RACING EXPOSURE :: Club level motorsport e-magazine

Before even turning a wheel in anger Mark Hazell has pulled out of the 2012 British Touring Car Championships, citing personal reasons for the dramatic pull out.

Hazell was due to drive for the Rob Austin Racing Team in one of their Audi A4′s.    He didn’t race at Brands Hatch as only one car was finished in time, but was expected to make the grid at Donington Park.

Team boss, Rob Austin drove the sole A4, finishing 2nd in free practice 1, qualifying in 7th place and finishing 8th, 5th and 5th in the opening three races.    He is currently 5th in the standings behind Jason Plato, Matt Neal, Andrew Jordan and Rob Collard.    He is third in the Independents championship, and 6th in the team trophy (the first single car team)

Pics of Rob Austin: Norwich Photo

Accomplished rally driver Adam Gould made an eventful switch from rally to race last weekend in the opening round of the Air Asia Clio Cup at Brands Hatch. The 24 year old experienced both the great and dark sides of racing after switching from the forest stages of the MSA British Rally Championship.

Aboard his Stancombe Engineering prepared Clio Adam kicked off his race debut weekend in fine style – with 12th in Race 1. Gould could not repeat such results in Race 2 however, after first lap carnage forced the Bristol man into retirement.

Gould’s presence on the Clio grid comes after a cut short 2011 rally season. Lack in sponsorship sidelined Adam after 4 rounds of BRC, in which 2 podiums were scored. Rally was no longer an option for Adam when plans for this season were made.

Adam explained: “Due to the British Rally Championship changing its rules to 2WD my 4WD Subaru would be unable to compete. With limited sponsors this switch to Clio’s was logical, but I am not dismissing rally, just with such difficulties in gaining sponsorship and an outlawed car it was impossible to continue.”

As testing for 2012 began Gould was still finalising plans, allowing Adam only two test sessions before Saturday’s Brands Hatch season opener. Having multiple champion Paul Rivett as teammate has helped Adam dearly: “The Stancombe team has helped my transition with very limited testing as this was a very late deal. Paul as my teammate is valuable as I am learning from his experience and advice.”

The teams support put Gould immediately on the pace, qualifying 16th of 25 starters. Adam used his extensive rally skills to duck and dive through the packed Clio field in Race 1. Following in Rivett’s tyre tracks Adam defeated much more experienced drivers, coming home an impressive 12th on his race debut.

Pic: Joseph Wright

All of Paul’s advice and support could not help Gould in Race 2, as typical Clio madness ended a helpless Adam’s race. Post race Adam commented: “Having a big entry is great, but qualifying 17th put me in the mid pack mayhem.”

As Gould powered the Motor Mate Clio down Cooper Straight a multi car pileup left Adam with no way to turn. Gould’s wealth of rally experience could not stop his demise: “There was nothing I could do, the car is basically written off and I’m not sure we’ll be at the next round now.”

With scrapped panels and a bent chassis it will take all the Stancombe teams experience to see Adam out at Donington. Gould will certainly not give up, hoping to return very soon and pursue his racing aim.

“BTCC is now the target, with the Clio’s running on the back of the Touring Cars it is the perfect feeder series.” If Gould’s rapid times continue – he was only 0.656 off pole – don’t be surprised to see him on the BTCC grid in the very near future.

Report: Daniel Wright

Pictures: Nick Dungan / Sportstock except where indicated

Steve Parish

Motorbase Performance has finalised plans to enter a second Porsche 911 GT3R in the 2012 Avon Tyres British GT Championship this season and is working flat out to have the car ready for the opening races at Oulton Park this weekend (7-9 April).

The team’s second car will be entered for Steve Parish, who will be joined at Oulton Park by Porsche ace Nick Tandy – a winner for Motorbase Performance in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB late last season. Team Principal David Bartrum is already in talks with drivers about a permanent slot alongside Parish for the balance of the season.

