Fulbeck driver Shaun Balfe set for British GT return

There will be a change of direction for Fulbeck driver Shaun Balfe as he and Rob Bell switch to the British GT Championship next season.
Shaun Balfe on his way to European glory in the Balfe Motorsport McLaren 650S GT3 EMN-180214-161809002Shaun Balfe on his way to European glory in the Balfe Motorsport McLaren 650S GT3 EMN-180214-161809002
Shaun Balfe on his way to European glory in the Balfe Motorsport McLaren 650S GT3 EMN-180214-161809002

The pair won the Pro Am title in the International GT Open Championship last season, but rather than defend the title, they have decided to contest the British series instead in their Balfe Motorsport McLaren 650S GT3.

Balfe hasn’t raced full time in the British Championship since 2003, having concentrated on Europe with a Ferrari, before switching to the current McLaren.

“There are multiple reasons for our decision,” he said. “We did what we could in Europe, from runners-up in 2016 to champions last year and thought, where do we go next?

“McLaren liked the GT idea and we could see the opportunity to run customer cars, too, plus we were ready for a change.”

Balfe finished as runner-up in the British GTs in 2003, sharing his Mosler with Jamie Derbyshire.

After winning five rounds he missed out on the title in the final race of the year, having previously shared a Porsche with Mark Sumpter in 2001.

“I haven’t raced at the majority of UK circuits for about seven years, but I am open-minded about the year ahead,” he added.

“I have great respect for the existing teams and drivers, and we know it’s going to be a steep learning curve, changing from Michelin tyres to Pirelli, with different sizes and compounds.”

It’s three years since Bell contested the British Championship when he finished seventh in the Black Bull/Ecurie Ecosse-backed McLaren 650S.

The Balfe team will also be busy running Graham Johnson and Mike Robinson in a GT4 version of the McLaren, the duo having finished second in last year’s championship after winning the GT4 title in 2016.

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