ECURIE ECOSSE CONFIRMS 2014 PLANS

ECURIE ECOSSE GUNNING FOR BRITISH GT AND BLANCPAIN ENDURANCE SERIES CROWNS IN 2014

 

• Alexander Sims joins British GT line-up

• Black Bull Whisky extend long-term commercial agreement

 

 

Ecurie Ecosse powered by Black Bull will continue to fight on two fronts this season after confirming plans to run a 2014-spec BMW Z4 GT3 in both the Blancpain Endurance Series and Avon Tyres British GT Championship.

 

The legendary Scottish squad are looking to pick up where they left off in 2013 when Marco Attard and Olly Bryant finished third in the British GT standings, just four points shy of the title. With the latter moving over to the team’s Blancpain line-up, Ecurie Ecosse are delighted to welcome BMW Motorsport factory driver Alexander Sims into its fold. 

 

A former McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award winner, the 25-year-old will be making his British GT debut alongside Attard, who enjoyed an incredibly strong season in the category last year.

 

Meanwhile, after also finishing third in last season’s European Le Mans Series GTC class, the outfit switches its continental attention to the Blancpain Endurance Series’ fiercely competitive Pro-Am category.

 

The core of last season’s driver roster remains however, with Alasdair McCaig and Andrew Smith accompanied by the incoming Bryant for all five rounds, while Ecurie Ecosse stalwart Joe Twyman joins the line-up for the blue riband 24 Hours of Spa.  

 

Once again Ecurie Ecosse can call on the support of numerous long-term partners in their respective title bids. For a fourth season Barwell Motorsport will oversee its on-track programmes, while this will be the third campaign featuring BMW Motorsport’s involvement. And after their first year together in 2013, the team is delighted to announce an extended long-term commercial partnership with Black Bull Whisky that will see it run under the Ecurie Ecosse powered by Black Bull banner.

 

In addition, Ecurie Ecosse can also count on continued backing from John Clark Motor Group, Cotton Tree, Ragus, and The Calais Wine Superstore.

 

Hugh McCaig, Ecurie Ecosse Team Principal: “I am delighted that Ecurie Ecosse will be returning to British GT this year for another crack at the title, as well as taking on a fresh challenge in the form of the Blancpain Endurance Series. Both championships are extremely competitive, but I’m confident that we’ll be capable of delivering at the highest level thanks to the hard work of every team member, driver, supplier and loyal sponsor.”  

 

Andrew Smith (Blancpain Endurance Series): “This is a very exciting programme for Ecurie Ecosse. We looked at a number of options for this year after a highly successful 2013 and believe, with the combination of BMW’s Z4 GT3, the team at Barwell and a first-class driver line-up, that we absolutely have the right ingredients in place to achieve success in these two championships. It has been a tireless effort to put the deal together in an extremely challenging economic environment and we have to thank all of our sponsors for their continued support. Ultimately we want to be back at Le Mans and this is a fantastic step in the right direction.”

 

Marco Attard (British GT): “It’s great to be back with Ecurie Ecosse and the guys at Barwell. I can hit the ground running now that I’m continuing with the same car and team, and have a full season already under my belt. This, combined with having a driver of Alexander’s calibre alongside me, means I have put myself in the best possible position to challenge for the title again.”

 

Alexander Sims (British GT): “I’m over the moon, as getting a full-time drive in a championship as prestigious as British GT is just fantastic. It’s a great opportunity to embed myself within BMW’s network of teams, and to work alongside a gentleman driver as talented as Marco. Ecurie Ecosse and Barwell enjoy a very impressive track record together, with last year especially strong thanks to Marco and Olly. I simply cannot wait for us to begin working together.”

 

Mark Lemmer, Barwell Motorsport Team Principal: “I’m absolutely thrilled to have such a fantastic driver line-up across both championships, and it’s great to be able to welcome Alexander to our fold; he is undoubtedly one of the most exciting young British talents in the world of GT racing. I fully expect Ecurie Ecosse and Barwell to be pushing for both titles!”

 

The opening round of this year’s Blancpain Endurance Series comes from Monza, Italy, on April 12/13, while British GT’s Oulton Park curtain raiser takes place one week later (19-21).

 

ENDS

 

 OB

 

  

Email: as@ecurieecosse.com

Web:  www.ecurieecosse.com

Tweet Pin It Now!

