Reigning Ginetta GT5 Challenge champions Xentek Motorsport will be returning to the championship this season with the aim of securing an historic fifth title success, with Ella Lloyd their first confirmed driver in a multi-car entry.
The South Yorkshire based team have been a formidable force in the championship in recent years, securing three of the last four drivers’ titles with Scott McKenna (2019), Josh Steed (2021) and Mikey Doble (2022), alongside their maiden success with Ollie Chadwick (2016) and two teams’ titles.
Lloyd will be one to watch this year as she enters her second season of car-racing. An impressive debut campaign came in the 2022 Ginetta Junior Championship, with the Welsh native showing great progress through the year as she finished as one of the top ten rookies in the final standings.
The 17-year-old talent from Pontypridd got a taste of GT5 Challenge action at the end of the year, linking up with Xentek to contest the Donington Park season finale. A stunning performance saw her qualify in the top six overall, before a hat-trick of top ten race finishes included a best of fifth overall.
Lloyd is ready to build on those results and challenge at the front of the field this season. She will compete with the headline support of Calibre Contracting LTD and Calibre Equip LTD, as well as benefitting from being a member of the Motorsport UK Academy Futures Programme.
Christopher Richards - Team Principal: “We are delighted to have Ella [Lloyd] on the team this year, and believe she’s in with a good chance of securing us the historic fifth title. Her performance at the final round last year was unbelievable, and fills us with confidence heading into the 2023 season.
“She showed great pace from the off in the GT5 car, running with the front of the pack at Donington Park. She also worked as a team player in her first weekend with us, with her support for Mikey [Doble] in qualifying playing a hand in him ultimately securing the title that weekend.”
Ella Lloyd: “I’m excited to be teaming up with Xentek Motorsport for the 2023 season and making my next step into the Ginetta GT5 Challenge after our successful debut at the last round at Donington Park.
“I can’t wait to continue working with the championship-winning team and everyone involved, and show our success together this season. Our ambitions are high for the year ahead and we will be working hard to complete them.”