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British sports car manufacturer Ginetta launched a new championship in 2024 for its G56 GTA model.
The series is called the Ginetta Challenge 2024—North American Race Series.
Ginetta was founded by the Walklett brothers in 1958. In 2005, entrepreneur Lawrence Tomlinson acquired the company and has grown it. Ginetta is also known for its driver development program. Alumni include Jamie Chadwick, the 2021 and 2022 W Series champion, and Formula One star Lando Norris. Ginetta has manufactured over 100 G56 GTA models since 2021. The car has a fully approved FIA chassis equipped with a high-performance race suspension and brakes. The G56 GTA uses a paddle shift with auto-blip, which controls the six-speed Quaife helical gearbox. The car also features a Motec LCD race dash, air jack system, air conditioning, and 18-inch diameter wheels with Pirelli tires. The Ginetta G56 GTA is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 Ford engine with a dry sump and race clutch. The motor produces 270 horsepower and 405 Newton meters of torque. Ginetta offers a prize purse of $20,000 to the top five drivers in the championship to encourage participation. In addition, the series winner will be awarded a free race weekend in a Ginetta G56 GTA during the 2025 British race season. The championship consists of ten rounds over five weekends.
The fourth weekend of the Ginetta Challenge 2024 – North American Race Series was held at Watkins Glen International. Drivers competed in two contests around the eleven-turn 3.337-mile road course. The Ginetta Challenge cars were combined with SVRA's Groups 6, 8, and 12. A split start was used, with the Ginettas receiving the green flag first.
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The pace lap for round eight of the Ginetta Challenge 2024 – North American Race Series at Watkins Glen International. Nine competitors prepare to exit corner eleven in anticipation of the Starter’s flag. On the pole is the No. 44 Magelian-sponsored Ginetta G56 GTA of Seth Henry. Alongside Henry is David Lecko in the No. 89 Deal Machine Ginetta G56 GTA. Row two is occupied by the Ginettas of Aiden Dorvee and Peter Heffring. |
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Seth Henry collected his first victory in round three at Virginia International Raceway. Since then, the No. 44 Magelian Ginetta G56 GTA driver has been unbeatable. In the previous event at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Henry qualified second for race one but collected a pair of wins. At Watkins Glen International, he topped the timesheets in practice and both qualifying sessions. Henry added two more first place finishes to his total. |
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The driver of the No. 89 Deal Machine Ginetta G56 GTA, David Lecko, is always a threat to win. Lecko opened his 2024 campaign with a pair of runner-up results at Road Atlanta. At Virginia International Raceway, he recorded his worst result of the season, an eighth, in race one but rebounded with a second place the next day. Lecko appears to be on a roll and was the ‘bridesmaid’ in both Mid-Ohio and Watkins Glen International races. |
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Mark Swain is the President and Co-Owner of TML AutoTech. TMI manufactures the Ariel Atom and Ariel Nomad and provides Ginetta parts and service support. Swain pilots the No. 17 Ginetta G56 GTA with backing from Southern Pine Realty Solutions. Swain would deliver his best performance of the season in rounds seven and eight at Watkins Glen International. He qualified and finished third in both contests. |
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The podium for rounds seven and eight of the Ginetta Challenge 2024 – North American Race Series at Watkins Glen International. In the center is Saturday and Sunday’s winner, Seth Henry. By the end of the weekend, Henry had amassed five series victories. On the left is the runner up, David Lecko. Lecko’s record included seven second place finishes in eight starts. Completing the rostrum is the third place finisher, Mark Swain. |
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| FINISH | START | DRIVER | CAR | LAPS | RETIREMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Seth Henry | Ginetta G56 GTA | 8 | - |
| 2 | 2 | David Lecko | Ginetta G56 GTA | 8 | - |
| 3 | 5 | Mark Swain | Ginetta G56 GTA | 8 | - |
| 4 | 6 | Gregory Arsenault | Ginetta G56 GTA | 8 | - |
| 5 | 4 | Preston Peabbles | Ginetta G56 GTA | 8 | - |
| 6 | 8 | Ray Houle | Ginetta G56 GTA | 8 | - |
| 7 | 7 | Eric Arms | Ginetta G56 GTA | 8 | - |
| 8 | 9 | Aidan Dorvee | Ginetta G56 GTA | 7 | - |
| 9 | 3 | Peter Heffring | Ginetta G56 GTA | 7 | - |
| FINISH | START | DRIVER | TEAM / SPONSOR | LAPS | RETIREMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Seth Henry | Ginetta G56 GTA | 12 | - |
| 2 | 2 | David Lecko | Ginetta G56 GTA | 12 | - |
| 3 | 5 | Mark Swain | Ginetta G56 GTA | 12 | - |
| 4 | 8 | Preston Peabbles | Ginetta G56 GTA | 12 | - |
| 5 | 9 | Ray Houle | Ginetta G56 GTA | 12 | - |
| 6 | 4 | Eric Arms | Ginetta G56 GTA | 12 | - |
| 7 | 6 | Gregory Arsenault | Ginetta G56 GTA | 12 | - |
| - | 3 | Aidan Dorvee | Ginetta G56 GTA | 0 | - |
| - | 7 | Peter Heffring | Ginetta G56 GTA | 0 | - |
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