Over the course of last weekend’s season opener at Donington Park, no less than nine different drivers went home with silverware, giving a clear indication that we’re set for an ultra-competitive season with the latest batch of talented teenage racers.
15 of the 20 drivers on the grid are classified in the rookie category and it’s one of them that heads the standings coming to Kent, Georgi Dimitrov (Richardson Racing). The British-Bulgarian driver burst onto the scene in with a truly sensational pair of overall race wins.
It’s the first time in modern championship history that a driver has won two races on their debut Junior weekend, and it came as a part of a weekend in which the rookie talent shone. In race two, rookies locked out the top three positions overall for the first time since 2014.
Ginetta Junior Scholarship winner Tom Lebbon (Elite Motorsport) highlighted his speed with a double pole position, which he duly followed up with a maiden podium finish. Zak Taylor (Alistair Rushforth Motorsport) joined him in taking his first piece of overall silverware.
Aston Millar gave an insight into his potential when he took the rookie spoils in last year’s Winter Series, and he continued to deliver on that promise with an overall podium of his own. Millar was part of a swarm of almost identically liveried R Racing machines battling at the front of the field.
All his team-mates are second year contenders, with Bailey Voisin in particular utilising that experience to secure the first race victory of the season. Josh Rattican and Joel Pearson joined him in securing top three finishes, while Freddie Tomlinson was right in podium contention as well.
Reigning champions Elite Motorsport are defending their crown this season with six rookie drivers, with Lebbon joined by Tommy Pintos, William Vincent, Seb Hopkins, Josh Miller and William Aspin. All of them showed glimpses of big potential at the season opener with top ten finishes.
Showcasing some fantastic racecraft on his way to a pair of eighth place finishes was Tom Edgar (TCR). He’ll be one to watch this weekend, as will his second year team-mate Will Rochford and Richardson Racing duo Trennon Bettany and Rowan Vincent.
Completing the entry list are three drivers who enjoyed some great racing last weekend, Liam McNeilly (Fox Motorsport), Joe Wheeler (Assetto Motorsport) and Will Jenkins (Privateer).
You can follow all the action across the weekend on social media, @GinettaCars.
Weekend Timetable:
Saturday, August 8 – 10.30 to 10.45, Qualifying; 14.50, Race One; 17.40, Race Two
Sunday, August 9 – 14.10, Race Three (Live on ITV4)
Live timing and results: https://www.tsl-timing.com/event/203203
