Team HARD Racing has announced Jordan Stilp and William Phillips as the first driver pairing for its inaugural British GT Championship campaign.
The Kent-based squad confirmed in late January that it would be stepping up to domestic sportscar racing with a pair of Ginetta G55 GT4s this year alongside its British Touring Car Championship and Volkswagen Racing Cup commitments.
Phillips and Stilp have been good friends for many years but have relatively little GT experience to call upon. Indeed, the latter’s two outings in last season’s Ginetta GT4 Supercup are the only competitive miles either driver has completed aboard the G55.
Nevertheless, the 21-year-old - who also finished third in the 2014 Renault Clio Cup - feels confident he and Phillips can be regular podium contenders this year.
“I’m really looking forward to this year working with Tony Gillham and Team HARD in what will be an exciting championship in British GT,” he said.
“In 2015 I had the opportunity to do the last two rounds of the BTCC Ginetta support series, which was fantastic for me as I managed to pull out a P2 and fastest lap on my first outing. I am really looking forward to seeing what we can bring to the table in terms of podiums; that's what I will be aiming for all the way.”
Co-driver Phillips finished fifth in last season’s Mini Challenge and believes his existing friendship with Stilp could play a part in their success.
“I'm looking forward to a challenging season ahead,” he said. “There's a lot to learn with a new car and a new team, but I'm massively excited to be working alongside Tony Gilham and Team HARD. To have a team mate I've known my whole life is also a massive advantage. We may be a new team entering the British GT but we're going straight for the title this year. I'd like to thank my sponsors Magic Plastic for giving me this opportunity.”
Gilham agreed, adding: “It's great being able to bring two cars into such a competitive series and we've got four very quick drivers who will be taking to the track. The dynamic between Stilp and Phillips is fantastic as they've been friends for years, we're all eager to see what they can do.”
Team HARD’s second driver pairing will be announced in due course.
The 2016 British GT Championship kicks off at Brands Hatch on April 16/17.