Driver and manufacturer both mark first appearances in SRO GT America, signaling a new chapter for the British marque in North America
SONOMA, Calif. - A new name and a new machine arrived in the paddock of SRO GT America this weekend, as David Lecko and Ginetta each made their respective series debuts in a moment that could signal the start of a fresh competitive storyline in GT racing. Lecko, best known for his progression through grassroots and club-level racing, stepped onto one of North America’s most competitive sprint racing stages for the first time. But his debut was about more than just a driver taking the green flag; it also marked the first appearance of a Ginetta GT platform in GT America competition. The British manufacturer, long established in European one-make series and endurance racing ladders, has steadily expanded its global footprint in recent years. Its entry into GT America represents a calculated move into the highly competitive SRO ecosystem, where brands like Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes-AMG have traditionally dominated the grid. For Lecko, the opportunity to debut alongside a new manufacturer entry added both pressure and purpose. “Any debut weekend comes with a learning curve,” Lecko said. “But being part of bringing something new to the series with Ginetta raises the stakes in the best way. You’re not just learning a track or competitors, you’re helping build a program from the ground up.” The Ginetta platform, engineered with a focus on lightweight construction and driver-focused handling, showed flashes of promise throughout the weekend. While outright results may not yet reflect its long-term potential, early sessions demonstrated competitive pace in key sectors, particularly in braking zones and technical sections. Team personnel acknowledged that the debut weekend was as much about data collection as it was about results. With limited prior running in North American conditions, both Lecko and the engineering crew focused on dialing in setup configurations suited to circuits like Sonoma Raceway, a track known for its elevation changes and technical complexity. From a competitive standpoint, GT America’s sprint race format leaves little margin for error. Even so, Lecko’s performance remained composed, avoiding major incidents while steadily improving lap times across sessions, an encouraging sign for a program in its infancy. The significance of the weekend extends beyond a single race result. Ginetta’s arrival introduces another layer of manufacturer diversity to the GT America grid, a key factor in the series’ continued growth. For SRO, which has emphasized brand variety and customer racing accessibility, the addition aligns with its broader vision. Historically, Ginetta has built its reputation by developing drivers alongside machinery, with a ladder system that has fed talent into higher tiers of endurance and GT racing. Lecko’s debut fits squarely within that philosophy pairing an emerging driver with a platform still carving out its place in a new market. Looking ahead, both Lecko and Ginetta are expected to continue refining their package as the season progresses. With additional track time and data, the pairing aims to transition from debutant status to consistent contender. For now, however, the Sonoma weekend will be remembered as a starting point: the moment a driver took his first steps into GT America, and a manufacturer introduced a new challenger to an already stacked field. I can't wait to see how this partnership between David Lecko and Ginetta develops and blossoms over the 2026 season and beyond!Written by James and Chloe Hedley Instagram: @agramofcars