The exciting Lotus 2-11 sports car is set to join the Avon Tyres British GT Championship for the first time later this month. The Lotus - prepared by championship-winning team Piranha Motorsport - will be driven by Chris Bialan and Simon Mason in the concluding rounds of the series, at Brands Hatch over the weekend of 19/20 September.

Caterham and Speed Series race-winner Bialan and former Rockingham chief instructor Mason believe the Lotus will be a competitive prospect: "We are convinced that we can take the fight to the other cars and prove the Lotus 2-11 is a true successor to the great Lotus road and sports car racers of the past," says Mason.

Bialan and Mason will give the Lotus a shakedown outing at Cadwell Park on 12 September in a Lotus trophy race. Following Piranha's British GT debut there are plans to race the car in Europe and also in January's Dubai 24-hour sports car race. "Our plan is to demonstrate the versatility of the team and the Lotus 2-11, and our ability to adapt to different race strategies, tyres and set-up approaches," adds Mason.

Bialan started his competition career in the Caterham Academy in 2005 and was Caterham Roadsport B championship runner-up the following season with six race wins. Chris showed front-running pace in the Caterham Eurocup in 2007 before switching with success to the V de V sports car series in '08. Mason was Britcar Driver of the Year in 2005 and has a hat-trick of Britcar 24 Hours top-eight finishes to his credit.