Barwell announce Spa 24 Hours and Belcar return

Barwell Motorsport will return to Belcar and the Spa 24 Hours this season under the new guise of Petronas-Barwell Racing.

A three year deal with the Belgian arm of Malaysia’s oil giant will see the British-based squad run a 2011 spec Aston Martin DBRS9 for Tim Verbergt and Jeffrey van Hooydonk.

The pair, who finished first and second in the 2009 Belcar campaign, are an integral part of the three-year plan and first all-pro driver line-up to be paired in a DBRS9.

The team should also be amongst the frontrunners at the Spa 24 Hours, this year part of the Blancpain Endurance Series, where GT3 cars will form the top class for the first time.   

Barwell Motorsport Team Principal Mark Lemmer said: “It’s fantastic to be working in partnership with Aston Martin Brussels once again on this exciting project. With Tim & Jeff on board plus Petronas Lubricants Belgium, we are in an excellent position to really push for the title over the coming seasons.”

Aston Martin Racing MD John Gaw was also delighted to be renewing the marque’s relationship with Barwell.

“Aston Martin Racing have enjoyed a long, successful and winning relationship with Barwell since the start of the customer DBRS9 GT3 programme in 2005, and are delighted that Barwell have announced this significant project in such an important championship,” he said.” AMR look forward to working with Barwell in support of this programme across 2011.”

Catch Spa 24 Hours, Blancpain Endurance Series and Belcar coverage on Motors TV in 2011. 

Tom Hornsby