British GT Media Day: A Successful Kickoff to the 2026 Season
Silverstone Circuit hosted a vibrant Media Day on Tuesday, attracting over 3,000 motorsport enthusiasts to engage with the Ginetta Junior Championship, Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT Championship, Ginetta GT Academy, and the SRO-run British GT Championship. Free tickets offered by SRO contributed to the robust attendance, with families enjoying a popular lunchtime pit-lane walkabout.
The Ginetta Junior Championship has now become a vital entry point for aspiring drivers aiming for the prestigious SRO GT Academy, which includes a unique opportunity to participate in the iconic 2027 Spa 24 Hours, racing alongside Academy winners from various global events.
Highlighting the synergy within the championships, Ginetta G56 GTP8s will compete alongside the G56 GTA cars, enhancing competitiveness. Lawrence Tomlinson was on hand during the media day, showcasing his GTP8 on track.
Kelly Robertson, now contracted to SRO and serving as Ginetta UK Championships Manager, emphasized the excitement surrounding the 34th season of the British GT Championship, particularly in the GT3 and GT4 categories.
Former Le Mans-winning driver David Brabham was spotted managing Jessica Hawkins, who races for MKH Racing, while Guy Smith and others supported their respective drivers in the paddock.
In a notable development, reigning vice-champion Hugo Cook took part in testing duties for Barwell Motorsport, alongside Sandy Mitchell. This comes as Rob Collard is away on honeymoon. Mitchell observed the transition of Ferrari-contracted drivers Matt Griffin and Duncan Cameron to Lamborghini machinery, noting, “It’s hard not to enjoy a screamin’ V10 behind you.”
Colin Turkington, an 18-time touring car champion, made his GT racing debut in the BMW M4 GT4 Evo, partnered with experienced driver Ernie Graham. Turkington remarked, “The car feels obviously different but vaguely familiar,” indicating a steep learning curve ahead.
Another highlight was reigning GT4 champions Jack Brown and Marc Warren, stepping up to GT3 with their McLaren 720S GT3 Evo. Warren expressed excitement about the car’s performance, stating, “It just feels like every bit of rubber and slack has been taken out of the car.”
Additionally, GBR Stratton Motorsport made its British GT debut. Jonny Adam, who has commitments in the FIA World Endurance Championship and GT World Challenge Europe, noted the strong family ties and the potential for further development in GT racing.
The Media Day also featured an array of supercars on display, including a classic Aston Martin DB5 and a Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato, attracting attention from the public.
As the 2026 British GT Championship season approaches, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation and the promise of fierce competition across all categories.
