Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship

Ginetta unveil championship changes ahead of new season

Ginetta have unveiled a handful of changes to two of its leading championships ahead of the 2020 motorsport season.

Taking centre stage on the British Touring Car Championship support bill, the Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup is set to expand to house three classes moving forward.

Having operated a two-tier structure since 2014, a new Pro/Am class will be introduced with the aim of continuing to bridge the gap and cater for drivers wanting to work their way through the ranks.

The Am class will return to its original purpose as a home for gentlemen drivers wanting to compete in a more relaxed fashion, with Pro/Am designed to cater for young, less experienced drivers a class to race in before going on to compete with the front-running Pro competitors.

Elsewhere, the Ginetta Racing Drivers Club has also undergone a format change with the introduction if a two-class structure taking place.

Serving as a platform for drivers to make their car-racing debuts in a welcoming, competitive and cost-effective environment, the series has proven to be a smash-hit in recent years.

From 2020 onwards, the main GRDC class will be open to drivers of any experience level; thus providing existing competitors the opportunity to continue their driver development in the series whilst also opening the door for a raft of new faces.

The series will also continue to cater for novice competitors by introducing a Rookie Class. Entrants will continue to benefit from an all-inclusive package, with a first class service seeing their cars prepared and run by the experienced team at want2race.

The GRDC will be amalgamated onto the back of the G40 Cup grid at all five of the UK based events in support of the British GT Championship, with the drivers nominating four rounds to count towards their final championship points.

To find out more information on the variety of different championships that Ginetta have available, head to https://www.ginetta.com/.

Thomas Lebbon wins Ginetta Junior Scholarship to secure fully-funded 2020 drive

Thomas Lebbon has secured a fully-funded season in the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship for 2020 after winning the coveted Ginetta Junior Scholarship at Blyton Park.

Following three days of intense competition which saw the list of contenders whittled down from 68 to five, the teenage karting sensation produced a superlative performance to clinch one of the most sought after prizes in British motorsport.

Impressing the judging panel, Lebbon starred throughout the variety of driving, fitness and media assessments that were put in front of him, ultimately being selected as the next possible future star the Yorkshire manufacturer as produced.

Running for the tenth year in succession, the Ginetta Junior Scholarship has forged the careers of previous winners such as Stuart Middleton, Daniel Harper, Adam Smalley and Ethan Brooks.

In addition to earning himself a spot on the grid for next year and the use of a Ginetta G40 race car, Brooks will also receive insurance, consumables, tyres and fuel plus professional car preparation from an experienced team for the duration of the 2020 campaign.

Commenting on the achievement, Lebbon said: “What an amazing moment! I never thought this was going to happen, so I’m feeling both delighted and surprised.

“I enjoyed pushing the Ginetta to the limit and I can’t wait to go racing in it for the first time at Donington Park.”

The 2020 Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship roars into life at Donington Park on March 28/29 before joining travelling the length and breadth of the UK on the support bill of the Kwik British Touring Car Championship.

TOCA extends Ginetta partnership for further three years

TOCA have confirmed that Ginetta will remain on the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship for a further three years, extending the successful partnership between both parties.

With 2019 marking the 12th consecutive season that Ginetta has been a part of the BTCC support package, the Yorkshire company will continue to take centre stage until the end of the 2022 season at the very least.

The Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship has been a mainstay since 2008, while the Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 SuperCup joined a year later in its former incarnation, the Ginetta G50 Cup. This year, the two series have had the largest average grid numbers on the support bill across the season.

Since 2016, the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge has also made regular guest appearances. Next season, all three championships will once again entertain the BTCC crowds around the best circuits in the UK including Brands Hatch, Oulton Park and Silverstone.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “I am delighted to have extended our partnership with Ginetta for a further three years. Its entertaining and fiercely-fought support championships are a longstanding and valued fixture on the TOCA package.

“The career ladder from the Ginetta Junior Championship into the GT4 SuperCup and beyond is proven and unique in British motorsport, with a host of former Ginetta drivers now competing in the BTCC – it is fantastic to see.”

Lawrence Tomlinson, Ginetta Chairman, added: “Ginetta has been the biggest presence on the BTCC support bill for over a decade now and we are delighted to extend our partnership with TOCA for a further three years.

“With the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship, Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge and Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 SuperCup all in action across the season, we’re able to showcase to everyone the Ginetta career ladder we offer drivers.

“Competing on the TOCA package offers our drivers unrivalled broadcast and print media coverage, as well as great exposure to thousands of fans at each of the race meetings for themselves, the teams and their sponsors.

