Academy Motorsport has targeted title success in British and European GT4 competition after confirming its return to full-time racing in 2017.
The Pershore-based squad, which won the British GT Championship GT4 class teams’ title in 2015, took a sabbatical from full-time competition in ’16.
But it will now launch a dual challenge with returnee Will Moore joining team boss Matt Nicoll-Jones who returns to the wheel in a Silver-Silver graded pairing, to compete in both the British GT Championship and Northern Cup section of the GT4 European Series.
Moore re-joins the team after a successful full debut season in 2015. The Leeds-based racer scored class victory in last month’s Dubai 24 Hour, and will revert back to Academy’s Aston Martin Vantage GT4 machinery to continue his learning and development around both British and European circuits.
Nicoll-Jones last raced in a full-time role in 2013, opting since for a hands-on management position. But following the team’s 12-month hiatus, the prospect of pairing up alongside Moore was one which he could not refuse.
Moore says he cannot wait to climb back into the Vantage which he loved back in 2015: “I’m really excited for the season ahead. The British GT4 class has some strong competition in it this year which will make for some good, close racing.
“I had a great season with Academy and the Aston in 2015, so when the opportunity came up to return and with Matt as my team-mate, I didn’t hesitate.
“Matt and I get on very well and we know the car inside out, the team is extremely professional and I know they will set it up perfectly. I’m looking forward to continuing my development, winning races and challenging for the overall title.”
Nicoll-Jones is forthright in his aspirations for the season ahead: “It’s great for the team to be back racing again and we have a firm target of aiming for the title in both the British and European competitions.
“I’ve personally missed the fun of going racing, it will be great to get back behind the wheel. Despite the weight disadvantage that a Silver-Silver graded pairing brings, I’m extremely confident that we can mount a title challenge in British GT.
“The GT4 European Series is more of a sprint format. We had a taste of that at its final round of last season at Zandvoort and loved it.”
British GT Championship manager Benjamin Franassovici, added: “It’s great to have Academy back in the British GT fold after a year away. Will made a big impression during his maiden GT campaign with the team and Vantage GT4 in 2015, and with a year of GT3 experience under his belt I expect he and Matt to be right at the sharp end this year. It’s a very strong Silver pairing.”
