Century Motorsport will make its first start with its brand-new BMW M4 GT4 at next month’s Hankook 24H DUBAI. 

Century has been an official BMW customer since 2018, and took delivery of BMW’s second generation M4 GT4 shortly after production began in October, becoming the first British racing organization to do so. Alongside its debut at the Hankook 24H DUBAI on 13-14-15 January, Century’s new M4 has been registered to compete in this year’s British GT Championship. 

Century, an SP3 class winner on its event debut in 2016 and four-time class podium finisher since then, will make its seventh entry at CREVENTIC’s biggest race in January, having confirmed British competition drivers Chris Salkeld, Michael Johnston, Carl Cavers, and Lewis Plato for its #429 entry. 

“It’s great to be extending our relationship further with BMW motorsport,” Century team boss Nathan Freke explains. “Their support has been second-to-none and we have become the ‘go to’ team in the UK to race BMWs.

“It was an easy decision to continue with the new car (G82) given the success we had with the current generation (F82). The new generation looks to be a real game changer and now we have seen it and worked on it in the flesh we are super excited to hit the track and get going with it. Its first outing will be in Dubai where we will be looking for a good result. We will collect our second in February where we will start our extensive U.K. test programme.”

Unveiled in June this year, development focus on the new M4 surrounded four key pillars: performance, reliability, cost efficiency, and maintainability. The improved aerodynamics include a new lightweight roof, an adjustable rear spoiler – both of which were inspired by BMW’s new M4 GT3 – while the 3-litre M TwinPower turbo six-cylinder, that’s mated with a ZP seven-speed automatic gearbox, produces up to 550 hp and 479 lb ft of torque. The revised ‘M-Track Cockpit’ was also specifically revised to improve driver comfort. The new M4 made its competitive debut under the BMW M Motorsport banner at the 2022 Hankook 24H PORTIMAO.

Century has also confirmed a second, collaborative entry for the Hankook 24H DUBAI with ‘RHC Jorgensen-Strom.’ The #450 entry, a first generation M4 GT4, will be piloted by RHC team principals Daren Jorgensen and Brett Strom, Century team boss Nathan Freke, and Danny van Dongen. The quartet go into this year’s event having secured 3rd in-class in 2022.