Arriving at Rockingham near Corby as Championship leader in the Ginetta GT5 Challenge, 18 year-old Brad Bailey put in three strong performances over the Bank Holiday weekend to emerge with his championship lead still in place.

Driving the distinctive bright Orangemachine, the Paul Bailey Car Sales driver qualified a superb 2^nd for the two opening races – with the grid for race three decided by the driver’s finishing positions in race two, and in Sunday’s opening race Pole-man Will Burns’ Academy Motorsport car got away superbly, with Bailey,Davenport and Pittard scrapping into the Deene Hairpin.

Bailey was edged wide and lost out to Pittard, and later in the opening laps to Davenport, but a determined drive saw Bailey judge the lapping of female racer Barbara Kubicka perfectly and slice past nearest championship rival Davenport’s Reflex Racing machine to end up a hard-earned third behind Pittard and Burns.

“I got a bit unlucky at the hairpin, but we had good pace and once I had the opportunity I was pastDavenportand away. I’m pleased with that.” Smiled Bailey.

Bank Holiday Monday saw race two and good starts from both the front two rows of the grid….too good in the opinion of the officials as all four drivers, plus Neal Delargy were hit with 10 second penalties for false starts.

The race meanwhile played out with Bailey looking good for the lead until Pittard forced him wide and down to 8^th place in the first lap scramble. Scrapping his way immediately back up to fifth place, Bailey pushed Clive Richards hard to the flag, and was promoted to 4^th as Basey-Fisher was excluded for exceeding track limits.

“Looking at the pace we had, if Pittard hadn’t pushed me wide I would’ve been in with a shout of winning, or at least a podium, so that was frustrating. But we had a bit of luck with Basey-Fisher getting excluded and I took some solid points so it was ok.”

The final race of the weekend on Monday afternoon saw Bailey get away well and be in the mix, but leader Burns had edged away and Pittard had squeezed up into third.

On lap four the Safety Car boards were shown and yellow flags thrown as Alex Drabble ended up in the gravel, however leader Burns and second placed Pittard continued to lap briskly, withDavenport, Richads and Bailey losing ground.

In the remaining three laps it was clear that Bailey was able to lap at the same pace as leader Burns, and fired-up after the safety car sliced past both Richards and Davenport in two superb moves, working his was closer and closer to Pittard to take his second podium of the weekend, and leave Rockingham with a 10 Point lead over Burns.

“That was a mega last few laps. We didn’t have new tyres this weekend and Burns did, and we were at his pace at the end. Two podiums and a fourth over a tough weekend was a mega result. We lead the Championship so I’m very pleased.”

18 year-old Essex racer Brad Bailey heads to the unique sweeps of Rockingham near Corby confident of another strong performance in the Ginetta GT5 Challenge after a superb opening weekend at Oulton Park last month.

Bailey took Two Wins and a Second place, plus two fastest race laps in the Paul Bailey Car Sales machine, and left the Cheshire circuit leading the Championship by 16 points. Not since his time as Junior Rallycross Champion has he been in this position.

“We were confident we’d be competitive at Oulton Park, and if I hadn’t spun in qualifying I think I could’ve taken Pole Position. But the pace in all three of the races was just incredible – since I started racing Ginettas in the Junior series in 2010 I had got quicker and quicker but never was the quickest. So to be in that position is great but feels a bit strange.”

Unlike many of his competitors Brad prepares his car himself, doing the work in his spare time whilst working during the day as a Technician, attending College and even finding time to gain an extra qualification…

“I took the morning off college this week so I could take my HGV Class One test….and I passed! So now I can work on the race car, prepare the car, race the car, and even drive the truck!” I doubt if there’s many other drivers I’m racing against who can do all of those things together!”

But the focus is now on the driving part, and a worthwhile day’s practicing at Rockingham on Tuesday has seen Brad and the team iron out a few issues with the car, and now ready for Saturday’s practice and the races on Sunday and Monday.

“We go there as Championship leaders and the plan has got to be to keep having weekends like we did at Oulton Park. I like the circuit, we’ve got a good set-up on the car, and now the others are looking at me as the man to beat…!”

