R Racing Celebrate Milestone Ginetta Junior Victory In Spectacular 2026 Season Opener

R Racing have become the first team ever to record 100 race wins in Ginetta Junior competition, having celebrated their landmark success as part of a phenomenal start to the 2026 season at Donington Park this past weekend (11-12 April).

‍The Norfolk-based team came into the new season with momentum firmly on their side, having taken their first-ever Ginetta Junior grand slam last year. They sensationally won the overall drivers’ title for the fifth time in a row, alongside their third consecutive teams’ crown, and success in the rookie class and the Winter Series also.

They launched their title defence in the 2026 Ginetta Junior Championship powered by Sunoco Race Fuels with a hugely talented six-driver entry. Their collaboration with the Red Bull Junior Team continues this year, with Melvin Kalousdian aiming to follow in the footsteps of 2025 champion Rocco Coronel.

Jesse Phillips enters the new season as the reigning Winter Series champion, while Lewis Goff and Riley Cranham both secured their maiden Ginetta race victories in that event. Joining them are two more returning drivers, Max Murray and Sebastien Leusch.

The 2.49-mile Grand Prix circuit at Donington Park greeted the team for the opening three races of the season. Goff was fastest of all in official testing on Friday and went on to secure a superb double pole position in qualifying the next day, while Murray made it a front-row lockout for race one.

All three races took place on Sunday, with Goff utterly dominating proceedings to stamp his authority at the top of the championship standings. The 15-year-old talent led every single racing lap en-route to a perfect hat-trick of victories, only the second driver in Ginetta Junior history to achieve that feat.

Phillips followed up his Winter Series success with a brilliant start to the year. Fighting forward to third place overall in the opening race, he then doubled his podium tally in race three with an exceptional drive in wet conditions seeing him challenge Goff for victory in the closing laps.

Red Bull Junior Team protégé Kalousdian produced an impressive performance in his first race event in the UK. The Swedish racer quickly adapted to the close-fought action in the Ginetta Juniors and moved forward in all three races, culminating in a maiden podium with third in race three.

Murray and Cranham joined their team-mates in picking up silverware at Donington, each stepping on to the rookie podium with finishes of fourth overall. Leusch meanwhile was another to gain ground in each race, sealing a competitive and consistent event with a trio of overall top ten results.#

Goff leading home Phillips and Kalousdian in the final race meant R Racing became the first team ever to secure a one-two-three finish on a season opening weekend. The strength in depth of their entry was also shown by all six of their drivers finishing inside the top ten overall in two races.

‍Jamie Ross and Nathan Read – R Racing Team Principals: “It has been a special weekend, probably the best start to a season we’ve ever had. The icing on the cake is getting our 100th win, it’s something we could have never envisioned when we set out with the team and it’s a testament to the hard work of everyone involved over the years.

“Lewis [Goff] was absolutely faultless this weekend. Winning all three races and leading every lap in the process, it’s something only one driver has ever achieved before and he should be hugely proud of his achievements.

“Jesse [Phillips] was really good and consistent, kept his head and picked up the points where needed, and came alive in the wet in race three hustling Lewis for the win. Melvin [Kalousdian] wanted a lot from his first weekend and was frustrated after qualifying, but he did a good job in the races and deserved his podium.

“It was an up and down weekend for Riley [Cranham], we could have extracted more from qualifying, but he fought back well in the races and there’s more in the tank from him going forward. We knew Max [Murray] would be quick, but sticking it on the front row in the qualifying was a welcome surprise. He raced maturely and picked up some good results.

“It was a really good weekend for Sebastien [Leusch], considering where he is on his progression curve. He worked hard and got three great top ten results. As a team, as well as winning titles, what’s important for us is having great depth in our team and we couldn’t have asked for more this weekend.

“Having all six drivers finish in the top ten in a couple of the races and getting a one-two-three finish, it’s been a really good weekend for the whole team with everyone contributing. We’re confident this could be our strongest season ever, so roll on Silverstone.”

‍The 2026 Ginetta Junior Championship powered by Sunoco Race Fuels continues in two weeks’ time (25-26 April), with three races on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit as part of the opening British GT Championship event of the season.