The new-for-2022 BMW M4 GT3 will make its Intelligent Money British GT Championship debut this season in the hands of Betty Chen and Century Motorsport.
What’s more, the reigning GT4 teams’ and drivers’ champions have also confirmed GT Cup runner-up Tom Rawlings in the second of its M4 GT4 entries alongside Chris Salkeld ahead of British GT’s 30th campaign, which begins at Oulton Park next weekend (April 16 & 18).
Century’s GT3 return has been hotly anticipated since it revealed plans to enter the brand-new M4 late last season. Now it can confirm that Chen – the first Taiwanese driver to race in the series – will form the Am element of its line-up.
Chen is no stranger to BMWs: she raced the M6 GT3 in 2019’s China GT Championship with Team AAI alongside, coincidentally, former British GT champion Jody Fannin.
However, with Covid-19 subsequently restricting her opportunities to compete in Asia the 22-year-old has instead looked further afield, first to this year’s 24 Hours of Dubai aboard a Leipert Motorsport Lamborghini Huracan GT3 and now British GT with Century.
“I started my career in 2018 with some GT3 racing in Asia but knew the grassroots of motorsport had always been in the United Kingdom,” she said. “So it is a privilege to have the chance to join Century Motorsport in the 2022 British GT Championship and further establish my CV outside of Asia.”
While her co-driver will be revealed next week, Century has firmed up its second GT4 pairing after previously confirming the return of reigning champion Will Burns, his new co-driver Jack Brown and the returning Salkeld.
The latter is paired with GT Cup graduate Rawlings who was GTH (GT4) class runner-up with Paddock Motorsport’s recent signing, Moh Ritson, last term. The 20-year-old previously contested the JCW class of Mini Challenge GB.
“I am extremely excited to be joining the championship-winning Century Motorsport team and linking up with Chris Salkeld in the BMW M4 GT4 in what is the pinnacle of GT racing in the UK,” he said. “After a successful season, finishing second in GT Cup last year, this is going to be an exciting step up and one I’m honoured to take.
“I would like to thank Nathan Freke and his team at Century, along with BMW Motorsport UK, for giving me the opportunity to show what I can do at the top level of GT racing. Also, my amazing family and sponsors as none of this would be possible without their continued support. I am looking forward to racing with Chris in ‘Harriott’s Chariot’ and pushing for the top step from the start.”
This year’s full-season entry list will be revealed on Thursday.