Wrotham based Oman Racing head to Monza and the Autodromo Nazionale for the opening round of the Blancpain Endurance Series.
Sunday’s three hour opening race looks set to deliver an impressive spectacle with 57 cars from the world’s most prestigious marques predicted to line up on the grid. Moving to the Pro-Am Class for its third consecutive campaign in the series, the Motorbase-powered squad faces fierce competition from 22 rivals on the iconic Italian track.
“Monza’s always a fantastic place to visit;” said Team Principal David Bartrum. “It has a fantastic history of great racing and we’re all looking forward to heading back for our third time there in the Blancpain. We’re coming back this year in the Pro-Am class where I think we should have been all along. It’s a fiercely competitive series and not one that you can learn easily but I think with this year’s line-up we have a genuine chance of doing well.”
The Oman Racing Team line up has been bolstered for the 2016 season with new signing and reigning 24H Series SP3 class champion Devon Modell joining Aston Martin works driver Jonny Adam and Omani driver Ahmad Al Harthy, who returns for his third year in the #44 Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3.
“It’s great to have Jonny back in the team and obviously thanks to Ahmad first and foremost for putting his faith back in the team to fly the flag for Oman again this season;” continued Bartrum. “It’s such a great honour.
“Jonny brings so much to the team with his experience with Aston Martin and his capabilities both in the car and how he works with within the team. Now this year adding Devon Modell as a young, fast peddler as a bronze alongside Ahmad I have to say this is one of the best driver line-ups we could have hoped for. I’m hoping that this is our year to shine. We had some high and lowlights last year and I’d like to see more highlights!”
Saturday (April 23) sees the #44 Oman Racing Team Vantage take to the track for first time for free practice and pre-qualifying sessions. Qualifying for Sunday’s (April 24) three hour race commences at 09.00 local time (8.00 UK time) before the first race of the 2016 Blancpain Endurance Series season which is scheduled for 15.00 local time (14.00 UK time).
Speaking ahead of the weekend, Adam said: “It’s nice to be back for a 2nd year with Motorbase and Ahmad. Preparation has gone really well and we’re all looking forward to getting back out on track. We’re the only Aston Martin on the grid which could be a good thing as there’s a lot of new machinery out there so consistency could be our key this year.
“Monza isn’t the greatest of circuits for the car but we had good race pace there last year and moving to a new class this year I think we’ve got a good chance of netting a decent result if we can manage to stay out of trouble. Hopefully we can represent Aston Martin and Oman well this weekend and get our campaign off to a good start. “
Image courtesy of Peter May