Reigning Ginetta GT5 Challenge champion team Total Control Racing has confirmed Ginetta Junior Vice-Champion James Kellett has today, Friday, 30th January, signed a deal to spearhead the squad’s bid to retain the coveted title.
Having enjoyed a sensational season in the Avon Tyres British GT Championship support category last year with George Gamble taking seven victories en-route to claiming the crown, TCR is confident of another front-running bid in the GT5 Challenge with hugely talented graduate Kellett.
With five race wins and six runner-up spots on his way to second position in the Ginetta Junior standings last year, the Leeds teenager – who will celebrate his 17th birthday next month – more than proved his status as a star in the making.
Lee Brookes, team principal of Wednesbury’s TCR, says Kellett will begin the Ginetta GT5 Challenge season as a genuine threat for the title as the squad aims to replicate the huge success it enjoyed in the series last year.
“We’re over the moon to have signed James for the GT5 Challenge, he’s a top quality driver and someone we kept a very close eye on last year in the Juniors”, commented Brookes, “Obviously, we had a fantastic season with George [Gamble] in the Challenge last year and our aim now is to try and repeat that if we can. James is mega quick, we know he has what it takes to try and win the title.”
Impressing throughout his formative career in karting, winning the British Super 1 Cadet Karting Championship in 2010, the World Manufacturers Cup in 2011 and the British KF3 Open and Kartmasters GP titles in 2012, Kellett graduated into cars in Ginetta Junior for the 2013 season.
Starring from the outset, the West Yorkshireman ended his maiden season as the top rookie in sixth position overall with one outright victory and two other podiums. Also contesting that year’s Winter Series, Kellett secured his first car racing title with a perfect record of four wins from four before going on to be a major contender during the main 2014 season.
“I’m really happy to be joining TCR for the Ginetta Challenge”, said Kellett, “I’ve got my sights set on GT and sportscar racing in the future so this is the perfect next step for us. I was a bit disappointed not to win the Ginetta Junior title last year, unfortunately we didn’t have the start to the season we needed, but we’re not looking back we’re only looking forward.
“The aim is to try and win the championship in my first season and I know TCR will give me a car capable of fighting for the title. Lee Brookes and the team instil a lot of belief in their drivers which is fantastic – I can’t wait for the season to start!”
Oulton Park International Circuit in Cheshire will host the opening event of the 2015 Ginetta GT5 Challenge season over Easter weekend, 4th/5th/6th April.