European Le Mans Series Podium at the Red Bull Ring in Austria

22/07/2013   Ecurie Ecosse maintains ELMS podium streak at Red Bull Ring   Legendary Scottish motor racing outfit Ecurie Ecosse, along with drivers Ollie Millroy, Andrew Smith and Alasdair McCaig, picked up their third consecutive European Le Mans Series podium of the season at Austria’s Red Bull Ring on Saturday (July 20) to maintain their lead in both the Teams’ and Drivers’ championships.    The squad’s Barwell Motorsport-run BMW Z4 GT3 enjoyed its last competitive outing at Snetterton for rounds five and six of the British GT Championship with drivers Oliver Bryant and Marco Attard two weeks ago. But with focus now switched back to its ELMS programme, the Austrian event was an opportunity to score more valuable GTC class points.   Having never driven at the Red Bull Ring before, Friday’s pair of one-hour official practice sessions were spent learning the circuit and evaluating car set-ups that would suit the technical nature of this famous track.   Championship regulations dictate that the 2013 specification BMW Z4 GT3 must carry 70kg of ballast on top of its standard minimum weight. That, as well as the car’s comparatively low torque and subsequent lack of straight-line speed relative to its rivals, meant the team would have to employ everything in its armoury to ensure a competitive run at the Series’ third round.   Having made some minor set-up changes following free practice on Friday, Millroy – the team’s ‘Pro’ driver – would remain aboard throughout Saturday morning’s 20-minute qualifying session. The BMW is extremely light on tyres compared to its Ferrari and Lamborghini class rivals, making them last longer over a race distance but difficult to bring up to optimum operating temperature during such a short qualifying run. Even so, Ollie’s fastest lap was still good enough for fourth on the grid and just a second shy of pole.   Smith was behind the wheel for the start of Saturday afternoon’s three-hour race and immediately made forward progress, passing some of the faster GTE cars while maintaining position in GTC. After 50 minutes it was the turn of McCaig who, after benefitting from a faultless fuel-only stop by his Barwell Motorsport crew, went on to complete a further 50-minute stint and retain fourth.   With 80 minutes left on the clock Millroy climbed aboard, with the BMW this time taking on fresh rubber as well as fuel. After an ultra-consistent run he pitted again for further fuel before heading back out with half an hour remaining. Incredibly, despite suffering from fading brakes, he was able to catch and pass the third placed Ferrari to help maintain Ecurie Ecosse’s 100% podium record this season.     More importantly than the string of rostrums however is that Ecurie Ecosse left Austria on Saturday evening delighted to still be leading both the Drivers’ and Team’s championships ahead of the next ELMS round at the Hungaroring in Hungary on September 14.   Ollie Millroy, Ecurie Ecosse: “We had to work extremely hard for this podium and the whole team did a fantastic job throughout the weekend to ensure we maintained our lead in the championship. I gave everything I had during my 80-minute stint which, combined with a great strategy call from the Ecurie Ecosse and Barwell team, meant I was able to move into the final podium spot.”   Andrew Smith, Ecurie Ecosse: “The Red Bull Ring is a great track and, as always, it was a privilege to race our BMW there at such a high level. The aim was to maintain our championship lead and we achieved that, but the GTC class is getting much more competitive now and with our power-to-weight disadvantage, as well as very few other teams running Bronze drivers, we are going to have to work extremely hard to maintain our lead.”   Alasdair McCaig, Ecurie Ecosse: “Third was a fantastic result for the team this weekend. We did not have the pace of the Ferraris given our weight penalty, so it was impossible to challenge the front-runners. We are hoping that this will be adjusted for the next round at the Hungaroring where we will look to safeguard our championship lead. Once again all three Ecosse drivers put in faultless, trouble-free stints and benefited from a perfect strategy from our Barwell race engineer Adam Hardy.”   Mark Lemmer, Barwell Motorsport Team Principal: “We are really suffering with the extra ballast we have to carry above the car's standard weight. It's really hurting our pace but despite this everyone remained focused and we’ve come away from Austria still just ahead in the points!”   Ecurie Ecosse’s next competitive outing sees the team head to Brands Hatch for round seven of the British GT Championship (August 11).   2013 European Le Mans Series - GTC Drivers’ Championship (top 3 after 3 of 5 races) 1.  Ollie Millroy/Andrew Smith, Ecurie Ecosse, BMW Z4 GT3, 55 points 2.  Lorenzo Case/Stefano Gai/Andrea Rizzolo, AF Corse, Ferrari 458 Italia, 54  3.  Fabio Babini/Kirill Ladygin/Viktor Shaitar, SMP Racing, Ferrari 458 Italia, 50   2013 European Le Mans Series - GTC Teams’ Championship (top 3 after 3 of 5 races) 1.  Ecurie Ecosse, BMW Z4 GT3, 55 points  2.  AF Corse, Ferrari 458 Italia, 54  3.  SMP Racing, Ferrari 458 Italia, 50   ENDS   Issued on behalf of Ecurie Ecosse   Photo credit: Peter May Click on individual images to download   For more information on Ecurie Ecosse please visit www.ecurieecosse.com Follow our blog: ecurieecosse.blogspot.com Follow Ecurie Ecosse on Twitter: @ecurie_ecosse Follow Ecurie Ecosse on Facebook   Click here for the press release (PDF) Click here for the Ecurie Ecosse Association Membership Pack Click here for the Ecurie Ecosse 60th Anniversary Ltd Edition Bremont Chronometer Watch Presentation   Follow Ecurie Ecosse Drivers on Twitter: @alasdair_mccaig @oliverjbryant @andrewsmitht70 @joetwyman1986@olliemillroy   FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Andrew Smith Tel: +44 (0)7710 644 366 Email:  as@ecurieecosse.com          OB

