RACING EXPOSURE :: Club level motorsport e-magazine

The famous British marque, Morgan, will once again grace UK circuits with North West based hotshot, Tom Andrew. One of only 3 versions ever made, this car is very rare and will be the only one racing in the UK.  The other two examples are either out of action (on display in Morgan factory) or over in America. Morgan went to Le Mans with this model of car and that car is on display at Morgan.

Talking to Tom, you could tell he was very excited to get to grips with this BMW V8 powered monster:  “For 2011, our main plans are to race in the Group 1 class of GT cup and aim for overall victory. We may also make a few appearances in GT Trophy, Britcar and British GT towards the end of the season. Our plans all depend on how the season goes though, so we will see. Today is my first time out in the car and I was taking it easy as I didn’t want to crash! I can’t wait to get more seat time and start to push hard. With the cold temperatures today, the slicks were struggling to get upto temperature and turning into cornors became a massive issue. Aaron Scott shook the car down at Silverstone and this is my first time behind the wheel. I am very excited for this year as last, when I race a KTM in a lower class, people didn’t understand how you won your class because you came 15th overall so this year I aim to be spearheading the GT Cup grid.”

Watch this space for more from Tom Andrew during the course of the season.

Spring is here! The sun is in the sky, the flowers are starting to blossom and the sound of race engines fills the air. Over the past two days (Tuesday, 16^th March and Wednesday, 17 March 2010) many top teams from British GT, BTCC, Fiat Abarth 500’s and Clio cup have been hammering around Oulton Park preparing for the up and coming season. The queue in the café was like a who’s who of British Motorsport. In front if me on the Tuesday were names like Jason Plato, Paul O’Neil, Aaron Scott, Christian Dick, Jamie Stanley and Andrew Jordan.

Racing Exposure managed to sneak into the Speedwork’s Motorsport garage and collar drivers Christian Dick and Jamie Stanley. Both drivers will be campaigning a Ginetta G50 in the GT4 class of the British GT championship. Stanley, 26 and 2009 Lotus on Track champion had this to say:

‘Last Tuesday (9^th March 2010) was my first run in the Ginetta and went fantastic. Speedworks were fantastic and we worked through a lot of things ahead of the first proper test today. A few people have asked me what its like to drive and the best way I can describe is it like trying to drive a bucking bronco!’

Jamie’s driving partner for this season will be experienced Ginetta racer Christian Dick. On Tuesday Jamie had a majority of seat time to allow him to get as much practice in as possible. Today (Wednesday 17^th March) Christian was in the hot seat, lapping around the Cheshire circuit just to get back into the groove. Speaking to Racing Exposure, Christian revealed how well the 2 days have been:

‘On the GT front it is going well. Jamie tested yesterday and today I have been using the day to get my eye back in and back up to pace. On these two days we have both posted very competitive times so as a driving pair we should be very strong. We are looking forward to the season as we still have 2 more tests and I feel we will be in a strong position.’

Adam Wilcox and Phil Burton were another British GT pairing out testing there stead before the Easter Weekend opener here at Oulton Park. Wilcox and Burton will be racing there GT3 Ferrari F430 this year and Adam is hoping to challenge for the title:

‘The car is going excellent. I am looking forward to the start of this season. At the end of last season we scored the most points over 4 races so if we can keep that form up into the new season we should be at the top of the field. The car is much better now so really excited about this season.’

Burbling down the pit lane on Wednesday morning was the very striking and very stealthy black Ford GT from RPM Motorsport piloted by Alex Mortimer and Peter Bamford. Unfortunately the powerful beast won’t be competing on Easter weekend here at Oulton Park as Alex explains:

‘Unfortunately we are not here at Easter with the Ford GT. We were hoping to but we wont be able to make it now. During the course of the season we hope to compete in certain British GT meetings but the main aim for 2010 is the International GT Open. When it comes to the car, it is going very well. The twisty circuit doesn’t really suit the big powered car but it goes really well.’

