Reigning Intelligent Money British GT3 Silver Cup champion Ollie Wilkinson will return to defend his title in 2020 with Optimum Motorsport and GT4 graduate Lewis Proctor.
The 24-year-old secured last year’s crown with Bradley Ellis and Optimum after also becoming the first Silver Cup crew to win a British GT race outright, a result that helped them to remain in overall title contention until the final round.
Wilkinson’s new British GT programme is in addition to the GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS Endurance Cup entry announced earlier this year.
“I count myself lucky to be racing this season, so to come back to British GT and defend the Silver Cup title in our McLaren 720S GT3 is more than I could have hoped for,” he said. “Taking the title last year was brilliant and it will be good to come back with that experience under my belt, a new car, new sponsor and new team-mate. Lewis has already proved himself to be a pace-setter in GT4 and I have no doubt he will take the step up to GT3 in his stride this year.”
Domestically, Wilkinson is joined by fellow McLaren Academy Driver Proctor who claimed one victory and two further podiums en route to fourth in last year’s GT4 standings with Tolman Motorsport. The 23-year-old returns to Optimum following a one-off appearance in the Dubai 24 Hours.
“I am very excited about stepping up, it will be my first time in the GT3!” added Proctor. “I have known the team for a long time, we go way back and obviously the British GT paddock is a small place. Shaun has a good team and the boys and girls at Optimum are very professional, so I’m looking forward to going racing in August.”
The duo join GT3’s expanded Silver Cup entry which now totals six cars, the most in British GT’s recent history.
Optimum has also confirmed the withdrawal of its two GT4 entries, which are now unable to compete due to British GT’s rescheduled calendar.
Oulton Park hosts the opening round of this year’s championship on August 1/2.