Macmillan in double class assault on Pirelli-backed British GTBritish GT Championship squad Macmillian Racing will compete in both the GT3 and GT4 classes next year, and has already signed one driver to each car.
The team joined the Pirelli-equipped series in 2016 with an Aston Martin Vantage GT4, with youngsters Jack Mitchell and Matthew Graham finishing fifth in the standings. Mitchell, 18, will now step up to the team’s new GT3 model for 2017, while William Phillips, 22, has been hired as the first driver for the GT4 car.
“It’s been a big surprise and also a big jump!” said Mitchell. “Myself and the team spent last year learning the ropes so it was good to get a few podiums. It could be more of the same in 2017 but I’m really excited about the challenge.”
Phillips, who helped RCIB Insurance Racing to the GT4 team’s title in his rookie year in 2016, said: “I’m really excited to be joining Macmillan Racing. I’ve enjoyed testing the Aston Martin and I immediately felt at home with the team. I’m convinced that we’re going to be a very good fit.”
Pirelli-supported Scottish Rally Championship announces 2017 datesPirelli will continue to support the ARR Craib MSA Scottish Rally Championship as the series’ official tyre partner in 2017, with a seven-event calendar recently announced.
The SRC title was fought exclusively between Pirelli-equipped drivers in 2016, with Jock Armstrong successfully defending his crown after a dramatic decider against Garry Pearson.
The season will begin with the Snowman Rally in February, followed by the Border Counties Rally and the Speyside Stages, before the SRC joins the British Rally Championship at the Scottish Rally in May. The Argyll Stages joins the schedule in June, prior to the Grampian Stages Rally and the Galloway Hills Rally.
2017 Scottish Rally Championship calendar February 18: Snowman Rally, Inverness March 18: Border Counties Rally, Jedburgh April 22: Speyside Stages Rally, Elgin May 20: Scottish Rally, Dumfries June 24: Argyll Stages Rally, Dunoon August 12: Grampian Stages Rally, Aberdeenshire September 9: Galloway Hills Rally, Castle Douglas
Ellison and Laverty lead new team in British Superbikes with PirelliMultiple race-winners James Ellison and Michael Laverty will pair up at a new team in the Pirelli-supplied MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship next year.
Ellison and Laverty, who both won twice in the 2016 season and finished third and eighth in the standings respectively, will drive for the McAMS Yamaha squad, run by Supersport outfit Team Traction Control.
“This is a new challenge for me,” said Ellison. “I have raced with Kawasaki for three years and now to return to Yamaha is something I am really excited about. I feel that the Yamaha suits my style and we finished second together in the 2009 season so we have good memories to build on.
“We all know how strong the series is so I had to go for what I thought was a championship-winning package and I strongly believe that the TTC Team with the might of Yamaha behind them is exactly what I need to deliver the title.”
Laverty added: “I have very fond memories of my previous tenure on Yamaha machinery in 2011, the DNA of the R1, both in terms of power delivery and chassis performance suit a smooth rider, something that is well aligned to my natural riding style.
“I will have a great team in my corner; working with PJ (Pete Jennings) as my crew chief again is great as we worked together at Swan Yamaha in 2011 so the plan is to pick up where we left off making the transition as seamless as possible.”
Champion of Pirelli-backed US F4 eyes British F3 moveCameron Das, the inaugural US Formula 4 champion, is aiming for a full-time move into the similarly Pirelli-supplied BRDC British Formula 3 Championship for 2017.
The 16-year-old won the last eight races of the season to win the American series, and then came over to Britain to contest the F3 Autumn Trophy with Carlin, scoring a best finish of fifth in the third and final race of the event at Snetterton.
Speaking to Autosport magazine, Das said: “I’m in talks with teams, but I’m mainly focusing on trying to get a seat with Carlin.
“British F3 is a very good starting step as a platform towards European F3, and the strength of coaching and training in the UK is just so high that I’m very eager to ensure my next career step is in Europe.
“I’ve enjoyed my taste of the British F3 Championship – the car is a lot of fun and it’s a big step up from an F4 car.”
