> Adam gunning for fifth title in six years with series returnee Al Harthy
> Reigning GT3/4 champions Davidson and Canning join forces in #1 Aston Martin
The Oman Racing name returns to the Intelligent Money British GT Championship in 2020 when TF Sport enter a multiple title-winning driver line-up.
Reigning GT3 champions Graham Davidson and Jonny Adam are split between the reigning Teams’ champion’s two Pro/Am Aston Martins, which also feature Tom Canning and Ahmad Al Harthy.
Davidson is joined by Canning who claimed the GT4 title with TF Sport last season before also winning the Aston Martin Racing Academy. It’s just the second time in series history that reigning GT3 and GT4 champions have teamed up – Andrew Howard and Ross Gunn shared Beechdean AMR’s Vantage in 2016 – while Davidson is bidding to become the first amateur to successfully defend a British GT crown. Canning – who only turned 18 earlier this week – could also become the first driver to win back-to-back GT3/4 titles.
History could also be made in the second entry where Adam is hoping to extend his incredible run of British GT success. Another title, this time alongside Al Harthy, would be his fifth with as many co-drivers in six years and third in a row. No other driver has successfully defended the crown, while Howard is the only other driver to have won more than one GT3 championship.
The Scot is no stranger to racing with Al Harthy who heads to British GT fresh from claiming class honours with Oman Racing/TF Sport at the Total 24 Hours of Spa and subsequently winning the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup Pro/Am title. The Omani captured the same crown with Adam in 2017, two years after making his last British GT appearance and three since finishing runner-up behind Marco Attard.
“I’m really looking forward to coming back to British GT, it’s a championship that has meant a lot to me over the years,” said Al Harthy. “It’s going to be a very competitive field and I’m proud to have Oman Racing back in Great Britain and with TF Sport – we have won so much together – and to have Jonny in the car with me is fantastic as well.
“I’ve followed the championship closely since I left in 2015 and I really do hope it will be a great year for us. The circuits are challenging; they really helped me develop my race-craft in the past and the level of competition is so high. We know what it takes to be competitive and we know it will require a lot of hard work but we’re up for the challenge.”
Davidson and Adam made a slow start to 2019 but became steadily stronger as the season progressed. And the latter believes there’s more to come after spending a year working with the new Vantage.
“We’ve done a lot of work behind the scenes and delved into a lot of detail and found areas where we can further improve the car – even though we won the title last year – there were a few rounds where we could have got the car into a better (performance) window,” he said. “Already in testing we have made some gains. The competition looks very strong this year but we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Meanwhile, Davidson is looking forward to taking on his former mentor in the same machinery alongside a co-driver now fully ensconced within the AMR family.
“It’s my second season with TF Sport and, together with Tom [Canning], we enter the championship very much in the mindset that we’re in it to win it,” said the Scot. “We’re also mindful of the Teams’ title and with the expertise of TF Sport, we are confident and together have a good test programme in place ahead of Oulton Park.
“I’ll be using all the knowledge that Jonny has passed on to me to try and beat him this year. It’s not often that defending champions get to race against each other in the same team! It’s also great to announce Intelligent Money as my personal sponsor. As a package, I have everything I need to go for the double and I know that together with Tom, we’ll be right up at the sharp end.”
Canning, who remains the youngest driver ever to compete in British GT, added: “2019 was a very successful season for me, winning the GT4 championship and taking the Aston Martin Racing Driver Academy award. I’m excited to step up into GT3, racing alongside Graham and after working with the team, I know that they are always hungry to win and will leave no stone unturned.
“To race alongside Graham – we’re both reigning British GT champions in our respective classes – is an exciting prospect too. I know there’s a lot for me to learn at this higher level, but I have confidence heading into round one at Oulton Park and believe we’ll be fighting at the sharp end.
“I’m coming into my third season of the British GT Championship looking for wins and with the ultimate aim of being a championship contender throughout the season.”
All four of TF Sport’s British GT entries will attend the championship’s Media Day at Snetterton next Tuesday. Entry is free for fans from 9am.
Oulton Park then hosts the season opener at Oulton Park over Easter Bank Holiday Weekend. Reserve your tickets for April 11 & 13 here.
DID YOU KNOW?
Jonny Adam has chosen #7 for this year’s British GT campaign after achieving success with the number throughout his GT career. His four British GT3 titles were achieved with 007, 17, 75 and 47, while in 2017 the Scot used 97 to win both the Blancpain Endurance Series Pro/Am title and GTE Pro class at Le Mans.
He finished fifth and third during the 2014 and 2017 British GT campaigns when using #1.