Lotus set for long-awaited British GT return with Mahiki Racing's Emiras

The Lotus name returns to British GT this season with Mahiki Racing set to field two new Emira GT4s.

The team will make its series debut in partnership with Aim Technologies, a leading supplier of motorsport electronics, and has firmed up a four-man crew consisting of Ian Duggan, Gordie Mutch, Steven Lake and Nathan Harrison.

The programme brings Lotus machinery back to the British GT grid for the first time since an invitational entry contested 2017’s Silverstone 500. The manufacturer’s most recent GT4 appearance came with the Evora a year earlier, while the same model scored the last of Lotus’ 29 British GT wins in 2015. More recently, production-spec Emiras performed official safety car duties for British GT throughout 2023.

Duggan is the only member of the Mahiki squad with past British GT experience. The Liverpool-born racer moves across from the Toro Verde Ginetta outfit to partner Mutch, who graduates to the series having previously won the Praga Cup title with gamer-turned-racer Jimmy Broadbent in 2022.

“I am really looking forward to another year in British GT4 where I have unfinished business from last season, but am also eager to start afresh with Mahiki and the amazing Lotus,” said Duggan. “I can’t wait to begin this journey with Gordie who I have known since our days in Ginetta GT5.”

Mutch added: “Competing in British GT is something I’ve been pursuing for years, so to now have this opportunity is very special. It’s been great to see the Mahiki team come together over the winter, and we’re very excited to hit the track with the new Lotus Emira and show what we are all about.

“Having raced with Ian in the same team before, we know each other well, and I feel we have the chance to perform well together. Our sights are set firmly on the Pro-Am championship.”

Lake and Harrison will pair up in the sister Emira. Lake is the founder and director of Aim Technologies and brings a competitive C.V. that includes stints in the Lotus Cup Europe and Radical Challenge, while Harrison has been a regular Porsche Carrera Cup GB race-winner in recent seasons.

“I am super excited to be back out racing this year after sitting out last season due to lack of funding,” said Harrison. “It’s a great feeling knowing that I am going to be back out doing what I love this year as it was very unexpected…  “Steve Lake played a big part in my junior karting career, so when he called me and asked if I would be interested in racing in the 2024 British GT season I didn’t even hesitate! Of course I said yes! He has given me opportunities that I am so grateful for and I am excited to share a race car with him and be a part of the Mahiki Racing team he is building.

“GT racing is very new to me, coming from a single-make championship like Porsche Carrera Cup GB. Having tested the Lotus Emira GT4 I am very happy with how the car has been running. It’s going to be different but I am looking forward to the challenge!”

The British GT programme is the second to be confirmed by Mahiki, which is backed by the luxury lifestyle and nightclub brand of the same name. The team will enter a pair of Emiras in the GT4 European Series Powered by RAFA Racing Club where Lake is also among the team’s driving strength.