Balfe Motorsport will return to the Gulf 12 Hours event

Balfe Motorsport will return to the Gulf 12 Hours event next year, competing with a McLaren 720S GT3.

The team had a successful visit to Yas Marina Circuit for last year’s event, taking a dominant one-two in class with a pair of McLaren 570S GT4s.

But this time out has its sight set higher as it steps into the GT3 ranks for the event, scheduled for January 7-9.

Climbing behind the wheel will be British GT Championship regulars Shaun Balfe, who gave the 720S GT3 its maiden UK victory in 2019 and Lewis Proctor, who currently competes in the car with Optimum Motorsport, who will be joined by Stewart Proctor, who is competing in three rounds of the series with Balfe Motorsport this season.

“I have a smile on my face thinking about the race," said Balfe.

"Warm weather, blue skies, a Formula 1 track, and McLaren 720S GT3 with some of our current customers means there’s a lot to look forward to.

“It will be a new track for me but one on which Balfe Motorsport has experienced success already in the 2019 race, so we’ve set a high benchmark and I’m sure there will be eyes on us seeing what we can achieve.

"It will be the longest race I’ve competed in for some time, but I am really looking forward to the challenge.”

Stewart, a graduate of the successful Pure McLaren GT Series entered several races with Balfe Motorsport last year in a 570S GT4 and took a British GT Championship GT3 Pro-Am podium finish in his second race in the class alongside Joe Osborne in August.

Shaun has competed in McLaren machinery for several years, claiming the 2017 GT Open Pro-Am title alongside Rob Bell in a 650S GT3, and the pair debuted the 720S GT3 in the UK last year, taking its maiden win at Donington Park and finishing just five points from the Drivers’ title.

Lewis is a young star and member of the McLaren Driver Academy, racing in the Silver Cup in British GT in a 720S GT3 this season. He took a podium finish in the opening race of the season at Oulton Park after two seasons in GT4.

The 10th edition of the popular Gulf 12 Hours gets underway on Thursday, January 7 with night practice, before three further practice sessions the following day before qualifying.

The race will once again be split into two six-hour halves, taking place on Saturday, January 9th with a two-hour break in between both periods.