The 2012-specification car arrived at Motorbase Performance’s Kent workshop on Tuesday (3 April) and will be checked over in time for the opening free practice session on Saturday (7 April). “The second 911 GT3R will probably only have a first run with us at Oulton Park on Saturday,” commented Bartrum.

Parish and Tandy will compete alongside Motorbase Performance’s sister Porsche 911 GT3R in the hands of Michael Caine and Daniele Perfetti. Parish experienced the team’s first car during a recent test at Brands Hatch, where he was delighted with its performance.

Nick Tandy

“I’m over the moon to expand the team to two cars this early in the season,” said Bartrum. “We’re looking for someone to partner Steve for the season, but the best thing for Oulton was to find someone who is experienced in the car. Nick was the obvious choice given the short amount of time available.”

The opening round of the 2012 Avon Tyres British GT Championship gets underway with free practice and qualifying on Saturday 7 April, followed by two hour-long races on Easter Monday (9 April).

Race 2: Meadows takes Carrera Cup GB round two at Brands Hatch

Pic: Norwich Photo

Michael Meadows wins from the front as Daniel Lloyd leads the chase
Oly Mortimer takes Pro-Am1 spoils
Tautvydas Barstys claims first Pro-Am2 victory

Michael Meadows scored a resounding victory in round two of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at Brands Hatch today (Sunday 1 April) with a faultless drive as Carrera Cup Scholarship driver Daniel Lloyd drove a great race to lead the pursuit and take second.

After being penalised down to third place in Saturday’s opening race for exceeding the track limits, Meadows (Redline Racing) came back in style to win round two after leading from the lights to the flag. Both Pro-Am1 and Pro-Am2 provided first time victories as Oly Mortimer (GT Marques) and Tautvydas Barstys (Juta Racing) took advantage of other drivers’ problems to head their respective categories in an action-packed race.

Meadows swept ahead from the start as Lloyd (JD Pierce with Team Parker) slotted into a second place he would hold all race. The gap was seldom more than a second and Meadows had to deal with two safety car periods before finally taking the chequered flag after a drive that underlined his position as early season pacesetter. “It wasn’t easy but it was comfortable,” said Meadows. “Daniel was always there, but as long as I didn’t make a mistake I was okay.”

Meadows didn’t make any mistakes and duly established an early points’ lead as Lloyd starred with a great performance to take second. “It’s been an amazing weekend,” said Lloyd, who has crashed out of the first race after a puncture. “I’m just glad we came back strongly today,” he added. “34 laps round here is tough, so I’m very pleased.” Jonas Gelzinis (Juta Racing) and Sam Tordoff (Team Parker Racing) made up a close-knit leading quartet and were always ready to pounce if either Meadows or Lloyd had made a mistake.

A mighty recovery drive after a first corner knock sent him down to 13th place netted Ben Barker (Parr Motorsport) a superb fifth place. However, out of luck was round one winner Richard Plant (Team Parker Racing) who was given a drive through penalty for a false start before tigering back to take seventh place behind Chris Dymond (Parr Motorsport).

With round one Pro-Am1 winner Derek Pierce (JD Pierce with Team Parker) out at the first corner after a clash, Ahmad Al Harthy (Redline/Oman Air) fought ahead of Michael Leonard (Naas Court Hotel with Parker) and went on to win on the road. However, a five-second penalty for running wide at Graham Hill Bend cost Al Harthy victory and dropped him to third as Mortimer took over to win with George Brewster (Celtic Speed) right behind. “I didn’t expect that: I’m over the moon,” said Mortimer. Meanwhile, Brewster won the ‘driver of the weekend’ award for scoring his first Pro-Am1 podium after a trying weekend. Team Parker Racing earned the ‘team of the weekend’ award.

The contest for Pro-Am2 featured changing fortunes and included a clash at Druids when Will Goff (Goff Racing) and Tania Mann (SIBSport) touched and spun. Mann later ended her race in the gravel at Paddock Hill Bend and it was Jean Glorieux (Speedlover) who headed the pack over the line. But he was also penalised five seconds for running wide and dropped to third so Barstys claimed victory after holding off the challenging Goff.

