Jake Giddings, the reigning British GT4 champion, has confirmed he will be returning to the category to defend the title he claimed last year – this time with a new team and a new team-mate.
The Wisbech racer will share an Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT4 with series debutant Kieran Griffin, a former VW Racing Cup and Aston Martin Challenge racer and son of the former BTCC racing driver Liam Griffin.
JWB Motorsport, newcomers to the British GT Championship, will run the Aston Martin GT4 machine which is a new venture for the team, with Giddings bringing his knowledge from his title-winning season, in an Aston Martin, to help JWB as well as Griffin get up to speed quickly.
Giddings' pace is not in doubt as the local champion showed race winning speed at the recent Media Day, posting the fastest Aston Martin lap time which was just 0.6 of a second shy of the quickest GT4 time.
'I had my first run-out with the team at Silverstone, but that was more of a shakedown really,' said Giddings.
'The Media Day was the first proper test and it was great.
'We ended the day as the fastest Aston, so that's good, and we're not too far off the pace at all. I think we're in pretty good shape for Oulton Park.
'I get on really well with everyone at the team and Kieran, who I have only just met, so it's fantastic to have built a really good relationship in such a short space of time.'
The title holder is under no illusions with regard to the competitiveness of the British GT Championship this year – but he is justifiably confident the experience he brings to JWB will help the team make major progress as its debut season develops.
'Obviously it would be nice to do well at Oulton (venue of the first round). We have a test there on Friday (tomorrow) so hopefully we can get Kieran dialled-in and then challenge for a top five in the races,' added the Finesse Paving & Civil Engineering, Cowley Road Garage and Toppesfield-backed driver.
'This is a new challenge for all of us so anything better than that will be a bonus.'
The works Lotus team will remain in the British GT Championship for 2015 with ISSY Racing confirming its return with the same driver line-up of Ossy Yusuf and Carlton Rode's Gavan Kershaw.
'ISSY Racing has committed to contending the Avon Tyres British GT4 championship again in 2015,' said team manager Dave Kershaw.
'The decision was made easy with the experience gained last year and with the championship looking more competitive than ever.
'Last year gave the team a number of P1 grid positions but circumstances prevented them all being turned into podium finishes hopefully with experience gained the results in 2015 will improve.'
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