Sticking with the common theme, Easter Weekend, Ben Winrow was out testing his Fiat 500 Abarth before the first race meeting of the Trofeo Abarth’s at Oulton Park. The 2008 Clio cup champion is really looking forward to the coming season as he tells Racing Exposure:

‘The car is going well around here. It is a bit of a unknown due to this being the first year for these cars. Team Pyro helped me win the Clio Cup in 2008 so I am very happy with me team. The car does feel good around here and the balance is very good indeed. We are feeling good and we have been posting competitive times but we will have to wait until race weekend to see just how competitive we will be.’

Coming away from Easter, GT Cars and Fiats a whole range of BTCC cars were out in preparation for the season. Amongst the drivers who were behind the wheel there was one famous face in the Team Dynamics garage. However, this drivers identity will have to remain a secret from the time being……

A driver that can be reported on is Andrew Jordan who spent the Two Day test in his very striking Vauxhall Vectra. In between in his many track sessions he managed to find five minutes to talk to Racing Exposure:

‘We have been going well so far. At the moment we are right on the pace of Matt Neal but I am taking it with a pinch of salt. You cant really judge pace until the first quailyfying session. The car is great fun around here and if we keep focused and keep scoring points I reckon we could be right up there come the final race.’

Racing Exposure also managed to grab Mike Jordan for a quick chat on what he is racing this year and how he feels Andrew is doing:

‘This has been the best 2 day that we have had this year. The car is going very well indeed and we are very pleased with it. As for myself, I am hoping to contest the Britcar with the Mustang and I am also going to compete in some other Britcar races in a GInetta G50 as well as the Spa 24hr alongside the Jones brothers in there Ascari. I always want to do a bit more but at least I am doing a bit of something.’

On the subject of Matt Neal, he was out on the Wednesday with his car sporting it’s new livery. After being at Oulton Park only the other week, Matt was just experimenting with setups and various other items. He had this to say for Racing Exposure:

‘We are just trying new stuff out. It is one step forward two steps back at the moment due to playing with various settings and testing certain areas back to back. There isn’t as much grip as the other week but the car feels good.’

Matt Neal’s biggest on-track rival, Jason Plato was Cruze-ing around in the WTCC Chevrolet Cruze that is new to the BTCC circus. Jason had been sharing the days with Clio Cup racer Alex Macdowall sharing half a day each. Jason kindly spoke to Racing exposure:

‘Yesterday was about getting comfy in the car, a process that takes a bit of time. I am still not completely comfy in the car, it doesn’t fit like a glove yet and this is what we are aiming for. Apart from that, the car feel good and is going well but there is still time to found in certain areas.’

Alongside Plato, another long time BTCC Driver, Dave Pinkney was out on track in his ex works  Vauxhall Vectra. Unfortunately for the popular character, his car wasn’t playing ball:

‘We are currently experiencing problems with the car. There is a vibration on the radiator and we have no spare rads left. The Jordans kindly leant us a spare but that has now sprung a leak. The team is currently trying to fix it and we hope to be out there later. At the moment, we are lacking in testing. We still need time in the car to sort out the settings and various other things but we hope to mix it with the front  runners this coming season and look forward to coming to Oulton Park. It is like a English Summers garden here, everytime we come.’

Testing alongside a Andy Neate in the WSR BMW’s was Rob Collard. Racing exposure managed to get him before he went out on his final run:

‘It is very good to be at Oulton Park. This is one of my favourite circuits as it presents a real challenge and there are some super corners. Over the course of this 2 day test we have been experimenting with different setups and tires. We are very happy with where we are at the moment. For the most part of this afternoon we have new rubber on and will be going for some seriously quick times. ‘

After seeing this test session, the BTCC should be hotly contended this year with the likes of Jordan, Collard and Neil going so well. When it comes to the British GT’s the same applies. So much talent in quick cars is going to make life very intresting. I, for one, cant wait until Easter weekend when it all kicks off at Thruxton for the BTCC and Oulton for the British GT!

Jamie Stanley completed his first run in the Speedworks Ginetta G50.  Stanley took to his and Speedworks’ local racing track, Oulton Park, on the 9th March. The aim behind the day was to shakedown the car and for Stanley to get used to his new machine before his first timed run next week.

Stanley, a successful Lotus driver with experience of GT cars behind him thanks to runs in Britcar had this to say about his day:

‘My first run in the Ginetta was fantastic, Speedworks were fantastic and we worked through a lot of things ahead of the first proper test on Tuesday 16th. a few people have asked me what its like to drive and the best way I can describe is it like trying to drive a bucking bronco!’