For More info please contact Simon Hill at simon.hill@live.co.uk

Report Courtesy of Simon Hill, Pictures Courtesy of Jakob Ebrey

At one of the UK’s most picturesque and challenge circuits, Oulton Park in Cheshire,
18 year-old Essex racer Brad Bailey had a sensational start to the Protyre Ginetta GT5
Challenge, taking two Wins and a Second place in the opening races of the season.

Bailey took his debut Win at the final event of 2012 at Donington Park, so is aiming
to mount a serious attack on the 2013 championship, but qualifying was to provide
drama as an early spin cost time for the Paul Bailey Car Sales supported driver.

Recovering well Bailey put in two strong laps to qualify 4th for race one and 3rd for
race two, with race three’s grid being based on the finishing order of race two.

A strong start saw Bailey immediately on the tail of Pole man Luke Davenport,
another driver returning from 2012, and then mount a serious attack throughout the 8
lap battle. Several times Bailey was alongside, but in the end an intelligent approach
saw him cross the line just behind the leader……however officials issued Davenport a
10 second penalty for a jump start, promoting a surprise Bailey into first place!

“I was a bit annoyed with myself after qualifying, Bailey smiled, “But had a mega
start and put loads of pressure on Luke right to the end. I thought his start was a bit
too good! Really proud of the team for a mega job…roll on race two now!”

Starting third another strong start saw Bailey again on Pole man Davenport’s tail, and
as in race one put huge pressure on the Reflex Racing driver. Again Bailey looked for
a gap but Davenport drove a solid defensive race to hang on to Victory.

“A win and a second so far is pretty good. Again I could see where I was quicker and
had a look a few times, but fair play to Luke he drove well” said Bailey.

For the final race of the weekend Bailey this time started second, and took the lead
from the off, but series newcomer David Pittard had made a storming start from
fourth on the grid, and edged past Bailey on lap two.

Having taken fastest lap in race two, Bailey was again confident of challenging
Pittard’s SV21 machine and soon began to force the leader into minor mistakes. After
trying the inside line into Old Hall several times, Bailey started lap 9 of 11 by staying
to the left of the circuit, and in a superbly timed move swept across to the inside and
past into the lead!

Edging away and taking another fastest race lap, Bailey took his second Win of the
weekend and was to leave Oulton Park as the Championship leader!

“That was hard work! I knew I had to try something clever and caught him out at Old
Hall. He was hard work to race against – at least I know what to expect for the rest of
the season! Two Wins, Two Fastest Laps and a Second….really, really happy!”

Next Event: Rockingham near Corby 4th /5th May.

Report as published on Ginetta.com 13th March 2013

Brad Bailey is set to reaffirm his status as a veteran Ginetta G40 racer in 2013, after signing up for a title challenge on the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge in what will be his fourth season of Ginetta G40 racing.

Having raced a Ginetta G40 since the cars inception in 2010, Bailey spent two years in the Ginetta Junior Championship, before he graduated into the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge last season – making him the youngest driver on the grid.

Closing the season in style with a win in the final race of the year at Donington Park, the Essex teenager is hoping for more of the same in 2013. He said; “Stepping up from the Ginetta Juniors into the Ginetta Challenge was a great move for me.

“To finish seventh overall in a field of 28 cars as well as take the win in the final race of the year was a great end to my maiden season, now I’m looking to rack up some more podiums and hopefully challenge for the title.”

Brads father Paul Bailey said; “We have decided to remain with the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge for another season as both Brad and the team really enjoyed last season, and with the improving results in every race, we believe he can run at the front of the pack in 2013, with every chance of winning the championship.”

Bailey also showed incredible promise during a one-off race in the Ginetta GT Supercup in a G50 at Snetterton, resulting in two podiums (a second and third) in what was only his first time out in the car.

Brad continued; “The G50 was an incredible car, and to go out there and secure two podiums in my first two races was a real confidence boost. As the Ginetta GT5 Challenge prize is the use of a G50 for the 2014 season, that’s the goal for this year.”

Having extensive experience of the Ginetta G40 car, Brad Bailey Racing with experienced engineers Glen Gower and Elliot Pedder are also able to run another car in 2013, and anyone interested should contact Brad Bailey on 07970 225122.

This report contains extracts from Ginetta.com

Ginetta launched their 2013 championship at Silverstone Circuit on Tuesday March 5, as a number of their 2013 entrants, media, celebrities and VIP guests travelled to the home of British Motorsport to celebrate the start of the season.

