Elite Motorsport will contest the International GT Open Championship for a second consecutive year in 2026 with Tom Lebbon and Tom Emson again aiming for success at the wheel of the yellow Ferrari 296 GT3. The British duo creditably finished fourth in this year’s Driver’s standings with Elite a fine fifth in the Teams’ category despite GT3 being a new category for team and drivers.
Elite scored five podium finishes including a race victory, from pole-position, at the Hungaroring.
The driver line-up exemplifies the Norfolk team’s ethics as both Emson and Lebbon have raced for the Ed Ives owned team for numerous years. Elite Motorsport is proud to offer young, aspiring drivers starting out in car racing, often as a 15-year-old straight out of karting, a “ladder” of progression up the motor racing ladder.
Both “Toms” began in Ginetta Juniors with Elite, Emson in 2017 and Lebbon two years later, before progressing to GT4 and ultimately the GT3 category, Lebbon also successfully enjoying a foray in single-seaters.
Eddie Ives, Team Owner: “We’re pleased to confirm that Elite Motorsport will return to the International GT Open in 2026 with our Ferrari 296 GT3. Continuing with Tom Emson and Tom Lebbon, who have both been with us in various formula for many years now, was a very easy decision. They’ve developed an excellent working relationship, shown strong pace and delivered some standout performances this year as we’ve grown with the car. Building on what we’ve learned, we’re confident we can be even more competitive next year and push on from the progress we’ve made. We’re really looking forward to continuing this journey together in GT Open.”
Tom Emson: “I am really excited to be staying with Elite Motorsport in 2026 to contest the GT Open Championship again. Our debut season in the Ferrari 296 GT3 was extremely positive and the progress we showed during the season was hugely encouraging. Working with Tom [Lebbon] and the Elite team has been fantastic all year and with the experience we have gained from this year, I am confident we can be fighting consistently at the front next year.”
Tom Lebbon: “It’s great to be returning to the GT Open series with Elite Motorsport for another season. We learned a huge amount with the Ferrari 296 GT3 this year and showed what we’re capable of with some really strong results. The continuity with the team and with Tom [Emson] is important. I’m looking forward to building on that momentum into 2026 and pushing for even better performances.”
