Brit GT's Ryan Hooker Heads to Czech Republic for FIA Race

22 June 2005

Upminster racing driver, Ryan Hooker is set to line up on the grid this weekend with the world's best sportscar drivers. Ryan has been called up to compete in the fifth round of the FIA GT Championship, to be held at Brno in the Czech Republic, by Graham Nash Motorsport (GNM).

Ryan will drive the GNM Saleen in the three hour race alongside Italian driver, Luca Pirri and local Czech star, Robert Senkyr. Ryan enjoyed a successful debut in the FIA GT series with GNM earlier in the year at the Silverstone round, where he helped bring the team home in 7th and was keen to fit another FIA GT round in if his British GT campaign schedule allowed.

Ryan's regular series is the British GT Championship, in which he races with Emotional Engineering in the Monaro, but the opportunity to take part in selected international races this year is a further step in his ambition to race at the highest level of the sport.

"Emotional Engineering have begun a new stage in their developmental programme" Ryan says, "and this means a number of intensive weeks in the factory. As such the team have decided to miss the next round of the British GT Championship on 25th-26th June whilst concentrating on these developments which is a very wise decision given our objectives this year.

"However, it did give me a free weekend in my diary which is something I'm not used to of late!" continued Ryan, "And this meant when GNM approached me to compete in Brno I was able to seize the chance. I am delighted to be racing with the team once more and can't wait to get back behind the wheel of the No8 Saleen especially now it is sporting the new wider rear wing. I am getting a great introduction to the top flight of international sportscar racing this year."

GNM's Sporting Director, Andy Woolgar is certainly pleased to have Ryan on board once more commenting "I am very happy to welcome Ryan back to the team. He did a fantastic job in Silverstone and this is the next step for him. I think his driving style will really flourish, particularly on the undulating Brno circuit. It will be Ryan's first race there but he is the kind of driver who adapts quickly and is keen to learn".

The race is broadcast live on British Eurosport 2 from 12.45 on Sunday 26th June.

RH

See 2005 series calendar for FIA GT Championship

Related Story 22.05.2005 - Scottish Woes for Ryan Hooker as British GT Championship Hits Knockhill