Ginetta Grads Dominate Racing Championships
It’s been an absolute cracker of a year for motorsport, especially if you’re following the Ginetta alumni. These speed demons, once nurtured under Ginetta’s wing, have been burning rubber across various racing championships, and the results are nothing short of spectacular.
From the British GT Championship to the adrenaline-pumped Formula 1, these former Ginetta protégés are making their mark. It’s not just about being in the race; it’s about topping the charts. Dan Harper and Darren Leung, for instance, grabbed the GT3 drivers’ title, showing that Ginetta’s training ground is more than just a stepping stone – it’s a launchpad to stardom.
Breaking Records, Making Headlines
But hold your horses, it’s not just the GT series where Ginetta’s fingerprints are evident. The endurance racing scene saw three Ginetta-trained drivers compete in the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans. David Pittard, a one-time GT5 Challenge racer, emerged victorious at the gruelling Nürburgring 24 Hours. That’s the kind of stuff that gets your heart racing.
The British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) also felt Ginetta’s impact. Tom Ingram, a Ginetta champion, almost clinched the BTCC title, finishing an impressive second. His fellow Ginetta graduate, Jake Hill, wasn’t far behind. The Jack Sears Trophy now sits proudly with Andrew Watson, another star from the Ginetta stable.
On the Fast Track to Success
What’s fascinating is the range of championships where these drivers are shining. The Porsche Carrera Cup GB witnessed Adam Smalley, a Ginetta Junior and GT4 SuperCup champ, take the crown. In the Sprint Challenge GB, Joe Warhurst emerged victorious in the Cayman championship. It’s like wherever you turn, there’s a Ginetta graduate waiting on the podium.
Formula 1, the pinnacle of motorsport, also had its share of Ginetta glamour. Lando Norris, the 2014 Junior rookie champion, had his best season yet with McLaren, bagging seven podium finishes. That’s the stuff of legends.
Future Stars on the Horizon
But it’s not just about today’s champions. The future looks just as bright with names like Zak O’Sullivan and Luke Browning, both hotly tipped as potential British F1 stars. And let’s not forget the fresh talent like Freddie Slater, who after winning the Ginetta Junior championship, claimed the Euro 4 Championship at Monza.
It’s not just a UK phenomenon either. Across the pond, Devlin DeFrancesco is making waves in IndyCar, while Jamie Chadwick, a Ginetta Junior scholar, is competing in the F1 Academy, a new championship for female single-seater talents.
More than Just Racing
What Ginetta has created goes beyond just a racing platform. It’s a comprehensive training ground that shapes not just drivers, but champions. With such impressive results and an ever-growing list of accolades, it’s clear that Ginetta’s influence in the motorsport world is both profound and far-reaching.
As Kelly Edmund, Ginetta Events Manager, rightly said, it’s not just about winning titles; it’s about nurturing young talent and seeing them triumph in arenas as grand as GT racing, touring cars, and Formula 1.
So, here’s to Ginetta, for not just being a part of the race but for setting the pace in the world of motorsport. As the engines quiet down at the end of the 2023 season, one thing is loud and clear – Ginetta’s legacy on the tracks is just gearing up. Watch this space, as the Ginetta family is all set to burn more rubber and break more records in the seasons to come.