 

Tweet Pin It Now!

Ecurie Ecosse takes the bull by the horns

13/06/2013 Ecurie Ecosse takes the bull by the horns Famous Scottish squad confirms 2013 title sponsorship deal with Black Bull Whisky Legendary Scottish motor racing outfit Ecurie Ecosse has signed a new key sponsorship agreement with Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky that will see the team promote the Black Bull Whisky brand through its European Le Mans Series and British GT Championship programmes. Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Ltd is a family owned, luxury whisky merchants. With origins dating back to 1864, the company selects and matures casks from distilleries across the length and breadth of Scotland and currently owns one of the world's largest private collections of vintage Scotch whisky. With a multi award-winning brand portfolio, Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Ltd harnesses generations of expertise to deliver the finest whisky without compromise. The Black Bull brand dates back to 1864 and was the first 100 proof blend to be sold in the US, where it came to prominence after the repeal of prohibition in 1933. Repackaged in 2008, Black Bull is now available in 12-year-old, 30-year-old, 40-year-old and Special Reserve expressions and has won numerous awards, including five gold medals in 2011 alone. “For Ecurie Ecosse to initiate a new alliance with a major brand like Black Bull is a terrific opportunity for European promotional activity. Indeed, we are already discussing a number of innovative activation strategies with Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky for implementation throughout the year,” said Ecurie Ecosse Director and driver Oliver Bryant. “This partnership is a great match: both are world-class Scottish brands with a rich heritage and pedigree who share the same goal of being at Le Mans in 2014.” Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Chairman, Euan Shand, added: “Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky are very pleased to be key sponsors of Ecurie Ecosse for the 2013 season, especially so in their pursuit of racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2014, the world’s greatest motor race. The rich heritage shared by both companies and their pursuit of excellence in their respective fields is surely a recipe for achieving that goal. Ecurie Ecosse's current dominance in both championships is a wonderful opportunity to bring the Duncan Taylor's Black Bull 100 Proof blended whisky brand to the attention of a new audience.” Ecurie Ecosse currently leads the points’ standings in both the British GT Championship and European Le Mans Series (GTC Class). Black Bull branding will appear on the squad's BMW Z4 GT3 for the first time at this weekend’s British GT round at Snetterton in the UK (June 15/16), while the next European Le Mans Series event takes the team to the Red Bull Ring in Austria on July 19/20. ENDS Issued on behalf of Ecurie Ecosse Photo credit: Gary Parravani, Xynamic Motorsport Photography Click on individual images to download For more information on Ecurie Ecosse please visit www.ecurieecosse.com Follow our blog: ecurieecosse.blogspot.com Follow Ecurie Ecosse on Twitter: @ecurie_ecosse Follow Ecurie Ecosse on Facebook Click here for the press release (PDF) Click here for the Ecurie Ecosse Association Membership Pack Click here for the Ecurie Ecosse 60th Anniversary Ltd Edition Bremont Chronometer Watch Presentation Follow Ecurie Ecosse Drivers on Twitter: @alasdair_mccaig @oliverjbryant @andrewsmitht70 @joetwyman1986 @olliemillroy

Tweet Pin It Now!