Round Two results:
Pro category: 1 Michael Meadows; 2 Daniel Lloyd; 3 Jonas Gelzinis
Pro-Am1 category: 1 Oly Mortimer; 2 George Brewster; 3 Ahmad Al Harthy
Pro-Am2 category: 1 Tautvydas Barstys; 2 Will Goff; 3 Jean Glorieux

Race 1: Plant takes first Carrera Cup GB win at Brands Hatch

Richard Plant wins season opener after Michael Meadows is penalised
Derek Pierce dominates Pro-Am1
Will Goff wins Pro-Am2 on championship debut

Richard Plant started his second season in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB with victory in round one at Brands Hatch today (Saturday 31 March) after Michael Meadows was penalised five seconds for running wide at Graham Hill Bend.

Both drivers turned in fine drives to head the field with Meadows staying just clear of his rival until the penalty for exceeding the track limits was applied and he dropped to third in the final results behind Plant and Jonas Gelzinis. Derek Pierce shot into the lead of Pro-Am1 from the start and was never headed while Will Goff bagged Pro-Am2 after overhauling early leader Tania Mann.

Meadows (Redline Racing) converted pole into a first corner lead and that was where he stayed for 34 laps as Plant (Team Parker Racing) chased relentlessly. The gap was never much more than a second, although Meadows jumped clear after an early safety car. Plant then battled back towards the leader and ran within half a second all the way to the flag. Unfortunately for Meadows, he was penalised five seconds late in the race for running all four wheels over the white line on the exit of Graham Hill Bend.

“Disappointing,” said Meadows with some understatement after an otherwise faultless drive. “I wasn’t in any trouble: I’ll just try again tomorrow.” For Plant his first Carrera Cup victory was a landmark result. “I wanted to keep with Michael because he’s one of the fastest guys on the grid. It’s hard to come into such a challenging championship and get your first win so I couldn’t ask for more,” said Plant.

Gelzinis (Juta Racing) had chased Meadows and Plant for lap after lap and took over second place when Meadows was penalised. “In the end I didn’t push too much because I wasn’t 100% sure the tyres would last,” said Gelzinis after keeping fourth-placed Sam Tordoff (Team Parker Racing) at bay. Tordoff had moved up to fourth when Daniel Lloyd (JD Pierce with Parker) suffered a puncture and spun out of fourth place and into the Paddock Hill gravel on lap 11. Tordoff was half a second away from demoting Meadows back to fourth at the flag. Ben Barker (Parr Motorsport) wrapped up the top five from Glynn Geddie (Redline Racing).

Pierce (JD Pierce with Parker) shot into the Pro-Am1 lead with a rocket start that put him ahead of Ahmad Al Harthy (Redline/Oman Air). When Michael Leonard (Naas Court Hotel with Parker) dived ahead of Al Harthy into Clearways, Pierce was able to consolidate his advantage. “Job done,” said Pierce. “I made a mega start. Michael gave me a hard time for a few laps after the safety car, and then I just kept it clean,” he added after finishing four seconds clear. Meanwhile, Al Harthy battled to find a way around Leonard, who defended vigorously to retain second. “I didn’t get one minute to chill out,” said Leonard.

Pro-Am1 boiled down to a battle between Goff (Goff Racing) and Mann (SIBSport) after an early clash between Tautvydas Barstys (Juta Racing) and Jean Glorieux (Speedlover). Mann led the early laps, but Goff then edged ahead and pulled clear for a debut victory as Mann took second despite a late pit stop when she thought she had picked up a puncture. “That was a good race,” said Goff after an excellent drive, while Mann accumulated vital race experience on her Carrera Cup debut. “It was hard work, but I’m glad to get the first race under my belt,” she said.

