Alisha Palmowski will step up to the GB4 Championship with Elite Motorsport this year, as the Derbyshire teenager stays with the Norfolk squad for a second consecutive year. The former Ginetta Junior Scholarship winner finished fifth in the Junior Championship last year with the team, having scored 10 podiums.
The 17-year-old from Glossop embarks on only her third full season of car racing, having claimed the 2018 BirelART Series UK Junior Rookie Champion kart title and finished as runner-up in the Daniel Ricciardo Series UK National Junior Championship in 2020 and 2021.
The British Racing Driver’s Club (BRDC) Rising Star recorded impressive lap times in a two-day test at Oulton Park last week (13/14 March), topping the combined timesheets. Palmowski will join Finn Harrison in Elite’s two-car line-up, with Finn also graduating full-time from Ginetta Juniors this year. He recorded the second-fastest time at the Cheshire venue.
Alisha recently received the Goodwin Trophy for finishing runner-up in the overall British Women Racing Drivers Club Championship. She also won the VIP Adrenaline Trophy for the best performance in a sports car as well as receiving the BWRDC Junior Gold Star Award.
Alisha Palmowski said: “After having my first tests in a single-seater at the end of last year, it was clear this was the route I needed to go down and GB4 is the most cost-effective way to make the transition. Additionally, GB4 is partnered by the BRDC which is also a great alignment for me after being selected to join the BRDC Rising Star Programme!"
“I’m extremely excited for the season ahead. Racing single-seaters has always been a dream of mine so to make it a reality is something I’m really looking forward to and I can’t wait for the challenge. My main objective for this year is to be a championship title contender, fighting for wins and podiums, as well as gaining overall experience and confidence racing single-seaters."
“Elite Motorsport helped me progress so much as a driver last season in Ginettas in every aspect of driving as well as creating a great environment to work in. They have been extremely successful in every championship they’ve entered and I’ve made great relationships with everyone within the team. So I’m grateful to have the opportunity to continue my racing career with them.
“Testing to date has been very successful and I’ve managed to get to grips with the GB4 car well. I believe my experience driving Ginetta Juniors has equipped me with skills and car control that can be transferred to driving a GB4 car.”
Team Owner and Manager Eddie Ives said: “Everyone at Elite Motorsport is excited to have Alisha step up from Ginetta Juniors into GB4. She’s shown very good pace and ability in pre-season testing to date. We have been impressed with how she has handled and got to grips with the GB4 car so quickly."
“We are now eagerly looking forward to seeing her progress in the championship during the season.”