The Ginetta GT Academy enters its fifth season in 2025. A talented entry list of series regulars, Ginetta returnees and championship newcomers set to serve up an exciting and competitive year of racing. The competition starts this weekend at Donington Park.
The GT Academy offers drivers of all ages and experience levels the opportunity to try entry level GT racing in identical Ginetta G56 GTA’s. It runs to a two-class format, GTA and rookie. In 2025, a bumper entry is set to battle it out over 17 races across the campaign.
Julian Wantling (E3 Sport) will be running with the coveted #1 on the side of his car this year. He returns to defend the GTA class title. The experienced racer debuted with Ginetta back in 2018. He celebrated six class wins and 17 podium finishes on his way to title success last season.
One of the drivers aiming to dethrone him as champion will be his new E3 Sport team-mate James Nicholas. He steps up to the GTA class having been one of the standout rookies last year. He took five overall race victories including a double win here at Donington Park.
Jamie Caudle (E3 Sport) and Peter Thompson (W2R) also graduates from the rookie class. He enjoyed overall top three results in 2024. Paul Livesey (MDD Racing) and Mike West (E3 Sport) were GTA class race-winners last season at Anglesey and Brands Hatch respectively.
Bringing a wealth of Ginetta experience to the grid will be Robin Grimwood (E3 Sport) and Phil McGarty (Xentek Motorsport). Phil is embarking on his 11th consecutive season of Ginetta racing. Lucie Hodgson (W2R) is a popular member of the paddock as she impressed as a rookie last year.
Returning stars
Two drivers are making long-awaited returns to the Ginetta paddock this year. Nick Ponting (W2R) last competed in the Juniors all the way back in 2008. More recently, Charlie Digby (MDD Racing) was a podium finisher in the GT5 Challenge in 2018.
Ben Cooke (W2R) and Gilbert Verdian (SVG Motorsport) both return to the grid after enjoying impressive cameos in 2024. Team boss-turned-driver Joe Edge (W2R) makes his racing debut. One-time junior single-seater champion Alex Deighton (Paradine by Xentek) returns to racing for his Ginetta bow.
Rookie racers
This year’s rookie contingent includes Nicholas’ successor to the coveted PalmerSport Ginetta Race Scholarship, Sam Shrimpton (W2R). Former Caterham racer Louis Darling (MDD Racing), Shiv Sapra (Paradine by Xentek) and W2R pair Damien Duffy and Allan Wright complete the class entry.
Follow the action across the weekend on social media, @GinettaCars.
Provisional Timetable:
Saturday 05 April: Qualifying 09:10; Race One 14:15
Sunday 06 April: Race Two 10:40; Race Three 17:05
All three 2025 Ginetta GT Academy races will be streamed live on Ginetta’s YouTube channel. Live timing and results will be available via TSL Timing.
