The Norfolk-based squad has been synonymous with Ginetta title success over the past eight years but also victorious in GB3 and GB4 since recently adding the single-seater categories to its impressive portfolio.
Elite hopes to take delivery of their new McLaren Artura GT4 race cars that take inspiration from the championship-winning 570S GT4 and 720S GT3 competition cars, early next year so that the team is fully prepared for the opening races at Monza in mid-April.
Discussions are underway with potential drivers for its maiden GT4 Euro programme that brings an end to Elite’s Ginetta GT4 SuperCup era which resulted in the 2019 & ’21 Driver’s titles (Harry King and Adam Smalley) plus the 2021 Teams’ championship.
Powered by a twin-turbocharged V6 engine, the Artura GT4 is more than 100kg lighter than the outgoing 570S GT4. The engine itself runs on a Bosch Motorsport ECU and pairs to McLaren seven-speed SSG transmission.
More compact and lighter construction than the V8 engine in the outgoing 570S GT4 – itself a hugely successful competition car achieving many race and championship wins – means the Artura’s V6 is more fuel efficient and boasts a better throttle response, as well as being better for weight distribution.
The 2023 GT4 European Series consists of six rounds in Italy, France, Spain, Belgium and Germany, each featuring two, one-hour races, plus a season-ending six-hour non-championship race.
Eddie Ives, Team Owner & Manager
“It’s hugely exciting and pleasing to be starting a new relationship with such an iconic brand as McLaren.
“It opens up fantastic opportunities for Elite and our drivers to go GT racing for the future throughout the world which makes the Artura GT4 the perfect replacement for our GT4 SuperCup squad.
“We should have our first Artura delivered soon so that we can start testing early in the New Year allowing us to hit the ground running by the time we head to Monza in April for the first races.
“Our plan is the full season in the GT4 European Series but we may do selected races in other GT4 championships as well.”
