An 18-year-old rising Wiltshire motor racing star will step up for his “rookie” GB3 season next year after only two years of driving.

Salisbury born and raised racer John Bennett, who is in his final year at Bishop Wordsworth Grammar School, finished seventh in the Ginetta GT5 2020 standings after just a partial year of Junior Rotax karting. 

He recorded three GT5 top-three podium finishes in a shortened, compacted season due to the Covid epidemic and seven top-six overall finishes.

His best result was a second-place but also set a new lap record on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit at the final event of the year.

This year, John was vice-champion in the final GT5 Challenge rankings having scored 10 podiums, including five victories, and has remained signed with Elite Motorsport. 

In October he tested a current GB3 Tatuus at Pembrey and this month he tested it in Silverstone and Donington Park in a variety of weather conditions.

Salisbury Journal: John Bennett was a regular Ginetta GT5 Challenge winner this year. John Bennett was a regular Ginetta GT5 Challenge winner this year. 

John Bennett said that the GB3 is the 'biggest step forward' he could make after GB5, and that 2022 would be his first season in single-seaters but he is "up for the challenge".

The racer added: "I believe a realistic goal for me is to finish inside the top-10 in the championship at the end of the year, and to be challenging for some top-five finishes.

“I believe GB3 is the most competitive championship in Britain, with some of the best single-seater drivers from around the world taking part... it offers the best opportunity that I can have to develop my skills as a racing driver and to progress my career."

In terms of his choice to remain with the Norfolk-based racing company, he said: “It was a straightforward decision to continue racing with Elite.

"I have really enjoyed the past two years with them and they have pushed me on well. I’d never driven a car when I started with them and so to become the GT5 vice-champion this year and one of their 2022 GB3 drivers, I’m delighted."

Though he feels there is still a lot to learn, he said: “I am absolutely loving the new challenge and all the techniques required for driving a completely different car.”

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