“We are looking forward to seeing our championships continue to flourish on the TOCA package in 2020 and produce captivating racing for the trackside crowds and the live ITV4 television audiences.”

Provisional calendars for the 2020 Ginetta season can be viewed here: https://www.ginetta.com/news/provisional-calendars-announced-for-2020-ginetta-season

James Hedley holds Ginetta Junior title advantage heading into season finale

James Hedley will aim to bring the curtain down on a memorable year of Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship action at Brands Hatch this weekend (October 12/13) on a high as he bids to be crowned champion.

Ascending to the summit of the points at the season-opener back in April, the Elite Motorsport driver has remained the driver to beat ever since in the popular Junior category and heads to the Kent venue holding a 50-point lead before dropped scores are applied.

Hedley’s healthy lead has been built around six race wins and a further 11 podium finishes, and the reigning Winter Series champion will be keen to put himself out of reach as soon as possible during the weekend.

Ready to take the fight to Hedley as the only other driver in title contention is Zak O’Sullivan. Wrapping up the Rookie Championship at Silverstone last time out, the R Racing driver is now fully focused on overhauling the series leader.

Clinching three wins and 11 further podium finishes, O’Sullivan is set to throw everything behind trying to become the first-ever youngster to win the title in their maiden year.

Beyond the top two will be a host of front-runners that will be all keen on signing off their 2019 campaigns on a high. Will Martin, Lorcan Hanafin and James Taylor have been race-winners whilst the likes of Casper Stevenson and Gus Burton are still chasing their first wins – all of them will be worth watching.

The likes of Ethan Hawkey, Ethan Brooks, Josh Rattican, Tom Emson and Joel Pearson are just five of a number of other drivers that worth keeping a keen eye on across the weekend’s three races as well.

To find out more information on this weekend’s final Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship meeting of the year, including links to live timing and the timetable, click here.

Battle for title supremacy set to intensify as TOCA support championships head to Silverstone

It’s crunch time on the TOCA support package this weekend (September 28/29) as Silverstone plays host to what is set to be a pivotal penultimate event of the 2019 season for all five championships.

Whilst the title battle in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship continues to intensify, the battle for supremacy elsewhere is likely to ramp up with every point proving crucial in deciding who will walk away as champion.

After missing Knockhill, the Porsche Carrera Cup GB returns to action for its second trip of the year to Silverstone. Having featured around the Grand Prix layout on the support bill of the FIA World Endurance Championship, the fastest one-make series in will now take to the shorter National configuration for two more action-packed encounters.

In the championship battle, Dan Harper holds the initiative with four races left to run and the Northern Irishman finds himself with a healthy advantage. Behind, the trio of Lewis Plato, Josh Webster and George Gamble are all within striking distance and none of them should be counted out as it stands.

The Renault UK Clio Cup has produced its fair share of drama throughout 2019 and with just two events now remaining, the action is only set to ramp up. Just four points separate Max Coates and Jack Young, who have been locked together all year, and it looks likely that their duel will go down to the wire.

Jamie Bond remains a constant threat in third place whilst the likes of Brett Lidsey, Jade Edwards, Ben Colburn and Ethan Hammerton are all expected to be in the mix too.

James Hedley will look to edge closer to title glory in the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship this weekend, with three pulsating encounters scheduled to take place. Having only finished off the podium in three of the 20 races run so far, the Elite Motorsport driver is in the pound seat.

Having the led since the season-opener, Hedley looks to be the teenager to beat but the likes of Zak O’Sullivan, Will Martin and Casper Stevenson, all of whom are still in contention, can’t be discounted either.

The Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup has seen the title pendulum swing back and forth in recent events and this weekend’s trip to Northamptonshire is set to be pivotal in deciding the outcome of who walks away as champion.

Will Burns controls the state of play as it stands having finished in the top three in the last eight consecutive races. Whilst the 2016 vice-champion has been in fine form, he will have to maintain it over the course of the weekend’s three races as both Harry King and Tom Hibbert will look to chase him down.

Rounding out the weekend’s action will be three races from the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – Powered by Ford EcoBoost. As it stands, a total of six drivers remain in mathematical contention for the single-seater title, with Zane Maloney in prime position at the summit of the standings.

To find out more information on this weekend’s pivotal Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship event at Silverstone, click here.

TOCA support championships put on a show at Croft

Challenging conditions only added to the edge-of-the-seat entertainment at Croft Circuit this past weekend (June 15/16) as all five TOCA support championships took centre stage alongside the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

Virtue of the recent resurfacing that has taken place at the North Yorkshire venue, lap times tumbled across each series – making it a record-breaking weekend for the TOCA support package.