Round One results:
Pro category: 1 Richard Plant; 2 Jonas Gelzinis; 3 Michael Meadows
Pro-Am1 category: 1 Derek Pierce; 2 Michael Leonard; 3 Ahmad Al Harthy
Pro-Am2 category: 1 Will Goff; 2 Tania Mann

Pic: Jakob Ebrey

Niall Murray returned to the 2012 Ginetta Junior Championship as one of the hot favourites for the title. Finishing his 2011 campaign with an impressive six consecutive podium finishes including a win in the final round at Silverstone, left the young Irishman brimming with excitement as the first weekend approached.

Friday testing saw Niall open the weekend as the fastest driver around the 1.2 mile Brands Hatch Indy Circuit. Running on slick tyres for the first time, Murray extracted the best from them over close rival Charlie Robertson. In the second session, Murray opted to stay on the same tyres to gain experience with running used tyres, however most of his rivals opted for new tyres.

Despite this, Niall was a mere half-second off Robertson’s fastest time in the session. Saturday morning provided one final opportunity for the drivers to make some last minute alterations, with a final free practice session ahead of the afternoons qualifying. Once more, Murray opted to run with used tyres, as he was happy with his new tyre pace. A much improved performance from Friday’s final session, Niall was a mere 5 hundreths of a second off fastest man Robertson who had opted to run on new tyres.

With dark clouds in the air, qualifying was going to be a close call as the threat of rain loomed. However as the drivers left pitlane, any chance of a downpour seemed to disappear as the session got underway. Similar to 2011, qualifying was a very close affair, with tenths here and there separating most of the top 10. Niall was running consistently in the top 5 but in the closing moments of the session, Murray was really getting into the groove and his times were tumbling.

However with just 2 minutes left on the clock, William Palmer went off a Paddock Hill to bring out the red flag. This brought the session to a close with Murray putting himself 4th on the grid for race 1, and 3rd for race 2.

Saturday’s dark clouds and cold wind disappeared and the massive crowds at the season opener were treated to beaming sunshine for race 1. A good start from the second row of the grid allowed Niall to climb up to third at the end of lap 1. However, all was not well in the Murray Motorsport car, a lack of rear end grip meant Murray had to fight with the car to hold his position. At the end of the 3rd lap, Murray was now back in 7th position having been passed by William Palmer, Harry Woodhead and Ollie Chadwick while trying to keep his car on track. Shortly after this, Palmer brought out the safety car as he put his car off into the gravel at Paddock Hill. Three laps later the race was back underway and this was now Murray’s chance to make his way back up the field. Having adjusted to the handling of the car, Murray was back up to 4th by lap 8 and putting pressure on Harry Woodhead. A superb move up the inside at Clearways put Murray in 3rd as he went about chasing down the lead pair of George Gamble and Sennan Fielding who were now locked in battle. As Niall closed in, Gamble and Fielding touched at clearways and both ran wide allowing Murray to move into the lead of the race. Niall went on to control his lead despite increasing pressure from Woodhead and with it take the first victory of the 2012 season, and continue what is now a run of 7 consecutive podium appearances from 2011.

Speaking after the race, Niall expressed his delight at starting the season with a win, “I’m really delighted to start the season with a win, starting the championship on a high was our aim and to have 7 podiums in a row continuing from last year is brilliant. I managed to keep my nose clean for the race despite a lack of rear end grip and lots of incidents around me. Coming back from 7th, I just wanted to get back up to a podium position but to win was amazing.”

For Sunday afternoons race 2, Niall lined up 3rd on the grid and keen to emulate his race 1 performance. With Charlie Robertson and Sennan Fielding just in front of him, race victory was going to be no easy task. As the race got under way, Niall got a great start to come out of Paddock Hill along side Fielding to move into 2nd as they approached Druids. Niall went in hot pursuit of Robertson for the lead but with the pair doing almost identical lap times it was prooving a difficult task. Niall continued racing hard to ensure he consolidated his strong 2nd place, but was always ready to capitalise on any mistakes from the leader just in front. As they crossed the finish line it was Robertson who took the win with Niall securing a strong points finish in second and with it, a good championship lead coming away from the first weekend of the season.

