Marc Warren and Ravi Ramyead wrapped up the GTA and rookie class titles during the penultimate event of the season at Brands Hatch last month, having each enjoyed phenomenal 2022 seasons. Warren has taken nine GTA class wins from 10 races this year. Ramyead has only missed out on the rookie victory twice.
Both drivers will be on the grid this weekend aiming to sign off their title-winning campaigns with more success on the championship’s second visit of the season to Donington Park. However, they will both face stiff competition as a host of drivers target the top step of the podium.
The driver to end Warren’s 100% winning streak in the GTA class was his own Raceway Motorsport team-mate Thomas Holland. His Brands Hatch victory, coupled with five other podium finishes, mean he has built a healthy points lead in the battle for the runners-up spot.
Mackenzie Walker (Assetto Motorsport) is the best placed to try and overtake him. He impressed as the only driver other than Warren to finish on the GTA podium at every event this season. Leo Karavasili (Breakell Racing) is one to watch having finished on the podium at Donington Park back in May. Danny Dwyer (Xentek Motorsport) was another to show good pace that weekend.
Holding similar aspirations is Nick White (MRM Racing). He sits just one point behind Dwyer having visited the podium twice during the Silverstone season opener. Ed Acres (Century Motorsport) also picked up silverware that weekend and was back in podium contention last time out.
Newly-crowned Ginetta GT4 SuperCup champions Century Motorsport house a couple more regular front-runners in Michael Johnston and Tom Hartley Jnr, while a competitive Assetto Motorsport entry includes Julian Wantling, Martin Wills and Robin Grimwood.
The GT Academy has welcomed a number of new teams to the grid this season including Datum Motorsport, Toro Verde GT and Motus One, who have all featured in the top ten with Maurizio Sciglio, Mark Steel and Sebastien Dubois respectively.
The bumper GTA class entry also includes SF Racing pair Gary Wager and Shawn Fleming, Mike West (Assetto Motorsport), Lee Goldsmith (Century Motorsport), Marco Anastasi (Datum Motorsport) and Steve Williams (MRM Racing).
Behind Ramyead, we’re set for an exciting four-way battle to secure the runners-up spot in the rookie class. Jon Kearney is in the hot seat after a brilliant win at Brands Hatch. However, less than 50 points separate him from the quick trio of Thomas Shelley, Dan Rathbone and Marc Elman.
Follow the action across the weekend on social media, @GinettaCars.
2022 Ginetta GT Academy Finale Weekend Timetable:
Saturday 15 October – Qualifying, 14:30; Race One, 17:40
Sunday 16 October – Race Two, 09:10; Race Three, 15:52
Both Sunday’s races will be streamed live on Ginetta’s YouTube channel and Facebook page. Live timing and results across the weekend will be available here: www.tsl-timing.com/event/224105.
