David Crampton has become the latest driver to join Australian GT’s growing GT4 Class.
Crampton is set to pilot a KTM X-Bow GT4 at Round 2 of the CAMS Australian GT Championship next week (April 14-15).
The second round of the 2018 season marks the inaugural visit to The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia, a blue riband event that also marks the opening round of the CAMS Australian Endurance Championship.
“Justin (McMillan) made me an offer I couldn’t refuse,” said Crampton, who will drive the Vantage Freight backed KTM out of the M Motorsport stable.
“I’ve been racing in the Radical Australia Cup for the last four years, and the last two years we got on the podium for the championship.
“Then I did the 12 Hour and it gave me a taste of the other side, so we’ve made it happen.”
Global interest in GT4 racing has grown in recent seasons, with Australian GT confirming in 2017 that it would welcome the class into its top tier competition for 2018.
Take up was swift, with a promising four car field taking the start at the opening round of the season at Albert Park last month.
Global automotive manufacturers Aston Martin, BMW, Ginetta, and KTM have already been represented in the amateur competition, with more cars and brands set to join the field later in the season.
“I went down to the Formula 1 Grand Prix and the amount of attention that the KTM gets from the public is unbelievable,” Crampton explained.
“Plus, it’s a fantastic car to drive. It basically is a purpose built race car, and that’s what I like about it.
“The KTM has a bit more mechanical grip, so I’m enjoying the difference in driving technique.
“I really want to bond with the car now,” he added.
“The boys have done a great job, and it’s actually getting a new wrap put on it – it’s a surprise for me how it’s going to look!”
Joining Crampton for the event will be Trent Harrison, the duo making their debuts in Australian GT competition.
They met when competing with M Motorsport at an event earlier this year, and together complement the sister car run by Justin McMillan and Glen Wood.
Also on track will be the JMG/Bilstein Aston Martin Vantage GT4 of Jeremy Gray, who heads the GT4 competition after the opening round, with veteran racer Andrew Miedecke alongside him for the Endurance event.
Mark Griffith also returns with the Hogs Breath Cafe/Griffith Corporation Ginetta G55 GT4, though is yet to name his co-driver for the weekend, with the field completed by the BP Ultimate BMW M4 GT4
It makes for a diverse five car GT4 field for the inaugural Australian GT event at The Bend Motorsport Park on April 14-15, the growing class making up just part of the field set to tackle the incredible 7.77km facility for the first time.
