RACING EXPOSURE :: Club level motorsport e-magazine

The Final races in the Fuchs Titan MR2 Racing series on a wet Pembrey circuit on Oct 9th.
qualifying
with the majority of the drivers having never raced at Pembrey together with a wet track this was going to be interesting, times kept getting quicker and fantastically the pole went to Richard Avery his first ever MR2 pole, from Simon Lockey and Gary Lawrence.

Pole
1st Richard Avery 2nd Simon Lockey 3rd Gary Lawrence
4th Dave Hemingway 5th Ian Davies 6th Neil Stratton

race 1
race one soon involved a great race between Richard Avery and Simon Lockey who were passing an most corners, coming through the field fast was Paul Corbridge on his last lap all three were together, Richard made a dive for the lead at the hairpin only to spin out, so the win went to Simon his first in his MR2 from Paul and Richard.

1st Simon Lockey 2nd Paul Corbridge 3rd Richard Avery
4th Ian Davies 5th Dan Budd 6th Geraint Hughes.

race 2
Paul Corbridge led this one from Simon Lockey and Ian Davies, the Front two pulled away from Ian Davies, with the win going to Paul by 1.5 sec from Simon.
1st Paul Corbridge 2nd Simon Lockey 3rd Ian Davies
4th Dave Hemmingway 5th Richard Avery 6th Gary Lawrence

race 3
the last race of the 2011 season, again Paul Corbridge showed the way and kept his car pointing in the right direction on a wet track, Simon Lockey finished his year off with another consistent drive to 2nd place, Dave Hemingway got up to 3rd place despite his car smoking very badly.

1st Paul Corbridge 2nd Simon Lockey 3rd Dave Hemingway
4th Ian Davies 5th Richard Avery 6th Neil Stratton

driver of the day award
went to Neil Stratton who drove from 17th on the grid to finish 6th. so another very successful year for the RED Dragon Race & Track Club, Steve Vince the series organiser said it always amazes me the number of cars that turn up for the MR2 MK1 series, we already have new drivers lined up for the 2012 series.

the Birmingham Classic car and sports car show will be on at the N.E,C in November 11th/12th/13th and information on this series will be available in hall 6 on the Toyota “MR2 DRIVERS Club” stand were Sarah Wherry and Stuart Skinner will be for the full duration of the show only to pleased to help you and a fully prepared race car will be there for you to see if your interested in any technical hints and advice.

The Fuchs Titan MR2 racing series moved on to Mallory Park, Leicestershire for rounds 11 & 12 or of the 2011 series, 23 cars lined up for qualifying on a sunny dry track.

After qualifying the top 5 drivers were all in the 57 sec laps, with the following 6 in the 58 sec laps, racing was going to be close on this one with such a short circuit and a mass grid , pole position went to Jonny White from Aaron Pullan and Paul Corbridge.

Race 1
Pole man Jonny White led from Aaron Pullan and Paul Corbridge, two laps in Aaron took the lead coming out of the hairpin, only for Jonny to attempt an overtake back going into the hairpin on the next lap, Jonny lost control and spun out, Aaron then pulled a 3 second gap on Paul Corbridge and was soon catching back markers , unfortunately Aaron was unlucky when an out of control back marker caused him to take avoiding action Aaron lost control himself and span and he had to retire , so the win went to Paul Corbridge his first win of the series.

results
1st Paul Corbridge 2nd Ian Davis 3rd Jon Winter
4th Chris Shackle 5th Roger Pullan 6th Gary Lawrence

race 2
with the track now very wet from midday torrential rain Paul Corbridge lead this race closely followed by Gary Lawrence and Chris Shackle, the race followed this pattern until the last pap when Gary Lawrence got better drive round Gerrards and passed Paul Corbridge into the esses to continue and take the win.

results
1st Gary Lawrence 2nd Paul Corbridge 3rd Chris Shackle
4th Jonny White 5th Matt Smith 6th Aaron Pullan

the final race is at Pembrey on 9th Oct

for further details on this series or Red Dragon Race and Track Club please see the clubs web site
www.reddragonraceandtrackclub.com
l

The FUCH`S TITAN MR2 racing series promoted by the Red Dragon Race & Track club had rounds 10 & 11 at Rockingham speedway on Saturday 20th August 2011.

