Motorbase confirm Caine and Al Harthy for British GT Campaign

Motorbase Performance unveiled its plans to defend the Avon Tyres British GT Championship Title with a Porsche 911 GT3R for Michael Caine and Ahmad Al Harthy at an official team launch last Friday (7th March).Team Principal David Bartrum confirmed that the GT squad will compete under the new banner of Oman Air Motorbase for 2013, with reigning British GT Champion and Motorbase stalwart Michael Caine partnered by Porsche Carrera Cup BG Pro-Am 1 Champion Ahmad Al Harthy.

Motorbase and Caine have an illustrious history in the British GT and an even longer relationship with the German Marque. Having returned to the Championship in 2012 following a number of successful years competing in the Porsche Carrera Cup, David Bartrums squad reigned triumphant at last seasons nail biting season finale clinching the title with Michael Caine and Daniele Perfetti.

Omani-based Al Harthy makes the step up to endurance racing following his Pro-Am 1 Championship title win in the Carrera Cup GB last season. Although the move into endurance racing is a new endeavour for the Omani Air backed racer, Al Harthy has previous GT experience, winning a round of the UAE GT Championship back in 2011 whilst partnering fellow Carrera Cup racer James Sutton.As the premier category of its kind in the UK, British GT features high-performance cars from some of the most desirable automotive brands in the world. Alongside Porsche, the category boasts involvement from the likes of McLaren, Ferrari, Mercedes, Lamborghini and Aston Martin.  With seven events in 2013, the Championship gets underway at Oulton Park, Monday 1st April 2013.Motorbase Performance Team Principal David Bartrum said:Im delighted that Motorbase is able to defend the British GT Title this year, and we have the perfect partnership to achieve this in Michael [Caine] and Ahmad [Al Harthy]. Being able to bring two reigning Champions together in one car gives us that extra dimension needed to win the Championship and Im looking forward to another successful season; our first as Oman Air Motorbase. Oman Air Motorbase driver Michael Caine said:

Its great to be back with the Motorbase boys once again. Were obviously fully focussed on retaining the GT title again; after last years success nothing else will do. Im delighted to have Ahmad join the team having raced against him previously in the Carrera Cup. He knows the Porsche and the circuits well so our campaign should get off to a solid start.Motorbase are the perfect team for Ahmad to come on board with. Having brought Daniele Perfetti through from the Carrera Cup last season to win the GT title, theyve got the perfect track record, and with such a great group of individuals involved theres no better place to be in the paddock. Oman Air Motorbase driver Ahmad Al Harthy said:

Were absolutely delighted to be able to announce such exciting plans for 2013, especially off the back of such a successful season last year in Porsche Carrera Cup GB. What we all achieved in 2012 paved the way for us to climb the ladder into British GT this year; its an incredibly prestigious and highly respected championship with such an amazing heritage.Moving full-time into endurance racing and away from sprint racing is a big new challenge, but its one Im really looking forward to with everyone at Oman Air Motorbase. I seriously couldnt have a better or more experienced team-mate than Michael [Caine] to share a car withif I can get close to matching his lap times Ill be very happy indeed.


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