best mechanics and engineers in the paddock working with us, so as a combination I think we could be right up there again.
“But for a bit of luck in a couple of races – one where Rob was taken off and another where the door wouldn’t close – we might have been in a position to win the title. Regardless, the team is fantastic and whatever happens during the season we’ll enjoy ourselves every time we go to race.”
Balfe Motorsport will also continue to compete in the GT4 category next season after lodging a further two McLaren entries. Its driver line-ups are currently being finalised and will be confirmed in due course.
Oulton Park hosts the opening round of 2020’s British GT Championship on Easter Bank Holiday Weekend (April 11 & 13).