GT racing driver Carl Garnett saw class-leading pace unfortunately not lead to the result the team deserved in the second round of the Britcar Endurance Championship at Oulton Park on Saturday (25 April).

Garnett, team-mate Finn Leslie and the Project 29:7 Racing team headed to Cheshire full of confidence after enjoying a brilliant class victory in their Ginetta G56 GTA in the Britcar season opener last month at Donington Park.

The York-based racer, who previously amassed almost 50 podium finishes in one-make Ginetta championships, made good progress around the picturesque Oulton Park circuit during testing on Friday and free practice the following morning.

The hard work of Garnett and the team was rewarded by Leslie in qualifying, with the one-time BTCC racer putting in a rapid lap behind the wheel of their Telescope and Clearsilver Brand Marketing-backed Ginetta to secure pole position in the competitive ‘Trophy’ class.

Leslie started the 90-minute race behind the wheel of the #297 car and enjoyed a strong start, maintaining the class lead through the opening few laps. Luck deserted them soon after though, as a driveshaft failure outside of the team’s control forced him to pull off track.

With efforts to get the car recovered to the pitlane proving unsuccessful, the team were unable to make any attempt to get the problem fixed and return the car to the circuit. Therefore, they had to settle for a retirement from a race which held much promise and potential.

Carl Garnett: “We’re gutted. Alex, Paul and the team at Project 29:7 Racing did a brilliant job with the car and it was very quick from the first laps in testing. After Finn’s great performance in qualifying, we had a good platform to challenge for at least a class podium finish in the race.

“Unfortunately, the mechanical failure coupled with Finn having to pull off circuit at the far side of the circuit meant our race was over before it really started. It’s a huge shame, but these things happen in motorsport sometimes and there’s nothing you can do about it. We’ll regroup and be ready for the next one.”

The next round of the 2026 Britcar Endurance Championship takes place at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium over the weekend of 30/31 May.

Image from James Roberts Photography.