Marc Warren (Raceway Motorsport) enjoyed a near perfect debut weekend in the championship, securing a dominant pair of race wins by a combined winning margin of almost 20 seconds. This season he is aiming to join an exclusive club as a three-time Ginetta class champion.
Leo Karavasili (Breakell Racing) was one of the stars of the opening weekend, scoring a double pole position on his first ever car racing weekend. Nick White (MRM) impressed on his series debut too, twice climbing up the order to secure podium finishes.
Mackenzie Walker (Assetto Motorsport) kicked off his season strongly as well with a podium finish, and he now returns to the scene of a top three hat-trick on his GT Academy debut last year. Also securing opening weekend silverware was rookie graduate Edward Acres (Century Motorsport).
Thomas Holland (Raceway Motorsport) was unlucky not to make a visit to the podium with a pair of fourth place finishes, whilst also firmly in contention at the front were Danny Dwyer (Xentek Motorsport) and Lee Frost (SVG Motorsport).
Amongst the other drivers in the thick of the action in the top ten at Silverstone were returning Ginetta veteran Richard Sykes (W2R), former Ginetta G40 Cup title contender Alastair Barclay (SVG Motorsport) and 2021 rookie front-runner Tom Hartley Jnr (Century Motorsport).
The GT Academy made two outings on the Donington Park GP circuit last year, so the returning drivers will benefit from plenty of track experience in their G56s. Amongst those to claim GTA class podiums at the circuit were Assetto duo Martin Wills and Julian Wantling.
The ultra-competitive GTA class field this season features a variety of new teams, including Toro Verde GT with Mark Steel, Motus One with Sebastien Dubois and Datum Motorsport with Maurizio Sciglio and Marco Anastasi. SVG meanwhile are the reigning champions and their young talent Joel Wren is one to watch.
The GT Academy has attracted a number of experienced Ginetta racers enjoying the next chapter of their racing journey. Gary Wager and Shawn Fleming remain with SF Racing, Robin Grimwood and Mike West are in the Assetto camp, while Steve Williams has teamed with MRM for his long-awaited Ginetta return.
The championship’s rookie class sees novice drivers take advantage of an all-inclusive arrive and drive package. Ravi Ramyead dominated proceedings with a pair of class victories, while Dan Rathbone, Jon Kearney and Thomas Shelley scored podiums and Marc Elman is hunting a first piece of silverware.
Follow the action across the meeting on social media, @GinettaCars.
Weekend Timetable:
Saturday 28 May – Qualifying, 11:10; Race One, 17:10
Sunday 29 May – Race Two, 09:40; Race Three, 17:25
Sunday’s races will be streamed live on Ginetta’s Facebook page and YouTube channel, while live timing and results across the meeting will be available at https://www.tsl-timing.com/event/222105
