Talented car racing newcomer Seb Morris has been confirmed as Hillspeed’s first driver signing of 2010 for the team’s maiden foray into the revitalised Ginetta Junior Championship, a key support category on the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship race package.
Coinciding with the official launch and unveiling of the brand new Ginetta G40 car at the 20th annual Autosport International Show this past weekend at Birmingham NEC, the announcement of Morris’ deal with Derbyshire based Hillspeed starts the year very well for Richard Ollerenshaw’s team.
At just 14-years-of-age, karting graduate Morris is destined to be the youngest driver in Ginetta Junior this year when he races a Liberty Properties-backed G40 on the UK’s premier motor racing package. With crowds of up to 35,000 at each event and live television coverage on the ITV network, the youngster from Marford, near Wrexham, is planning to make a big impact on his debut.
He said: “First of all, I’m really looking forward to making my track debut in the new car as soon as I possibly can – we think it should be at the end of February hopefully. Ginetta Junior is perfect for me and the car looks fantastic. I was a bit shocked to be involved in the launch at the Autosport Show but it was certainly a privilege and I thoroughly enjoyed it!”
Hillspeed first team to take delivery of brand new G40Former Mini Max karter Morris has already experienced the previous generation Ginetta Junior car but he can’t wait for his first taste of the G40. Hillspeed is set to take delivery of Morris’ car – which will be the first customer car produced – at the end of February before hitting the track for a series of important pre-season test outings.
Hillspeed team principal Richard Ollerenshaw added: “We believe the first G40 will be with us by the end of February and we then plan to take to the track as soon as possible after that. It will be an advantage to take delivery of the very first car, we’re certainly very keen to get to work on it. Until then, we’ll continue to test Seb in the old car to give him as much track time as possible.”
The team is working very hard to recruit additional young racers to its Ginetta G40 programme and is therefore inviting drivers to get in touch to discuss 2010 race drives. For more details, please contact Richard Ollerenshaw on 01433 650400 or via email to richard@hillspeed.co.uk
Alongside the team’s move into the Ginetta Junior Championship, Hillspeed remains committed to the world of Formula Renault and plans to run a multi-car entry in the increasingly popular Formula Renault BARC Championship. Last year, Hillspeed steered Omani racer Ahmad Al Harthy to the Vice-Champion’s position in the driver standings and scored the most points of any entrant.
Furthermore, the Hathersage squad is also keen to hear from drivers interested in competing in the brand new Autosport Young Guns single-seater series.
