Optimum Motorsport's new LMP3 venture for 2022

Optimum Motorsport announced today that Mark Crader and Alex Mortimer have partnered with the Wakefield-based team prior to the 2022 season.

2007 British GT Champion Mortimer has been competing in the Michelin Le Mans Cup since 2019 alongside fellow Brit, Crader. Both Mark and Alex became the 2018 European Radical Masters Supersport Champions after an intense season, securing 12 podiums and 8 victories to claim the title in the championship winning Radical SR8.

The agreement marks a new venture for Shaun Goff’s company, with the driver duo running their #20 LMP3 car alongside the multiple McLaren 720S GT3’s that Optimum runs, having previously run with the team in the Silverstone 500 back in November 2020.

The cars livery – inspired by the Optimum Motorsport original colours, features a geometric pattern across the front and sides of the car, whilst encapsulating the iconic blue and black stripes of Optimum’s past.  

With next year's calendar confirmed, Mark and Alex have plans to return to the Michelin Le Mans Cup – an international endurance series inspired by the 24 Hours of Le Mans, for another season.

Upon joining Optimum Motorsport, Mortimer said: “after three enjoyable years in Michelin Cup, we’re excited to start a new season with Optimum Motorsport who’ve performed incredibly well in a variety of categories.

“Shaun runs an extremely professional operation so we’re looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together in 2022.”

“Michelin Cup has grown in strength and depth every year that we have competed in it, and we expect that trend to continue next year.

“Mark and I have the capability to run competitively against our peers inside the championship, we want to draw on our three years of LMP3 experience to push our way as far as we can towards the front of the grid for 2022.”

Crader added:

“I’m happy to be racing with Optimum in Michelin Le Mans Cup next season having has a good experience with them in 2020 racing at Silverstone.

“We had a bit of misfortune in 2021, so we are hoping that a change of team will bring us a change of luck.”

Shaun Goff, Team Principal

“Next season is set to be one of our most exciting years to date. Optimum Motorsport is going from strength to strength and add to that the opportunity to work with Mark and Alex again, it was a no brainer. I can’t wait to see what next year will bring!”