Carey keen on GT test

MOTORSPORT

Ratoath driver Cian Carey is considering a move into sportscar racing after testing a Speedworks Motorsport Toyota Supra GT4 at Oulton Park earlier this month.

The Meath man became the first driver to retain the prestigious British Formula 3 Cup Championship and complete a memorable two in-a-row in 2018 and 2019.

However, he had to compete in Ireland in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but duly deleivered and won the BOSS Ireland championship for a second time.

Since 2016 Carey has achieved amazing success that included Irish young race driver-of-the-year, Lenister Trophy champion, those two British titles back-to-back and the 2020 Formula BOSS Ireland championship, which he also won in 2016.

Intent on maintaining progress in the highly-competitive sport, he is now managed by Ferrari GT driver Matt Griffin and is weighing up the options for British GT and European LMP 3 competition for 2021.

"British GT is a huge championship now so if I can get in there and impress it could do a lot for my career," he told the Meath Chronicle as he explained his two-wheel approach to cornering at Oulton Park in the Toyota.

"In these GT cars it’s very easy to get them on two wheels as you can use a lot more kerb on the corners compared to a single seater.

"From inside the car you don’t really feel that it lifts that much, but the photo showed exactly how much the car rises.

"I found the first experience of running with a roof over my head as compared to the open-seater daunting, but I grew in confidence during the day and lapped close to the times of team regular James Kell.

"When you come from Dallara F3 to a GT 4 car you are not expecting a whole lot in terms of performance, but I was surprised how good the car was.

"Travel was an issue, but I satisfied the elite sport criteria, I complied with all the protocols and had loads of tests.

"I hope to have the plans for this year finalised before the end of March and make some decisions next month," he added.