The Ginetta Junior championship allows teenagers from the age of fourteen to race in a car, making it the place many young drivers have been starting their car racing careers.
So far, six young drivers have been confirmed in the series for 2017 but, with over 20 drivers competing in 2016, we’re expecting a few more announcements until the season gets underway in April.
But who are the drivers already making up the line up?
Scott McKenna
McKenna was the first driver to be announced back in December. Unlike many of the drivers already confirmed, McKenna hasn’t competed in the championship, Winter Series, or the Scholarship. The teenager will make his motor racing debut with HHC Motorsport after competing as an Ice Driver. Though he doesn’t have the experience of others, he’s aiming for the rookie championship.
McKenna: “I’ve grown up around motorsport and have been aware of Ginetta since I was very young. The Simpson Race Products Ginetta Junior Championship is definitely the most prominent Junior racing series in the UK and I’ve always wanted to race as a part of it in order to have the very best start to my sports car racing career.”
Team owner Charlie Kemp: “I am delighted Scott is joining HHC for his first season. It’s great to have drivers with new and interesting routes into the Ginetta Junior Championship, and ice driving is certainly one! We have a good test program planned for 2017 and we hope to get Scott up to speed as fast as possible and challenge for rookie podiums from the outset.”
Jenson Dineen
Dineen was also announced in December. Though the teenager raced in the final three rounds of the 2016 championship, he’ll still be competing as a rookie next season. Dineen will race with JHR Developments once again and is aiming for the rookie title in his first full year in the championship.
Dineen: “I’m so excited for my first full season in the Ginetta Junior Championship. I joined the grid for the last three rounds of 2016 and the Winter Series and it was such great fun. The JHR Developments team are a fantastic bunch and I am certain that working with them will help me run at the front of the Rookie Class in my first full year with Ginetta.”
Team manager Jules Phillips: “As a team we are delighted to see Jenson return for a full season. Jenson comes from a motorcycle background so to see how far he has come in such a short time shows us all that he has the potential to take home silverware both in the rookie championship and overall. Jenson is a great talent and has become an integral part of the team, we are looking forward to helping him achieve his goals for 2017.”
Harry King
King took two wins in his debut in the championship last year, and is coming back for more next season. Once again racing with Elite Motorsport, the teenager is aiming to fight for the overall championship next season.
King: “Last season we became stronger and stronger as the season progressed and I’m positive thinking we have ended it as one of the teams to beat. There’s no doubt that I want to come back to the Ginetta Junior Championship and compete for the overall championship, which is certainly something I can achieve alongside Elite Motorsport and Chris Hodgetts through consistency and outright pace.”
Team owner Eddie Ives: “I’m very pleased to have Harry on board again for 2017 after a very strong rookie season. Harry has a fantastic personality and approach to his racing which makes it all very enjoyable. We have a good winter testing programme in place and I’m confident that it will put Harry at the sharp end of the grid.”
Ruben Del Sarte
Dutchman Del Sarte is yet to race in the overall championship, but made it into the top ten of the Scholarship programme and competed in the Winter Series last November. The 15 year old will make his debut with the HHC Motorsport squad this season, where he plans to be fighting for rookie podiums.
Del Sarte: “After driving the Ginetta Junior at Blyton for the scholarship and racing in the Ginetta Junior Winter series, the obvious choice to pursue my career in motorsport is the 2017 Championship. I like the HHC guys and they have helped me a lot so far so I can’t wait to race again.”
Team owner Charlie Kemp: “I am delighted to welcome Ruben to HHC for 2017. In early test days he has proven a dedicated driver that has a massive apatite to learn new skills. I am confident that even with the ever-increasing standard of drivers joining the championship, that with the test program we have in place he can be fighting for Rookie class podiums which should see him a challenger for the Rookie title.”
Greg Johnson
Another driver to have competed in a number of rounds last season, Johnson will be returning to the championship, competing alongside King at Elite Motorsport. The 15 year old only competed in selected rounds last season, but aims to compete in the whole championship this year.
Johnson: “I am very much looking forward to working with Ed, Chris, and all the team at Elite Motorsport for the coming 2017 season. I’d like to extend my continued thanks to my sponsors Bundle Stars and Driving Test Success.”
Team owner Ives: “I am looking forward to having Greg on board for the 2017 season. Greg has been exceeding all expectations during our winter testing programme and I’m confident that he’ll be one to look out for as he continues to progress into next year.”
Harry Dyson
The latest driver to be confirmed for the 2017 season, Dyson competed in two rounds last season after turning 14 late in the season. Dyson became the Winter Series rookie champion in November and will contest in the full season next year, racing with JHR Developments.
Dyson: “My experience with Ginetta so far has been great and I hope the success I had at Silverstone and then at the Winter Series will continue into the 2017 season. I want to make sure I develop my own skills as a driver and be at the front of the grid with my JHR car.”
Feature, Dineen, King, and Johnson image credit: Caroline Rhea
Additional image credit: Ginetta
