Tuesday 27th January 2004

GT: Noble Drivers Named

M12 GT3R should be top contender in GT Cup class

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British GT team Rollcentre Racing has confirmed its drivers for its brand new Noble M12 which will run in the Cup Class of this season's championship.

Belgian Fanny Duchateau will join talented British driver Simon Pullan in the twin turbo, V6-engined car. Pullan drove with team boss Martin Short two years ago and produced some stunning drives, whilst Duchateau has been very impressive in her recent GT outings, including the Le Mans 1000kms last year.

Pullan is a former Locost winner who made an impressive switch to Caterhams in 2000. Success in the one-make sports car series paved the way for a year in GT racing in 2002 driving a TVR. Fanny Duchateau has been karting since she was seven years of age, the daughter of a kart track owner, and has shown speed in the VW Fun Cup in Belgium as well as GT racing, being a regular in the Spa 24 Hours.

Team boss Martin Short, whose Rollcentre Racing squad will run the Mole Valley/Veryplast-sponsored car said: "I am really excited about this year. We have two very quick drivers on board and the car will be great for the GT Cup Class. I have known Lee Noble for 18 years now and we have been talking about the car for a while. GT Cup is the right place for it and it will be a quick car. It weighs 980 kilos in road trim and kicks out 350 horsepower. It's a pocket rocket! "

Rollcentre will also be busy in the Le Mans Endurance Series. Martin Short will be joined by Joao Barbosa and Rob Barff in their Dallara LMP900.

More info at www.rollcentre.com and www.robbarff.com

[Marlon]

GT3R?
2.5 litre?

Shouldn't that be...

GTO 3R
3 litre

[PetrolTed]

Good point! Need to check the spec of their car.

[matt frost]

Any pics of the Noble in "GT" form yet?
I know it will do very well!

[Simon Pullan]

To clear up, it will be a 3R, i.e. 3ltr.

The livery is currently a secret but it'll bear a resemblence to something you've seen before.

Finally, the car isn't far from being ready to rock and roll, which is nice. And yes, it'll be quick.

[The DJ 27]

Simon Pullan said:

To clear up, it will be a 3R, i.e. 3ltr. The livery is currently a secret but it'll bear a resemblence to something you've seen before. Finally, the car isn't far from being ready to rock and roll, which is nice. And yes, it'll be quick.

Sounds good. Hopefully it'll be allowed to make some noise instead of being silenced.

Just one question Simon? How can a student afford to go racing at this (or any level). Obviously talent helps, but how do you get the money? This is of course assuming you're paying for the drive. Apologies if you're not

[Simon Pullan]

Well, as you rightly point out, the student loan doesn't quite stretch to a season of GT racing.

I'm pretty lucky. The thing about sponsorship is that it's not what you know but who you know. We happen to know someone who wanted to help, but I still don't have all of the year's budget in place. I'm working all the time with my family to find the remaining budget. They are really supportive of me, I'd be lost without them.

[The DJ 27]

Are you going to be out at Silverstone on Friday in the Noble?

[Simon Pullan]

No. It's not quite that ready. But we will be out soon, I promise.

[ettore]

Best of luck Simon - should be a good car for the class!

[V6GTO]

Simon, will you be coming to Rockingham with Martin and the car for the Noble day on the 28th? It would be great if you could make it, and you'll have the bonus of driving a few road-going Nobles to give you a bit of a taste.

[V6GTO]

Simon, will you be coming to Rockingham with Martin and the car for the Noble day on the 28th? It would be great if you could make it, and you'll have the bonus of driving a few road-going Nobles to give you a bit of a taste.

[Simon Pullan]

We were planning on going, yes. But now that it's been cancelled and the new date looks like being on the same weekend of the 1st race then I guess we won't be able to make it. Which is a shame.

Still, I trust we'll see lots of you at Donington anyway.

[V6GTO]

Over 40 I think!

[actech]

62 people to be precise, and 27 Noble M12s.

[Simon Pullan]

Good work boys. Looking forward to meeting you all!

[john75]

Good to have you back in the British GT's Simon.

[V6GTO]

Simon, I take it the car will look like the Mole Valley TVR then?

[top fuel]

V6GTO said:

Simon, I take it the car will look like the Mole Valley TVR then?

He could be conning everyone! "looks like something you've seen before" Could be the Gulf GT40?? Silk Cut Jag?? Martini Porsche/Lancia??

Keep us Guessing!

[ockside]

I hope its like the livery of the Dallara LMP, very nice!!!

[Simon Pullan]

You'll see soon enough.

Although, it would look good in Silk Cut colours. I always loved that Jag. Shame they don't give us any money.