Speaking after the race, Niall outlined how it had been a perfect start to the weekend, “this has been a fantastic start to our season, just what I would have hoped for. We have a good lead in the championship to build on as we move to Donington. I have to say a massive word of thanks to my sponsors and my team Douglas Motorsport who prepared a fantastic car this weekend. Also well done to my team mate Andrew Watson finishing seventh in race 2.

Niall moves to Donington Park on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th April for rounds 3 & 4 of the 2012 Ginetta Junior Championship.

The grid girls are one of the most popular aspects of the BTCC weekend, happy to pose with the public, either during the popular pit lane walkabout, or for those with grid access.

For those that don’t, here is a gallery.

Pics: Norwich Photo

Plato takes the race three victory on the return of MG to BTCC

Jason Plato, driving the brand new MG6, leaves Brands Hatch as the 2012 championship leader, despite controversy.

Plato, surprised many by qualifying the MG in 6th place for race 1, under 4 tenths of a second from pole, despite a severe lack of testing in the brand new Triple-Eight developed car. Pole was taken by Dave Newsham in the Team ES Vectra, showing that the official Silverstone test performance was no fluke. This car was raced and developed by Triple Eight over the last few years, which has given ES Racing a good platform to work from.

Defending Champion Matt Neal lined up second in the Honda Civic which has suffered during pre-season for reliability.

The incident in race 1 involving Plato and Newsham

Race 1 was won by Rob Collard in the Ebay Motors BMW, just ahead of Neal with Tom Onslow-Cole taking third in the second WSR prepared Ebay Motors BMW. Plato took 4th. Newsham ran well in the top three for most of the race, but his race ended shortly after half way after an over-ambitious move from Plato entering Paddock Hill Bend ended up with contact between the two whilst contesting the lead. Plato dropped down to fourth, and Newsham ended up in the gravel at the top of Paddock Hill.

Adam Morgan was the first casualty, his Toyota Avensis being pushed off the circuit at the first corner. Aron Smith ended up in the gravel at Druids and Frank Wrathall and John Thorne also retired.

Race two went to Matt Neal in the Honda Civic with the customer car of Andrew Jordan finishing second. Plato took the MG’s first podium in third. Safety cars came out during the race after Nick Foster’s BMW ended up on its roof on the entry to Graham Hill Bend following a spin at Druids resulting in contact with the tyre wall. When racing resumed Plato was close behind Neal and passed for the lead, before Neal rubbed his way past through Druids. Plato fell into the clutches of Andrew Jordan who cleanly passed Plato through Paddock Hill.

Matt Neal wins race two

The remains of Ollie Jackson's Golf after it encountered oil on track

The grid for the final race is decided by a split grid arrangment, and following the draw, it was Ollie Jackson in the AMD VW Golf on pole, although he dropped down to third by the first corner.   The race was stopped early when multiple cars encountered fluid on the crest of Druids hairpin. This ended the race of Ollie Jackson, but also Tom Onslow-Cole, Tony Gilham, Aron Smith, Dan Welch and Adam Morgan.  The possible cause was oil from Mat Jackson’s Ford Focus.  There was a 25 minute delay whilst these cars were recovered and the spilt fluids treated with cement dust. Some cars were able to be driven away and were able to restart the race.

Collard led the restarted race from Rob Austin’s Audi but Jordan and Plato closed them down and both men used matching manoevers, firstly taking the Audi of Austin at Paddock Hill, and then taking Collard’s BMW at Clearways. Plato at this stage was clearly the quicker car and after five laps of defense, Jordan finally gave Plato a chance and the Oxford driver took it and pulled out to win by two seconds.