Qualifying
Steve Hennessy car 64 claimed his first pole position in the MR2 Racing from Dave Hemmingway car 59 and Gary Lawrence car 93. 1 sec covered the top 7 cars.
1st Steve Hennessy 2nd Dave Hemmingway 3rd Gary Lawrence
4th Ian Davies 5th Nathan Harrison 6th Paul Corbridge

race 1
Gary Lawrence lead this one and looked on for a win until a rear puncture put a stop to this, Dave Hemmingway was also challenging for a win until he lost a fan belt and all his water , this caused Paul Corbridge to spin out of 4th place so a win for Ian Davis by .1 of a second from Steve Hennessy and Jon Winter.
1st Ian Davies 2nd Steve Hennessy 3rd Jon Winter 4th Nathan Harrison
5th Chris Shackle 6th Chris Gray.

race 2
race two soon developed into a 3 car race between Ian Davies, Steve Hennessy and Paul Corbridge with another 3 car race on for 4th place between Chris Shackle, Gary Lawrence and Richard Avery.
Ian Davis took the win from Steve Hennessy with consistent Paul Corbridge third all covered by less than 1 sec, 4th place went to Chris Shackle from Gary Lawrence and Richard Avery again covered by less than 1 sec.
1st Ian Davies 2nd Steve Hennessy 3rd Paul Corbridge 4th Chris Shackle 5th Gary Lawrence
6th Richard Avery

The Red Dragon race & track club MR2 series next races at Mallory Park on 18th sept 2011.

Nippon challenge at DTM 2nd 3rd and 4th Sept 2011

Following the success or the Nippon challenge at the recent FIA F2 meeting on Brands Hatch GP circuit, MSVR have asked Red Dragon race and track club series organiser Steve Vince to put a grid of his successful Nippon challenge series cars on the D.T.M meeting on the 2nd,3rd and 4th of Sept.
The Nippon challenge is open to all makes of Japanese cars of different power, we have classes from 150bhp to 500 bhp and cars ranging from Toyota,Honda,Subaru,Nissan,Mitsubishi and Suzuki to name a few.

for more information on this and any other Red Dragon events please contact Steve Vince on 01646601908 or got to the clubs web site: www.reddragonraceandtrackclub.com

The red dragon race and track club series organiser Steve Vince managed to get a slot in the F.I.A F2 championship event on the full Brands Hatch GP circuit on July 24th for his Toyota MR2 racing series and his Nippon challenge.

40 drivers signed up to compete for this once in a lifetime opportunity to race on the GP circuit.

Bright sunshine greeted the drivers for qualifying also new to the series for 2011 Nathan Harrison car 56 claimed pole from Dave Thomas car 80 and then Jon Winter car 46, the top 6 cars lapped in 1min 55 second a lap, the next 5 lapped in the 1 min 56 seconds so not much between the front of the grid!

Qualifying
1st Nathan Harrison
2nd Dave Thomas
3rd Jon Winter
4th Arron Pullan
5th Dave Hemmingway
6th Jonny White

Race 1
The race win and his first in the MR2 series went to Jon Winter car 46, from Dave Thomas car 80 with Jonny White storming up to 3rd place, Paul Corbridge car 43 moved from 10th in qualifiying to finish 4th, Ross Stoner car 22 having a one off drive in the series for 2011 finished in 5th with pole man Nathan Harrison in 6th.

Race 2
Another series first time winner! Jonny White car 60 being the the victor from Ross Stoner car 22 made it to second with consistent Paul Corbridge in 3rd, Dave Hemmingway, Charlie Budd and Jon Winter making the tip six.

A big thank you from all drivers to Red Dragon race and track club for the opportunity to race on the fantastic full GP circuit.

Spaces left to race if you have a Japanese sports car eligible to race in the Red Dragon Nippon Challenge, a fantastic once in a life time chance to race on the full GP circuit at Brands Hatch one practice and two races on this fabulous circuit on the weekend commencing the 22 July please contact Steve Vince for more details on 01646601908 or email Stephenzebra@aol.com.
this is set to be a massive weekend on one of the best circuits our fair Isle has to offer, dont miss out you wont get this chance again!
anything Japanese can enter have a look at the Red Dragon Race and Track clubs site also for details on NIPPON CHALLENGE,SUBARU CUP, FUCH`S TITAN MR2 RACING SERIES,HYUNDAI COUPE CUP, BUDDYCLUB CIVIC CUP……..www.reddragonraceandtrackclub.com

Snetterton 300 circuit was the venue for rounds 5 & 6 of the RED DRAGON Race & Track club promoted series, on a very sunny hot weekend June 26^th.

30 Toyota MR2 MK1`s lined up for qualifying, for most drivers this was the first time they had seen and driven the new layout circuit.

Qualifying

1) Dave Pittard

2) Aaron Pullan

3) Gary Lawrence

4) Ralph Budd

5) Chris Shackle

All drivers came back praising the new circuit!

