Jack Collins produced an exemplary performance as he charged to his first two victories in the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT Championship during the penultimate round of the 2025 season at Brands Hatch this past weekend (23-24 August).
Qualifying
For the second time this season, it was Collins (E3 Sport) who set the pace in qualifying. Continuing his impressive maiden Ginetta campaign, he finished up four tenths of a second quicker than Cameron Pratt-Thompson (SVG Motorsport) who equalled his season-best qualifying result of second.
PRO class points leader Archie Clark (MDD Racing) and Robert Cronin (Elite Motorsport) were next up, while Luke Shaw (Raceway Motorsport) produced the best overall qualifying result of an AM driver this season in fifth. Nick White (Raceway Motorsport) was the quickest PRO AM in sixth.
Race One
As Collins led away from the rolling start in Saturday’s 20-minute sprint race, a slower getaway for Pratt-Thompson cost him positions to Clark, Cronin and Harry Gamble (Elite Motorsport), the latter immediately charging forward from eighth on the grid to fourth.
Another fast-starter was Hadley Simpson (Xentek Motorsport), rising from tenth on the grid to fifth by the end of the opening lap ahead of Pratt-Thompson. At the front meanwhile, Collins quickly built a one-second advantage over the close duo of Clark and Cronin.
His lead disappeared however when the safety car came out following an incident for Oliver Fordham (Fox Motorsport). The race ultimately came down to a final one-lap shootout to the chequered flag, with Collins executing the restart well to lead the last lap and secure his maiden Ginetta win.
Clark and Cronin completed the podium behind him, while a move on Gamble just before the safety car period secured Simpson a fourth-place finish. There was last lap drama in PRO AM, as a move into Graham Hill Bend resulted in contact between Nick White and Gamble.
Gamble ended up off circuit and dropped back to 14th overall, with White securing the class victory in fifth overall. Pratt-Thompson rounded out the top six overall ahead of AM winner Shaw, his class rival Ali Juffali (Elite Motorsport) and PRO AM podium finisher Alex Duncan (Xentek Motorsport).
Colin White (CWS Engineering) pulled off an early move on Dominic Paul (Triple M Motorsport) that ultimately secured him the final spot on the AM podium. James Townsend (SVG Motorsport) had qualified fourth in AM, however a first lap incident at Druids dropped him to the back of the field.
Race Two
The 40-minute endurance race on Sunday started in dramatic fashion, as contact towards the front of the grid resulted in Nick White spinning into the Paddock Hill gravel trap. As Collins led the way, some exciting action played out for second place as Pratt-Thompson defended his position.
A challenge from Cronin into Surtees resulted in both exiting the corner slowly, with Clark taking full advantage to charge past both of them down Pilgrims Drop. Collins therefore led Clark, Cronin and Pratt-Thompson as the safety car came out to retrieve White’s car.
When the action restarted, Gamble quickly went on the offensive as he passed Shaw for sixth. At the next corner though, Gamble spun and Shaw had to head off circuit in avoidance, with subsequent contact with the barriers ultimately forcing Shaw into retirement.
Simpson benefitted to move up to sixth position, slotting in behind his Xentek team-mate Duncan. An attempt to gain the place soon after resulted in contact between the two, before further contact with Juffali on the next lap led to Simpson’s race ending in the Paddock Hill gravel.
That came just before the pitstop window opened, with all drivers set to make a mandatory stop. As the field fed through the pitlane, Collins maintained a strong advantage at the front of the field, while a slower stop for Clark dropped him to third behind Cronin.
Collins continued his charging drive after the pitstops, pulling clear to an eight second victory. Cronin, Clark and Pratt-Thompson ran in close formation through the closing stages, with Cronin defending well to maintain second position to the chequered flag.
A race to remember for Duncan saw him secure a maiden PRO AM class win in a seasons’ best fifth place overall. Juffali scored the AM victory on the road in sixth, however post-race he was handed a 30.353 second time penalty for a short pitstop that dropped him to tenth.
Gamble therefore finished up sixth after a brilliant charge through the field from 15th after his early spin. Colin White was classified the AM victor, his 78th Ginetta class win, ahead of fellow podium finishers Townsend and Paul – those three separated by only a second as they crossed the finish line.
Behind Juffali, the finishing order was completed by Emma Tomlinson (DTO Motorsport) and James Rolling (Fox Motorsport). Alongside White, Shaw and Simpson, Fordham also suffered an unfortunate retirement during the race.
Full race results can be found at www.tsl-timing.com/event/253405
Both races can be watched back at www.youtube.com/user/ginettatv
The final round of the 2025 Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT Championship season takes place in six weeks’ time (04/05 October), with two races on the Donington Park Grand Prix circuit.
