Seven drivers went into the penultimate meeting at Donington Park a fortnight ago in title contention, however utter domination of the event from Millar (R Racing) and McNeilly (Fox Motorsport) meant they emerged as the two teenage talents set to battle it out for glory this weekend at Brands Hatch.
Three wins in the last four races and a stunning record of finishing every race this season inside the top six has put Millar in a strong position with a 41 point lead. McNeilly isn’t going to go down without a fight though, with a brilliant campaign so far featuring four race victories of his own.
It isn’t just the overall drivers’ title up for grabs this weekend, with Robert de Haan (Richardson Racing) and Callum Voisin (R Racing) set to battle it out for the rookie class honours, having both been revelations in their maiden car-racing campaigns.
Ginetta Junior scholar de Haan holds a 55 point lead thanks to a brilliant run of seven top three finishes and eight class wins in the last ten races, however Voisin will be ready to capitalise on any slip-ups having shown his talent with seven outright race victories to date.
Amongst those aiming to steal some of the spotlight away from the title contenders will be Seb Hopkins (Elite Motorsport). A great tally of 11 podium finishes has put him on course for a top three points finish, and he’ll hope to seal that with a long-awaited maiden victory.
Hopkins’ team-mate Will Jenkins enjoyed his first victory at Silverstone last month, and has secured seven podium finishes in total this year, while fellow Elite talent Josh Rowledge has starred in his rookie campaign and is eyeing a first overall top three result.
R Racing are on course to successfully defend their Teams’ title meanwhile. Millar and Voisin are joined in their ranks by two other regular front-runners in Josh Miller and Freddie Tomlinson, who are both on course for top ten championship finishes, plus rookies Ian Aguilera and Luke Watts.
The final berth in the top ten is set to be contested between four Assetto Motorsport drivers; two of the leading rookie talents this season, Harri Reynolds and Max Dodds, the most prolific overtaker on the grid Joe Wheeler, and Jamie Osborne, who scored a maiden podium finish at Silverstone.
A number of rookies have enjoyed breakthrough top ten finishes in recent events; Joe Warhurst (Elite Motorsport), Aqil Alibhai (Breakell Racing), Ginetta Junior scholar Maurice Henry (Fox Motorsport) and Preptech UK duo James Higgins and Fergus Chalmers.
Amongst those knocking on the door of a maiden top ten result have been Edward Pearson (Richardson Racing), Zac Meakin (Raceway Motorsport) and Max Hall (Assetto Motorsport). Holding similar aspirations will be Jack Sherwood (Elite Motorsport), Jacob Hodgkiss (Race Car Consultants) and Adam Brown (Ultimate Speed Racing).
No less than five drivers have made their debuts in recent events meanwhile. Alongside the aforementioned Watts, Haydn Chance (Preptech UK), Thomas Jack Lee (Race Car Consultants), AJ Rock (Team HARD) and Sonny Smith (Hybrid Tune Ltd) have joined the action.
Follow the action across the weekend on social media, @GinettaCars.
Weekend Timetable:
Saturday 23 October – Qualifying, 10:35-10:50; Race One, 13:10; Race Two, 16:15
Sunday 24 October – Race Three, 13:05 (Live on ITV4)
Live timing and results: https://www.tsl-timing.com/event/214203