Brad put in a strong performance, giving his G40 a pre-season shake down, before the racing gets underway at Oulton Park on Easter Weekend.

Picture Courtesy of Graham Holbon.

Report courtesy of Simon Hill

In one of the most thrilling races of the Total Quartz Ginetta GT5 Challenge, 18 year-old Brad Bailey took an unexpected victory in the final race of 2012 at Donington Park last Sunday, his first in the series and first since he began circuit racing in 2010.

Former Junior Rallycross Champion Bailey began racing in the Ginetta G40 Junior series in 2010, taking several Podiums and Pole Positions in 2011 before moving into the ‘Senior’ Ginetta G40 series at the beginning of this year.

After almost taking Podium finishes at Silverstone and Snetterton, Bailey knew that the Paul Bailey Cars entered machine would need to be spot-on for him to round out the season with a top-three finish, and free practice on Friday gave the team confidence that they would be on the pace.

Qualifying proved to be super-close, as the top seven drivers were covered by just 0.5 seconds over Donington’s full Grand Prix loop, with Bailey taking 7^thon the grid for races one and two, but confident the race pace would be strong.

“Donington’s a track I really like but it’s the first time I’ve driven the full Grand Prix Circuit, in Juniors we used the shorter National Circuit, and the Melbourne Loop and Gerards are really tricky corners so I’m pleased to be on the pace. I usually race well here so think we can go forward – and there’s usually some chaos too…I just hope I can avoid it ‘cos too many times this year I’ve been on the receiving end of things!”

At the start of race one Bailey good a good getaway and was in the thick of the action, with a battle developing with Rick Parfitt – son of the Staus Quo rocker – which raged throughout the race,  with Bailey maintaining his 7^th place to the flag.

“That was a good start – the car should be really good for race two – we always seem to get stronger as the race goes on – and in each of the later races in the weekend. I had a good scrap with Rick, and it’s all in one piece so we’re in good shape!”

With Graham Johnson missing from the grid, Bailey was promoted a place and started 6^th for race two, and again was immediately in the mix, fighting hard with Parfitt as up front Luke Davenport hit problems and ended up in the gravel early on.

Now running in closer to the leading pack in 5th, Bailey was putting in stronger and stronger lap times and looking good to get in the mix for the battle between Ratcliffe, Robinson,  newly crowned Champion Sean Huyton, and William Burns.

As the race progressed  it looked as though things were getting pretty fraught up front, and as Ratcliffe edged away slightly, Huyton lunged inside Robinson at the Melbourne Hairpin, the pair tangled and Burns was caught up in the melee too.

Reading the situation perfectly, Bailey sliced past on the inside and up into 2^nd place!

With only a couple of laps remaining Bailey pushed hard and began reeling in the leader, closing down Ratcliffe to get within striking distance of the Welshman – a former Ginetta Junior rival – who had already Won race one.

At the end Bailey was to cross the line just 0.3 behind Ratcliffe with the second fastest lap of the race, delighted to have taken his first Podium in the series, to back up the double Podium at Snetterton in August in his debut in the Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup in a Ginetta G50.

 However there was to be a dramatic twist after the race…..

Earlier in the race when fighting with Huyton and Robinson, Ratcliffe was reported for overtaking when the Yellow Flags were being waved – strictly prohibited and taken very seriously by the officials.

Hence a surprised but delighted Bailey was sportingly presented with the Winner’s trophy by Ratcliffe who was excluded from the results for his misdemeanour.

“It was a mega race throughout – really good battle with Rick then after I got into 2^nd place I was pushing like mad and catching Ryan all the way – another couple of corners and I think I would have got past him anyway.

I’m so, so pleased to have ended the season like this – we are just a family run team – my Dad Paul, my Mum Michelle, me and my engineer Glen Gower all just get on with it – I prepare the car myself and Dad and Glen do a mega job running it. I wouldn’t be out racing without my Dad’s support so this is for him, my Mum and Glen – who has had a really tough time personally as his Mum was taken seriously ill over the weekend – they are all mega and I’m really proud of them all”.

Bailey will focus on a title challenge in the series in 2013, but for now will enjoy his victory, proving at Donington that The Only Way is Essex!

