Mike Price and Callum Macleod are reprising their partnership with Optimum and McLaren this season, which features racing on four wheels as well as water…
The Pro-Am duo are tackling their fourth season of British GT together and second in the surroundings of a 720S GT3. However, the campaign has been partially split to account for a yacht race at the PalmaVela Regatta, which prevents them from contesting the season opening Silverstone 500.
They will also miss Oulton Park before joining the championship at Spa-Francorchamps in late June.
Held at the Bay of Palma in Spain and organised by the Real Club Náutico de Palma, the PalmaVela Regatta is set to feature over 100 teams comprising more than 1200 sailors competing across multiple classes. The event includes two days of practice and training ahead of four days of competition racing in-shore courses around multiple marks.
Price and Macleod will form part of a 12-strong crew aboard the 14.1m (46ft) high-performance DK46 racing yacht, which will compete in the ORC 1 Class.
“Entering the PalmaVela Regatta has all happened very quickly but I have been keen to experience fully competitive yacht racing for some time, and as with all things, at some point you have to stop thinking about it and get on and do it,” said Price. “The turning point was being introduced to Lucy Jackson at LV Yachting who was able to advise me on options, and then when the PalmaVela was decided upon, to proceed to pull it all together.
“The DK46 racing yacht will be an exciting boat to be competing with and whilst the make-up of our crew – half of which are professional sailors – should make us a competitive entry, a big part of this adventure for me is to start to learn the art of being at the helm in the races, just as being in the hot seat of a race car.
“Although it won’t be Callum coaching me on the sea, I am delighted that he is able to join me for the Regatta. I have no doubt his competitive nature will help make him a valuable member of the crew in no time.”
Macleod added: “I’m really looking forward to this year, and the mixture it will bring us. British GT-wise, I’m excited about our second season with Optimum Motorsport. I feel that both Mike and I showed great pace at times last year so we’ll be looking to add consistency to that pace, which can help put us in the frame for points finishes each weekend.
“Mike has developed hugely across his GT3 career so far, and adapted impressively to the mid-engined McLaren from the front-engined Mercedes we started out with, so I’m excited to see what this year can bring with that bit extra experience with the car and team.”
