Experienced multiple motor racing champion Mark Davies is to make a surprise return to the Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup this year after today, Tuesday, 29th March, completing an eleventh hour deal with Total Control Racing just days before this weekend’s opening event of the season.
Yorkshireman Davies, who competed in the British Touring Car Championship support category with TCR in 2013, has his sights firmly fixed on title success this time around as he bids to become the only driver to have taken championship victories in G20, G40, G50 and G55 machinery.
Last year, Davies added yet another title to his trophy cabinet with success in the Historic Sports Car Club Class C championship at the wheel of a Lotus Cortina. Now, the Huddersfield 34-year-old returns to the Ginetta fold with TCR and will team-up with the already confirmed Callum Pointon.
“It’s great to be back with the Ginetta family and my good friends at TCR”, said an elated Davies, “I’ve taken the G20, G40 and G50 single-make titles, so the aim for 2016 is to add the premier G55 championship to that list. I don’t doubt the opening round will be tough as I haven’t been able to test the car, but we will be aiming to hit the ground running.”
After racing in Stock-Hatch and Renault Clios back in the early 2000s, Davies switched to Ginetta competition in 2008 and the following year he claimed his first title with victory in the Ginetta G20 Championship. Going on to win the G40 Challenge in 2011, he then claimed the G50 Class crown in the Ginetta GT Supercup in 2012 after a dominant season which delivered no fewer than 14 wins.
Graduating into the top tier of the Supercup in 2013 after signing with TCR to pilot one of its G55 cars, Davies claimed one win and a total of five podiums on his way to a top six championship finish. Team principal Lee Brookes is relishing working with Davies once more and is confident, despite the lack of testing, he will be a threat from the outset at Brands Hatch this coming weekend.
“It really is mega news Mark is rejoining the team, he’s a great driver and we’re all really looking forward to working with him again”, said Brookes, “We know he’s determined to try and win his fourth title in a Ginetta championship and he’s got a great chance of doing that, even with the lack of testing compared to everyone else.
“Mark definitely has the ability to challenge at the front and I’m sure he’ll be back into the swing of things in the G55 in no time. It’s also great for Callum [Pointon] to have a team-mate of Mark’s quality to learn from – we’re really looking forward to making a strong start to the championship.”
Brands Hatch Indy Circuit will host the opening races of the Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup season this weekend, 2nd/3rd April. Davies’ maiden run in his new Ginetta G55 will come during officially timed practice at the Kent venue on Friday, 1st April.
