Following a successful debut season in 2016 for Garage 59 in the International GT Open Series, the team confirm a return to challenge for the title in 2017. Won by a McLaren 650S GT3 in 2015, the International GT Open Series is toughly contested, visiting some of the world’s most iconic race circuits such as Spa-Francorchamps and the home of British motorsport, Silverstone.
Garage 59 will again enter a two car McLaren 650S GT3 Pro-Am line-up to contest the full seven-round championship sporting new liveries for the 2017 season. All drivers in the team are familiar to the series having competed with Garage 59 in 2016, and with the oversight from Team Manager Tim Mullen and a wealth of track experience from the pros, the team are confident of a solid result in their title campaign.
Outlining the team’s intentions from the outset, piloting the #88 car, Alexander West teams up with McLaren GT Factory Driver Côme Ledogar. Ledogar brings a wealth of experience on the tracks the championship visits and with the 650S GT3. The duo performed well together in 2016 securing podiums each time they raced together, securing four podiums, three pole positions and a richly deserved victory at the Monza round in October 2016 with West finishing seventh overall in the championship.
As in 2016, Michael Benham and Duncan Tappy join forces in the #59 car. Pro Tappy joins Benham following a successful debut in the 2016 International GT Open Championship where the duo secured one victory at the first round of the season in Estoril, two further podiums and a pole position finishing eighth overall in the championship.
Garage 59 Team Manager Tim Mullen commented: “It is great to be returning to the International GT Open Championship for a two car assault on the championship title. We showed great pace with the 650S GT3 and performed well as a team in 2016 so we are relishing the challenge ahead of us in 2017. We have strong driver lineups from the outset and they demonstrated last year they all worked well together during what was Alex and Mike’s impressive debut competitive GT racing seasons so it is all shaping up to be a good season.”
Pre-season testing begins at Paul Ricard 3/4 March ahead of the championship opening round taking place in Estoril on April 29/30.
