James Baldwin, winner of the 2019 Worlds Fastest Gamer competition to turn sim-racers into racecar drivers, will make his Intelligent Money British GT Championship debut when the champonship gets underway in August. The announcement not only brings new talent to the paddock but returns old names, previously linked to gamer to racer programmes, RJN and Bob Neville.
Nevillie and his team previously ran Nissan GT Academy drivers Jann Mardenborough and Wolfgang Reip in the premiere British sportscar series. When 2009 Formula 1 World Championship winner Jenson Button and his friend Chris Buncombe were looking for a team to run their efforts, RJN were at the top of a short list.
Jenson Team Rocket RJN was the result and will campaign a single McLaren 720S GT3 for Baldwin, who will be joined in the car by GT4 graduate and former guest on the show, Michael O’Brien.
“We are all certainly looking forward to going racing again,” Neville told BritishGT.com. “As a team, we have always been a huge supporter of GT World Challenge Europe but given the unusual circumstances of this year it makes complete sense for us and our partners to make a return to the British Championship.
“RJN last raced in British GT in 2018 and we are looking forward to returning with the McLaren 720S GT3 and our partners in the World’s Fastest Gamer.”
Baldwin is not only known as a virtual racer, though he did represent Britain in the 2019 FIA Motorsport Games in the Digital Cup along with a win in the eROC virtual Race of Champions and second place in this years iRacing 12 Hours of Bathurst. He has also raced in several Formula Ford 1600 National events. He was planned to race a full season of GT World Challenge Europe with Worlds Fastest Gamer backing but COVID-19 has shifted his focus to the Silver Cup in British GT.
“I have to wait an extra couple of weeks to go racing, but I’m really looking forward to it,” said Baldwin. “I should have already completed three races so far this year, but when I look at my new schedule, I’m massively excited. I’m going to get so many more race laps under my belt, which will fast track my development this year.
“I can’t wait to get started with Mike. I have a big learning curve ahead, but we really want to give the Silver Championship the best shot.”
Michael O’Brien Joins Worlds Fastest Gamer Crew
Michael O’Brien meanwhile is promoted to GT3 after twice finishing second in the GT4 class. He told the series, “It’s a real honour to be joining Jenson Team Rocket RJN for the Intelligent Money British GT Championship. With that comes the added excitement of moving up to the GT3 category and racing for overall honours in 2020. With the first round fast approaching we’re facing a steep learning curve, but I’ve already integrated well with the team and it’s a challenge we’re looking forward to taking on.”
O’Brien had been planned to race with Balfe Motorsport and his 2019 team mate Graham Johnson but that entry has been postponed until 2021 due to the virus. It’s expected that he will return to the Balfe GT4 effort next year. The Worlds Fastest Gamer McLaren with Jenson Team Rocket RJN is still expected to complete the Total 24 Hours of Spa in October despite pulling their GTWC Europe entry for this year.
