Barwell Motorsport will contest the Pro-Am class of the full Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup for the third season in succession in 2016, and has announced the driver line-up of its first car: Mark Poole, Richard Abra and Joe Osborne. The all-British trio will campaign one of Barwell’s new Lamborghini Huracan GT3s in the series, as part of the Surrey-based outfit’s two-car Blancpain GT Series team.
Poole, Abra and Osborne already shared a Barwell machine during the Silverstone round of the 2013 Blancpain Endurance Series, finishing second in Pro-Am. The next year they repeated that Silverstone performance and finished fourth in the Pro-Am standings. Barwell has also gone on to enjoy continued success in the Blancpain Endurance Series, claiming second in Pro-Am (seventh overall) in the 2014 Total 24 Hours of Spa, en route to third in the championship standings with the Ecurie Ecosse-entered BMW Z4. Last year saw Barwell enter two cars in Spa for the first time, claiming another podium for Ecurie Ecosse in third, with the sister Team Russia Z4 less than a lap behind in fourth spot.
Mark Poole: “Taking a break from motorsport isn’t as easy as it sounds so I’m very happy to be back and part of this unique partnership with Lamborghini and Barwell Motorsport! I can’t seem to get rid of Joe and Richard but happy to enter the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup as a true Pro-Am entry for a full season attack!"
Richard Abra: “To be back with Barwell in this new era of GT3 racing is super exciting. We have a strong team, strong car and fast drivers so I cannot wait to get started! I have a few cobwebs to blow off after a year out but will be ready as ever come the first race at Monza!”
Joe Osborne: “Our 2016 attack on the Pro-Am Blancpain looks strong. Mark is more committed than ever, and Richard has had a year out so is itching to get going again. Barwell have been providing cars that have been the thorn in my side for the last few years, so it will be good to join them rather than have them beat me!”
Mark Lemmer, Barwell Motorsport Team Principal: “We are delighted to have Mark, Richard and Joe back on board for a full season assault on Pro-Am. The support we have from Lamborghini Squadra Corse has allowed us to put together a really serious test programme, and with this talented driver line-up we aim to challenge for podiums from round one at Monza. Mark is a big part of what we are doing at Barwell and we are united in sharing many common goals for the seasons ahead.”
(car visual by Matt Reeves Design)