Former British Touring Car Championship privateer racer Simon Blanckley is the latest driver to commit to the GT Cup Championship for 2012.
The Durham-born driver is no stranger to the championship and had a couple of positive appearances last season. With a new set of regulations permitting GT3 homologated cars and a bumper 23 race calendar for the new season, Blanckley needed little persuasion to join the 2012 MSVR-run GT Cup Championship grid.
After a foray into the BTCC in 2007, the 47-year-old switched his attention to sportscars enjoying success in various championships and is now looking for a new challenge. Blanckley experienced a flavour of the GT Cup Championship last season behind the wheel of his Sibsport-run Porsche 997 and he is eagerly anticipating a full campaign this year.
Blanckley said: “The GT Cup Championship is well presented and very professional. The racing is great too which helped me decide to join for the full season in 2012. I think to begin with I will be targeting group wins and then we will see how we go from there.
“The cars are very different to British Touring Cars but in my opinion GT cars are proper race cars. They are great to drive and we have a fantastic array of circuits to enjoy them on this year.”
GT Cup founder Marc Haynes is delighted to welcome Blanckley to the championship and is looking forward to more drivers following suit in the coming weeks.
He said: “Simon was very competitive last year and had a great battle with championship winner Andy Ruhan at Brands Hatch so it is exciting to see him sign up for a full season. He will no doubt be a force to be reckoned with. It’s going to be an exciting year for sure.”
The 2012 GT Cup Championship will kick-off with a trip to Donington Park on 28/29 April.
Drivers and teams who wish to register their interest in joining the 2012 GT Cup Championship should email hannah@butemotorsport.co.uk or visit www.gtcup.co.uk for more information.