Arguably taking centre stage over the course of the weekend was home hero Max Coates who produced a near-perfect performance in the Renault UK Clio Cup. Hailing from nearby Scorton, Coates gave those in attendance plenty to cheer about as he scored two wins in the one-make series.

Coates led from start-to-finish in treacherously wet conditions to win Saturday’s opening race before then coming out on top in an epic showdown with Jack Young on Sunday. Dicing for the lead, Coates would finish second on the road however a time-penalty for on-the-road winner Young promoted the local man to the top of the podium once more.

Whilst Coates revelled in the euphoria of winning on home soil, Brett Lidsey and Jamie Bond also picked up podiums across both races too.

Based in Yorkshire, Croft also proved to be a home event for Ginetta, showcasing action from both the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship and Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup.

Unsafe weather conditions meant that the opening Junior encounter had to be cancelled, however the second race did take place. Coming off the back of a breakthrough win at Thruxton last time out, Will Martin was bag in the winners circle as he produced an assured drive to triumph.

The GT4 Supercup meanwhile saw all three of its races take place, with Harry King further establishing himself as a main threat for the title with two wins. Tom Hibbert, who had been the man to beat in qualifying, opened his winning account for the season too.

History was made in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB too as the first-ever Pro-Am overall victory was taken by Team Parker Racing’s Karl Leonard. Race one of the series saw Daniel Harper continue his rich vein of form as he bagged a win in race one, despite suffering a late spin which almost saw him drop to second place.

Race two however was the history-making encounter as the heavens opened as the field completed their formation lap. All but three cars opted to dart into the pit-lane and bolt on wet tyres, setting up a titanic cat-and-mouse race.

As those on slicks battled the conditions, the wet runners began to claw their way into contention and following a safety car and late inside, Leonard emerged victorious to write his name into Carrera Cup GB folklore.

Heavy rainfall meant that only two F4 British Championship races took place, both of which were won by Carlin’s Zane Maloney.

For the full classification of results from all sessions at Croft, click here.

All five championships from the TOCA support package will join the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Oulton Park on June 29/30 for the latest event of the 2019 season.

TOCA support championship title fights set to go up another gear at Croft

Croft Circuit won’t just welcome the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship this weekend (June 15/16) but also the hugely popular TOCA support package too, with a full complement of six championship all looking to take centre stage.

Following a pulsating third event of the season at Thruxton which saw just a handful of the customary categories compete, this weekend’s visit to North Yorkshire see’s the usual variety back on in action on a recently resurfaced track.

A home race for the manufacturer, Ginetta will be keen to put on a show and in the Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup, a show will undoubtedly be produced. In what has been one of the most competitive starts to a season in recent history, the battle for supremacy is wide open with Reece Somerfield leading the way.

Enjoying his best run of results in the series, five podiums from six races, Somerfield has been a revelation but he will need to fight tooth and nail to remain at the summit. Harry King, Will Burns, Tom Hibbert and Mike Epps are just a few of the drivers with their sights set on the top of the points.

The Ginetta fun won’t stop there however as the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship will also be in action for two thrilling encounters. Showcasing the next generation of UK motorsport talent, the single-make category has had fans on the edge of their seats so far and that theme is likely to continue at Croft.

James Hedley finds himself in the pound seat heading into the weekend with three race wins proving to be the backbone of his championship challenge. The competition is tough however with the likes of Zak O’Sullivan, James Taylor and Douglas Motorsport duo Gus Burton and Lorcan Hanafin all hot on his heels.

Unpredictability is one of the biggest traits when it comes to the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship and the flowing curves of Croft are set to ensure that continues no doubt over Saturday and Sunday.

Making their first appearance at Croft since 2016 will be the Porsche Carrera Cup GB. A popular draw wherever they go, the Carrera Cup is one of the fastest one-make championships around and this year’s crop of drivers look set to take the title fight down to the wire.

Second year star Daniel Harper is the early pace-setter after notching two wins however the likes of Lewis Plato, George Gamble and Josh Webster will all be notable names to keep an eye on as they bid to close the gap to the reigning Scholarship winner.

Whilst the Porsche Carrera Cup GB will be returning to Croft, the Renault UK Clio Cup will be paying its final visit to the venue as it continues its final season. Boasting a bigger grid, a majority of the cheers over the course of the weekend are likely to fall the way of local hero Max Coates.

