17 March 2008
Jon Barnes is pleased to announce that he has secured a seat with Brookspeed Motorsport in their 'Team Trimite' Dodge Viper Competition Coupé for the 2008 Avon Tyres British GT Championship.
The 24-year-old from Whiteley, Hampshire will be partnered by his old karting rival - James Gornall in the two driver endurance series, with the first races of the Championship to be held at Oulton Park in Cheshire this coming Easter weekend.
Barnes said, “I am really pleased to be back in the cockpit for a full season of racing this year. It is going to be a very tough season ahead, but I am confident that myself, my team mate James, and Brookspeed Team Trimite can go out and surprise the other teams and drivers with our competitiveness this season. "
It will once again be a baptism of fire for Jon, as the first time he gets to drive the car will be at Oulton Park in Friday's free practice sessions. The Dodge Viper has an 8.3 litre V10 engine, kicking out 520 bhp and 730 Nm of torque, propelling the car from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds and on to 193 mph top speed.
Jon will be on hand to sign autographs and pose for pictures on Thursday 20 March, when the Brookspeed Team Trimite Viper will be on display at Coopers Square Shopping Centre in Burton upon Trent before the team heads up the road to compete in the opening rounds of the British GT Championship. The car and drivers will take centre stage in the Main Square from 10.00 to 17.30, offering hundreds of happy shoppers the chance to win tickets, Grid Walk passes and a behind-the-scenes visit to the Brookspeed Team Trimite pit garage at the Oulton Park race.
In addition, the Scalextric roadshow will roar into the centre giving shoppers the chance to try their hand or even challenge the drivers. Although many people may never have the pleasure of driving a racing car, Coopers Square shoppers can be a racing driver for the day on the new amazing Scalextric Digital layout featuring a multi-lane track, and one figure of eight drift circuit.
Jon Barnes is proud to be supported this season by Technart Printers, Headliners Hair Salon, Attley's Roofing, Shredding For Bedding, LA Fitness and Arai Helmets.
The Avon Tyres British GT Championship races are shown in half-hour programmes on Channel 4 Television and in hour-long programmes on MotorsTV. Please check Jon's website for up-to-date broadcast information.
For more information visit Jon's website at www.jonbarnes.com
ENDS