A few photographs from the weekend at Imola by Peter May.

Joe Twyman getting in before Free Practice 1

Free Practice 1 was wet.

Ollie Millroy

The Ecosse Z4 exits Tamburello with the city of Imola behind

In amongst the GTE and Prototypes in FP2

The exit of Tosa

Andrew Smith qualified on Saturday morning

L-R Joe Twyman, Andrew Smith, Ollie Millroy (and friends)

On the grid before the start of the Imola 3 Hours

Lap 1 going into the first chicane

Z4 at speed

Podium for 3rd place in GTC

Joe Twyman, Ollie Millroy & Andrew Smith

Tweet Pin It Now!

Photo Gallery- Silverstone ELMS

Some photographs from the first round of the ELMS Championship at Silverstone. Taken by Jakob Ebrey and his team.

Alasdair McCaig straps in to the 79 Ecurie Ecosse BMW.

The whole Ecurie Ecosse/Barwell Motorsport Team

BMW and Ecosse

L-R Joe Twyman Andrew Smith Alasdair McCaig Ollie Millroy

Ecurie Ecosse BMW Z4GT3

The race was WET

The team

Mark Lemmer gets a soaking from Andrew smith, whilst Andrew gets soaked by Ollie Millroy!

JT

Tweet Pin It Now!

EUROPEAN LE MANS SERIES ROUND 1 SILVERSTONE

15/04/2013 Stunning European Le Mans Series debut for Ecurie Ecosse at Silverstone Legendary Scottish motor racing outfit Ecurie Ecosse backed up their strong British GT podium at Oulton Park with an impressive European Le Mans Series opener at Silverstone on Saturday (13 April) when drivers Ollie Millroy, Andrew Smith and Alasdair McCaig overcame torrential rain to win the GTC class and bring the squad’s Barwell Motorsport-run BMW Z4 GT3 home an impressive 10th overall. The team experienced mixed weather conditions during Friday's free practice, but by the end of session two the Ecurie Ecosse BMW was the quickest GTC car and fourth fastest GT overall. With series rules dictating that the driver setting the fastest time during the 20-minute qualifying run must start the 3-hour race, it was decided that Smith would tackle the session so as to allow BMW Scholarship driver Millroy to complete the crucial final two stints. Following a night of rain the circuit was wet early on Saturday morning, but by the time qualifying came the track was almost completely dry. On Smith’s first ever new-tyre run he set a strong pace with a quickest lap of 2m03.737s leaving the Ecurie Ecosse BMW second in the GTC Class, 0.25s shy of pole and in the midst of the much quicker GTE pack. Smith started the race on slick tyres but with rain falling during the green flag lap conditions were extremely slippery. An on-track incident caused a safety car on lap two while the rain was becoming heavier, though series regulations stipulate that drivers cannot pit during the first three laps of a caution period. Smith made the call to stop for wet tyres immediately after the restart while the class-leading Audi stayed out. After a lightning-quick turnaround from the Barwell crew Smith was able to set a strong pace on fresh Michelins, while the GTC pole-sitting Audi driven by Porsche Supercup race-winner Kuba Giermaziak eventually emerged from its stop a lap down on the Ecurie Ecosse BMW. Following a swift changeover Smith handed the BMW to McCaig, who went on to complete a superb stint in treacherous conditions as standing water started to collect across the circuit. Despite contact from an optimistic prototype at Abbey corner on his opening lap, the Scot consistently set strong lap times to maintain the team’s class-leading position. As conditions continued to worsen another safety car was deployed and McCaig pitted once the window opened to hand over to Pro driver Millroy. With the heavens remaining open track conditions were deteriorating quickly, leaving a number of competitors unable to maintain control behind the safety car. Millroy did an exceptional job keeping the BMW on the island without incident after the team was given permission to increase its average speed to catch the pack. Sadly the race only continued to 75% distance before the red flags appeared, denying Millroy the opportunity to show his exceptional wet weather pace which could undoubtedly have pushed the team considerably further up the overall classification. Nevertheless, Ecurie Ecosse claimed maximum points with a class win and top-10 overall finish, a superb start to the team’s European Le Mans Series campaign. Hugh McCaig, Ecurie Ecosse Team Principal: "Our inaugural ELMS race was certainly a baptism! The conditions during practice and the race were changeable and unpredictable, but the whole team adopted a sensible driving approach. This, coupled with inspired tactics by Adam Hardy, gave us a brilliant class victory and 10th overall, a superb effort by the whole crew." Andrew Smith, Ecurie Ecosse Driver: "We came to Silverstone to win the GTC class and that’s exactly what we did. The Barwell crew did a fantastic job as ever. I had the best of the weather and certainly the easiest stint, while Alasdair did an amazing job keeping the car on the circuit in horrific conditions. I’m gutted for Ollie as for a second race running he was only able to drive behind the safety car, but we bagged maximum points and I’m now very much looking forward to Imola." Alasdair McCaig, Ecurie Ecosse Driver: "My stint was certainly a game of survival due to the treacherous conditions. The team did a great job as ever and our strategy was spot on. This was a fantastic way to start our ELMS campaign and I am looking forward to getting back in the car at the Red Bull Ring." Ollie Millroy, Ecurie Ecosse Driver: "This is a fantastic result for the team and a great start to the season. Of course, none of us want to finish a race behind the safety car, but the conditions were too dangerous to continue. It was difficult to even keep the car in a straight line! However, we made the most of the conditions and came away with lots of momentum to carry through to Imola." Mark Lemmer, Barwell Motorsport Team Principal: “We set out to win our home race at Silverstone and bank maximum points towards our Le Mans Series title campaign and, thanks to a faultless performance from the drivers, pit stop crew and engineers we were able to do so in style." Ecurie Ecosse’s next competitive outing sees the team head to Rockingham for round three of the British GT Championship (5 May) with drivers Oliver Bryant and Marco Attard. Round two of the European Le Mans Series takes place at Imola on 18 May where Millroy, Smith and Joe Twyman will share driving duties. ENDS Issued on behalf of Ecurie Ecosse Photo credit: Jakob Ebrey Photography - www.jakobebrey.com Click on individual images to download For more information on Ecurie Ecosse please visit www.ecurieecosse.com Follow our blog: ecurieecosse.blogspot.com Follow Ecurie Ecosse on Twitter: @ecurie_ecosse Follow Ecurie Ecosse on Facebook Click here for the press release (PDF) Click here for the Ecurie Ecosse Association Membership Pack Click here for the Ecurie Ecosse 60th Anniversary Ltd Edition Bremont Chronometer Watch Presentation Follow Ecurie Ecosse Drivers on Twitter: @alasdair_mccaig @oliverjbryant@andrewsmitht70 @joetwyman1986 @olliemillroy OB

