24h Le Mans
After a disappointing début in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), Gulf Racing UK will be hoping the iconic blue and orange Porsche can turn the tide cheered on by the Le Mans crowd
GULF RACING UK (GBR)
Team owners: Roald Goethe / Mike Wainwright
Team manager: Matt Beers
Base: Milton Keynes(UK)
2016 FIA WEC results:
6 Hours of Silverstone: Abd. Wainwright/Carroll/Barker (GBR/GBR/GBR), #86 Porsche 911 RSR
6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps: 23rd Wainwright/Carroll/Barker (GBR/GBR/GBR), #86 Porsche 911 RSR (5th LM GTE Am)
In 2011, two British gentlemen drivers Mike Wainwright and Roald Goethe (owner of ROFGO collection largely devoted to cars that have competed in the Gulf Oil livery) set up Gulf AMR Middle East. The team took part in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC), fielding an Aston Martin Vantage GT2. It later changed name to become Gulf Racing UK.
After several years competing in various GT championships, Gulf Racing UK made its European Le Mans Series debut in 2014 with two cars: an Aston Martin V8 Vantage and a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. Despite the fact that the Aston Martin and Porsche regularly made it to the chequered flag, the team didn’t manage a podium place all season. During the fourth round at Circuit Paul Ricard, the Brits opted for the new Porsche 911 RSR. They finished 8th and 9th in the LM GTE Team Championship at the end of the ELMS season.
Although the British outfit focused on ELMS in 2015, they were also present in the FIA World Endurance Championship with an Aston Martin V8 Vantage GTE entered in the LM GTE Am class under the Aston Martin Racing name but from the Gulf Racing UK stable. In ELMS, the team kicked off its season in the UK with two cars, a Porsche 911 RSR (in LM GTE) and a Lamborghini Gallardo LP560 GT3 (GTC). Things got off to a flying start for Mike Wainwright, Adam Carroll and Phil Keen who claimed victory in LM GTE at the 4 Hours of Silverstone. However, the team only fielded a single car from then on, the #86 Porsche 911 RSR in its Gulf livery, but the rest of the season did not go too smoothly, with results failing to meet the team’s ambitions. However, it came to a positive close with a third place at the finale, the 4 Hours of Estoril and Gulf Racing UK finished fourth in the LM GTE Team Championship. Although it did not compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2015 (it was only on the reserve list), it decided to take part in the Test Day to learn more and gather data. It actually performed very well, achieving the second best time in the afternoon session with 4:01:208. Both sessions taken together, the #86 Porsche 911 RSR ended up with the third best time in the LM GTE Am class!
Gulf Racing UK has moved up a gear for 2016 and officially entered the FIA World Endurance Championship, still with the #86 Porsche 911 RSR. Mike Wainwright and Adam Carroll, regular drivers in 2015, have been joined by Ben Barker for the season. Things didn’t quite go to plan at Silverstone: as Brendon Hartley, in the #1 Porsche 919 Hybrid, moved to overtake, he hit the #86 Porsche, almost rolling the car. Both cars were forced to retire. Three weeks later at the WEC 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, the trio finished fifth in the LM GTE Am class. Gulf Racing UK will make its 24 Hours of Le Mans debut this year, keen to complete its learning curve.
