Ecurie Ecosse switches to McLaren 09 | 03 | 2016
SCOTLAND'S MOST FAMOUS racing name, Ecurie Ecosse, has switched from BMW to McLaren for its attempt to regain the British GT Championship title in 2016. The Edinburgh-based team will also have factory driver Rob Bell in its line-up.
Ecurie Ecosse, which won the British GT title in 2014 with a Barwell-run BMW Z4 GT3, has joined forces with a new organisation set up by McLaren called Garage 59.
Garage 59, which takes its name from the race number of the 1995 Le Mans 24 Hours-winning McLaren F1 GTR, has been set up by McLaren to look after cars for customers in both competition and on track days.
Ecurie Ecosse — backed by Black Bull whisky and John Clark Motor Group — will run a McLaren 650S GT3 for Bell and team regular Alasdair McCaig. The Scot is returning to British GTs after campaigns with the team in the European Le Mans Series and the Blancpain Endurance Series in 2013-15.
The legendary Scottish squad is also continuing its partnership with Black Bull, which this season will become the team’s title sponsor.
With a history of racing and winning for over 60 years, Ecurie Ecosse has become one of the iconic names in global motorsport. The patriotic blue and white machines have claimed victories in some of the world’s biggest races with some of the most famous names in the sport.
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For Bell, it's his first time to compete in a full domestic championship since 2002, having since enjoyed success in international series with five wins in the past decade.
With an extensive knowledge of the circuits included in British GT’s 2016 calendar, the 36-year-old will also bring vast experience racing the 650S GT3 to the team having claimed the Asian Le Mans Series title, a double victory in the Blancpain Endurance Series and a podium at the Gulf 12 Hour race.
“It's great to have the chance to race back on home soil," Bell said today. "Since joining McLaren GT as a factory driver in 2011, I have had the opportunity to race at some of the world’s most iconic circuits like Monza, the Nurburgring, Sepang and Spa.
"But it is always special to race on my old stomping grounds with the support of the British fans, which are the best in the world.
"The British GT championship has been growing in stature over the past few years, and this season looks set to be one of the toughest yet for the team, the 650S GT3, and myself but I am confident that all parties are fully up to the challenge.
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"I am looking forward to working with Alasdair throughout the season, and it will be very special to have the opportunity to race with Ecurie Ecosse – a team that has an unrivalled heritage in sportscar racing.”
And McLaren GT boss, Fifer Andrew Kirkaldy, was quick to welcome the team to the home of the British manufacturer.
"It will be great to see a McLaren wearing the famous Ecurie Ecosse colours for the first time," the St Andrews-born team boss smiled.
"The level of competition in British GT has always been high but is rapidly becoming one of the world’s toughest GT3 championships.
"The team is in a great position ahead of the championship assault and Rob brings significant experience, which will help them hit the ground running from the first round. He will be a great partner for Alasdair especially given his familiarity with the 650S GT3 and the circuits on this year’s calendar.”
McCaig, meanwhile, praised the previous relationship with Barwell, but highlighted how much he was looking forward to racing with McLaren and Bell.
"As this exciting chapter begins for Ecurie Ecosse, it brings our partnership with Barwell Motorsport to a close," McCaig said, "and I would like to take this opportunity to wish them all the best for the season ahead.
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"Barwell laid the foundations for my GT racing knowledge and I owe that to Mark Lemmer and his fantastic team. I would also like to thank Black Bull Whisky and the John Clark Motor Group for their continued support for the 2016 season.
"As for the year ahead, I’m looking forward to driving alongside Rob who has a wealth of experience and I am sure we will be challenging for top results from the first round."
Today's announcement was also welcomed by Euan Shand, managing director of Black Bull Whisky, title sponsor of the new Black Bull Ecurie Ecosse team.
"We are delighted to continue working with Ecurie Ecosse for the 2016 season," Shand said, "and believe the new partnership with McLaren will be a force to be reckoned with. For Black Bull to be involved with two such iconic brands will be a fantastic tool for our market exposure."
The team will make its racing debut in the opening round of the British GT Championship at Brands Hatch on April 17.
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Jim McGill