The 18-year-old will race in the season’s final three races at Donington Park next weekend (16-17 Oct), marking the category debut for the BRDC Rising Star.
Hedley, who has raced in the F4 British Championship for the past two years, will compete alongside Elite’s GB3 regulars, Tom Lebbon (GB) and Javier Sagrera Pont (SP) for the Norfolk team that is competing in GB3 for the very first time this year.
Hedley began Cadet karting as an 11-year-old and joined Elite for a few races in 2017, including the Winter Series. He embarked on a full Ginetta Junior Rookie season in 2018 and was the fourth best-placed Rookie, scoring two overall podiums in a 26-race season that saw him achieve 10 top-six overall placings. He also won the ’18 GJ Winter Series. In 2019, James claimed the GJ title by almost 100-points achieving 18 top-threes, including seven wins, 10 poles and 12 fastest race laps.
He won four races in his British F4 “Rookie” season in 2020 and currently lies fifth in this year’s standings, having so far achieved seven podiums – including four wins – with three races remaining.
James Hedley, Elite Motorsport GB3 Driver
“My focus is absolutely on F4, as I want to give the hardworking Carlin team the ‘wins’ and ‘podiums’ they deserve. However, this kind opportunity from Ed Ives of Elite Motorsport is too good to refuse.
“It will give me a good experience to progress in any championship next year. I would also like to thank Hendy and Sativa Wellness Group (Goodbody Clinic Products), my loyal sponsors.
“I am really excited for this opportunity to drive the GB3 car, as the extra speed should help develop my driving. Donington happens to be one of my strongest tracks. I poled it in F4 and got my first single seater win there. I also scored three GJ podiums there with Elite in my championship winning year including two wins – one of which was by over 20 seconds – missing out on a third win by 0.024secs – so I’m really looking forward to making my GB3 debut at the circuit.”
Eddie Ives, Team Owner & Manager
“James is having a tough year in F4 so with a spare car in GB3 for the final round, James was the obvious choice.
“He is our 2018 Ginetta Junior Winter Series Champion & 2019 overall Ginetta Junior Champion so I am delighted to welcome James back to the Elite family.
“I'm really looking forward to seeing how he adapts to GB3 after two seasons in F4.”
