Having wrapped up the Pro-Am title in British GT GT4 in 2017, Optimum Motorsport are pleased to announce that it will field an Aston Martin Vantage GT3 in the 2018 championship with 2015 / 2016 championship winner and current 24 Hours of Le Mans victor Jonny Adam joining Flick Haigh in an exciting all-new driver-pairing.
Haigh, who has an extensive background in motorsport culminating in a championship challenge with Optimum Motorsport this year in the Michelin Le Mans Cup, is delighted to have such a strong programme in place for the coming season.“I’m really excited about this and I’m very much looking forward to getting back behind the wheel,” Haigh began. “It’s like starting again, we have the right car, the right teammate and we’ll be flat out to make the best of this amazing opportunity.
“I’ve already met with Jonny and he’ll be a pleasure to work with. He’s very down to earth and we know his track record in the Aston is sensational. It’s a while since I have raced in the UK; but the new challenge will be very exciting and I can’t wait to get stuck in.
“To have Aston Martin Racing turn around and offer me their number one guy is amazing. This is a great opportunity and I’ll grab it with both hands.”
Adam is no stranger to success in the Aston Martin, claiming title honours on British soil in 2015 and 2016 with two different Aston Martin Racing customer teams and as a factory Aston Martin Racing driver, took the biggest crown this year when he and his AMR teammates took the Le Mans win in the LMGTE Pro category.
“It’s great to be joining Optimum Motorsport,” Adam began. “It’s a new team for me and for Aston Martin Racing, so it’s fantastic that they have a new customer in Optimum Motorsport and in Flick.
“She’s done a lot of racing and her times are good, as is her consistency, so we’ll be pushing hard in what is a really important season ahead. Optimum Motorsport are winners in the 24H Series and in British GT, so I’m very upbeat about the season ahead. We know it’s never easy, but the aim is to work with Flick to put together what we believe will be a strong championship challenge.
“The Aston Martin Vantage GT3 has had a lot success in the UK and Europe over the last few seasons because it’s a driver friendly car, so I’ll spend time with Flick as she adapts to this new equipment and we’ll do a lot of pre-season work, including some prep in the simulator. To be successful in this championship, both drivers have to be able to get the very best from the package and I’m looking forward to this new challenge.”
For team principal Shaun Goff, the 2018 British GT programme promises to be an exciting opportunity – working with the known quantity in Haigh – as well as becoming part of the Aston Martin Racing customer programme and welcoming the undoubted talent of Adam.
“It’s shaping up to be another great year for Optimum Motorsport,” stated Goff. “We’re thrilled to be putting this package together with Flick, Jonny and Aston Martin Racing as we return to the GT3 level in the championship.
“Jonny has already begun to assist both my team and Flick in sharing his knowledge about the car, so we have a good idea as to what to expect. We take delivery of the car from Prodrive at the end of January and from there we’re into the test programme where we expect to be quickly up to speed.
“We’re confident we’ll be strong and all of Optimum Motorsport are very excited about this all-new project for 2018!”
