GP59 RACING
MICHAEL O’BRIEN
Historic Racing is in the blood at GP59 and goes hand-in-hand with our classic car restoration and race car preparation skills. Michael O’Brien needs no introduction for many historic racing fans and we are proud to have Michael racing our 1958 historic Lotus Eleven this year in the Motor Racing Legends Stirling Moss Trophy Race Series.
But for those new to historic racing let’s take you through his impressive career so far:
in progress….
Spencer Shinner
The Shinner family have been actively involved in motorsports since the 1950's and are still competing in historic race cars from this period; Spencer has been immersed in motorsport for most of his childhood.
Spencer's racing career started in 2016 in karting Rotax Minimax, achieving 4th overall in his first ever season! Having only started in the July mid-race season, he showed great promise and was awarded Novice of the Year.
In 2017 he completed his first full season in Minimax with Rapid Motorsport, delivering consistent podium finishes to achieve third overall in the MKRC Championship.
2018, he elevated to the Junior Max Rotax Class with Rapid Motorsport, winning the South-West Championship.
2019, Saw Spencer win his first Championship with multiple wins and fastest laps; producing a 65 point lead to win the 2019 MKRC Junior Championship.
During 2019 Spencer also joined Coles Racing Team for his first European round in Belgium, competing with some of Europe's best talent, achieving 9th overall in the BNL Championship event, impressively the highest placed Junior UK driver.
The following 2020 season at the age of 17 Spencer moved up to Rotax SeniorMax, achieving 8th overall in the CPKC Championship and 3rd overall in the TVKC Autumn Cup, subsequently stepping up into the British Karting Championship in Seniors for 2021 racing in both the UK and Europe.
2022, saw Spencer soar to the SRP Maranello works team for the KZ Class, the pinnacle of UK and European Gearbox karting. A strong debut was awarded with the top rookie for the Winter tournament, followed by a number of front row qualifying and heat wins.
Competing in the British KZ Championship on the same year, he ranked 11th at the end of his first season amongst a very experience ad talennted field, completing the year qualifying in the World Championships at Le Mans with the works Maranello team.
Spencer was given the opportunity to move to Formula Ford Single Seater Racing for 2023, competing in the HSCC Formula Ford Championship with the GW Motorsport team. His determination and decisiveness helped him to achieve podium finishes, fastest laps during the season and secure 5th overall in the HSCC Championship.
Spencer won the HSCC Historic Formula Ford Championship in 2024, with Spencer's competitiveness and consistency delivering multiple podiums throughout the season to secure a 42 point lead in the Championship.
2025 saw Spencer competing in various Historic formulas and in 2026 Spencer raced the GP59 Lotus Eleven to success winning 1st in Class and 2nd Overall in the MRL Stirling Moss Trophy.
JOSH STANTON
GP59 is a proud sponsor of Josh Stanton and his contention of the British GT Race Series with Optimum Racing in a McLaren Artura GT4 this year.
Josh’s racing career began where most do, in kart championships touring the UK. Making his mark in the Rissington and Midlands Karting Championship he soon represented his university, Nottingham, in the British Universities Karting Championship.
Following a promising performance in 2018, Josh made his car racing debut in the JCW MINI Challenge. The following season, he continued to impress in this highly competitive field, making a remarkable leap to secure the 15th position out of a 32-strong grid and ranking 5th in the graduate class. His team also claimed the 2020 JCW MINI Challenge Teams’ Championship title.
Josh continued to demonstrate his talent, and in 2021, he ventured into the prestigious Porsche Carrera Cup GB. He achieved an impressive record, with 4 class victories, 14 podium finishes, and 4 fastest laps, ultimately earning the title of Porsche Carrera Cup AM Vice-Champion of 2021.
With determination to prove his skills, Josh secured his 2022 seat in Porsche Carrera Cup’s AM classification. He achieved an outstanding 12 class wins, 15 podium appearances, and the highest number of fastest laps. This ultimately earned Josh the coveted title of the 2022 Porsche Carrera Cup AM Champion
In 2023 Josh was promoted to Pro-Am and also competed in the SuperCup F1 Support Race at Silverstone this year and again in 2024. Following a further successful year in 2025 Josh has now realised a dream and entered the frenetic and exciting world of Endurance Racing.
2026 season - motor racing legends
The Stirling Moss Trophy
Step back in time with us…
In October 2023, the GP95 Lotus XI touched down at Silverstone for the first time since September 1965, with Josh Stanton behind the wheel.
Her rich history has been proven throughout the 60s at Goodwood, Mallory Park, Silverstone, and notably, the Le Mans Classic. She has raced the Le Mans Classic several times, with 2022 being her most recent stint at the famous French event.
Her first full season back in the UK started in May 2026 in the Motor Racing Legends Stirling Moss Trophy Series at Donington Park and continued around the UK with a special stop at Charade Circuit and an overall race win against historic racing cars with three times the engine capacity!
At GP59 we build racing cars to win!
the 2023 and 2024 season
Porsche Carrera Cup GB & Supercup Series supporting Formula 1
