2005 AVO GINETTA CHAMPIONSHIP

The AVO Ginetta Championship is one of the best-supported and most closely-fought race series in the UK. The championship is a key element at high profile race meetings as a support package to British GT and Formula 3 weekends, enabling sponsors to utilise the top level hospitality available.

In the Thruxton round, the Ginettas supported the Renault Festival and British Truck Grand Prix, gaining a standing ovation from the crowd due to the thrilling racing on offer.

Promoted by the British Automobile Racing Club, the 2005 series is contested over 12 rounds. The Championship is run over 6 weekends each incorporating an initial 30min qualifying session, where competitors' fastest lap secures their grid position for Race One and their second fastest for Race Two, making both high-speed consistency an essential ingredient to success. The cars then contest two 30 minute races over the remainder of the weekend.

In 2004, each round of the championship attracted over 15,000 spectators, and approximately 46 journalists, 29 photographers and 34 TV crew members. The races are recorded for both terrestrial and satellite television broadcast.

THE CARS

The championship is contested by the Ginetta G20 model, modified for racing, and powered by a 140bhp 1800cc Ford powerplant. The Ginetta G20 consists of a spaceframe and lightweight composite body, the classic open-top sportscar styling proving to be a winner with the public, as well as exhilarating to drive.

The low weight of the cars (675kg) means the power-to-weight ratio is impressive, at over 200bhp per tonne. This performance is transmitted to the road through control Dunlop performance grooved tyres, which provide less grip than slicks, and therefore maximise the need for driver skill.

An new version of these tyres will be developed for 2005, including a wet version to better deal with the unpredictable British weather. This tyre choice will introduce a further level of strategy into the racing.

2005 AVO GINETTA CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

Rounds 1&2 - 2/3rd April at Donington

Rounds 3&4 -  7/8th May at Croft

Rounds 5&6 - 21/22nd May at Knockhill

Rounds 7&8 - 11/12th June at Thruxton

Rounds 9&10 - 25/26th June at Castle Combe

Rounds 11&12 - 8/9th October at Silverstone

Non Championship Round - Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium (date TBA)

For further information on the Junior Touring Car Championships or how you can become involved
as a driver sponsor, please contact us at info@petercate.com