Race 1

On the long 3 mile circuit the field soon spread out, pole man Dave Pittard showed his experience at doing some track days and race meetings by leaving all behind, he finished 19 seconds ahead of Aaron Pullan .

1) Dave Pittard

2) Aaron Pullan

3) Ian Davis

4) Charlie Budd

5) Paul Corbridge

Race 2

Dave Pittard again used his track knowledge to pull away from the field finishing 17 seconds ahead of Aaron Pullan, who had slowed because of a loose exhaust, with Paul Corbridge getting his first MR2 podium in 3^rd.

1) Dave Pittard

2) Aaron Pullan

3) Paul Corbridge

4) Ian Davis

5) Charlie Budd

The RED DRAGON MR2 Racing series now moves to the full Brands Hatch GP circuit on the 22-24^th July, this is a major coupe for the club and Steve Vince the series organiser is looking for full grids in the MR2 series and the Nippon Challenge.

The RED DRAGON Race & Track club series promoter Steve Vince has managed to give his club members a one off chance to race the fantastic Full GP Brands Hatch circuit at this event on the 22-24th July 2011.

“This is a round of the FIA F2 series and I have managed to get our MR2 MK1 Series sponsored by FUCHS TITAN and my NIPPON CHALLENGE Series both race slots in the programme” said Steve Vince.

“They will get a 20 min practice and two 20 min races for only a little more cost than the Brands Hatch short circuit, this is a once in a lifetime for club racers to race on the Full GP Circuit, with the huge crowds that follow the F2 events it will be a massive full weekend for RED DRAGON Race & Track Club.

The NIPPON CHALLENGE will practice and race on Friday and Saturday, the FUCHS TITAN MR2s will practice on Saturday and have two races on Sunday, so we are on track all weekend!”

for details please visit the RED DRAGON Race & Track Clubs new site: www.reddragonraceandtrackclub.com

FUCHS TITAN MR2 Racing Series
Castle Combe was the venue for rounds 3 & 4 of the FUCHS TITAN MR2 Racing series on 30th May, 2011.
Qualifying
35 drivers lined up on a wet circuit for qualifying, Jason Jesse and Aaron Pullan found conditions not to their liking and attacked the barriers, Dave Pittard proved to be the wet master or the day from Mat Smith and Richard Avery to 5 were as follows…
1) David Pittard
2) Mat Smith
3) Richard Avery
4) Ralph Budd
5) Charlotte Burridge
6) Steve Hennessy
Race 1
With the circuit still wet and still raining, Dave Pittard lead off the line from Mat Smith and Richard Avery, Richard moved up to 2nd place but lost control and spun backwards into the barrier losing him a few places, so another win for Pittard from Mat Smith and Mark Woods.
Race 2
With a drying track now for this race and almost the last race of the day the grid was formed up ready with Dave Pittard on pole again and true to his form all day he left the start line and pole never to be seen again by the grid, he finished a full 4 seconds ahead of Aaron Pullan who was 5 seconds ahead of 3rd place Jonny White, unfortunately front row starter Matt Smith had a mechanical / car fire after an off the track moment, this also covering part of the circuit in oil, thus causing quite a few cars to spin off.
1) Dave Pittard
2) Aaron Pullan
3) Jonny White
4) Ralph Budd
5) Jon Winter
The Red Dragon Race & Track Club Promoted series next visits the New Snetterton 300 circuit on 26/6/2011
With the Red Dragons NIPPON CHALLENGE also at this event.

The Red Dragon race & track club started its 2011 racing season at Brands Hatch Indy circuit on the 1st of May with a full grid of 30 cars. Steve Vince the series organiser said we have 12 new novice drivers joining the series or 2011, its a great series for first time racers with cheap cars to buy or build yourselves and controlled regulations to make for close racing.

qualifying
with 39 cars on the circuit on the short indy circuit finding space for a good lap was going to be crucial, the best man at this job was car 69 Simon Lockey followed by car 26 Arron Pullan, both drivers lapped in the high 59 secs, there then followed 7 drivers all lapping in the i mins, led by car 9 Dave Pittard, 13 drivers then followed in the 1 min 1 sec.

race 1
After a frantic start this soon developed into a 3 car race at the front with car 9 Dave Pittard taking the win from Arron Pullan car 26 and car 51 Adam Lockwood, the front 3 covered by only 1 second.

race 2
Fantastic racing all through the grid probably one of the best races I have ever seen said Steve Vince, what a great advert for the series, the race win going to car 9 Dave Pittard from Arron Pullan car 26 then car 80 Dave Thomas and 51 Adam Lockwood, these four covered by less than 1 second.
the leading lady in the races was car 38 Charlotte Burridge with 24th in race 1 and 20 in race 2.
the series now moves on to Castle Combe on the 30th of May.