Report courtesy of Simon Hill

After taking his best-ever finish racing in the Ginetta Challenge in his Ginetta G40at Snetterton recently, Essex racer Brad Bailey made a welcome return to the BritishTouring Car paddock when he made his debut in a 300bhp Ginetta G50 – again atSnetterton – taking two superb podium finishes in the Paul Bailey Cars run machine.

Making the step up to a car with twice the power of his regular race car, Bradimmediately looked at home during free practice, putting in ever-quicker times andsurprising the regular runners with his pace considering his lack of experience.

On Saturday morning in qualifying Brad put in some strong laps to qualify anencouraging 4th, starting the 7 lap race feeling confident of his race pace.

A furious battle with his former Ginetta Junior driver Louise Richardson – a raceWinner at Thruxton – saw positions swap between the two, and a late race mistake byher saw Brad sweep home to take a fantastic 3rd place in his debut race!

“I had a run in the car the other week, then we put in some good times in free practice,and racing with Louise was great fun. I am so, so pleased to get on the podium in myfirst ever race – the team have done a mega job and Ginetta have been brilliant!”

With grid positions for race two decided by the finishing order of race one, Bradcontinued his battle with Richardson, but this time Louise’s year-and-a half ofexperience told and she edged ahead, Brad taking a strong 4th in class.

For the final race of the weekend – live on ITV4 – some fierce battles ensuedthroughout the whole Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup pack, with championship leaderMark Davies edging away leaving the rest of the pack to fight over Second place.

With Richardson and Rob Gaffney hitting problems it was a delighted Brad Baileywho lapped quickly and consistently to take a fantastic Second place, despite a race-long battle with regular G50 racer Reece Somerfield.

“To get a second and a third in my first-ever weekend in the Michelin Ginetta GTSupercup is incredible – I had a mega scrap with Somerfield in the last race, and wegot some great TV coverage on ITV4 – so I am really, really happy! I wanna thankmy Dad Paul and Mum Michelle and of course the team for all their support!”

Report courtesy of Simon Hill

The British Summer managed to throw just about everything at the teams competing in the Total Quartz Ginetta GT5 Challenge at Snetterton in Norfolk last weekend, with warm sunshine interspersed with full-on monsoon conditions ultimately causing the race meeting to be curtailed early.

Essex racer Brad Bailey moved from the sweeping hills of Cadwell Park to the flat and fast challenge of Snetterton, confident of building on his strong showing last time.

“We had all sorts of dramas with the clutch going and then the driveshaft, but I was really pleased with my pace especially at a track new to me and so different to anywhere else” said Brad at Snetterton.

Race 1: Brad makes a good start at Snetterton

Bailey and his regular squad had an additional challenge at Snetterton – as well as running his regular G40 racecar, the step up to the 300bhp V6 Ginetta G50 was made in readiness for his racing debut in the machine, again at Snetterton just a week later.

“We’ve raced in the Junior G40 series for the past two seasons supporting the BTCC so it’s nice to be heading back there and to move up to such a quick car. I had two sessions in the G40 and two in the G50 in practice and went well in both – I can’t wait to race the G50 but need to focus in this weekend first” smiled Brad.

Qualifying was dry and Bailey’s two best times saw him gain another top six starting position for the second race and 7^th for the first race, but shortly before the first race the rain came down so violently that the pre-race collecting area was flooded so badly that the organisers were forced to pump water out!

With a seriously wet track expected, Brad and the team decided to set the car to a full-wet weather set-up, but remarkably come the start of the race the track had begun to dry significantly. With a car set way too softly now, Bailey did a good job to manage the performance deficit and bring the car home safely in 10^th position.

Race 2: Brad moves on the outside to take 3rd place by the first corner

For race two with the track now fully dry it was easier to get the settings right, and from the outset it was apparent that the car – and driver – were in good shape.

A perfect start saw Brad rocket through from 6^th to 3^rd place, and begin to scrap with race winners Mike Robinson and Gary Simms. Robinson slipped back past but promptly spun and as the race drew closer to It’s conclusion it became clear that second placed Ryan Ratcliffe was in problems, losing power and dropping back.

On the final lap Simms snuck past Ratcliffe and Brad charged onto the Welshman’s tail almost passing on the line but still recording a career best 4^th position.

