Junior teams welcome engine changes
Ginetta Junior teams have welcomed the engine changes planned for next year, with bosses hoping it will usher in a “new era” for the category.
Three drivers from the leading JHR Developments team were initially excluded for alleged engine irregularities after the Thruxton round in May, before the team was suspended from competing in Ginetta categories while an investigation into its conduct took place.
In a bid to ensure the field was equal, the series announced earlier this month that all drivers would have to run a new engine from 2018, to be distributed to them on the media day.
“I think it’s a new Ginetta Junior era,” said Elite Motorsport team boss Edward Ives. “It’s good for the championship and good to see Ginetta acting on it – we have fully backed them this year with everything they have done.
“The main thing is for it to be fair for everyone.”
Elite had questioned how much of an increase in costs a new engine will bring, although Ginetta confirmed the cost would be included in the entry fees for next year.
Paul Mcneilly from Fox Motorsport said: “I think it’s good – Ginetta needed to do something to make it fair on everyone else because there are a lot of things that can be done [to the cars].
“We have heard stories of engines having 10 per cent more power than others, and in a one-make series that’s not so good.”