Barwell Motorsport and Beechdean Motorsport have announced a new partnership for the 2008 Avon Tyres British GT Championship.

The team will run under the banner of Barwell-Beechdean and will run cars in both the GT3 and GT4 classes of the British series, while the team will also run cars in the GT4 European Cup.

In the British series, Beechdean boss Andrew Howard and current partner Jamie Smyth will step up to GT3 for an assault on the overall title with a Beechdean-owned Aston Martin DBRS9. Barwell will also run a sister car, the same one that Paul Drayson and Jonny Cocker used to take second in the title race back in 2007. Both cars will run to full 2009-spec with drivers for the second car still to be decided.

Beechdean will also continue to run its two Aston Martin Vantage GT4 models in the GT4 class as previously announced.

“The Aston Martin DBRS9 has been in fierce contention for the FIA GT3 title this season, and is one of the strongest and most consistently fast GT3 cars in the world,” Barwell's Chris Needell said. “We took five race wins and the teams' title in '07, and will certainly be aiming to repeat that success next year.”

Up to three Vantage GT4s could also take part in the European Cup, while entries could also be lodged in selected Britcar events and in the 24 Hour races in Dubai and at the Nurburgring.

Barwell will also attempt to secure an entry for the Le Mans Series and the Le Mans 24 Hours with the Aston Martin Vantage GT2.