Photo: Jakob Ebrey Photography
James Hedley will contest the first two rounds of the GB3 season with VRD by Arden, who he won twice with last year.
The 20-year-old will pilot the team’s third car at this weekend’s Oulton Park season opener and then again at Silverstone next month in place of Nikita Johnson, who is not eligible to make his debut until round three at Spa-Francorchamps once he turns 16.
Hedley, who is still looking for racing opportunities in Europe this year, took part in the pre-season tests at Oulton Park and Silverstone with the team, and also with rival outfit Chris Dittmann Racing at Donington Park.
“I’m pleased to be back with VRD Racing by Arden for the first two rounds of the season, and keeping Nikita’s seat warm for him,” he said. ” I am super grateful to [VRD team principal] Dan Mitchell to have been asked to come back and help build on the success of last year, and try to score as many points as possible for the team, and recreate what we did last year.
“It’s also a great opportunity for me to fight for my career as I still don’t have any 2024 plans beyond this, and therefore I need to create the best opportunities for myself. I’m excited to go racing this weekend!”
Hedley won the 2019 Ginetta Junior title and scored eight wins across two seasons in British F4 before making his GB3 debut at the of 2021.
He was 17th in his first full GB3 season in 2022 which included a mid-season switch from Elite Motorsport to JHR Developments. A maiden win came with VRD at Oulton Park last year, and after then signing for the full season scored a second triumph at Snetterton and ended the campaign sixth in the standings.
“It’s a no brainer for us to welcome James back to the team for the first couple of GB3 rounds this year,” said Mitchell. “He proved to us how dependable he is last year, and provided the VRD and Arden collaboration’s first victory together at Oulton Park. We’d love for him to repeat that this weekend.”