Ginetta reveals upgraded G55 GT3

Ginetta has announced that the G55 GT3 will return to British GT grid in 2017, complete with an upgraded specification and a brand new team at the helm.

A new Chevrolet LS3 engine, which produces 570 bhp, has been repositioned to improve weight distribution, while a revised front splitter produces more frontal downforce.

Century Motorsport has revealed it will run two of the enhanced G55 GT3 cars as they make the step up to GT3 machinery. Taming the first of the team’s two GT3 contenders will be former McLaren Autosport BRDC Award nominee and Formula Ford Champion Nathan Freke.

No stranger to a variety of Ginetta machinery, Freke is a proven winner, follow his many success during the 2016 season racing in the University of Bolton-backed Ginetta G55 GT4.

Joining Freke in the #73 Ginetta will be American driver Harry Gottsacker. The 17-year-old comes fresh from a season racing in the Pirelli World Challenge at the wheel of a Performance Motorsports Group run Ginetta G55. With a best finish of third in Utah, 2017 will represent a big step up for the Texan driver, as he takes to some of the UK’s best circuits for the first time.

Ewan Baldry, technical director at Ginetta Cars, said: “We know the Chevrolet engine so well from the development in the G57-P2 and it’s perfect for GT usage. The Nissan was a very aggressive engine and we had some vibration issues with it. The Chevrolet, however, is a lower-revving unit with a better torque band.

“The investment in GT3 this year is a big one as we want to get that win, and also use what we find to build towards our new plans for 2018.”

Freke, added: “This is a really exciting year for both Century and Ginetta as together we’re mounting a serious attack on British GT.

“We helped run the GT3 car when it first came out in 2011, but this year marks the first time we’ll be involved with a properly competitive GT3 entry.

“The changes to the car are massive. The new Chevrolet engine offers more low-down torque and usable power and the chassis changes will aid slow-speed traction. It will be interesting working with Harry as he’s a promising young driver.

“He’ll have a lot to learn with the UK tracks and style of racing, but we’ll work with him and he’ll only get stronger as the year goes on.”

Century Motorsport also intends to run a third car, a G55 GT4, which has also received a number of upgrades for 2017.

An additional 33 bhp will be produced by an engine power upgrade and high power side exist exhaust system. Meanwhile, and crucially, the lap time delta between amateur and pro drivers will be reduced by the introduction of electronic traction control and an ABS anti-lock braking system.

A racing thoroughbred throughout, the G55 is Ginetta’s commitment to the ongoing development of its GT programme, which has seen a Ginetta win the British GT4 class six times in the nine years since the class was created in 2008.