Maidstone racer Devon Modell has joined Wrotham based Motorbase Performance for the 2016 Blancpain Endurance Series.
The reigning 24Hour Series SP3 class champion joins Jonny Adam and Ahmad Al Harthy in a new look driver line-up behind the wheel of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3.
Competing in the Pro-Am category in its third consecutive season in the Endurance Series, the #44 Vantage represents Aston Martin’s only entry in the series and Team Principal David Bartrum is determined to make his mark this season in the Oman-backed machine.
He said: “It’s great to have Devon joining us this year alongside Jonny and Ahmad. He’s a young and impressive driver who doesn’t say a lot but he lets his driving do the talking. Devon’s been great to work with so far and fitted in with the team ethos really well.
“Jonny is the leading light in Aston Martin at the moment as the current British GT champion and with him and Ahmad both back on board this year, I think we have our strongest line-up yet in the Vantage.”
Known locally to the team, 25-year-old Modell raced in the Blancpain series last year, securing a third place podium finish in the Pro-Am class during the blue-riband Total 24 hours of Spa event last July.
Speaking about making the move to one of his local teams, Devon said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Oman Racing Team line-up this year;”
“It’s a great opportunity to be racing the Aston Martin in such a fantastic and competitive series. I know Jonny well from my time on the Aston Martin Evolution Academy last year and I’m really looking forward to working with him and Ahmad this season.”
Early signs bode well for the Aston Martin Racing squad with the #44 Vantage putting in an impressive display to post the fastest time of the day during last week’s opening test session at Paul Ricard. “Last week was a fantastic result for the team and a great reward for their efforts but we’re under no illusions of just how tough the series is;” added Team Principal Bartrum.
“However, this is our third year in the Blancpain and I think with the experience we now have behind us coupled with the knowledge of our car and consistency of the drivers we’ll be able to go out and finally show our true potential on track.”
No less than 11 manufacturers are represented on the Blancpain grid this year with 57 entries already confirmed for the season’s opening 3 hour race at Monza on April 23/24.
Images courtesy of Peter May