Firmly in the title hunt, Coates will be keen to repeat his victory from last year and topple the two in the standings, Jack Young and Brett Lidsey. Northern Irishman Young was the man to beat last time out at Donington Park and with a partnership with Eddie Stobart recently announced, he will be a hard man to beat with momentum on his side.

Also not to counted out of contention in the tin top series will be Jade Edwards, Ben Colburn, James Colburn and Aaron Thompson, amongst a handful more.

Capping off the weekend’s support action in the north-east will be three races from the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – Powered by Ford EcoBoost.

For more information on this weekend’s event, including links to live timing and the timetable, click here.

Father’s Day fun at Croft as Britain’s biggest motorsport series races north

Father’s Day this year is set to be extra-special in the north-east of the country, as the UK’s premier motorsport series – the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) – speeds into Croft Circuit for a weekend of high-octane entertainment (June 15/16).

What better way to treat dad than with tickets – still discounted until Monday morning (June 10) – to see 30 of the finest drivers in Britain duelling doorhandle-to-doorhandle around a track that has always proven popular amongst competitors and fans alike?

If the action so far this season is any indicator, spectators are in for a superb weekend’s racing at the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) at Croft, presented by Tarmac. The circuit – situated just down the road from Darlington in North Yorkshire – invariably delivers thrills ‘n’ spills by the bucketload, and with five different winners and 15 podium-finishers from the opening nine races, unpredictability is very much the name of the game.

Just five points separate the leading four drivers in the standings at this stage, with the top two – defending champion Colin Turkington and Honda rival Rory Butcher – tied at the top of the table.

The former has earned the sobriquet ‘King of Croft’ for his spectacular success in North Yorkshire – racing to 12 wins at the track since 2005 – while for the latter, it is almost a second ‘home circuit’ hailing as he does from Kirkcaldy just north of the border. Both are eager to maintain their early-season momentum next weekend.

“I’m always excited about going to Croft,” enthused Turkington, who is chasing a fourth BTCC drivers crown in 2019. “It’s my favourite circuit on the calendar with a lot of happy memories, and I think we’re in good shape. The track has been resurfaced for this year and we’re bringing the new BMW 3 Series there for the first time so there will obviously be some learning to do, but we know what’s made us fast at Croft in the past so there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be strong again.

“The first complex is the place to watch from – that’s where the action is. Actually, Turn One is probably my favourite corner because it’s much faster than you think it should be, so you’ve really got to commit through there. There’s always a lively enthusiastic crowd at Croft, and I definitely feed off that.”

“Croft is just ace – heading up through the Jim Clark Esses into Sunny In and Out is an absolute buzz and a thrill,” echoed Butcherm who broke his BTCC duck in the Brands Hatch curtain-raiser back in April. “It’s also a bit closer to home for me than most track, so we should get some Scottish fans crossing the border to support me.

“We’ve got a new surface there that’s just been re-laid, and whilst the Honda struggled last year on the old track, that should hopefully allow us to be a bit further up the field. All the teams are effectively going to be making a fresh start, so it’s going to be interesting. It’s all to play for…”

It’s not just the headlining BTCC that will thrills the crowds at Croft, with a fast-and-furious feast of support series adding to the appeal. The Formula 1 superstars of the future will go wheel-to-wheel in the F4 British Championship, with the next-generation touring car heroes earning their spurs in the Renault UK Clio Cup. Croft shares its race date with the 87th edition of the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours, and you may just spot a future winner of the race in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, Ginetta Junior Championship and Ginetta GT4 Supercup.

Tickets to the BTCC’s only north-eastern event of the year can be purchased in advance priced at just £12 for Saturday entry (BTCC Qualifying), £24 for Sunday (BTCC Race Day) or £35 for the full weekend. Accompanied children aged £12 and under are admitted free of charge, with tickets for 13-to-15-year-olds beginning at £3. Further details can be found at: http://croftcircuit.co.uk/racing/btcc

More information on all of Croft’s driving experiences and racing events can be found at http://croftcircuit.co.uk/

TOCA support championships serve up Thruxton thriller

The ultra-fast sweeping corners of Thruxton Circuit proved to be a fitting challenge for the TOCA support package this past weekend (May 18/19) as four championships served up a feast of entertainment.

In what was a slightly different look to the supporting cast of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship in Hampshire, a bumper crowd lined the spectator bankings to witness the latest chapter of each category unfold.

