The addition of the Ginetta G40 Cup to the GT5 Challenge grid for 2021 means a brilliant 36 car entry has come together for three races around the Grand Prix circuit, as the series returns to its traditional slot alongside the British GT Championship.
The GT5 Challenge Am class has been hotly contested in recent years and that seems set to continue this time around. The spoils were shared at Thruxton, as Bal Sidhu (Xentek Motorsport) and Harry Mangion (Elite Motorsport) led the way.
Experienced GT5 racer Sidhu set the pace in qualifying and secured a race win, while former GRDC race-winner Mangion took the other victory on his series debut. Karim Sekkat (Elite Motorsport) was close behind as he scored second in the opener.
Chris White (Raceway Motorsport) and Mark Steel (Toro Verde GT) also opened their 2021 accounts with class silverware, whilst Ginetta stalwart Phil McGarty (Xentek Motorsport) and Paolo Santi (Raceway Motorsport) are podium contenders this weekend too.
The G40 Cup will also be represented by Pro and Am classes this year. In the former, reigning GRDC rookie champion Marc Warren (Raceway Motorsport) was the pace-setter at Thruxton as he took a double pole position and a class win.
The honour of the first G40 win of 2021 went to championship newcomer Nick White (MRM) though, while Thomas Holland (Raceway Motorsport) joined him and Warren on the podium in both races. Bren Maude (CTS Motorsport) also performed well.
Rupert Laslett (Raceway Motorsport) was in dominant form in the G40 Cup Am class meanwhile with a clean sweep of the pole positions and race wins. His closest challenge came from double podium-finisher Brenden Haffner (Raceway Motorsport).
Jeremy Sussex (SVG Motorsport) and Andrew Willis (Privateer) also picked up trophies at Thruxton, while Peter Dilnot (Elite Motorsport) and SVG Motorsport duo James Turner and Stephen Moore make their first starts of the season this weekend.
Follow the action across the weekend on social media, @GinettaCars.
Weekend Timetable:
Saturday 22 May – Qualifying, 10:40-11:00; Race One, 14:55
Sunday 23 May – Race Two, 12:20; Race Three; 17:25
Both races on Sunday will be streamed live on Ginetta’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Live timing and results all weekend: https://www.tsl-timing.com/eve…
