Node4 is excited to see CEO, Andrew Gilbert make his racing debut with Greystone GT in the International GT Open later this summer.
He will be joined by professional driver Fran Rueda as the pair compete in the Pro-Am division against an international field.
Andrew began his racing career in 2021 with the Ferrari Challenge Asia-Pacific, finishing on the podium three times and currently sits eighth in the Trofeo Pirelli class. The GT Open event will mark his debut in a GT3 racing car.
Andrew and Fran will be driving a Node4-branded McLaren 720S GT3 throughout the series and this week marked their first test in the car at Silverstone.
Andrew Gilbert said: “It’s a big step to come into GT3 racing in what’s my first full year of racing, but it’s hugely exciting too. It’s probably a bit sooner than I’d originally planned, but everything’s fallen into place to debut in the International GT Open and it’s just too good an opportunity to miss. This opening test will be my first time in a GT3 car and the category is absolutely where I want to be going forwards. We’re already looking at a range of potential programmes for 2023 with Greystone GT with the car so this will be a very good starting point as we focus on our plan going forwards.”
Fran Rueda said: “It’s amazing to be racing again because my full season was in 2020 and the world’s been a bit shaken since then. I honestly didn’t know if I’d ever be back in International GT Open, so I’m delighted to have the chance to return and to help Andrew as he takes on the biggest challenge of his racing career. I’ve been a young professional driver with McLaren in the past so I have lots of knowledge of the 720S GT3 and I’m sure that I can use this to benefit Andrew and the team.”
Mark McLoughlin, Greystone GT Team Principal, said: “I’m very pleased to welcome Andrew and Fran to Greystone GT. Andrew is an ambitious driver who ultimately wants to race at Le Mans and Fran brings a wealth of experience of the McLaren and the International GT Open that should prove an asset at the Red Bull Ring. From the creation of the Greystone GT race team in October 2020 we set two targets; to prepare enthusiastic trackday drivers for the rigours of professional motor racing and to compete against the best GT racing teams in the world. With a Gulf 12 Hours win and podium finishes in British GT this year, we’re heading in the right direction. Stepping up to the International GT Open increases the challenge even further, but it’s a challenge we’re ready to take on.”
Stay tuned for more updates as Andrew continues to compete this season in the Ferrari Challenge Europe, with the next round at Silverstone, and we wish him and Fran the best of luck for their first race in the GT Open at the Red Bull Ring in Austria on September 9-11.
