Optimum Motorsport will be returning to the International GT Open with Morgan Tillbrook and Ben Barnicoat contesting the GT Open 500 at Spa-Francorchamps. The pairing, who are committed to a full British GT Championship campaign together this season, will pilot the team's #27 McLaren GT3 Evo in the Pro-Am class.
The Belgian endurance event marks a significant moment for the Wakefield-based squad, who have been regulars in GT Open since 2017, cinching 7 race wins. That long-standing commitment to the series was rewarded in 2023 when Sam de Haan and Charlie Fagg delivered the team's maiden GT Open overall title, which came two years after the Pro-Am crown with Iribe-Millroy under the Inception banner.
A proven race winner in British GT, including at the famed Ardennes circuit, Morgan Tillbrook (43) will be making his GT Open debut alongside Lexus Factory Driver, Ben Barnicoat (29) —whose global sportscar pedigree includes IMSA GTD Pro honours, class victories at Le Mans and Sebring, and recent outings with Optimum Motorsport at Bathurst and the Gulf 12 Hours.
Shaun Goff, Team Principal, Optimum Motorsport, said: "GT Open has been an important championship for us since 2017, and winning the title in 2023 was a proud moment us. Morgan and Ben are an incredibly strong Pro-Am partnership, and the GT Open 500 presents an excellent opportunity ahead of the British GT round at Spa in June. Our recent 12 Hours win at Spa showed demonstrated what the McLaren I capable of, and we're confident heading into this event."
Ben Barnicoat said: "Racing at Spa is always a privilege. It’s one of Europe’s most iconic circuits so it’s great to be back here with Morgan and Optimum. GT Open has some strong competition this year, but the team won this championship not too long ago, so I know we are going to be strong and fighting at the front."