NATIONAL COURT
Sitting on 21st November 2025 Guy Spollen( Chair), Dennis Carter, Peter Daly Case No. J2025 / 39 APPEAL – APPELLANT: X( a minor) Sian Woolley and Nick Bamber appeared on behalf of Motorsport UK.
The Appellant appears before the Court today accompanied by his Mother and Race Coach( Mr Jarrod Waberski) and is represented by his solicitor Sarah Franklin.
The essential facts are:
1. The Appellant is a registered Competitor in the Ginetta GT Championship and took part in their Event at Donington Park on 4th and 5th October 2025.
2. After the first Race of the weekend the Appellant was summoned before the Clerk of the Course and there was a Hearing during which the Clerk considered:
a) Onboard footage from the cars. b) TV supplied footage. c) The oral evidence of the Appellant.
3. A decision was made to penalise the Appellant under NCR Ch. 12 App. 7 Art1.8 on the basis that:
“ On lap 1 at turn 4 car [ Y ] placed two wheels on grass exiting turn 3, rejoined and made contact with the side of car [ Z ] on entry to turn 4, both cars spinning into the gravel.”
The Appellant received a 10 Grid Place Penalty and 3 Licence penalty points.
4. The Decision of the Clerk of the Course was subsequently appealed to the Stewards who refused the Appeal.
5. Leave to Appeal out of time to the National Court was granted on 7th October 2025. b) Hearing well-argued submissions from the Appellant’ s solicitor, Sarah Franklin. c) Hearing from the Appellant himself. 8. The Court noted that the Appellant: a) Had only driven at Donington Park twice before the incident in question. b) Was driving his Ginetta at Donington Park for the first time having recently upgraded. c) Was very aware of the increased power,“ aero” and different gearbox( paddle box) in his Ginetta. d) At the critical time was driving in highly competitive circumstances on the opening lap of a race on a difficult track surface.
9. Although the Court did not regard the Appellant’ s driving as reckless it does feel that the Appellant was pushing too hard in all the circumstances. The Appeal is accordingly dismissed with a contribution of £ 100 towards the costs of the Appeal.
The Court notes that the 10 Grid Place Penalty to be served in the following race was harsh and that in the premises a 5 Grid Place Penalty would have been appropriate.
6. The Grounds of Appeal are that the penalty was wholly inappropriate NCR Ch. 2 App. 7. Art. 5.3. b.
7. The Court had the benefit of: a) Viewing both the onboard and external footage of the whole incident with a helpful and considered commentary provided by the Appellant’ s experienced Race Coach, Mr Waberski.
Guy Spollen, Chair 21st November 2025
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