Jamie will be out at Brands Hatch this weekend driving a Lotus Elise S1 in the Britcar championship before his test day in the  G50 next week.

Your first chance to see Jamie and Christian Dick (Driving alongside Jamie and also team principle) will be at the British GT meeting at Oulton Park on Easter weekend.

Photo – Xtreme Photography

Speedworks Motorsport will race full-time in the prestigious Avon Tyre British GT Championship in 2010, with Cheshire pairing Jamie Stanley and Christian Dick driving.

The team will field a Ginetta G50 in the GT4 class of the championship with support from FOX International, suppliers and manufacturers of the world’s finest fishing equipment. This major sponsorship deal will allow the team to contest all eight events, which includes trips to major international circuits such as Brands Hatch, Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, with the aim of securing the Avon Tyres British GT4 Championship title.

Dick, who is also team principal and co-founder of Speedworks Motorsport, showed frontrunning pace during the team’s two appearances in British GT last year, while it will be Stanley’s first experience of the series after winning 11 out of 15 races in the ultra-competitive Lotus Elise Trophy in 2009.

“It’s a natural step up for me after my success in the Lotus,” said Stanley, who already has some GT racing experience after racing a Ferrari 430 in Britcar at Snetterton last year. “The Avon Tyres British GT Championship is an international-level series with a good reputation internationally. I’m confident that it is the best place for me to take the next step in my career with such strong support from FOX International.”

The Sandbach-based outfit made two successful appearances in the championship, which features exotic machinery from Ferrari, Aston Martin and Porsche, in 2009. Dick believes that the speed shown by the team, which will also continue to race in the one-make Ginetta G50 Cup this year, in its 2009 Avon Tyres British GT Championship appearances prove that it will be able to take GT4 victories.

“It’s a great move for the team to be race in a major international championship, and we take a lot of confidence into the season after our performances last year,” said Dick. “It’s a competitive series with a lot of strong drivers and teams, but the team has had an enormous amount of experience and success in running the Ginetta G50, and Jamie is a strong driver, so we hope to
be fighting for race wins and the title.”

The Avon Tyres British GT Championship kicks off at Oulton Park in Cheshire on April 3/5, with the season finale at Donington Park in Leicestershire on October 16/17.

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Despite today being a MSV track day rather than Test day, racing teams still turned out in force. One particular championship was being represented very well indeed, the VW Cup. Having got more and more successful over the years with more competitive, bigger and more varied grids, it is no wonder that the teams are out to fine tune there vehicles.

A pair of distinctive red and white VW’s, one Golf and one Corrado, were being shaken down after the long winter by Didge and brother Alex Dziurzynski. After a season in Ginetta’s, Alex has come back to the VW cup. Well, all working out financially. Alex had this to say to Racing Exposure:

‘Me and my brother, Didge, are out today. We are testing both the Corrado and the Golf. The plan this year is to stick with the VWs but it is all dependent on financial backing!  We would like to run both cars and hope to attend the Oulton Park meeting here in Easter, we just have to keep our fingers crossed that we get the money.’

Getting used to his quicker and updated Scirroco, Mike Kurton was fine tuning his new stead. The Scirroco has been updated the ‘R’ spec with a much quicker and smoother car to drive. Racing Exposure managed to grab a quick chat with Mike on his hopes and thoughts for the 2010 season:

‘This is the first time out with the new and updated car. For this years championship we have a new Scirroco R which has been completely updated and should be on the pace this year. With last year being a development year for the Scirroco we didn’t do to well in the championship. We finished 7^th but condisdering that we missed two races and had 4 DNF’s that isn’t bad going! So we do hope to be at the sharp end this year with a quicker, more reliable car.’

