The talented duo both launched their careers in the Junior Championship. Ollie was the first to enter the series in 2011, before Jamie joined him on the grid two years later as they became one of only three pairs of siblings ever to have raced against each other in the Juniors.
Ollie enjoyed a successful three-year spell during a hugely competitive time in the championship, securing three race wins, 11 podium finishes and a top four points finish. He then stepped up the Ginetta ladder and starred in the GT5 Challenge, twice finishing runner-up before winning the 2016 title.
Jamie meanwhile won the Ginetta Junior Scholarship for 2013, with an impressive maiden campaign seeing her score regular rookie class podium finishes. She stepped up a level in her second season, with five overall podiums netting her a second consecutive top ten points finish.
Her time with Ginetta was the springboard to a hugely successful career. Making history as the first-ever female British GT champion and British F3 race-winner, she’s gone on to win the W Series title for three years in a row and been signed by Williams F1 onto their driver development programme.
Reuniting with the Ginetta Junior racer
The journey to the special reunion for Jamie and Ollie with their Ginetta Junior race car started in 2020, when unknown to the siblings, their family and original race engineer Nick Hart worked together to relocate the car and begin a restoration project.
The car was back to its former glory at the end of the year and was presented as a Christmas gift to Jamie and Ollie, however they had to wait to get behind the wheel due to COVID restrictions and their busy schedules.
That moment finally came last month, as the siblings came together to enjoy a day of running at Castle Combe, with the car adorning the same yellow livery that it ran throughout its time in the championship with Ollie and then Jamie behind the wheel.
Jamie Chadwick: “It’s eight years since I last drove a Ginetta – in fact this one, but with only 100bhp. I’d forgotten how edgy and analogue these are, but it all came flooding back, and it’s really addictive trying to get the best out of it. We’re hoping to have a lot more fun in it next year – time permitting. Thanks to everyone who has made this possible”
Ollie Chadwick: “I’ve raced G40s pretty extensively, and love the feel and involvement they provide. This one now puts out about 220bhp and is under 800kg – so it’s fast. It threads through the corners beautifully, and will shock a lot of expensive, sophisticated, performance cars. A really special feeling”
Mike Simpson, Ginetta Head of Motorsport: “The Chadwick family have been an instrumental part of the Ginetta journey, with Jamie and Ollie playing a huge role during their time in the Junior Championship. To see them back behind the wheel enjoying the car that started both of their careers is fantastic.”
