McLaren Artura wins British GT Championship as McLaren customer racing teams dominate in GT3 and GT4 classes at season finale

by McLaren | September 30, 2024

• Optimum Motorsport McLaren Artura wins British GT Championship GT4 title in style with race win from pole position

• Optimum's Jack Brown and Zac Meakin lead home RaceLab for McLaren Artura GT4 1-3 finish

• Team RJN and Garage 59 McLaren GT3 EVO cars repeat 1-3 finish in GT3 class

• Garage 59 McLaren GT3 EVO pairing Adam Smalley and Shaun Balfe GT3 Silver AM class title

The McLaren Artura GT4 claimed the British GT Championship title at Brands Hatch on 29 September as Optimum Motorsport drivers Jack Brown and Zac Meakin celebrated in style by winning the final round of the season. The title topped a stunning weekend for McLaren customer racing teams, with a win and third place in both GT3 and GT4 classes for McLaren GT3 EVO and McLaren Artura GT4 entries respectively.

The Optimum Artura GT4 dominated qualifying, with pole position by 0.8 seconds. Despite losing the lead at the start of the race during an opening lap incident, quickly regained the lead before building a comfortable advantage over the rest of the GT4 field. This would be maintained after the mid-race pit stops and the pair won by almost a lap to claim the GT4 title, with the RaceLab Artura GT4 of Sai Sanjay and Callum Davies joining them on the podium in third place.

In the GT3 class at the head of the two-hour race, FIA World Endurance Championship McLaren GT3 EVO driver Josh Caygill joined Alex Buncombe in the Team RJN car and the pair staged a similarly dominant performance to win from pole position. The Garage 59 McLaren GT3 EVO of Marcus Clutton and Morgan Tillbrook was the only other car to lead the GT3 class on its way to a third-place finish.

The sister Garage 59 McLaren GT3 EVO of Adam Smalley and Shaun Balfe also celebrated title success in the GT3 Silver AM class, having secured their title at Snetterton in July.

'It's a massive moment. I've been racing for 12 years and finally won the championship. Thank you to McLaren for providing us the car to do so and the Optimum team have done a fantastic job, so thank you very much.'

Jack Brown, British GT Champion Driver, Optimum Motorsport

'It's been a mega season, Jack did a brilliant job. I put in quite a hard opening stint, and I was sweating when I came off. It was a good race, I managed to get in front and gave Jack a nice little runway out. So, it was all good. The team have done an amazing job all year.'

Zac Meakin, British GT Champion Driver, Optimum Motorsport

'Hats off to McLaren and the people back at base as we've had a reliable car all season. We made some great strategy calls, and the guys have put in some superb driving performances this year. It's a huge relief for the team, drivers, parents and everyone who had been working behind the scenes back at Optimum to ensure we had that championship win under our belt. I'm hugely proud and it's a great thing to get over the line after a long season.'

Shaun Goff, Team Principal, Optimum Motorsport

'This is a fantastic result for McLaren and underlines the supreme performance and endurance of the Artura. I'm very pleased for Jack and Zac and the Optimum Motorsport team on their success. They've been brilliant all year taking victories when they can, but also securing points when the win wasn't on the cards. They are truly deserving champions.

My congratulations also go out to Shaun and Adam on their Silver AM title, as well as Team RJN, Garage 59 and RaceLab on their success this weekend. What a way to end the season!'

Mick McDonagh, Director of MSO Motorsport, McLaren Automotive

Photo credit: McLaren
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