As expected, the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship served up a breathless two races with Will Martin and James Hedley taking a win apiece. Martin was the teenager to beat in race one as he survived an early challenge from a raft of drivers to break clear of the pack and power towards a commanding victory.

With two wins to his name already, Hedley added to his tally in a back-and-forth second race as he scrapped with impressive rookie Zak O’Sullivan, ultimately getting the better of him to take the chequered flag by a mere three tenths of a second.

The Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge made the first of its two appearances on the TOCA package and didn’t disappoint. Geri Nicosia continued his love affair with the ultra-fast Hampshire venue as he enjoyed further success.

Storming to the front of the field after starting seventh, Nicosia powered on to his third win in five races at Thruxton – heading the duelling duo of Scott McKenna and Ruben del Sarte.

Last year’s Ginetta Junior champion Adam Smalley offered up a reminder of what can do behind the wheel on the TOCA package in race two as he clinched his third win of the season to round out the weekend’s action.

Taking centre stage over the course of the weekend was the Mini Se7en Racing Club, which wowed crowds across all four races on its guest appearance. Providing exhilarating door-to-door thrills at every opportunity, the iconic tin tops of yesteryear rolled back the years in sensational style.

In the Dunlop Mini Se7en Challenge supported by Mini Spares, Darren Thomas claimed victory in the opening encounter ahead of Joe Thompson and Dom Burger. Thomas made it two from two in the second race of the weekend live on ITV4, narrowly pipping Burger and Andrew Deviny.

The faster Dunlop Mini Miglia Challenge supported by Mini Spares also had fans on the edge of their seats with Chris Morgan pipping Kane Astin and Aaron Smith to overall honours in race one.

Having just missed out on the podium in race one, Nick Padmore bounced back in the second encounter to top the podium as he led Morgan and Lee Deegan across the line.

Capping off the weekend’s action was a trio of races from the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – Powered by Ford EcoBoost with the spoils shared between Luke Browning and Zane Maloney, the latter winning twice.

For the full classification of results from all sessions, click here.

The TOCA support package will return to full strength on June 15/16 as the Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup, Renault UK Clio Cup and Porsche Carrera Cup GB are all back in action alongside the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship and F4 British Championship certified by FIA – Powered by Ford EcoBoost at Croft.

Tickets for the fourth event of the season, held in North Yorkshire, are available to purchase online from http://croftcircuit.co.uk/racing/btcc.

TOCA support championships speed into ultra-fast Thruxton

Thruxton Circuit will welcome the TOCA package this weekend (May 18/19) where four championships will look to steal the show on the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship support bill.

Following on from two entertaining events at Brands Hatch and Donington Park, the supporting cast to the BTCC looks slightly different in Hampshire as two championships join the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship and F4 British Championship.

With the Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup, Renault UK Clio Cup and Porsche Carrera Cup GB all set to fixture at Thruxton in August, the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge and the Mini Se7en Racing Club are set to join the fray

Producing relentless entertainment across the opening two events, the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship has once again underlined its pedigree for showcasing some of the brightest teenage talents in UK motorsport.

James Hedley arrives at the ultra-fast venue in control of the points although the two-time Donington Park winner has a host of challengers hot on his heels. James Taylor, Zak Sullivan, Roman Bilinski and Theo Edgerton are just four on a long list of names that are in the mix towards the sharp end of the grid.

The Ginetta fun won’t stop at the Juniors as the Protyre Motorsport GT5 Challenge features on the TOCA package for what will be the first of two events this season. Suitable for all ages and levels of experience, the GT5 Challenge uses the G40 machine as its car of choice and the racing is nothing short of spectacular.

Last year’s Junior champion Adam Smalley and Gordie Mutch were the winners at the season-opener however Geri Nicosia finds himself leading the way after three encounters. All three find themselves as the favourites this weekend although the likes of Katie Milner, Scott McKenna and Ruben del Sarte can’t be discounted either.

Small in stature but packing a real punch is the Dunlop National Mini Miglia and Mini Se7en Championships supported by Mini Spares. Making a welcome visit to the BTCC support bill, Mini racing is nothing short of entertaining and the flat-out sweepers of Thruxton is set to promote plenty of wheel-to-wheel action and overtaking.

With a total of four races taking place across both days from the Mini contingent, notable names to look out for include Aaron Smith, Lee Deegan, Joe Thompson and Rupert Deeth – amongst many more.

Rounding out the weekend’s support race action as always will be three races from the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost, which sees Louis Foster in control of proceedings having scored three wins from the first six races.

Tickets to Thruxton’s first BTCC race meeting of the season will be available to purchase on the gate. For more information on pricing, head to http://thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/btcc.

