Having finished runner-up to Elite’s Tom Lebbon in Ginetta Juniors in 2020 after registering ninth the previous year – the third highest Rookie – Rattican enjoyed a stellar maiden SuperCup season with Elite last year.
Twenty top-six results in the in the 23-race calendar, 17 podiums including three wins (Snetterton, Croft and Donington Park) earned Josh second place in the final standings behind team-mate Smalley.
Emson competed in the 2017 Ginetta Junior Winter Series with Elite before running as a privateer in GJ the following year – Tom’s first full year in car racing after three years in karts. He continued in Juniors in 2019 with Elite, winning at Brands Hatch and again finishing 11th, but opted to miss the last two race weekends to experience the Ginetta SuperCup, competing at Silverstone and Brands Hatch.
Tom graduated full-time to the GT4 SuperCup in 2020, claiming third-place in the Pro-Am division despite not running in the opening three races of this class. Last year, Emson recorded a creditable sixth place in the overall standings, netting 18 top-10 placings and six podiums, including a maiden SuperCup victory in the last round (Brands Hatch).
Smalley’s SuperCup Driver’s title was the second for an Elite driver after Harry King was victorious in 2019. This year’s 20-race Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 SuperCup is scheduled to begin at Brands Hatch over 14-15 May.
Tom Emson (GB). Age 19. Born: Ashford, Kent (UK). Lives: Etchinghill, Kent (UK).
“My aim this season is to get as many podiums as possible and finish in the top-three of the overall championship.
“The bond which has been formed with Elite over the past five years has seen me grow and improve both as a driver and in confidence with the decisions I have made.
“Last year went well but feel I was a little unlucky nearing the end of the season. I would have liked to have finished higher in the championship, especially with how the season started, although I did get many podiums and a win at the end.”
Josh Rattican (GB). Age 18. Born/Lives: Sheffield, South Yorkshire (UK).
“2021 was my first year in a senior class and as the year progressed, my form improved as I gained more experience. Finishing second last season was a great achievement and I intend to build on that and fight for this year’s title.
“Elite is a multiple championship winning team that has played a big part in my driver development. I have a great relationship and connection with Ed and his team and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else right now.
“GT4 SuperCup was a big step up from Juniors and a steep learning curve for me but it was exactly the right choice at that stage of my racing career. I’m very proud of what I achieved in 2021, as are my family and supporters. I had a few set-backs to deal with in 2021 but that was all part of my learning and I’m much better for it.”
Eddie Ives, Elite Motorsport Team Owner & Manager.
“It’s fantastic to retain Tom and Josh and I’m confident both with be vying for this year’s Driver’s title which will hopefully bring Elite Motorsport a second consecutive SuperCup Teams’ title.
“Josh had a phenomenal first season in SuperCup with us last year. 17 podiums and runner-up to Adam in the final standings was an amazing achievement.
“I’m certain that Tom’s maiden SuperCup victory in the very last race of 2021 will be the springboard for future success especially considering he stood on the podium six times in total last season.
“With those kind of results, combined with the fact that Josh and Tom had just one and two retirements respectively last season, they’re both going to be challenging for the title.”
