Triple Eight exits GT racing, AmD to run BMWs in British GT in 2016

AmD has brokered a deal to run the two BMW Z4 GT3 chassis that were formerly entered under the Triple Eight Racing banner in both British GT and the Blancpain Endurance Series.

The deal means Triple Eight will not compete in sportscar racing this season, having been part of British GT for three seasons, instead focusing on its British Touring Car Championship commitments with MG.

Osborne and Mowle, who finished third in the points in 2015, move across to lead AmD's attack. Drivers for the second car have yet to be announced.

Keith Cheetham, who formerly oversaw the running of the Z4s at Triple Eight and lifted multiple teams' titles with the Trackspeed Porsche squad, will also join AmD as part of the deal.

AmD made its British GT debut last season, running a Porsche 911 GT4 in select rounds.

Team head Shaun Hollamby said: "Having had the chance to experience the British GT Championship for the first time last year, it was clear that it is a series that we want to be part of for the long term.

"We are delighted to have agreed a deal with Lee to not only make the move up to the top GT3 class for 2016, but also to expand to a two-car team.

"The BMW has proven itself to be a strong package and in Lee and Joe, we have an established pairing in place who have shown they are more than capable of challenging for the title.

"Discussions with other drivers are ongoing and we are confident of having a second strong line-up in place ready for the start of the new season."

Mowle, who owns the two BMW chassis, added: "I've known Shaun for a few years now through the BTCC and when we were looking for someone who we knew would do a solid job preparing the cars, his team fit the bill.

"AmDTuning.com is run as a tight ship and Shaun has a passion to succeed that I think will work well with the engineering experience that we are bringing with us.

"Keith [Cheetham] will continue to be involved having engineered the cars last year and we also have a wealth of data to work with that should put us in a good position, particularly when it comes to the new Pirelli tyres having run the BMW on them in the Blancpain series last year.

"During 2015, Keith's input allowed us to take steps forward with the car and we know there is still more to come, so getting a fresh set of eyes looking at things again with Shaun and his team can only benefit us."

AmD is also planning to run a brace of Audi S3s in the BTCC this year.