Reigning British GT4 Teams’ champions Academy Motorsport will re-join the series at next weekend’s blue riband Silverstone 500 event, as well as the subsequent Spa-Francorchamps round.
A number of new and returning entries are scheduled to contest both races given their prestige and location, but Academy - who will run one of their tried and tested Aston Martin V8 Vantages - are the first new GT4 entrant to confirm their participation.
Dennis Strandberg, who raced with the Pershore-based outfit throughout last season’s domestic campaign, returns to the team alongside an as-yet unnamed co-driver.
The Swede will form part of a bumper junior class grid that also comprises up to 20 GT4 European Series entries, which are making their first appearance in a British GT race since also competing at Silverstone in 2013.
With additional GT3 cars also on the bill - Barwell Motorsport and Team Parker Racing have each already confirmed an extra Lamborghini Huracan and Bentley Continental - the complete entry is expected to be one of the largest in championship history.
And it’s for those reasons that Academy boss Matt Nicoll-Jones couldn’t ignore the chance to return.
“Although the team has opted not to place a full-time entry into the championship this season, we just couldn't turn down this opportunity,” he said.
“With there looking to be up to 55 cars on track during both races with the inclusion of the European Series machines, we just had to enter to show what the team and the Vantage can do in the right hands.
“But mainly, we just want to go and have fun!”
British GT’s showpiece Silverstone 500 event takes place on June 11/12.