The 2026 International GT Open season will welcome a full-time return of Aston Martin Vantage GT3 machinery, with new entrant Blackthorn Racing confirming its participation. The team will field the British marque in the championship’s competitive Pro-Am class, marking a significant addition to the GT Open grid.
Blackthorn Racing enters the series as a prestigious new name in the championship. The Oxfordshire-based squad has already built a solid reputation in international GT racing despite its relatively recent formation.
Founded in 2022 by Claude Bovet and directed by Dan Jeal, the team has quickly established itself as a competitive force across several high-profile GT championships. Its experience in endurance and sprint racing will provide a strong foundation as it takes on the challenge of the International GT Open.
A rapid rise in GT Racing sees Blackthorn Racing join 2026 International GT Open grid
Since its creation, Blackthorn Racing has expanded its presence across multiple prominent series. The team has competed successfully in championships such as the British GT Championship, the GT World Challenge Europe, the Michelin Le Mans Cup and the Asian Le Mans Series.
This broad racing portfolio has allowed the squad to gain valuable experience across different formats, circuits and competition levels. By entering the International GT Open, Blackthorn Racing continues its strategic expansion within European GT racing.
The programme also signals a return of Aston Martin machinery to a full-season GT Open effort, something fans of the British brand have awaited.
Strong Pro-Am driver pairing
Blackthorn Racing will campaign a distinctive yellow-liveried Aston Martin Vantage GT3 in the Pro-Am category. The car will primarily be driven by Britain’s Charles Bateman and Aston Martin Racing factory driver Jonny Adam.
Bateman, aged 39, will represent the Am component of the line-up and brings experience from several GT racing campaigns. Alongside him, Adam provides elite-level credentials and a wealth of endurance racing success.
The Scottish driver, aged 41, has secured three British GT Championship titles during his career and claimed two class victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. His presence adds considerable pedigree to Blackthorn Racing’s debut GT Open campaign.
As Jonny Adam will miss two rounds of the 2026 season due to other racing commitments, the Portimão and Barcelona events will therefore see Portuguese driver Henrique Chaves step into the Aston Martin cockpit.
Chaves arrives with an impressive résumé of his own. The 28-year-old claimed the International GT Open title in 2020 and also boasts a class victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. His participation will add further depth and experience to the team’s driver roster.
His appearance at the opening round in Portimão will also give local fans a home-grown star to support as the championship begins its new season in Portugal.
Blackthorn Racing ready for the challenge of 2026 International GT Open
Blackthorn Racing has expressed enthusiasm about its first season in the championship and the opportunity to compete against some of Europe’s strongest GT teams.
“We are ready for a new exciting challenge that will bring more experience and a lot of battles to our season.”
The statement reflects the team’s ambition to continue building its competitive record while adding another prestigious series to its growing list of racing programmes.
With a proven GT3 platform, experienced drivers and an expanding reputation in international competition, Blackthorn Racing enters the 2026 International GT Open aiming to make an immediate impact.