The Red Dragon Race & Track Club held an invitation race on the Silverstone National circuit on Sunday 10th April, the race was open to all drivers registered with the club.

A large variety of cars entered, Subaru Imprezas, Nissan 350zs,Pulsars, Honda Civics,Toyota Celica GTs,MR2 turbos and lots of MR2 MK1s, in total 42 cars entered.

Qualifying
Jason West in his Nissan 200sx topped the time sheets with a lap of 1:06.7 followed by Andy McLennan in his Suzuki Swift, then Ben Anderson in his Subaru Impreza, the biggest field was the in the GT150 class with 25 MR2 MK1`s fighting it out. Jon Winter topped the times from Dave Hemingway and Dave Morgan.

Race 1
The race win went to Andy McLennan from Jason West and Ben Anderson, GT200 class was won by the Buddy Club Honda Civics of Paul Hughs from Paul Cowland and Richard Hockley, the GT 150 win went to Jon Winter from Jonny White and Dave Hemingway.

Race 2
Another race win to Andy McLennan from Jason Sharpe and Nick Reed.
GT200 went to the Buddy Club cars of Paul Hughes from Richard Hockley and Paul Cowland.
GT150 went to Jonny White from John Winter and Simon Lockey.

The Red Dragon Race & Track club 2011 series starts on May 1st at Brands Hatch, both the MR2 Racing series and the Nippon Challenge are fully booked grids.

Steve Vince Series organiser said ” I’m delighted with the response from the drivers the MR2`s never fail to amaze me, we have another ten new drivers added to the series for 2011 with registrations still coming in! Also the Nippon Challenge series is growing all the time with some very interesting cars coming along to join us this year”.

Red Dragon Race & Track Club presents a sponsorship deal!

Steve Vince the coordinator of the club has announced a sponsorship deal for new Toyota Drivers interested in racing in the Nippon Challenge for the first time in 2011. “we have been very successful with our series for the Toyota MR2 MK1 race cars and with some additional sponsorship, I have put a fantastic deal together for other new Toyota cars and drivers!”

so if your the owner of a Toyota MK2 MR2 , MRS or Roadster or any of the Celica range , Supra range, Corolla etc we can help you with cheaper racing in 2011.

The sponsorship is for new drivers entering the Nippon Challenge for the first time in 2011 it comes in the form of reduced race entries and free race tyres!

for more information contact

Steve Vince :01646601908
email: Stephenzebra@aol.com

Organised by The Red Dragon Race and Track club, the series promoter Steve Vince set up the NIPPON CHALLENGE to run along side his successful MR2 Racing series.
Set up in 2008, it is the only MSA affiliated club dedicated to Japanese and Asian racing cars such as Honda, Toyota, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Nissan ,Hyundai and Proton, so what ever the car, what ever the performance there will be a place to race it in the NIPPON CHALLENGE!
The class structure is based on weight and BHP to allow a multitude of cars of varying types to compete on track together.
We have seen Integras , Civics ,MR2 turbos, 350zs, 200sx, Swifts, Evos and Impretzas to name a few, with Honda 2000s and 300bhp Nissan Pulsars on the way for 2011, and to add to the mix Asian brands are being allowed in 2011 such as Hyundai and Proton.

Two new competitions are being introduced for this season, the “Hyundai Coupe Cup”.

and the” Buddy Club Civic Club”.

Both offering affordable options to start out racing with cars costing as little as £3900 ready to race!
So the club looks forward to many more years of exiting motor sport with the cars from the far east at its core.

for contacts and information please visit:

www.reddragonraceandtrackclub.com
www.nipponchallenge.co.uk
www.subarucup.com

tel Steve Vince: 01646 601908

race dates for 2011

March 14th (meet & greet)…Silverstone

May 1st………………………….Brands Hatch

May 30th………………………..Castle Combe

June 26th………………………..Snetterton 300

July 17th…………………………Cadwell Park

Aug 29th………………………….Rockingham

Sept 18th………………………….Mallory Park

Oct 16th……………………………Donnington Park

The Red Dragon race and track club organisers of one of the 2010`s UK motor sports biggest success stories the “MR2 MK1 Racing series”,have announced their racing calender for 2011.
Steve Vince the promoter of the series says he is amazed at the interest shown for 2011, the registrations are coming in fast, Steve Vince puts the series success down to his original format of “cheap as chips racing!”
He used a great base car, the Toyota MR2 MK1, a 1600cc 125bhp RWD sports car, which apart from safety items that are required for circuit racing, the cars are kept standard.
This gives us very close racing and drivers skills coming through, no cheque book racing here! If you want to build your own car you can have one ready to race for £2500.00, second hand race cars from £3000,00, or newly built cars ready to race from £4000.00.