Tweet Pin It Now!

EUROPEAN LE MANS SERIES SILVERSTONE

A few photos from today's practice sessions at Silverstone. Our BMW Z4 GT3 set the 3rd quickest time in FP1 and 1st quickest time in FP2 in the hands of Alasdair McCaig, Andrew Smith and Ollie Millroy. The circuit was very wet in FP1 and dried towards the end of FP2 allowing us to run slicks in the closing stages. We'll post more photos as the weekend goes on! Follow us on twitter for updates @ecurie_ecosse

Photo credits: Jakob Ebrey and Marcus Potts

Free Practice 1

 Free Practice 2

OB

Tweet Pin It Now!

Oulton Park British GT Championship Photos

Oulton Park was a fantastic Easter weekend for Ecurie Ecosse, with a podium finish and strong points haul following on from our debut British GT Championship win exactly 12 months ago with myself and Alasdair McCaig. Marco Attard has joined Ecurie Ecosse for 2013 and shown great promise from the off. We scored 6th and 3rd place finishes and leave the Cheshire circuit 3rd in the championship standings. Here are some photos of the action at a very cold Oulton Park taken by Gary at Xynamic Motosport Photography http://www.xynamic.com/

 Focused before qualifying around the tight and twisty Oulton Park circuit at over 101mph average.

Glowing tail pipes! The silencers on the Z4 glow red hot!

Mobil 1 "driver of the meeting" for Marco Attard

Marco holding off Lester and Palmer

Crossing the finish line!

A much deserved podium for everyone at Ecurie Ecosse!

Pushing on through Lodge Corner

Awesome machine!

Wintery conditions

I found some space in qualifying!

Joe and I discussing tactics pre-race 2

Pushing hard into the pitlane

Fantastic 2013 British GT Grid, great to be a part of it, and running at the front!

OB

Tweet Pin It Now!