Hillspeed Welcomes Newly Announced ‘First Class’ Car Upgrade For 2022 GB3 Season
Richard Ollerenshaw, team principal of GB3 Championship squad Hillspeed, has warmly welcomed the introduction of a new chassis for the 2022 season – saying the move by series organiser MSV further enhances the category’s position as one of the globe’s premier single-seater championships.
Announced just over a week ago during the GB3 race meeting at Silverstone, a completely new Tatuus MSV-022 chassis will compete in next year’s championship. Featuring a new aerodynamic package, significantly increased downforce and a raft of upgraded safety features, including the cockpit ‘halo’, the car will be powered by an uprated Mountune engine producing over 250bhp.
Notably, linked to the boost of power for the 2022 challenger, the new Tatuus will also sport a side air-intake and carbon airbox which provides more than a passing resemblance to earlier generation Formula 3 cars.
“We are really pleased with the announcement of the update package to the car for the 2022 season”, said Ollerenshaw, “The new Tatuus chassis is a fantastic looking car and with the safety upgrades and power upgrade, the future of the GB3 Championship is more than confirmed.
“MSV has once again listened to the teams by delivering an absolutely first class package. The willingness of Jonathan [Palmer] and Giles [Butterfield] at MSV to listen to the teams, combined with their understanding of the industry and market, is fundamental to the growing success of GB3.”
From an aerodynamic point of view, the new car will boast a completely revised floor, diffuser, skid block, keel and bib and there are additional changes to the side pods, radiator ducts, damper cover and engine cover.
In the interests of minimising cost implications to teams, MSV has chosen to retain the extremely efficient front and rear wing components from the championship’s current car, but downforce will still have a marked increase.
Upgrades to the specification of the 2.0-litre, four cylinder, normally aspirated Mountune engine will deliver more than 250bhp – an increase of 20bhp – and there will be a change to a fly-by-wire port throttle inlet manifold system. From the current GB3 car, gearboxes, suspension, the braking system and electronics will all remain – further assisting team finances.
Ollerenshaw added: “The new car will position GB3 as the best possible stepping stone for drivers seeking to follow a career in single-seater racing. With the update being structured in the way MSV is planning, especially with key mechanical components carrying over from the current car, it will allow teams and drivers to continue testing over the autumn and winter with minimal disruption.
“We are now inviting drivers to contact us to reserve their place with Hillspeed for when we begin running the new car. There is no question, the GB3 Championship is going from strength to strength and is one of the world’s very best single-seater categories. Hillspeed is proud to be part of it.”
Drivers wishing to register their interest with Hillspeed should contact team principal Richard Ollerenshaw on +44 (0)7966 650400 or by email to richard@hillspeed.co.uk
