Sam Neary will join his father Richard aboard Team ABBA Racing’s Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the 2020 British GT3 Championship.
The family-run team has contested British GT since 2016, first with a BMW Z4 before switching to its current Mercedes-AMG which is returning for a fourth year.
At 17, Neary Jnr will become one of the youngest drivers in British GT3 history when he debuts at Oulton Park on April 13. However, he has already accrued significant experience of the team’s Mercedes-AMG during several victorious GT Cup and Britcar appearances throughout 2019.
“This season has been all about getting up to pace in the Mercedes-AMG and the last few outings have demonstrated where I am at,” said Sam. “At 17, I feel incredibly lucky to be given this opportunity in a GT3 car and proud to be racing as a father and son pairing. I hope with Dad’s racing experience and my youth we will be able to do some good things together next season and maybe achieve a podium or two!”
Richard Neary, who claimed his first British GT rostrum at Oulton earlier this year, remains in the Pro/Am ranks after spending the last two seasons alongside Adam Christodoulou, a period that also coincided with Sam’s development.
“For the past two years I’ve supplemented my British GT programme by coaching and supporting Sam in several club racing championships,” he confirmed. “He is a fast learner and has demonstrated that he is more than ready to take on the next test at British GT.
“The Pro/Am pairing of Silver and Bronze won’t play to our advantage, but with Gold/Silver not an option and Silver/Silver carrying a weight penalty we didn’t think Sam would be able to shine. As Bronze/Silver he gets to compete directly against some of the best Gold and Platinum factory drivers in the world. Sam is focused on the prize and I believe we will have a great season together.”
Father and son driver combinations are nothing new in British GT. Alexander and Ross McEwan teamed up earlier this year at Donington, while Glynn and Jim Geddie won the GT3 title together in 2011.
Further information about Sam can be found at www.samnearyracing.com