Reunite At JMW Motorsport With A Hat-trick In Sight
It’s a new team with familiar faces (and car!) for LMS this season with the formation of JMW Motorsport. Team Principal Jim McWhirter has built an experienced and proven crew around his Ferrari F430 GT, which has won the LMS GT2 title in the previous two seasons, headed by Technical Director, Steve Bunkhall.
A double winner returns behind the wheel as well with reigning LMS GT2 Champion of 2007 and 2008 Rob Bell once more forming a formidable partnership with reigning FIA GT2 Champion Gianmaria ‘Gimmi’ Bruni. The prospect of propelling Rob to a hat-trick of titles is a further incentive to an already hungry team.
The newly spruced team had a successful test at the recent official LMS Paul Ricard test, which was spent working closely with their partners, Dunlop. The first was spent testing various tyre compounds and construction with the second day aside for long distance running. Both days proved extremely encouraging.
The team have now returned to their base in Colchester, UK to prepare for the first race at Barcelona on 4-5th April.
In their first season the team are further inspired and excited having been given an entry into the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hour where Rob Bell will be joined by Tim Sugden, who is working closely with the team throughout the season, with a third driver to be confirmed in due course.
Jim McWhirter is hopeful of what 2009 has in store "After the learning curve of the last three years it is very exciting to be part of the process of the creation of a new Team albeit with the core strength being the retention of very experienced personnel whom I have worked with over the recent past.
"Dunlop have been crucial in my decision to not only remain in the sport but also to continue in a professional manner with the best tyres, the best drivers and the best engineers and mechanics available.
"We have an absolute belief in our ability to deliver the strongest results and be in the mix at every race whilst acknowledging and respecting the test provided by the strongest opposition we have faced in three years. All in all we shall present a formidable challenge to the opposition both in the LMS and Le Mans".
