Xentek Motorsport enjoyed a fantastic mix of class podium finishes and seasons’ best results for its drivers during an exciting and action-packed weekend of Ginetta racing at Cadwell Park (22/23 July).
As Felix Livesey enjoyed his best weekend of results to date in the Juniors and Bal Sidhu secured a brilliant fourth place in the GT Championship, there was also GT5 Challenge silverware for Ella Lloyd, Sam Harvey and Luke Garlick.
It was a landmark weekend for the South Yorkshire team as they raced at Cadwell Park for the first time, with Ginetta racing having not taken place there for over a decade. Some pre-event testing therefore helped get the drivers up to speed with the unique Lincolnshire track.
One of those to feel at home around the 2.2-mile circuit was Livesey, as he continued his first-ever season of car-racing. Showing his continued progress in the Junior series, he enjoyed a fantastic start to the weekend as he produced his best set of qualifying results of the season so far.
After fighting for a top ten berth across the first two races on his way to a pair of solid finishes, Livesey saved the best until last. From the rear of the 15-car grid, he produced a thrilling charge forward to ninth position and his highest race finish of the campaign.
The trip to Cadwell Park would be Sidhu’s second weekend in the GT Championship since stepping up from the GT5 Challenge ranks. With limited wet running in the G56 GTP car, he had a steep learning curve as torrential rain fell at points over the weekend.
The provisional GT5 Challenge Am champion showed fantastic progression in all weather conditions and secured himself a trio of top six finishes. The best result came in the second race as he finished just two seconds shy of a maiden GTP podium in fourth place.
Once again the team’s trio of GT5 Challenge Pro contenders served up some great racing across the weekend. Lloyd was the star of the show, converting pole position in qualifying into the opening race victory at the head of a one-two-three finish for the team from Harvey and Garlick.
Lloyd won race two on the road before receiving an unfortunate penalty, but bounced back to victory again in the final encounter to move her win tally to eight for the year. Harvey joined her on the race three podium, while it was unfortunately a tough Sunday for Garlick.
Christopher Richards – Team Principal: “Cadwell Park certainly presented a tricky challenge for all of our drivers, especially with the difficult, changing weather over the weekend, so we’re very proud of how everyone drove and the results they achieved.
“Felix has showed great progression this season and not always got the results to show that, so we’re delighted that he could get his best ever qualifying and race results this weekend. It’s a huge confidence boost for him and there’s certainly more to come in the final six races of the year.
“Bal is learning more and more about this car every time he drives it and this weekend gave him some great experience in different conditions. Ella was brilliant too and richly deserved her two wins to boost her championship aspirations.
“It was great to see Sam and Luke on the podium also, and it’s just a shame they had some tough races as well. They’ll be back stronger next time out and we’re all really excited to see what the team can achieve at Brands Hatch after the summer break.”
While the Ginetta drivers now face another lengthy break before the next rounds at Brands Hatch on 09/10 September, Xentek Motorsport are straight back into action this weekend (29/30 July) as the Porsche Sprint Challenge GB races at Croft in North Yorkshire.
Image from Jakob Ebrey Photography.
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