Family-run Intelligent Money British GT Championship team ABBA Racing are returning to the series in 2021 with an unchanged driver line-up featuring father and son duo Richard and Sam Neary.
The popular black and chrome-green Mercedes-AMG is also the first entry into British GT’s new Silver-Am class, which replaces the Silver Cup from next season. The category provides an additional opportunity for Bronze and Silver-graded drivers to fight for class honours as well as the overall title.
Neary Snr returns for a sixth consecutive campaign and fifth with Mercedes-AMG’s previous-generation GT3 model, which once again eschews the factory’s Evo upgrade.
He’s joined by 18-year-old Sam who proved a revelation during his maiden British GT campaign earlier this year. Indeed, his ability in wet and changeable conditions was comparable with far more experienced factory drivers, while his pace in the dry also took a notable step forward as the season progressed.
ABBA’s father/son pairing are now aiming to improve on their best finish of sixth at Donington and 11th place in the overall GT3 standings, as well as capturing the Silver-Am title. The team’s best-ever result remains second at Oulton Park in 2019 when Richard shared the Mercedes-AMG with Adam Christodoulou.
“We’re part of the furniture in British GT these days so it’s great to be back with an unchanged line-up and car, and an opportunity to fight for a class title in 2021,” said Richard Neary. “Last year was all about getting Sam up to speed and he surpassed our expectations. Ultimately, we’re here to have fun but we’re also ready to hit the ground running and ruffle a few feathers at the front!
“We had a chance to upgrade to the Evo kit but are really comfortable with what we already have and would rather not introduce something that requires more testing and development to be fully optimised. Our pace wasn’t far off RAM’s Pro-Am champions last year, and Sam compared very well against Yelmer Buurman, so I don’t see a need to chase incremental improvements while we’re still unlocking our own potential.”
Sam added: “British GT was a blast this year and quite a step up compared to my previous racing experience. So, personally, it was nice to show what I could do while also improving as the season progressed. We’re not expecting miracles – the difference in experience and resources between us and the bigger teams is clear – but Silver-Am gives us something tangible to fight for while also targeting a first overall podium with my old man.”
ABBA join the likes of reigning champions Barwell Motorsport, WPI Motorsport and Beechdean AMR on the list of GT3 already confirmed for 2021. The seven-round, nine-race campaign begins at Oulton Park on April 3 & 5 – reserve your tickets here.