Former GT4 champion Jake Giddings will make his British GT return at Snetterton this weekend alongside Michael Caine in the #36 Team HARD-run, Autoaid/RCIB Insurance Racing-entered Ginetta G55 GT4.
The 22-year-old won the GT4 crown at his first attempt with Beechdean AMR in 2014 and continued to race Aston Martin Vantages for JWB Racing for a further two seasons alongside Pro/Am co-driver Kieran Griffin.
This weekend represents Giddings’ first time in a competitive Silver Cup pairing since his title-winning season, as well as his first ever aboard the Ginetta.
“Yeah, it’s a bit last-minute but I’ve been speaking to Tony [Gilham] about opportunities and this came up so thought it would be a good chance to have a crack at Silver Cup again,” said Giddings. “I’ve never driven the Ginetta but have raced against them plenty of times in the Aston. They look to be going pretty well this season so hopefully Michael [Caine] and I can look forward to a decent result. I’ve spent the last couple of years fighting through the field, which actually taught me a lot about race craft. But I’ll have no complaints starting a bit nearer the front at Snett!”
Newbould’s season began with an unfortunate weekend-ending accident in free practice at Oulton Park that required a precautionary trip to the local hospital. Aggravating that injury prior to Rockingham also ruled him out of the next British GT round at Rokcingham, while personal matters have put paid to any racing this weekend at Snetterton.
Team HARD boss Tony Gilham explained: “After missing Rockingham through injury Mike [Newbould]’s now got some family issues to sort out. Michael [Caine]’s not done a lap in the car this season so it was important to get him out at Snetterton this weekend, and in Jake we couldn’t have come up with a better co-driver. Results over the past couple of seasons haven’t done his talent justice - this is a very strong Silver pairing.”
Watch both British GT races live this Sunday on Front Runner TV, plus British GT’s Facebook and website.