Matt Nicoll-Jones has expressed his delight at a superb 2013 season for his Academy Motorsport outfit in Ginetta competition.
The Academy team boss has seen his outfit pick up a one-two finish in the Ginetta GT5 Challenge with Oliver Basey-Fisher and Will Burns, successfully defending their drivers and teams titles in the process.
Alongside that, the team took a dominant title win in the Ginetta GT Supercup ‘G50’ class with Sean Huyton, with Burns’ late run in the class also seeing him come third in the final standings.
The Academy Team Celebrate Basey-Fisher’s Challenge Success – Credit: Jakob Ebrey Photography
“It’s been quite a year,” enthused Nicoll-Jones. “I think we’ve done around thirty race weekends in different championships, and this was our eighth in a row. So we’re looking forward to a bit of a break now, and I can pay the team back by letting them have a few lay-ins.
“I can’t say enough about their work, it’s been a brilliant year, they’ve done an amazing job, and I’m delighted with the silverware in the Ginettas.”
Nicoll-Jones himself has been one of the stars of the 2013 Supercup. Four podiums in the first six races hinted at a potential championship challenge, but Nicoll-Jones admits they were still ‘finding their feet’ with the car as the season progressed.
A sensational weekend at Knockhill in August was the highlight of the campaign, with two wins and a second place. Four further rostrum finishes, including two on the finale weekend, secured Nicoll-Jones third in the championship behind 2013 and 2012 champions Tom Ingram and Carl Breeze.
With the G55 title currently the missing piece of the Ginetta championship collection for the Academy outfit, the team are going all out to challenge for the crown next season, though Nicoll-Jones has confirmed it won’t be him behind the wheel.
“I won’t be in the position to do this next year,” he commented. “I’ve had a great time, but I’m going to go and race a few other bits and bobs.
“I’ve got some boys that race for me within Academy that are very strong though, and anybody that is sticking around for next year or joining has got to keep an eye on us. With Sean, Will and Oliver, those three are immensely strong and my only worry is that they’ll be battling each other at the front, so I’ll be a nervous team manager again!”
