A brilliant run of double victories at Snetterton, Knockhill and Thruxton have propelled Smalley (Elite Motorsport) to the points lead, though Hibbert (Rob Boston Racing) is right on his tail after dominating a couple of meetings himself, at Oulton Park and crucially last time out at Croft.
Smalley has had the upper hand in qualifying, scoring four pole positions from six events, and also has one more race win to his name, however they are tied on 12 podium finishes. Both drivers will be determined to get the upper hand this weekend and head into the season finale on top.
Josh Rattican (Elite Motorsport) is determined to make it a three way title battle for the season finale later this month. The Ginetta Junior graduate helped his challenge with a brilliant second win of the campaign at Croft, having accumulated 11 podium finishes of his own.
Other potential race-winners this weekend include Carlito Miracco (Preptech UK), who has impressively scored at least one podium finish at every meeting this season, and James Blake-Baldwin (AK Motorsport), who scored his maiden victory back at Thruxton.
Tom Emson (Elite Motorsport) has visited the podium five times this season but has yet to take to the top step, while Rob Boston Racing duo Luke Reade and Steve Roberts return to the grid this weekend having each scored a single top three finish so far.
Amongst those targeting their first silverware of the season meanwhile will be Reece Somerfield (Breakell Racing), Team HARD stablemates Joe Marshall and Seb Melrose, and Century Motorsport’s Blake Angliss, Andy Spencer and Henry Dawes.
Those three will be joined by an exciting series debutant, former Juniors vice-champion and two-time GT5 Challenge champion James Kellett. Returning to the grid meanwhile will be Luca Hirst (Raceway Motorsport) for his first outing since the Snetterton season opener.
Colin White (CWS Motorsport) meanwhile is marching towards a successful defence of his Pro Am title. A superb record of 14 class wins in 17 races so far this season has secured the Ginetta stalwart a healthy 66 point lead at the top of the standings.
Carl Garnett (AK Motorsport) is realistically the only driver that can stop White winning the title. After finishing second on 11 occasions, Garnett finally scored his first two wins of the season at Croft, however he knows he needs more this weekend to keep his title hopes alive.
Podium regulars Luke Warr (Race Car Consultants) and Garry Townsend (AK Motorsport) will be targeting more silverware as part of the largest Pro Am entry of the season, with a host of returning drivers including Dan Morris (Simon Green Motorsport); a class winner at Snetterton who has five podiums from five races this year.
Reigning Am class champion Stewart Lines (Rob Boston Racing) joins Morris in making his third appearance of the campaign, while Fraser Robertson (AK Motorsport) returns to the grid for the first time since 2017. Darren Leung (Assetto Motorsport) makes his debut, stepping up from the GT Academy.
Follow the action across the weekend on social media, @GinettaCars.
Weekend Timetable:
Saturday 09 October – Qualifying, 10:30-10:50; Race One, 16:05
Sunday 10 October – Race Two, 09:50; Race Three, 15:15 (Both live on ITV4)
Live timing and results: https://www.tsl-timing.com/event/214003
Find out more about the championship’s title sponsor, Millers Oils, at https://www.millersoils.co.uk/
