Counting Down to the 2021 Season - Introducing Group GTB

Earlier this week, we introduced you to our GTC full season competitors, and today it's the turn of Group GTB. This group has an eclectic mix of eligible cars covering early year Challenge and Cup specification cars and modified saloon-based GT cars.

The group this year has five full-season entrants with a good array of machinery covering both aspects of the group specifications. From the giant-beating Marcos Mantis to a BMW saloon with a couple of Porsches thrown in the mix for good measure.

Who's Who in Group GTB

Charlotte Gilbert – Topcats Racing

Charlotte Gilbert, co-director of Top Cats Racing, is making a return to the GT Cup for the full 2021 season. Having previously run in Britcar, TVR Tuscan Challenge and British GT, Gilbert has plenty of experience in GT racing on top of her GT Cup debut last year. Charlotte joined for part of the 2020 season, her first outing in the Marcos Mantis in five years. Despite not running the full season, Gilbert finished fourth in the GTB title race which makes her one to keep an eye on this year.

Chris Murphy – Whitebridge Motorsport

It's another season with the GT Cup for Chris Murphy and the faithful Aston Martin Vantage V8, Last season saw Murphy claim a raft of podium finishes in a tightly contested Group GTH to take fourth in the group championship. Competing in a new group, the former overall champion will be looking to make a name for himself in the title tables later in the season with a BMW GTR run by Woodrow Motorsport.

David Frankland – 24-7 Motorsport

David Frankland is back with 24-7 Motorsport in his newly rebuilt Porsche 997 for another run at the Group GTB title. Frankland walked away with the group title in 2019 and third in the 2020 championship despite not completing the whole season. Having previously earned a title as Mr Consistent, Frankland is excellent at flying under the radar and racking up points to keep his rivals at bay, although his new livery we are told will make him easy to spot.

Richard Marsh & Sam Randon – Team HARD Racing

The second of the Porsches in Group GTB, Team HARD are back for another run at the championship. Richard Marsh is teaming up with 2020 GTB champion Sam Randon for the 2021 season. Marsh has raced previously in British GT and has been a previous GT Cup competitor too, joining the championship on and off since 2015, though this will be his first full season and his first in a Porsche. Randon had a successful 2020 season in the GT Cup, claiming the Group GTB title alongside Ben Clayden, snapping the title from rivals Topcats Racing at the season finale. The pair come into this season with high hopes.

Andy Robey – Gemini Racing

After an unexpected end to his 2020 season, Andy Robey is back in action for the 2021 season with a new weapon of choice. No longer with the BMW, Robey will be driving a Marcos Mantis this year. We're used to seeing a Marcos on the grid with Topcats Racing, but it's great to see more of them join the ranks. Robey last ran a full season back in 2017 so will no doubt be looking forward to launching a full assault on the Group GTB title.

Group GTB is looking like another cracking group on the 2021 grid, and they will take to the track in just over two weeks at Donington Park. We've introduced you to four of our six race groups, so keep an eye out for the remaining two, as well as more information about the full entry list and the event itself.