Balfe Motorsport will travel to Abu Dhabi in December for a two-car entry in the prestigious Gulf 12 Hours with a pair of McLaren 570S GT4 machines, the first time the UK brand has entered the car in the race.

The Grantham-based outfit is a close partner with McLaren and its Customer Racing programme, having run the marque’s machinery for several years. In this season’s British GT Championship, it gave the brand-new 720S GT3 its maiden UK victory and scored three further podium finishes.

Alongside the success of the GT3 programme, Balfe Motorsport has extensive experience fielding the 570S GT4. It took two Pro-Am wins and five podiums this year with its full-season British GT entry, whilst double Pure McLaren GT Series champion Mia Flewitt and Stewart Proctor joined for three additional rounds.

Later in the year the team also entered a pair of 570S GT4s in the GT Cup Championship for Pure McLaren racers, including Nick Moss, taking three wins and four further podiums in four races on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit.

Balfe Motorsport will be welcoming four Pure McLaren GT Series competitors to the team for the 12-hour race. There will be four additional ‘Pro’ driver coaches joining the fold, with announcements on those taking part closer to the event.

There will be one free practice period on Thursday, December 12, with three more sessions and qualifying held a day later. The race itself will be held in two six-hour segments on Saturday, December 14, with a two-hour break in between.

“We are delighted to work with graduates of the Pure McLaren GT Series for the third time this year,” said Shaun Balfe. “After three successful weekends with Mia and Stewart in the British GT Championship, it was fantastic to welcome Nick and Brendan to the team at Silverstone in August as well.

“We’re really happy to be strengthening our ties with McLaren Customer Racing, fielding the two 570S GT4s in Abu Dhabi as it helps drivers from the Series progress into multi-class, endurance racing. We’re sure those taking part will thoroughly enjoy the experience.

Source. Torque