GB4 newcomer Lexie Belk has been ramping up preparations ahead of her single-seater race debut, with the privateer taking part in multiple test days in recent weeks ahead of the season finale.
The 16-year-old, a graduate of the Ginetta GT Championship, was fourth in the BRSCC Fiesta Junior Championship last year, and cannot contain her excitement ahead of her GB4 debut.
“I’m beyond excited, I literally can’t wait and it’s going to be a great weekend. I’m so thankful for the opportunity and I can’t wait to get racing,” she said.
Her preparations have so far taken her to Oulton Park, Blyton Park and Donington Park, and she’s pleased with her progress so far.
“The testing is going very well, I’ve been in the car three times so far and it’s going great. I’ve learned so much from each day and getting to grips with the car. I’m understanding everything about it and how the car is compared to the GT5, it’s a lot different.”
Having elected to join the series as a privateer, Belk is counting on the support of close family members with her father Paul responsible for running the car and her mother Liz keeping morale high off track. The family also supports her sister Freya, who races in the Mini Challenge Clubsport category.
“I value the support very much, being a privateer is a great opportunity and it’s a lot different to everyone else. I’m very proud to be a privateer, because it shows who I am and I’m thankful to my parents who are behind it all.
“My dad is going to be on the spanners so it’s a little dad and daughter duo! My mum is there too, she’s the food supplier, she’s great and such a good support. My sisters are also supporting me. We’ve also got a data manager and data coach Rohan, he’ll be teaching me the ways and we’ll be getting help from Dylan Hotchin’s mechanics who will be helping behind the scenes as well.”
With three weeks to go until her debut, she’s keeping her targets in check, but hopes to make enough of an impression to return to the series full time in 2024.
“My expectations are very low to be fair, I’m not going into the event with any high expectations, I don’t want to come last, that’s the main goal! I just want to have fun but on the weekend I’m going to push as hard as I can and beat who I can. But we just need to take it as practice and seat time, and good experience. Hopefully it goes well and we can come back next year.
“I’m hoping to do GB4 next year, it’s a great opportunity. Single seaters are the route I want to go down, it always has been since I was little, so if I do well at Donington on the weekend we’ll definitely do next year and progress as we go along.”
