Team Red Viper
Rodgers and Croydon return to British GTs
GT drivers Rob Croydon and Tony Rodgers will contest a Chrysler Viper in the upcoming 2004 SRO British GT Championship.
The pair have bought the fans favourite N-GT Viper from Peter Cook’s Point Preparation concern and have formed a new partnership known as ‘Team Red’, choosing the experienced Brunswick Motorsport to run the project under the watchful eye of team principal Giles Groombridge.
Although the Brunswick and Team Red tie in is very much in its infancy, the Viper’s history itself is well documented among British GT followers. The car was built in 2000 using a road chassis and adding Oreca Viper GT parts, following the GTO type regulations. The car was further developed by Chamberlain Engineering at a massive cost and attempted to qualify for that year’s Le Mans 24 hours race. It was then successfully entered in the 2001 British GT series, taking 1 win and 6 pole positions. Since then it has been in hiding but has recently undergone a full upgrade to current GT specification, ensuring it will be a serious threat for class honours.
Excited about the challenge ahead Giles commented “We are thrilled to be in partnership with Team Red. As a team, Brunswick Motorsport has gone from strength to strength and our aim is to have an increased presence in such championships as the British GT. The deal with Rob and Tony will further put us on the map and will demonstrate our engineering capability in the fullest possible way ”.
Kent based Rob Croydon is returning to the British GT this year after competing in Nascar’s Weekly racing series in the USA. The EIL.com backed driver will dovetail further rounds of the Nascar series into this season but is keen to concentrate his efforts on a successful GT campaign. He commented “I last raced in the series in 2002 in a Porsche GT2 but I am really looking forward to this season. I have a great year planned both here and in America and I think Tony and I can achieve a lot ”.
“We are really happy to be working with Brunswick Motorsport. They have an excellent track record in everything they have done. This is a 2 year deal and although we know this season will be tough, we still have a firm belief we can fight for the championship ”.
Team mate and co-car owner Tony Rodgers from Cheshire added “The car has undergone a lot of changes. We have updated the suspension, electronics and engine, as well as replacing the old transmission with a Hollinger 6 speed sequential. I am very excited about racing the Viper. We expect to be challenging for class wins at Snetterton and Silverstone and podiums everywhere else other than Mondello which we believe won’t suit the car ”.
As well as their GT commitments and those of Rob with the Nascar programme, the pair plan to take in the Nurburgring and Bathurst 24 Hours races during the year with Brunswick Motorsport.
The team will also be working in conjunction with Cranfield University’s Motorsports department, offering hands on and internships for chosen students.
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Can't wait to see it in action
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