MOTORSPORT rising star John Bennett is geared up for his eagerly-anticipated GB3 Championship debut this weekend at Oulton Park.

The Salisbury-based talent has made the exciting transition to single-seater racing this season in the UK’s leading open-wheel championship. He will be pitting himself against a competitive grid featuring some of the brightest young talents from across the globe.

Widely recognised as a proving ground for the stars of the future, the GB3 Championship partnered by the BRDC boasts current Formula 1 duo George Russell and Lando Norris amongst the list of drivers to have competed in the series on their way up the motorsport ladder; a path Bennett is aiming to follow.

Bennett is set for his third consecutive season racing with Elite Motorsport, following a successful two years together in the Ginetta GT5 Challenge. A standout 2021 campaign saw him finish as vice-champion with five wins and ten podium finishes to his name.

The 18-year-old has conducted a comprehensive testing programme with Elite in recent months, getting to grips with his new Tatuus MSV-022 GB3 car. With running completed at most of the circuits on the 2022 calendar, he’s ready to tackle the challenge that lies ahead.

The season starts with the traditional Easter weekend opener at Oulton Park in Cheshire (April 16-18).

The action begins with qualifying and race one on Saturday, before two more races on Easter Monday – all of which will be streamed live on the GB3 YouTube channel.

Bennett said: “While this will be my first year competing in single-seaters, I believe I am in a very competitive situation going into the season. The continuity of entering a third year with Elite Motorsport has really helped me across our testing programme.

“We have been out on track every month over the winter, at Donington Park, Oulton Park, Silverstone and Snetterton. I have gained loads of confidence in the car and I've been able to work well with my engineer, as well as my teammates to push each other on.

“With more than 20 drivers confirmed in the championship, I know I’ve got a big challenge ahead of me. I will be aiming to be within the top 10 at Oulton Park and hopefully I can start my single-seater campaign strongly."