Reigning Ginetta GT Academy champions E3 Sport will be returning to defend their title in 2026, as they prepare to compete across all three Ginetta championships this season.
One of only two teams in the paddock to have celebrated overall race victories in all three current championships, E3 Sport will be aiming to convert their wealth of experience into further success this year with six drivers signed up to their squad.
The East Midlands-based squad celebrated three wins in the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT Championship last season with Jack Collins. Their return to the grid for 2026 will be spearheaded by two graduates from the GT Academy, James Nicholas and Jamie Caudle.
Nicholas entered the GT Academy in 2024 as the inaugural winner of the PalmerSport Ginetta Scholarship and scored five race wins in his debut campaign. He continued that fine form into 2025, securing the GTA class drivers’ title with a brilliant record of nine wins and 15 podium finishes.
James Nicholas: “I’m really excited to be back on the grid. I’m looking forward to having some more great battles and trying to keep up with these very fast youngsters!”
Caudle has also been a leading light in the GT Academy over the past two seasons. A podium finisher in his first season, he went on to battle it out for championship glory last year. He took the title fight down to the final race of the season courtesy of five victories and 15 podiums.
Jamie Caudle: “I can’t wait to be back with E3 Sport for the Ginetta GT Championship. Although this championship presents new challenges, I am confident I’ll be able to build on the success I had last year and aim to sweep up some top results.”
E3 Sport have won the GTA class title in the GT Academy in each of the last two seasons. Nicholas’ predecessor to the crown, Julian Wantling, will be back on the grid in 2026 alongside fellow returnee Robin Grimwood and Ginetta newcomer Tom Walker.
Being crowned the 2024 GTA champion is the highlight of a lengthy Ginetta career for Wantling that started back in 2018. He followed up his title-winning season with top six finishes during a pair of outings last year and he will once again contest a partial campaign this time around.
Julian Wantling: “I’m really looking forward to returning for my eighth Ginetta season where commitments allow. Ginetta and E3 Sport are home, and personally the most enjoyable all-round weekends on the UK racing calendar.”
Grimwood joins Wantling as a stalwart of the Ginetta paddock since 2018, following the same journey to the GT Academy via GRDC and G40 Cup. An experienced hand behind the wheel of a Ginetta G56 GTA, he impressed during a partial campaign in 2025 with multiple overall top ten finishes.
Robin Grimwood: “I’m hugely excited to be committing to a full season in the Ginetta GT Academy in 2026. I started my racing journey with Ginetta back in 2018 through the GRDC, so it feels great to be continuing that story. After only limited appearances over the past couple of years due to work commitments, I’m really looking forward to going racing properly again.
“The G56 GTA is a fantastic car to drive and race, and being with Jim [Edwards] and the whole family at E3 Sport makes it even better — they create an outstanding, competitive atmosphere that makes every weekend a pleasure.”
Walker meanwhile will be making his Ginetta debut this year. The Isle of Man-based racer switches to the GT Academy after a run in the BRSCC Mazda MX-5 Championship, in which he finished second in the Rookie Trophy and ninth in the overall standings last year.
Tom Walker: “Joining the Ginetta GT Academy with E3 Sport is a brilliant opportunity, and I’m fully committed to making the most of it. This step up in competition is exactly what I’m looking for — close, single make racing with high standards. With the support of E3 Sport, I’m confident we can progress quickly and start pushing for strong results!”
After a three-event cameo in the 2025 Ginetta Junior Championship, Andrew Robinson will be returning for a full campaign in the series this year. The teenage talent scored five points finishes in the nine races he contested, with a best result of 15th overall in the Donington Park finale.
Andrew Robinson: “Last season was a very promising start, giving me a strong foundation to build on. I know there’s plenty more to improve both on and off the track, and the focus this season is to be fighting for those places by race one.”
Jim Edwards – E3 Sport Team Principal: “E3 Sport are incredibly excited to begin our 2026 campaign following on from last year’s Ginetta GT Academy championship-winning season. We are hugely pleased to welcome the return of last year’s GTA champion and vice-champion James Nicholas and Jamie Caudle respectively, as they both continue on the Ginetta ladder and move up to the V8-powered Ginetta GT Championship
“We will be aiming for a third consecutive GTA title with a two-car entry for series newcomer Tom Walker and long-term team driver Robin Grimwood. Former GTA champion Julian Wantling will join us for selected events too.
“Andrew Robinson will return to the Juniors for a full season having enjoyed Freshman class podiums during the three events entered last season. Andrew will be pushing hard to continue his good progress made during testing.”
The pinnacle of Ginetta’s domestic racing ladder, the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT Championship is an ultra-competitive series that accelerates driver development for aspiring professional drivers.
The Ginetta GT Academy gives drivers of all experience levels the opportunity to enjoy entry level GT racing. The series offers an uncompromising package of high-performance racing at an affordable cost.
The Ginetta Junior Championship meanwhile is the UK’s longest running and most prestigious Junior series, offering the first step on the motorsport ladder for 14 to 17-year-old racing drivers.
