With Smalley, who finished fourth in last year’s series, Tom Emson who recorded third in the Pro-Am division, plus SuperCup newcomer Josh Rattican, Elite can boast a high-octane blend of youth and experience.
Having won the Ginetta Junior Scholarship, Elite “veteran” Smalley was the second-highest Rookie in the 2017 GJC with 17 “Rookie” podiums and won the Ginetta Junior Winter series before joining Elite in ’18 to win the outright title with 24 top-six finishes that included 17 podiums (seven wins).
Smalley, who will be supported by the Optimum Pay Group this season, achieved fourth overall in the 2019 Ginetta GT5 Challenge (10 podiums including four wins) and now embarks on his second consecutive SuperCup season after finishing fourth last year – 17 top-four placings, including four outright wins, and a single retirement in 19 races. Indeed Smalley, who missed out on third in the standings by a mere four-points, was the highest-points scorer in the second half of the season. He also set a new class lap record lap at Croft last year.
Adam Smalley (GB). Age 20. Born/Lives: Poulton Le Fylde, Lancashire:
“I’m delighted to be back on the Ginetta GT4 SuperCup grid for 2021. I feel that I gained a lot of momentum last season and I really think that we can build on that to be in strong contention for the title.
“Having been part of Elite Motorsport for the past three seasons, I have built an excellent connection with them as well as all the people around me to maximise not only my own performance, but the team’s as well. Having support from my title sponsor, Optimum Pay Group, as well as all my other partners, I’m really excited to see what we can do in 2021.”
Eddie Ives, Elite Motorsport Team Owner & Manager:
“It’s fantastic to have Adam [Smalley] on board with us again. We first ran him in 2018 when he won the Junior title then scored 10 GT5 podiums the following year. His pace in his first season of SuperCup last year was very impressive.
“Netting 17 top-four results in 19 races was a great performance, just missing out on a top-three finish in the final standings. I’ve no doubt that Adam will be challenging for race wins again and hopefully the outright title this season.”
Carl Boulton, Optimum Pay Group, CEO:
“We are really excited to join Adam and the Elite Motorsport family. As a group of companies, we believe in partnership, family and growth, so when I spoke to Adam, this was a perfect opportunity for us all, to continue our growth.
“Having recently extended our group of companies into marketing, advertising, events and of course the exciting global payroll arm, we look forward to seeing Adam grow and a successful year on track & off.”