Gordon Sheddon was eventually excluded from race three, after it was found that his team performed unauthorised wok during the stoppage which would have been considered against parc-ferme rules. This promoted John Thorne into 15th place and a single championship point.

—

The incident in race 1 involving Plato and Newsham

It has been noted by many that the level of driving standards was not great. There were too many retirements or changes of position caused by taps, rubs and nudges. Whilst Touring Car racing has always been up close and personal, it is supposed to be a non-contact sport. Some drivers, naming no names, manage to get away with no penalty after being involved in paint swapping antics, whereas others further down the field receive reprimands.  Whilst the BTCC needs the personalities at the front of the grid, the stewards should not be afraid of handing out penalties that hurt more than a financial one.

Report: Andrew Cliffe
Photos: Norwich Photo

The 2012 Protyre Formula Renault BARC championship gets under way at Snetterton this weekend.      FR BARC is now the sole Formula Renault series in the UK after the collapse of the TOCA Formula Renault UK series due to low entry numbers.

Many will be watching 2011 Formula Ford champion Scott Malvern who has recently announced that he has signed to race with Cliff Dempsey Racing for the 2012 season after a winter of uncertainty.    Malvern impressed at the F2 test in Barcelona at the end of last season, but could not raise the necessary budget to compete at this level.      It would have been a big shame if a talent such as Malvern would not be racing this season.   CDR has also announced a relationship with Team West-Tec who are front runners in the European Open Formula Three Championship.

Seb Morris, who won the Ginetta Junior championship last season has switched to single seaters for the first time and impressed at the official test day finished third in the timings.       Jack Dex was fastest overall.

Sole privateer so far is Oliver Sirrell, who was the winner of the 750 Motor Club’s Formula 4 championship after a close season-long fight with Robbie Watts, and for 2012 has stepped up a series and is running with the help of his family.

Mexican Jorge Cevallos to drive for MTECH Lite

MTECH Lite is pleased to announce that they have signed 17 year-old Mexican Jorge Cevallos to drive for their BARC Formula Renault team. The former Pan-American and Team Mexico kart racer will be making the switch to full-time car racing this season with his car racing experience to date being limited to one-off appearances in the US-based Skip Barber series and Latam F2000 in Mexico.

Tijuana, Baja California-born Cevallos is in his final year of High school and is a newly enrolled member of the Escuderia Telmex Driver Development Program. The prestigious Telmex-backed scheme offers support to the most promising Mexican drivers and in in recent years is best known for nurturing the talents of Sauber-Ferrari F1 star Sergio Perez and Lotus GP2 driver Esteban Gutiérrez.

Jorge Cevallos: “I am very pleased to have signed to drive for MTECH Lite and am really looking forward to making my Formula Renault debut with them next weekend at Snetterton. I am under no illusions though that it will be easy and I am grateful that the team has many experienced people on-board to help me.”

“To come to Europe to race as a member of the Escuderia Telmex Driver Development Program is a dream come true and I am especially grateful to my sponsors Tijuana, Baja California Mexico, Caliente Casino, Grupo Tersa and Marti for making this possible.”

Les Jones, Team Manager MTECH Lite: “We are delighted to have secured Jorgeʼs services and Iʼm very pleased to welcome him to join Sean Walkinshaw in our Formula Renault team.”

The 2012 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge GB kicks off at Snetterton over the Easter Weekend (7/8 April) with two 25-minute races on the 200 circuit at the East Anglian venue.

The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge is managed by Porsche Cars GB alongside the Carrera Cup GB and is set to grow as the season develops, with steadily building competitor interest. The series has recently received a further boost with the granting of championship status for the six-event, 12-race season. The GT3 Cup Challenge is for the earlier cars from 2009 or before, including the 996-model cars from up to 2006.

Lining up for a race each day will be pre-season pacesetter James Birch, who previously ran strongly in the Formula Renault BARC Championship. The 22-year old racer from Amersham set the pace during the recent pre-season test day at Silverstone and his IN2 Racing entry should be right at the head of the action at Snetterton.

