James Kellett Wins Ginetta GT4 SuperCup Championship!
It was the 7th and final meeting of the season at Brands Hatch GP circuit, with James Kellett hoping to wrap up the championship as soon as he could. Three races for the Ginettas, with two on Saturday and one of Sunday.
James only managed P2 in Qualification, with Tom Emson getting Pole. The race started and stayed like that, with James unable to get past the defending Tom. But P2 was enough – James became champion, with two races left of the season yet to follow!
James started P2 in Race 2 and off they went – same story – James couldn’t get past the defending Tom Emson, which finished the championship a worthy second. Race 2 was made a tad more special, though, as the injured Colin White waved the chequered flag to finish the race. You will recall the horrific accident at Thruxton last month where Colin White and Mike Brown were involved in a tumbling mess of an accident at 135mph over the back of the track. Both drivers so lucky to get out, although both with injuries. Colin was in good form though (despite the pins in his left leg) and enjoyed a beer or two at the Ginetta party on Saturday evening. Mike Brown is also on the recovery trail, with news he is much better and hoping to be racing again next season.
On to Sunday, where it was reverse grid. Tom had pulled out ball number 4, so James was to start P3 and Tom in P4. A good start by James saw him get to P2, with Tom behind him. Unfortunately, a driveshaft was blown at the start and that left oil all over the grid, so the race was immediately stopped with a red flag and there was another wait until the track was cleaned up. A good job by the marshalls and cleaning team, and the race restarted. Same story – James in P2. Unfortunately (again), Tom nudged Reece Summerfield on Paddock Hill, with Reece into the travel. Another safety car while the already shortened race was held up again as Reece’s car was recovered from the gravel. The safety car exited and there was now a one lap sprint finish, with James in P2 – determined to win the final race of the season.
He looked like passing the leader with a couple of corners to go but as he got halfway past P1 turned into him at 135mph and sent him half off the track on to the grass with the woods just to his right! Very lucky not to lose control, he managed to hold the car and get back onto the track just before the bed. It was too late for another challenge for the lead, and with that one lap basically being the race, James finished P2. So 3 x P2 at the final meeting of the season. But not a bad season – James finished in first place for all but 4 of the whole season’s races, with those other 4 being P2. One first place was a DQ, though, as he nudged another car at Knockhill. Still – a very worthy champion!!
Onwards to next season, and whatever that brings…