The GRDC runs an all-inclusive arrive and drive package for racing debutants, with 15 drivers starting their racing journey in the ‘rookie’ class so far this year. Alongside that, a second class this season caters for drivers looking to continue their development in the series.
The class of the field so far this year have been Stephen Docker (Raceway Motorsport) and leading rookie Marc Warren. Alongside each securing nine class wins from nine races to date, the duo have been embroiled in a personal duel at the front of the field.
Docker utilised his previous experience in a Ginetta G40 to lead the GRDC pack in each of the opening six races. Warren has out-qualified him in every meeting though and beat him in two races at Brands Hatch last time out. Their battle should be a fascinating watch again this weekend.
Leading the charge to dethrone Docker is Brendan Maude (Assetto Motorsport), who’s featured on the podium in every race so far. Graeme Bishopp (SVG Motorsport) has six podiums to his name, while team-mate Stephen Moore picked up a couple on a first visit to Donington Park last month.
In the rookie class meanwhile, Rupert Laslett has come home second to Warren on six occasions to date. The Kent racer has only finished off the podium once this season and will be determined to be the first driver to beat Warren this weekend.
Enjoying a breakthrough weekend last time out at Brands Hatch was Thomas Holland. The Somerset student became the first person other than Warren to record a class pole position and then picked up his second and third podiums of the year.
Brendan Haffner, the latest winner of the want2race scholarship competition, is the other driver on the grid to have finished second in a race this year, on two occasions. Peter Dilnot meanwhile picked up his maiden top three finish in Kent three weeks’ ago.
Rich Abraham has been a top six finisher in his two outings this season and the East Midlands racer is a potential podium contender at his home circuit this weekend. Also holding aspirations of taking maiden silverware will be fellow front-runner Guillaume Le Meur who has a best result of fourth.
John Wyatt and Joe Butterworth both enjoyed their best weekends of the season at Brands Hatch and will be eyeing further progress this time out, as will Andrew Cohen-Wray and Ben Smart.
Weekend Timetable:
Saturday, September 19 – Qualifying, 09.10 to 09.30; Race One, 14.25
Sunday, September 20 – Race Two, 09.10; Race Three, 11.50
Live timing and results: https://www.tsl-timing.com/event/203805
