Alex Sedgwick Wins A Fully Funded Season In 2014 Ginetta Junior Championship

Alex Sedgwick has been crowned the Ginetta Junior Scholarship winner for 2014 after the 14 year old from Southam, Warwickshire beat 30 other drivers this week to secure a fully-funded season in the 2014 Ginetta Junior Championship, in support of the BTCC.

With five years’ experience in karting, Sedgewick shone in WTP Cadet winning the title in 2011 before moving into Super One for 2012 and 2013. He has also competed in the British Schools Karting Championship and the Green Power Electric Car Championship.

On top of this, he has done some development driving with RK Cadet Karts, which afforded him the knowledge when it came to discussing key areas of setup and development throughout his assessments.

Facing off against 30 other drivers over the three day event, Sedgwick impressed in all three of the key areas of assessment, which included driving, fitness and media and the ability to keep a cool head under pressure.

Speaking after the win, Sedgewick said; “I am over the moon to have won, I didn’t expect it at all and I am really looking forward to racing the car next year. The competition was really tough and the other drivers were great. Thanks to Ginetta for the opportunity.”

A total of 30 drivers attended the two ‘qualification’ days on Monday 28 & Tuesday 29 October which saw them assessed on track with three well known Ginetta drivers; three time Ginetta champion and newly crowned Michelin Ginetta GT SuperCup champion Tom Ingram, BTCC ace and former Michelin Ginetta GT SuperCup champion Adam Morgan, as well as Ginetta & BTCC racer Jake Hill.

Drivers were also tested on their fitness levels as well as their media ability. With the highest calibre of entrants to date, Ginetta selected 22 drivers to join them at Wednesday’s final, which saw the youngsters given one final session with an instructor, before they were left to set a ‘hot lap’ with no tuition whatsoever.

Chief instructor Tom Ingram said; “The standard this year was probably the highest it has been for a number of years. The drivers who had never been in a car before made fantastic progress in the short time we spent with them. Along with drivers which had been in a car already, we managed to get them to an even higher standard than when they joined us. It was difficult to cut the numbers down as all the drivers were so close but in the end, we have a worthy winner in Alex Sedgewick.”

Cutting the numbers to nine following the morning session, each candidate went out with an instructor and assessed on their performance and development since their first time in the car, before the final four were selected.

Sedgewick was joined by Stuart Middleton, Jamie Caroline and Matt Chapman in the final shootout, which saw Ginetta Factory Driver Mike Simpson sit alongside each driver as they were asked to put everything they had learnt into practice and set a hot lap.

Taking into account all elements of the finalist’s performance over the course of the competition, as well as their ability to perform under pressure in their final run in the car, Sedgewick emerged as a worthy winner.

General Manager of Ginetta, Simon Finnis said; “The competition was incredibly high this year and we had a very difficult time making the cuts across the course of the competition. Alex Sedgewick showed in-depth knowledge of the various aspects of racing, as well as a natural driving ability. We are delighted to have him join the Ginetta family for 2014, and are very much looking forward to seeing what he can do.”

2013 Ginetta Junior Scholarship winner Jamie Chadwick was on hand to offer advice to all entrants on various aspects of a racing season, whilst ITV4 anchor Louise Goodman also joined the team to offer media guidance.

On top of his 2014 racing season, Sedgwick will also receive a media training session with Louise as part of her Goodman Media outfit as well as a half-day assessment at iZone driver performance centre at Silverstone.

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