full throttle
FULHAM Residents’ Journal
FULL THROTTLE
The Journal investigates the adrenaline rush that is the Ginetta Junior Championship
S
ince 1958, Ginetta has been crafting some of the best and most iconic road and race cars out there. Now one of the few remaining British manufacturers in the business, since its purchase by Lawrence Tomlinson in 2005 the company has produced around 200 hand-crafted cars a year, delivered to customers across the globe. However, the company’s focus is not solely on the big leagues; its Ginetta Junior Championship (a support race to the British Touring Car Championship – BTCC – since 2008) is a big hit with younger drivers looking to make their mark, and takes place over 10 weekends between March and October. Open to racing prodigies aged 14 to 17 – many of whom are not yet old enough to drive on British roads – the junior championship is one of the most subscribed, most well-attended, most televised and most prestigious of its kind. Drivers in the Junior Championship cut their racing teeth in a specially-designed G40, which boasts a sealed Ford Zetec 1.8-litre engine restricted to 100 BHP (break horsepower), as well as an integral roll cage and fibreglass shell for safety. On top of this, the chassis on this bespoke vehicle is 53 times stronger than the required FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) standards. These safety measures put Ginetta at the top of its field
for encouraging young talent in a safe environment. Charlie Kemp, commercial director of HHC Motorsport, a Ginetta Junior Championship team, said: ‘Ginetta Juniors is the perfect way for aspiring drivers to start a career in motorsport, it allows them to not only learn the key driving dynamics of a race car in the most competitive junior environment in Europe, but also sees them learning how to conduct themselves in all aspects of professional motorsport. Whether they go on to be a professional
Drivers in the Junior Championship cut their racing teeth in a specially-designed G40 driver, driver coach, data engineer, team manager or any other role in the professional motorsport world they will have experience to fall back on from the earliest possible point in their career.’ Although some of the junior drivers opt to branch out into other forms of motorsport, the majority progress to compete in an adult series. There are several drivers who started in the Junior Championship who have gone on to have successful careers; most recently Tom Ingram, who has won -1-
three Ginetta titles in four years: Juniors in 2010, G50 Cup in 2011 and Michelin Ginetta GT4 SuperCup in 2013. Following on from these successes, Tom is currently enjoying his maiden BTCC season. Most juniors either join a team or are part of a ‘lad and dad’ partnership with their parents. Ginetta are keen to promote under recognised (and often underfunded) talent and for this reason, they have launched the Ginetta Junior Scholarship, which is designed to assist youngsters in making the transition into sports car racing with a fully-funded season in the Ginetta Junior Championship. ‘It’s the only place in the UK where a driver can go from having no car racing experience, no sponsors and no financial backing, to racing on the most high-profile championship package in Britain with incredible levels of exposure. It is without a doubt a fantastic opportunity,’ a Ginetta spokesperson told the Journal. In order to keep everything as fair as possible, only youngsters with no previous sports car racing experience are eligible to compete for the scholarship. Held annually at Bedford Autodrome across three days during the autumn half term, the event attracts around 60 entrants each year, who
are assessed on a range of talents including driving ability and car control, as well as fitness and media skills. The winner is the driver who clearly shines in the eyes of Ginetta, by offering ‘the overall racing package’ of speed, an ability to learn, professionalism, fitness and team work. To apply for the Ginetta Junior Scholarship visit: ginetta.com/scholarship.php Only applicants born between 1 January 1999 and 21 March 2001 are eligible. For more information on the Junior Championships visit: ginetta.com Words / Jennifer Mason
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FULL THROTTLE
The Journal investigates the adrenaline rush that is the Ginetta Junior Championship
S
ince 1958, Ginetta has been crafting some of the best and most iconic road and race cars out there. Now one of the few remaining British manufacturers in the business, since its purchase by Lawrence Tomlinson in 2005 the company has produced around 200 hand-crafted cars a year, delivered to customers across the globe. However, the company’s focus is not solely on the big leagues; its Ginetta Junior Championship (a support race to the British Touring Car Championship – BTCC – since 2008) is a big hit with younger drivers looking to make their mark, and takes place over 10 weekends between March and October. Open to racing prodigies aged 14 to 17 – many of whom are not yet old enough to drive on British roads – the junior championship is one of the most subscribed, most well-attended, most televised and most prestigious of its kind. Drivers in the Junior Championship cut their racing teeth in a specially-designed G40, which boasts a sealed Ford Zetec 1.8-litre engine restricted to 100 BHP (break horsepower), as well as an integral roll cage and fibreglass shell for safety. On top of this, the chassis on this bespoke vehicle is 53 times stronger than the required FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) standards. These safety measures put Ginetta at the top of its field
for encouraging young talent in a safe environment. Charlie Kemp, commercial director of HHC Motorsport, a Ginetta Junior Championship team, said: ‘Ginetta Juniors is the perfect way for aspiring drivers to start a career in motorsport, it allows them to not only learn the key driving dynamics of a race car in the most competitive junior environment in Europe, but also sees them learning how to conduct themselves in all aspects of professional motorsport. Whether they go on to be a professional
Drivers in the Junior Championship cut their racing teeth in a specially-designed G40 driver, driver coach, data engineer, team manager or any other role in the professional motorsport world they will have experience to fall back on from the earliest possible point in their career.’ Although some of the junior drivers opt to branch out into other forms of motorsport, the majority progress to compete in an adult series. There are several drivers who started in the Junior Championship who have gone on to have successful careers; most recently Tom Ingram, who has won -1-
three Ginetta titles in four years: Juniors in 2010, G50 Cup in 2011 and Michelin Ginetta GT4 SuperCup in 2013. Following on from these successes, Tom is currently enjoying his maiden BTCC season. Most juniors either join a team or are part of a ‘lad and dad’ partnership with their parents. Ginetta are keen to promote under recognised (and often underfunded) talent and for this reason, they have launched the Ginetta Junior Scholarship, which is designed to assist youngsters in making the transition into sports car racing with a fully-funded season in the Ginetta Junior Championship. ‘It’s the only place in the UK where a driver can go from having no car racing experience, no sponsors and no financial backing, to racing on the most high-profile championship package in Britain with incredible levels of exposure. It is without a doubt a fantastic opportunity,’ a Ginetta spokesperson told the Journal. In order to keep everything as fair as possible, only youngsters with no previous sports car racing experience are eligible to compete for the scholarship. Held annually at Bedford Autodrome across three days during the autumn half term, the event attracts around 60 entrants each year, who
are assessed on a range of talents including driving ability and car control, as well as fitness and media skills. The winner is the driver who clearly shines in the eyes of Ginetta, by offering ‘the overall racing package’ of speed, an ability to learn, professionalism, fitness and team work. To apply for the Ginetta Junior Scholarship visit: ginetta.com/scholarship.php Only applicants born between 1 January 1999 and 21 March 2001 are eligible. For more information on the Junior Championships visit: ginetta.com Words / Jennifer Mason
-2-
