Barwell Motorsport has revealed an ambitious 2024 programme that will see the Lamborghini squad run the full Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS campaign with two cars.
The familiar #78 machine will return with a striking new livery, alongside the sister #72, both of which will compete in the Bronze Cup class. A total of seven drivers have been named by the British team, with one more vacancy still to be filled before the season gets underway.
The #78 will carry backing from Dama Fortuna Tequila and a distinctive Mexican-inspired colour scheme. In the Endurance Cup, Till Bechtolsheimer will share with Antoine Doquin and Lamborghini Squadra Corse factory driver Sandy Mitchell. The latter remains in place for the Sprint Cup, where he will be joined by Rob Collard.
In the #72 JNKD Group/VIP Motors-backed car, Gabriel Rindone and Patrick Kujala will run both Sprint and Endurance. Their teammate for Endurance Cup races is yet to be finalised, though class rules dictate that it will be a Silver-graded driver.
Mitchell will be the most familiar name to Barwell followers. The Scotsman has driven for the team since 2018, winning the 2020 British GT title and scoring a brace of class wins at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa. His 2024 programme will also include a fresh British GT assault with Barwell.
The Sprint events will see Mitchell reunited with Collard, with whom he clinched the British GT crown four years ago. The former tin-top racer is also pulling double duty for Barwell this term, chasing a second British GT triumph alongside son Ricky.
The other members of the #78 crew are new to the Barwell fold. Bechtolsheimer, who is a prolific racer and also the new owner of the famed Lola Cars marque, has spent much of his career competing in America. Notably, he clinched GTD class victory at Petit Le Mans in 2022.
Doquin is the youngest member of the team at 19 and has gained experience in both GT cars and prototypes. Last season's programme included an Endurance campaign in a Saintéloc-run Audi, which yielded a Silver Cup podium in the CrowdStrike Spa 24 Hours.
Rindone is the reigning Lamborghini Super Trofeo Am Cup champion. He dovetailed this success with a race-winning season in the Le Mans Cup, where he shared a Huracán GT3 with Kujala. The Finn is another Barwell stalwart whose past successes include the 2020 Fanatec GT Europe Endurance Silver Cup title and a pair of class wins at Spa.
“It’s great to confirm our European plans, and be back up to two cars for the full GT World Challenge Europe season," said Barwell team principal Mark Lemmer. "We’ve got strength in depth across both our entries, and I believe we have all the ingredients to put together a title challenge with both cars.
"Till and Gabriel have already demonstrated their speed and skill, having already been winners in other major series. In Patrick and Sandy we have two proven Pro drivers who have already won races both with us and with Lamborghini, and then you add in young Antoine and we have a great mix.
“We know it’s going to be tough, but we relish the challenge and we can’t wait to take Till and Gabriel on the amazing journey that the GT World Challenge Europe presents. Plus, they’ll get to experience to incredible Crowdstrike 24 Hours of Spa in what will be the event’s centenary year – that will be the cherry on top.”