Optimum seeks victory repeat at 12H Mugello

Having notched up an impressive SP3 class victory in Dubai last time out, Optimum Motorsport returns to the Creventic 24H Endurance Series with the 12H Mugello (17-18 March, 2017) for the second round of the championship.

The British-based team heads to Italy leading the championship by two points and aim to extend that gap with Dan O’Brien, Ade Barwick and Tom Hibbert at the wheel of the #231 Ginetta G55 GT4.

Barwick is no stranger to the series having taken victories in the G55 in Dubai and Mugello in 2015 and while O’Brien and Hibbert have not raced at Mugello before, the team are confident of a strong showing. The event also marks Hibbert’s first race with Optimum Motorsport and he will be aiming to build on experience gained elsewhere in Sepang and Dubai.

“We’re on quite a roll at the moment and we want this to continue in Mugello,” said Optimum Motorsport Team Principal Shaun Goff. “We’ve got a proven driver pairing in Ade and Dan, and we know Tom is very quick so we’re heading to Italy feeling confident.

“Expectations are high and we approach the 12-hour race almost as two events. The first segment of four hours is all about staying on the lead lap and if possible, getting a one lap cushion. Then part two is eight hours and it’s all about building on what we have done in the first part. It’s a smaller field than in Dubai, which is a good thing for us and makes life easier and with our driver line-up, we have a good recipe for success.”

The 12H Mugello gets underway from Wednesday 15 March. The first part of the race takes place Friday 14.00 CET, with part two kicking off Saturday morning at 09.00.