The GT Academy is a new addition to Ginetta’s stable of one-make domestic championships for 2021. Giving drivers of all experience levels the opportunity to enjoy entry level GT racing, the series offers an uncompromising package of high performance racing at an affordable cost.
The five drivers trading in their Ginetta G40’s for a new Ginetta GTA car are all familiar names from the paddocks in recent years; Martin Wills, Robin Grimwood, Julian Wantling (all Assetto Motorsport), Shawn Fleming and Gary Wager (both SF Racing).
Wills made his Ginetta debut in 2018 with 15 years of racing experience under his belt, and duly finished the season as the G40 Chairmans Cup vice-champion. The Kent based racer, who secured four class wins that year, makes a welcome return to Ginetta competition this year.
Martin Wills: “I think the GT Academy is a great idea as a stepping stone between the G40 Cup and GT4 SuperCup, with more close, cost-effective racing. I’m excited to try out the GTA car soon, and with it running on road tyres, it should suit my driving style so I’m hopeful for a successful year.”
Grimwood joins the GT Academy for his fourth consecutive season of Ginetta racing, A debut year in GRDC has been followed by two seasons in the G40 Cup, with a great 2020 campaign seeing the Cheshire driver finish on the Chairmans Cup podium in seven of the nine races he contested.
Robin Grimwood: “I’ve enjoyed the close, fun racing with the G40 Cup, and the GT Academy is the perfect step up in performance whilst maintaining the close racing. I’m looking forward to exploring the car and changing my driving style to accommodate the new dynamics.”
Wantling follows a similar path to Grimwood, having debuted in the 2018 GRDC before graduating to the G40 Cup. A four-time Chairmans Cup podium finisher in his first season, the Essex racer made a one-off return to the series this year and took a stunning triple class victory at Brands Hatch.
Julian Wantling: “The GT Academy is a natural step up from the G40 Cup. It’s exciting to be at the start of a new series from Ginetta and competing alongside British GT and BTCC makes the package very attractive. The car looks fantastic and it’s a huge step up from a G40 with more power, technology and a GT feel in the cockpit.”
As one of the most experienced and successful drivers in G40 Cup history, with more than 20 podium finishes in the championship and vice-champion honours in 2016, Fleming will be one to watch this year as he transitions to the new Ginetta GTA car.
Shawn Fleming: “We have forged some amazing friendships over the years and feel part of the Ginetta family. We have been looking to move into a series with a new car and the concept of an affordable GT car has produced a real buzz in the team. We feel the new series will have the same fun, friendship and excitement as the G40 Cup, and we can’t wait to go racing.”
Wager is another driver with multiple years of experience in Ginetta competition, having made his debut in the inaugural GRDC season in 2014. The Essex racer has competed in the G40 Cup ever since and picked up some podium finishes along the way.
Gary Wager: “After a very enjoyable spell in the GRDC and G40 Cup, I wanted to make a change and the new GT Academy came along as a perfect route with a bigger and more powerful car as a challenge. After taking it for a test drive, I was hooked and had a massive grin on my face. I can’t wait to get started.”
More information on the new-for-2021 Ginetta GT Academy can be found at https://www.ginetta.com/gt-academy. Interested parties please contact sam.tomlinson@ginetta.com.
