A record-high entry of 70 drivers will be contesting the annual Ginetta Junior Scholarship this week (11-13 October), battling it out to win one of the biggest prizes in UK motorsport.
The three-day contest takes place at Ginetta’s own Blyton Park circuit in Lincolnshire, with the huge entry of teenage talents set to be whittled down to one eventual winner, who will secure a fully-funded season in the 2025 Ginetta Junior Championship.
The entrants will be tested on their skills both on and off circuit, with their track assessments coming behind the wheel of a fleet of Ginetta G40’s. The cars will be supplied and run by a number of the leading teams from the Ginetta Junior paddock.
No less than four former Ginetta Junior champions will be part of the driving judging panel; lead judge Charlie Robertson, Adam Smalley, Aston Millar and Josh Rowledge. They’re joined by ex-GT5 Challenge champion Josh Steed and experienced racers James Gornall and Ryan Harper-Ellam.
As well as being judged on their talent behind the wheel, the entrants will also have their media skills tested by motorsport commentator and pundit Jade Edwards, and be put through their paces in a range of fitness assessments by Ginetta’s in-house personal trainer Richard Chessman.
For updates throughout the contest and to find out who the winner is first, follow our social media channels, @GinettaCars.
Kelly Edmund – Ginetta Events Manager: “This year is shaping up to be the biggest Ginetta Junior Scholarship contest ever and we’re delighted to have such high interest from young drivers. We’re sure the entry will be packed with talent and we’re really looking forward to seeing who comes out on top.
“Through our driving, media and fitness assessments, we test the key attributes of a racing driver and have an expert judging panel on hand to help pick out a worthy winner. Our scholars have had great success in the championship over the years and we’re excited to unearth the next star of the future.”
The Ginetta Junior Scholarship has launched the careers of a number of hugely talented drivers, including three-time W Series champion Jamie Chadwick, current and former British GT champions Adam Smalley, Dan Harper and Sennan Fielding, and Porsche Carrera Cup ace Robert de Haan.
Jude Peters [pictured] was the latest recipient of the prize and recently signed off an impressive debut campaign, securing no less than 17 wins in the Freshmans Cup. He was joined on the grid by his scholarship predecessor Chase Fernandez, who finished as overall vice-champion.
From last year’s group of Scholarship finalists, four other drivers went on to compete in the series this year; three-time overall race-winner Isaac Phelps, podium finishers Archie Clark and Ruben Dan, plus Freshmans Cup race-winner Torrin Byrne.
The 2025 scholarship winner will earn a fully funded season in the Ginetta Junior Championship, with the prize package including all entry fees, use of a G40 Junior race car for the whole season including consumables, insurance and a season supply of race tyres and fuel, professional car preparation from an experienced team and a Ginetta branded race suit.
