The Norfolk-based squad, who finished with two drivers in the top three of the overall standings last year, will run returning front-runner Harley Haughton, Junior graduate Will Jenkins and reigning Am champion Harry Mangion in the Pro class, while Karim Sekkat will contest the Am category.
Haughton contested his first ever season of car-racing last year following a hugely successful karting career. The Stockport-based teenager enjoyed an impressive maiden campaign, finishing sixth overall in the points courtesy of 13 top ten finishes including a best of fourth place.
Harley Haughton: “Winning the championship is my aim. It’s never easy and takes some luck but I believe we can do it. Starting as the only novice in the Pro class last year was always going to be going to be a tall over, but I had a great first season with Elite. The foundations have been laid for me to be successful and I am excited to see what I can do.”
Jenkins will progress up the ladder to the GT5 Challenge after a two year stint in the Juniors. Following a strong rookie campaign, the Staffordshire racer excelled last year with Elite. Eight podium finishes included a breakthrough win at Silverstone as he secured a top five championship finish.
Will Jenkins: “I’m aware of the challenges I will face stepping up to GT5s, but I am confident that with the help and support of both my partners and Elite Motorsport, I can win the overall title. I look forward to learning and adapting to the GT5 spec car and with the help of an extensive pre-season testing programme, I will be well prepared for the year ahead.”
Mangion started his racing career with Ginetta in 2019, finishing third in GRDC. After having to sit out the 2020 season, he returned in style last year and stormed to the GT5 Challenge Am title. Kicking off with three wins in the opening three events, the London ace went on to add four further victories en-route to the class honours.
Harry Mangion: “Moving up to the Pro class, my aims are to improve on my pace compared to other returning drivers. I hope to be consistently in the top ten overall. Elite has a continued track record of success in Ginetta racing and their driver coaches really helped me to the Am title last year. They’re also a great bunch to be around!”
Sekkat meanwhile is a vastly experienced Ginetta racer, having competed in both GRDC and the G40 Cup before stepping up to the GT5 Challenge in 2020. A class race-winner in his first season in the series, he has secured a total of 13 podium finishes across the two campaigns.
Karim Sekkat: “I feel I’ve not fully realised my potential in GT5 Am and I’m targeting the title – but whatever I do, ‘win or spin’, I intend to do in style! My coaches underlined strong personal improvements in 2021 as a driver and I achieved more podiums, pole-positions and fastest lap times in free practice, qualifying and races than in any other year”
Eddie Ives, Elite Motorsport Team Owner and Manager: “Our aim is to retain the Teams’ championship title but also win the Drivers’ Pro title for the first time, having finished second in the latter for the past two years – we are determined to go one better!
“It’s fantastic to have our GT5 squad in place at the beginning of February and I’m really pleased that all four drivers are continuing with Elite in 2022. Will and Harley should work well together and be a strong front running force and we’re targeting the Am title for Karim. Meanwhile, reigning Am champion Harry is stepping up into the Pro class. I look forward to working closely with them all.”
Packed grids and close racing makes the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge a popular entry-level championship for many aspiring GT racers. In 2022, the series will compete across both British GT and British Touring Car Championship weekends.
