2022 title challenger Josh Miller will remain with R Racing this year for a renewed assault on the Intelligent Money British GT4 Championship title.
He’s joined in the outfit’s Aston Martin Vantage by another 17-year-old, Seb Hopkins, who is switching from Team Parker Racing’s Porsche. The pair form one of the youngest partnerships on this season’s entry.
Last year Miller and his erstwhile co-driver Jamie Day broke British GT’s records for the youngest crew in terms of combined age to both start and win a race. 12.5 points separated them from also becoming the youngest champions after a thrilling three-way title showdown at Donington went the way of Richard Williams and Sennan Fielding.
Hopkins, meanwhile, finished eighth overall with Jamie Orton during a maiden British GT campaign in which the teenager – who is just 27 days younger than his new co-driver – frequently demonstrated undoubted pace.
Now both youngsters are ready to mount a serious championship challenge with a proven car and team.
“There’s no two ways about it: Seb and I are gunning for the title this year,” said Miller, who enters his third season with R Racing. “2022 was great and I learned a lot but it was disappointing to miss out at the final round. We topped the standings at various points during that race but it just wasn’t to be when it mattered most. Now I want to finish the job, and in Seb I know I’ve found the ideal co-driver to do that. His 2022 championship position didn’t tell the whole story – his potential was clear to anyone paying close attention.”
Hopkins added: “Josh and R Racing did fantastically well in their debut season so I’m really excited by the prospect of joining them this year. Continuity is important, which we have through the team and Josh, but that year of experience in which I learned so much about sharing a car and managing GT3 traffic will also be crucial for me. There were a few podiums last year but missing out on the top step was, admittedly, frustrating. However, we also know consistency wins British GT titles, and I think that will be especially true this season if the class is as big and competitive as we’re expecting it to be.”
The Vantage AMR GT4 has two British GT drivers’ and teams’ titles to its name – both in 2019 and ’20 – while R Racing was instantly quick after joining the championship at the start of 2022 – a year in which it also won Ginetta Junior’s regular and winter titles.
“We are excited to get going and mount a serious title assault in 2023,” said team director Jamie Ross. “After learning a lot last year and ending it very strongly, we are intending to pick up where we left off.
“Josh showed great pace and consistency last year; we have a great relationship with him and it’s fantastic to retain him for this year. Seb has raced against the team for a few years now and has always impressed us, so to get him with us this season is very exciting. We know what he is capable of and we are looking forward to maximising that.
“We have seen a few strong driver line-ups for GT4 but believe you need the whole package to give you the edge.”
Oulton Park kicks off 2023’s Intelligent Money British GT Championship on April 8 & 10.
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