RML
Industry News
Michael Mallock Confirms AM N24 for GT4
Issued January 20th 2008
Mallock
in Aston Martin for GT4 European Cup
Talented
sportscar racer Michael Mallock has been confirmed for a
full season in the up-and-coming GT4 European Cup. He will
contest the new FIA series at the wheel of an Aston Martin
N24 entered and run by RS Williams Limited of Cobham, the
celebrated Aston Martin specialists.
Michael
Mallock has motorsport pulsing through his veins, having
been born into the Mallock racing family a little over twenty-five
years ago. The son of Ray Mallock, founder and Chief Executive
of RML, Michael won his first single-seater race at Donington
Park at the age of just 16. Since then a succession of podiums,
victories and lap records have fallen his way, including
the title of National Supersports Champion in 2000. Full
seasons in the British GT Championship and FIA Sportscar
series followed, as well as regular appearances in FIA GT
(with two runs at the Spa 24 Hours) and numerous historic
events, including Group C Revival and World Sportscars.
It
was through his exploits in historic championships that
Michael developed his close affinity and understanding of
all things Aston Martin. Unbeaten in the Marsh Plant Aston
Martin DB4 in 2005 and 2006, and with impressive results
from the fabulous 1984 Aston Martin Nimrod, Mallock was
a natural choice as driver for the RS Williams N24. “Our
relationship with the Mallock family goes back a long time,”
stated Richard Williams, Managing Director. “Having
worked with Ray over the course of many years, it is a delight
to think we will be working with his son Michael as we embark
upon this exciting new project.”
The
name of Richard Williams, and the company he founded, will
always be associated with some of the most glorious days
in Aston Martin’s motor racing history, and after
a number of years away from direct involvement in the sport,
the arrival of the GT4 Aston Martin N24 represented an opportunity
that was simply too good to miss. “Motor racing is
a bit of an addiction,” suggests Williams. “It
gets deep into your blood, and sometimes it’s hard
to shake it off. I’m just very pleased to be back,
and I know it’s going to be great fun. That should
be the whole goal in motorsport – enjoying yourself
– that and winning of course!” One follows the
other, and after masterminding many of Aston Martin’s
successful forays into sportscar racing, particularly during
the Group C era with such cars as the Ecurie Ecosse C2,
with which they took the title in 1986, and the awesome
AMR1, Richard Williams has first hand experience of both
the winning and the enjoyment.
Richard
will be taking personal responsibility for managing the
RS Williams AM N24, and is confident in the knowledge that
the car has already demonstrated its potential. The team
took delivery of the car in September last year, and after
a preliminary shake-down test had been carried out at Silverstone
by Michael Mallock, the car made its competition debut at
Donington Park on September 30th. It raced twice in one
day, and won its class both times, including an outright
victory that saw Mallock take the chequered flag nineteen
seconds clear of the field after a twelve-lap race.
“This
will be my first full season of racing since 2001,”
said an enthusiastic Michael Mallock. “I can’t
wait – it’s brilliant! It’s been a long
period of picking up one-off drives here and there, so it’s
fantastic to be given this opportunity to race a full season
again, and with such a fantastic team. They certainly know
their Astons! I think we’re in for a good year. The
GT4 Cup is very competitive but we’ve had such excellent
results in testing that I’d be very surprised if we’re
not winning races and fighting hard for the title.”
The
GT4 European Cup kicks off at Silverstone on April 20th,
with further rounds at Monza (May), Oschersleben (July),
Spa (August), Brno, and Nogaro (both September). Each weekend
will comprise two one-driver races of approximately 25 minutes
each, and then a two-driver race of about an hour. Michael
Mallock will be doing all races solo.
For
further information:
Richard Williams: 01932 868377 (astons@rswilliams.co.uk
) or
Michael Mallock: 07979 695371 (michaelm@rmlmallock.com)
High
resolution images are available here.
For
further information on the FIA GT4 European Cup, please
visit the official website: www.gt4cup.com