Xentek Motorsport are guaranteed an historic fifth drivers’ title in the Ginetta GT5 Challenge after an action-packed weekend of racing at Brands Hatch (09/10 September), with their drivers Ella Lloyd and Luke Garlick set to battle it out for glory in the season finale next month.
Already the most successful team in GT5 Challenge history courtesy of their title successes with Ollie Chadwick (2016), Scott McKenna (2019), Josh Steed (2021) and Mikey Doble (2022), the South Yorkshire squad are now mathematically confirmed to be securing a third consecutive title.
Once again Lloyd, Garlick and team-mate Sam Harvey enjoyed some fantastic racing across the three races on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit this past weekend. After all three qualified in the top four in class, they each claimed silverware across the races.
After Lloyd and Garlick secured a brilliant one-two finish in the opening race, there was better to come in race two as Garlick led a podium lockout from Harvey and Lloyd. A dramatic final race saw Lloyd on course for victory before a late incident, with Garlick eventually finishing second with Harvey fourth.
In the headline GT Pro class of the Ginetta GT Championship, the team were back to a two-car entry for the event as Conner Garlick made a welcome return to the series. The Donington Park race-winner was quickly back up to speed in his G56 GTP, qualifying fifth fastest.
Consistent progress across the three races saw him finish sixth in the opener, before improving to fourth in the next outing. He saved the best until last, grabbing third place just before mid-distance and holding it to the finish for a brilliant third podium finish of the campaign.
Bal Sidhu continued his development behind the wheel of his G56 with another strong, consistent weekend of results. Bouncing back from an unfortunate retirement in race one, he scored a fantastic top six finish in race two and followed that up with ninth in the closer.
The team welcomed back a familiar face in Phil McGarty for the event, as their former GT5 Challenge runner competed in the GT Academy. Securing a great hat-trick of top ten class finishes in Kent, the highlight came in a chaotic race two as he stayed out of trouble and stormed forward to match his seasons’ best result of fifth.
Christopher Richards – Team Principal: “It’s a truly fantastic feeling for everyone in the team to have confirmed we will come away with the GT5 Challenge drivers’ title again this year. Ella, Luke and Sam have all driven really well this year and it’s been great to see all three picking up lots of trophies.
“Brands Hatch provided three more typically close-fought and action-packed races, which leaves us with an exciting title decider at Donington Park next month. We’re sure there’s going to be a few twists and turns over that weekend, and we just wish both drivers all the best.
“Conner kept pushing on through the weekend and really earnt the podium in the final race, once again showing everyone the great potential he has. Bal did a great job again as he continues to get faster and faster in the G56, while we loved having Phil back in the awning with us and he really shined on Sunday with his top five result.”
The 2023 Ginetta season comes to its conclusion at Donington Park next month (21/22 October), however prior to that Xentek Motorsport will be tackling the final two rounds of the Porsche Sprint Challenge GB at Silverstone (23/24 September) and Brands Hatch (07/08 October).
Images from Jakob Ebrey Photography.