Having just announced an expanded British GT4 line up for 2014, race and championship winning team Century Motorsport will further expand their operation in 2014 by entering two cars in the Ginetta GT5 Challenge for Japanese driver Osamu Kawashima and Danish driver Frederik Mortensen.
Osamu Kawashima made his UK racing debut in 2013 with Century Motorsport at the final round of the Ginetta GT Supercup in Brands Hatch. Osamu enjoyed his weekend and was keen to return in 2014. “I’m excited to join Ginetta GT5 with Century Motorsport again this year”, said Osamu. He went on to say: “I hope to step up to the Ginetta GT4 Supercup next year, so I have to work very hard to win races this year. Even though I’m a Japanese driver, I got my competition licence at the Jim Russell Racing School in the UK, so I’m very happy to race again in the UK and proud to be the first Japanese Ginetta racing driver.”
Having been forced to end his 2013 season early while racing back home in Denmark, Frederik Mortensen is equally excited to join the team for 2014: “Joining Century Motorsport for the Ginetta GT5 Challenge is an important step for me. It means I will be able to work with a really skilled and experienced team. I feel confident that I will be racing in a car fit to win right from the first lap.” Speaking about his new team mate Osamu Kawashima, Frederik sees this as a real luxury this season: “While I have been driving for my own race team, I have never had the luxury of having a teammate to compare data and experience with, so it will be great to work with Osamu and see how far it will bring both of us.”
The Ginetta GT5 Challenge has seen some very large grids over the last couple of seasons and 2014 looks set to be no different. Having seen some of the races on YouTube, Frederick has been very impressed at the quality throughout the championship: “I have been looking at YouTube videos of the GT5 Challenge from 2013, and I’m amazed by the quality of the competition. My primary aim is getting podium finishes before 2014 is over, but obviously I’d love to take a win or two. There is a lot to learn however before that happens. I’ve tested the Ginetta G40 in Croft back in the Autumn and I instantly fell in love with it. Its small and agile with great handling, so I’m really looking forward to starting my first race with Century Motorsport with my name on the car!”
Team Principal Nathan Freke is delighted to announce this important milestone for his team: “Over the last few seasons we’ve been trying to further develop our team in the various GT championships in the UK along with the VLN series. I’ve always wanted to build up a team with a staircase of progression to race in British GT3, so putting a two car team in the Ginetta GT5 Challenge is a perfect place for us to encourage newcomers to GT racing. It will help them build their way up within a team that is very capable of carrying them right through the ranks to eventually become a GT Champion. We’re delighted that Osamu has come back with us this season after his debut in Brands Hatch last year in the Ginetta GT Supercup. This year will be a perfect year for him to learn how to race in a busy field of cars on the UK’s best circuits in preparation for a move to the GT Supercup in 2015. Frederik is also very keen to learn and working in a two car team will be a new advantage for him to further himself as a driver.”