To find out further information on the event such as the full timetable as well as links to live timing, click here.

TOCA support championships take on starring role at Donington Park

Donington Park delivered a breathtaking two days of TOCA support race action this past weekend (April 27/28) as title battles continued to intensify across all five championships.

All aiming to take on a starring role alongside the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at the Leicestershire venue, action

Jack Young asserted himself as the man to beat in the Renault UK Clio Cup as he enjoyed a near-perfect weekend to rocket to the summit of the standings. Scorching his way to pole position on Saturday, the MRM Racing wrote his name into the history books the following day by becoming the youngest driver to win a race in the series.

Brett Lidsey and Ben Colburn proved to be Young’s closest challengers over the course of the race but neither could stop the Northern Irishman. Brands Hatch race winner Max Coates meanwhile battled back from a pit lane start before retiring with a mechanical issue.

Young underlined his supremacy once again later in the day as he scored a second successive win to the tune of nine seconds ahead of Lidsey and the charging Coates.

Spoils were shared in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB as Daniel Harper and the returning Josh Webster claimed a win apiece. Having secured a last-minute deal to join the grid with Team Parker Racing, former champion Webster was on the pace from the get-go and marked his return with a podium in race one.

Harper however was the one to beat in the opener as he produced a mesmerising performance to fend off George Gamble and score his second victory of the year already. Webster would show

James Hedley made his mark on the Michelin Ginetta Junior championship as notched an impressive brace of wins and a second place finish in an exciting trio of races. Hedley produced a battling display in race one to catch pole sitter Roman Bilinski but was unable to make a move.

Having settled for second, post-race checks led to Bilinski being disqualified and thus promoting the teenager to the top step of the podium. James Taylor then came to the fore in the second race of the weekend as he scored his second win of the year before Hedley added to his tally with an impressive drive to cap off the event with more silverware.

Elsewhere the Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup proved to be ultra-competitive once more with three drivers topping the podium over the course of the event. Harry King continued his impressive start to the year with victory in race one before Will Burns and Tom Hibbert each enjoyed success.

Capping off the TOCA support action was a trio of races from the F4 British Championship with Louis Foster and Bart Horsten triumphing.

Both the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship and F4 B will be joined by the Ginetta GT5 Challenge and Mini Se7en Championship at Thruxton for the third event of the 2019 season on May 18/19.

The remaining three championships will return to action on June 15/16 in North Yorkshire at Croft.

For the full classification of results, click here.

Michelin named as title sponsor of Ginetta Junior Championship

Ginetta have announced that leading global tyre manufacturer Michelin will become the title sponsor for the 2019 Ginetta Junior Championship as part of a new five-year extension to what is an already long-standing partnership.

In what has been an association that has lasted over a decade already, Michelin will remain the sole tyre supplier for all five of Ginetta’s domestic single marque championships.

The Ginetta Junior Championship, Ginetta GT4 Supercup, Ginneta G40 Cup, Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge and the Ginetta Racing Drivers Club will all run Michelin compounds through to 2023.

Tim Hoare, Motorsport Manager at Ginetta, said: “We are proud to extend our long-standing sponsorship partnership with Ginetta and strengthen our association with the complete ladder of racing that Ginetta and Michelin can provide for drivers.

“We feel that our two brands work together very well, allowing drivers of all ages and abilities to experience the thrill of motorsport, while providing an excellent springboard for them to progress through the various classes and beyond, if they so wish.

“This partnership also helps us bring to life the Total Performance characteristics of both our motorsport and road tyres, which are developed along similar lines to make driving a sustainable and more pleasurable experience for all.”

Offering the first step on the motorsport ladder for drivers aged 14 to 17. the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship has forged a path for itself as one of the leading lights within the TOCA support package.

Boasting big grids of Ginetta G40 machines, the series is renowned for producing close-fought racing and down the years has served as a launchpad for drivers to enjoy successful careers around the world.

Ashley Gallagher, Ginetta Motorsport Manager, added: “Michelin are undoubtedly one of the leading tyre manufacturers in the world, and their ethos of providing safe and reliable products to their customers is synonymous with that of Ginetta.

“We are delighted to further our partnership with a company as respected as Michelin into a second decade. This is a testament to the continued success of our domestic championships and together we’re looking forward to a fantastic year of competition in 2019.” In addition to Michelin, Ginetta have also confirmed a technical partnership with Millers Oils, have become title sponsors of the GT4 Supercup and Ginetta Junior Scholarship.