Steve Chaplin’s 3.2 V6 Beetle was the final VW out tweaking and trying out there car ahead of the 2010 season. Hoping to improve upon his result last time he raced at Oulton Park, he had this to say:

‘The car is going well. Today’s aim is to work on the suspension and the overall set up of the car. At the moment the suspension is working very well and the car feels good. We are hoping for a really good title challenge this year. Helping to fettle the car and set it up are driver Phil Keen, AST Suspension and Powerstation who help with the technical and timing side of the car. Unfortunately the Beetle isn’t best suited to this circuit. The car is more suited to an open, flowing circuit rather then the tight, technical challenge that Oulton Park offers. When it comes to the first round here at Oulton Park on Easter Weekend, we are hoping for a better performance than last year. 9^th was the best we managed at this round last year with a DNF to go alongside that, so hope to have a huge improvement over that. Our target for the Easter Weekend meeting is a top ten finish in both races.’

After seeing how the cars were going around Oulton Park and speaking to the drivers, it looks like 2010 is going to be a season to remember!

Photography – Matt Sayle

Ahead of there respective 2010 championship challenges, Matt Neal of BTCC fame and Aaron Scott of GT racing fame were out testing at Oulton Park yesterday (2.3.10).

Matt Neal was testing the Honda Civic Type R owned by his family’s team, Team Dynamics. Matt is a great role model for younger racers aiming to climb further up the ladder as he is a famous figure on the BTCC grid and has won the championship twice with Team Dynamics in 2005 and 2006.

During the Test Day Matt Neal gave Racing Exposure this statement:

‘The Honda is going really good, the circuit is great today, very clean and nice and warm thanks to the sunny day! The plan is to race with Team Dynamics and we are hoping to get some good results but it like throwing your hat up in the air and seeing what you get.  There have been no real benchmarks as of yet and with the WTCC Cruze’s, the new BTCC engines and other factors makes it hard to predict how we will do this year. If we are up against another S2000 car then we will stand a very good chance!’

Sharing track space with Matt Neal was GT racing driver Aaron Scott. Aaron has worked his way up from Formula Ford to some of the most prestige GT championships the racing ladder has to offer.

Rather than testing the Viper that both him and Craig Wilkins have guided around race tracks so well for the past few years, they were shaking down a Ginetta G50 that Craig Wilkins plans to race in the Britcar championship in 2010 which starts at Brands Hatch this weekend.

Racing Exposure managed to grab a few words off Aaron during his busy schedule:

‘We are just here to shakedown the Ginetta as Craig will be running it in the Britcar championship with the first round next weekend. I wont be driving alongside him as I will be driving a F430 Ferrari. I do hope to drive the G50 in some VLE races in Germany. When it comes to British GT we haven’t tested the viper much as we know how the car works. We will be running it on the Media day and be racing it here at Oulton Park on Easter weekend. We have high hopes for the British GTs this year and hope to take the title.’

Pictures – Matt Sayle

Oulton Park held its first test day of 2010 today. With the track conditions being very slippery due to the current weather and leaves falling from the trees that surround Oulton, it made life challenging for the drives participating.

However, this challenge was something they were relishing. Ginetta G50 driver Tony Hughes was utilising the day to get his eye back in and try and to get more time in the seat. He had this to say:

‘Seen as this is the first test day at Oulton Park for the 2010 season, it is a perfect opportunity to get back into the groove. The circuit is brilliant and the conditions are very slippery and challenging which helps to get your eye in again. I have many plans for this season. I am hoping to do 7 out of the 10 rounds of the Ginetta G50 Championship but also going to make appearances at the Spa 6 hour, Classic Le Mans and the Britcar 24hr races.’

Tony powers down the start line – © Matt Sayle

Testing alongside the Ginetta of Tony Hughes ran by Speedworks Motorsport  was the F4 of  Patrick McKenna. Patrick was using the day for the same reasons as Tony above. Borrowing the F4 of Absolute racing, he found the conditons to be varying but fantastic to get back in the car:

It is great to be back in the car. I am using to day to get my eye back in with racing; the plans for 2010 are to race in the US with the Formula 2000s. I am using the F4 car to get my eye back in and then in the afternoon I am going to try and set some fast laps in the afternoon!

Patrick McKenna guides his F4 around Lodge – © Matt sayle.

There is a test day at Oulton Park next friday, the 29th, and apparantly it is very quite. Chances are it is going to be a Open pitlane day and for £145 it is a relatively  cheap day! So any racers out there, maybe a perfect chance to get some pre-season miles under your belt!