“What a mega start and great scrap. When I saw Ryan was slowing I pushed like mad – another few centimetres and I’d have been on the podium. It’s not like the Olympics – you can’t dive forward at the line! Really pleased and thanks to the team for their hard work, the car was fantastic!”

For race three scheduled at 6pm it was becoming clearer that because of the terrible conditions earlier the delays were likely to have a knock-on effect, and it was with regret that the race had to be cancelled on grounds of safety, the plan being to run the race on another race weekend when there is sufficient time.

“All in all a good weekend though – it was great to drive the G50 on Friday – I am really, really looking forward to racing next week – let’s hope the rain stays away!”

Brad now moves up to 10th place in the Championship.

Report by Simon Hill

Maldon’s Brad Bailey took on the sweeping challenge of Cadwell Park at Lincolnshire inthe Total Quartz Ginetta GT5 Challenge, racing for the first time at the demanding woodland track which is sometimes referred to as a ‘England’s Nurburgring’.

Bailey was determined to build on progress made at the previous round on the Brands HatchGP Circuit where an excellent 6th on the grid led to a 6th place finish in race one before frustration in race two when rival Luke Davenport took him out of the race whilst battling for4th position.

Davenport was subsequently excluded for this incident but it meant Bailey was forced tostart 17th on the grid. As he made his way further and further up the field he was given a drive through penalty for putting all four wheels off the track which meant a finish of 14th place. “The car was good and I love Brands. Race two was looking good for a podium until Davenport hit me. At least we know we have some good pace now” said Bailey.

Onto Cadwell and after some practice laps on Friday and Saturday which gave Bailey the chance to learn the circuit properly the last of six sessions on Saturday ended with a bang –literally – as the clutch exploded, at least as Bailey said, at the end of the day.

So for qualifying on Sunday morning with the clutch repaired Bailey was confident of a good performance….then on the lap out of the pits the driveshaft CV broke before he could set atime.

This meant a frantic rush to repair the car before race one, and a start of 22nd on the grid. On a circuit that is notoriously narrow and tough to pass, Bailey once again showed his class,slicing past car after car to finish a fighting 10th overall.

“That was hard work but fun. The rules say you can only have four new sets of slick tyres over the season and lots of people put on a new set this weekend. We didn’t so to have thepace we had from the back of the grid was encouraging”.

Race two saw Bailey racing hard with the quickest drivers in the series, making up one place and starting the final race of the day in 9th position.

At the first turn of the opening the was contact between several cars and a Safety Car which neutralised the race. At the restart Bailey was immediately on the move and managed to takea well-earned 6th place finish.

“After the problems with the clutch and the driveshaft we had to work flat-out. The car was really good and for once we weren’t crashed into by anyone! If we can have a trouble-free weekend next time out at Snetterton I know we can get on the Podium so that’s the plan!”

Brad will race once again on the British F3 and GT package at Snetterton on 4/5th August.

Report Courtesy of Simon Hill

Maldon based racing driver Brad Bailey this weekend returns to action in the Total Quartz Ginetta GT5 Challenge at his home circuit Brands Hatch, feeling confident after a strong showing at Rockingham two weeks ago.

After qualifying strongly and then racing well to a 5^th position in race one, rival Rick Parfitt Junior clattered into Bailey’s car putting him out of race two and forcing him to start in 22^nd position for race three. Cue a determined drive, slicing through the pack to finish a remarkable 8^th overall.

“We had good pace in free practice at Oulton Park but things just didn’t work out in qualifying or the races, so we were confident that Rockingham would be ok and if Parfitt hadn’t used me as a brake in race two I think three top six finishes we on.”

“I love Brands Grand Prix Circuit– not just because it’s my ‘home’ track but the circuit, like Oulton Park, is one of the most flowing and demanding in the country. I came really close to winning in Ginetta Juniors there last season so I know I should go well.”

Brad’s Paul Bailey Cars entered machine will take to the circuit on Friday (22^nd) for free practice then qualify and race over Saturday and Sunday, forming part of the combined British GT and British Formula Three package of races.

“There should be a good crowd as it’s Brands and as it’s GT’s and F3….but lot’s of people know that the closest racing is often in our series so both at the track and on Motors TV where the races are shown we get a strong following – I’m hoping that results wise this weekend The Only Way is Essex!” smiled Brad.