Flick Haigh will team up with double British GT and Le Mans winner Jonny Adam to drive an Optimum Motorsport Aston Martin Vantage GT3 in British GT in 2018.
Haigh will be the first female in the top category of the British championship since Rachel Green in 2008 and will be aiming to be the first ever female to win a British GT race overall. The GT4 category has seen a lot of female drivers in the past few years with Jamie Chadwick winning the title in 2015 and Anna Walewska, Zoe Wenham and Abbie Eaton among the female drivers who have had success. But no female has yet managed this feat in GT3. Haigh will be hoping the combination of her, Jonny Adam and Optimum Motorsport will propel her to GT3 victory.
“I’m really excited about this and I’m very much looking forward to getting back behind the wheel,” said . “It’s like starting again, we have the right car, the right teammate and we’ll be flat out to make the best of this amazing opportunity.
“I’ve already met with Jonny and he’ll be a pleasure to work with. He’s very down to earth and we know his track record in the Aston is sensational. It’s a while since I have raced in the UK; but the new challenge will be very exciting and I can’t wait to get stuck in.
“To have Aston Martin Racing turn around and offer me their number one guy is amazing. This is a great opportunity and I’ll grab it with both hands.”
Jonny Adam is equally excited about the partnership;
“It’s great to be joining Optimum Motorsport,” Adam began. “It’s a new team for me and for Aston Martin Racing, so it’s fantastic that they have a new customer in Optimum Motorsport and in Flick.
“She’s done a lot of racing and her times are good, as is her consistency, so we’ll be pushing hard in what is a really important season ahead. Optimum Motorsport are winners in the 24H Series and in British GT, so I’m very upbeat about the season ahead. We know it’s never easy, but the aim is to work with Flick to put together what we believe will be a strong championship challenge.
“The Aston Martin Vantage GT3 has had a lot success in the UK and Europe over the last few seasons because it’s a driver friendly car, so I’ll spend time with Flick as she adapts to this new equipment and we’ll do a lot of pre-season work, including some prep in the simulator. To be successful in this championship, both drivers have to be able to get the very best from the package and I’m looking forward to this new challenge.”
Team Boss Adam Goff hopes this will make a successful 2018 for his team;
“It’s shaping up to be another great year for Optimum Motorsport,” he said “We’re thrilled to be putting this package together with Flick, Jonny and Aston Martin Racing as we return to the GT3 level in the championship.
“Jonny has already begun to assist both my team and Flick in sharing his knowledge about the car, so we have a good idea as to what to expect. We take delivery of the car from Prodrive at the end of January and from there we’re into the test programme where we expect to be quickly up to speed.
“We’re confident we’ll be strong and all of Optimum Motorsport are very excited about this all-new project for 2018!” By Marc Waller
