New for 2011 is the Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup, an evolution of the G50 Cup that ran from 2008 to 2010. The new series incorporates the G50 model used in that series, as well as introducing its big brother, the brand new Ginetta G55.
The new G55 features a 3.7 litre V6 engine producing 370bhp, seventy more than its predecessor and the series has an exciting prize on offer for its inaugural winner, a fully funded drive in the 2012 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.
Early favourite for the championship is Total Control Racing's Carl Breeze. The 31 year old has enjoyed success in the Ginetta G50 Cup over the past two years, finishing third in 2009 despite a horror crash at Oulton Park, before going one step better and finishing runner up in 2010. With his arch rival from last season Frank Wrathall stepping up to the British Touring Car Championship, Breeze is hoping to finally go all the way and pick up a Ginetta title.
Two drivers capable of challenging Breeze will be a couple of G50 Cup race winners from 2010, Tom Sharp and Adam Morgan. Sharp, running with IDL, took two wins as he ended the year a strong fourth in the championship, with Cicely Racing's Morgan taking his maiden G50 win at Croft on his way to sixth in the standings. Both drivers will be looking to challenge for the Supercup title this season.
Looking to mount a title challenge is 2010 Ginetta Challenge championGeorge Murrells. The 23 year old, who is joining the series with Optimum Motorsport, has been preparing for his first season on the BTCC package by testing a G50 over the winter, as he looks to carry on the winning feeling he enjoyed last season.
Two drivers stepping up from driving a G50 to a new G55 are Joachim Ritter and Colin White. Swiss driver Ritter returns with front-running outfit Total Control Racing, with whom he picked up a best result of fifth on his way seventh in last season's standings. 2010 Chairman's Cup winner White returns with his CWS team and will be hoping to push for podium finishes this season.
The entry for the G50 section of the Supercup is headed by many of the stars of the 2010 Ginetta Junior Championship. Topping the list will be Jake Hill, who was unlucky to lose out on the championship after winning ten races over the course of the season. If the 17 year old can replicate the speed he showed in 2010 in his G50, he could prove hard to beat.
Hot on his heels, just like she was last season, will be 18 year old Louise Richardson. She picked up two wins in last season's Junior series and the Grantham-based driver impressed fans with her racecraft, becoming a real crowd favourite. Louise is also set to face competition from her brotherAndrew Richardson, who moves into a G50 after finishing runner up to Murrells in the 2010 Ginetta Challenge.
Hoping to join them and continue their rivalry from last season is the reigning Ginetta Junior champion Tom Ingram. He took five wins on his way to the title, impressing throughout with his incredible consistency, only finishing outside the top four twice in twenty races. The 17 year old has been working flat out all winter to get the budget together to join the series and although at the time of writing he has not yet been successful, he is hoping to get a last grasp deal together and race.
Also making the step up is 17 year old Jody Fannin. The South Godstone-based driver took two wins in his debut season in the Juniors last year and rather than stay for a second year and challenge for the title, he decided to make the step to the Supercup in a Pyro Motorsport run G50. Also moving up in a Kelvin Jones Motorsport-run car will be Patrick McClughan.
Looking to beat the teenagers will be experienced racer Rob Gaffney. The 21 year old has previous Ginetta experience having competed in the Junior Championship back in 2005 and 2006, with the switch to a G50 seeing him move back to rear wheel drive after a long spell in the Renault Clio Cup. Running with his own Meridian Motorsport team, Gaffney told TCF he is looking for some early podiums as he hopes to challenge for the G50 honours.
Also expected to take part in the series are Alistair James in a G55 and former Lotus Elise racer Connaire Finn in a G50.
