Ireland’s Brandon McCaughan and Canada’s Nathan Yu have been confirmed as the finalists for this year’s GB4 Shoot Out for teenage racers in the National Formula Ford Championship, which will take place this Friday (10 November) on the full Snetterton 300 circuit.
Both drivers are competing for a £20,000 contribution towards a GB4 campaign next year, as they look to follow in the footsteps of last year’s winner, Colin Queen.
19-year-old McCaughan was a finalist in last year’s Shoot Out, and has again been a leading contender in the Formula Ford Championship in 2023 with Oldfield Motorsport. He finished fourth overall and took victories at Oulton Park and Kirkistown, having finished seventh in the standings last year.
“I’m really looking forward to the Shoot Out” said McCaughan. “It’ll be a great opportunity to get back in a slicks and wings car, and to open doors for a drive in GB4 next year.”
17-year-old Yu meanwhile contested selected races with Team Dolan in the championship this year, having finished as runner-up in the Canadian Formula 1200 Championship in 2022. Courtesy of strong performances at Snetterton, Kirkistown and Brands Hatch Indy, the Canadian finished ninth overall in the standings, despite missing over half the season owing to university entrance commitments.
He said: “I'm honoured to be a GB4 Shoot Out finalist this year. My most sincere thanks to MSV, Team Dolan and a special shout out to Vallis Motorsport in Canada for making this event possible in my racing career. I'm grateful and excited to be behind the wheel of a GB4 car come November 10th!"
British driver Lucas Romanek was also eligible for the Shoot Out, but he has opted to withdraw from the competition as he looks to pursue other motorsport opportunities.
Fortec Motorsport will again provide technical support for the Shoot Out, with each driver getting exclusive use of one of the team’s Tatuus F4 T-014 cars. This ensures that both drivers will be on track at the same time, with personnel from the Daventry team comparing simulator sessions and real world performance to determine this year’s winner.
Colin Queen won last year’s Shoot Out, and graduated to GB4 with the team for 2023, scoring 10 podiums and a pole position.