Race calender daters for 2011

March 14th (meet and greet) Silverstone ,all welcome to come and view!
May 1st…Brands Hatch
May 30th..Castle Combe
June 26th..Snetterton 300
July 17th…Cadwell Park
August 29th.Rockingham
Sept 18th..Mallory Park
Oct 16th…Donnington Park

for further details please contact:
Steve Vince tel 01646601908
www.reddragonraceandtrackclub.com
www.mr2racing.com

1) Could you introduce yourself please?

Hi I`m Sarah Wherry from Grimsby North East Lincolnshire, a full time manager with a big passion for motorsport and anything with an engine!

2) How long have you been involved with racing?

I`ve been racing for six years now

3) What vehicle do you currently race?

I race a 125bhp 1600cc RWD Toyota MR2 MK1.

4) What was your favourite race, and why?

My favourite race and why? this must be Cadwell Park in 2010 I qualified 2nd and finished 3rd in both races, it was door too door action in sunshine with our tyres going off rapidly so we really had too work for it ! and its a fantastic circuit and very technical.

5) And likewise, what race was the worst?

worst race hmmmm….Snetterton again in 2010, I had Brake problems in qualifying and was only in 10th place, got a fantastic start arrived at sears and the rears snatched, spun me round right in front of the whole grid 30 cars! then I had a head on impact that spun me and on stopping got whacked again, needless to say bye bye car and very bad whiplash too boot! but we built another car and I continued the season.

6) Which are your favourite (and worst) circuits or venues?

favourite circuit: Cadwell park defiantly technical tight, twisty,hilly and a real drivers circuit.
worst circuit: doesn’t exist if I can race on it I like it its all about learning and racing!

7) What are your plans for 2011?

because I currently have six mk1`s road cars in the workshop and loads of spares I`m doing another year in the RED DRAGON RACE AND TRACK clubs mr2 mk1 series, but with a view too something else in 2012, I would like too try something else possibly a Mazda of we are thinking of a Celica GT4 in the Nippon Challenge also by RED DRAGON but it all depends on sponsorship .

8 ) What other form of motorsport would you like to try, given the opportunity?

my partner used too race a long circuit 250 National Kart, I did have a go before I decided to race an MR2, I loved the sensation of speed just a few inches off the circuit.

9) What is the best piece of motorsport advice you have been given (and did you heed it?)

advice….. slow down and you will go quicker sounds daft but so true:)

10) I’m told there is life outside motor racing. What is your favourite non-motorsport hobby?

hobbies: anything that pushes me physically and mentally, I love my gym I go too and when I`m not doing the real stuff I love my PS3!

11) What one thing would you do to improve F1?

F1 improvements? it needs to be the drivers skills that win, not who`s team performed best I know its a package but it seems to be more about the teams nowadays.

12) Who are your motorsport heroes?

Colin McRae, his driving commitment was 110% always, he was always true to himself and his talent.

Ayrton Senna,and unmatched talent, both of these men will always be a big inspiration to me.

Brands Hatch Oct 24th                                                                               (photo of  Alex Gassman most accomplished driver of 2010 and winner at Brands Hatch)

For the final two races the RED DRAGON RACE & TRACK CLUB visited Brands Hatch on Oct 24th.

as with all year we enjoyed full grids again for the last two rounds at Brands Hatch a grid of 34 cars lined up for qualifying on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit,over night rain had left the circuit  damp with a drying line, pole position went to Alex Gassman from Adam Lockwood, Ross Stoner , Jonny White ,Mark Scott and Neil Stratton.

Race 1

The track was fully dry for race one, Alex Gassman had a start too finish victory chased hard by Adam Lockwood and Dave Pittard, Ross Stoner made his way up to 4th place after a flag infringement during qualifying which had caused him so start from 20th on the grid.

Race 2

It rained hard before race 2 making conditions very tricky, Ross Stoner made best start from Dave Pittard , Adam Lockwood and Alex Gassman, Alex Gassman then got spun out at Druids on lap 1, he then completed the first lap in 30th place, then had a great drive through the field to finish in 4th place.

Up front Ross Stoner and Dave Pittard were having a great battle, Dave passed Ross at Paddock on the last lap, Ross then fought back with an outside move at Druids but ran out of track. So a win to Dave Pittard from Adam Lockwood with Jonny White in 3rd.

A great end to a fantastic MR2 MK1 racing year with new drivers already ordering race cars to be built for 2011  it looks like 2011 will be dare I predict ,even better!