Fresh from the opening races in the Carrera Cup GB at Brands Hatch, Team Parker Racing will field up to three cars at Snetterton including those of Steven Liquorish and Neil Houston. Silverstone-based Scotsman Houston will make his Porsche racing debut after previously campaigning Ginettas, while Liquorish already has a year’s experience under his belt in these cars.

Another team running in both the Carrera Cup GB and the GT3 Cup Challenge is Parr Motorsport and they will be supporting Peter Smallwood as he starts his third season of racing with his 997-model 911 GT3 Cup. Also racing in Class 1 for the 997-model cars is John Ferguson in one of the cars entered by Dublin-based Ask Racing.

The Irish squad, headed by Alan Kessie, is also represented in Class 2 for the earlier 996-model cars with an entry for Co Wicklow racer Tom Hallissey. His rivals will include Mark Cowne in the car tended by Silverstone-based Fearn Sport.

The British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) stages a bumper 18-race programme at Snetterton this weekend (7-8 April), with a varied range of motorsport on offer on the two mile 200 circuit. The Easter races include classic racers, single seaters and sportscars.

The MG marque is represented with the Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship, which features the best of British sportscars and saloons. Meanwhile there’s more of a German flavour to the Kumho BMW Championship, where a wide range of propeller-badged tin-tops can be found on the grid.

Porsche fans will enjoy the GT3 Cup Challenge, which features the more extreme variant of the classic rear-engined Sportscar.

There are classic touring car races aplenty on Easter Sunday, with events for the Classic Thunder series for saloon cars built before 2005, Post Historic & Classic Group 1 Touring Cars, Pre ’93 Touring Car Championship and the Classic Saloon & Historic Touring Car Championship.

Meanwhile single seaters also feature heavily over the weekend with the Formula Renault BARC Championship and Classic Formula Ford 1600 and 2000 classes.

Tickets for the BARC Club Car Championships are available from £10, with free entry for children aged 12 and under. For more information, call 0843 453 9000 or visit www.snetterton.co.uk

Michael Meadows underlined his status as early season pacesetter in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at Brands Hatch today (Saturday 31 March) by taking two pole positions for the opening two rounds of the 2012 championship.

While Richard Plant and Carrera Cup Scholarship driver Daniel Lloyd led the chase of Meadows at the head of the Pro category, Ahmad Al Harthy and Tania Mann were the stars of Pro-Am1 and Pro-Am2 in a superbly competitive field. Less than a second covered the first 14 drivers and the entire 21-car field was covered by less than two seconds on the grid for the opening race of 2012.

“That’s been quite a good day so far,” said Meadows (Redline Racing). “We got a good balance yesterday and I saw a 45.9s lap on the dash.” However, on official times his best lap was 46.006s as he clinched pole for round one and during a series of very quick laps, he set a second best of 46.092s to secure pole for round two as well. “That’s the perfect start to the season,” he said after scoring the first two championship points of 2012.

Plant (Team Parker Racing) was second and then third on the two grids to score his best qualifying result so far and get his season off to an excellent start. “I went into qualifying more relaxed and it was a great session,” said Plant. Meanwhile, Lloyd (JD Pierce with Team Parker) took third and then second places to make the most impressive start to a season so far for a Scholarship driver. “Absolutely mega,” said an elated Lloyd. “There was a little bit more in me,” he added.

Completing the top six overall for both races were Jonas Gelzinis (Juta Racing) with two fourth places, Ben Barker (Parr Motorsport) in fifth and sixth and Sam Tordoff (Team Parker Racing) with sixth and fifth. For round one, the top eight drivers on the grid were split by less than a third of a second.

It was almost as close at the head of Pro-Am1 with 15-hundredths of a second separating Al Harthy (Redline/Oman Air), Derek Pierce (JD Pierce with Team Parker) and Michael Leonard (Naas Court Hotel with Team Parker). The grid for round two was the same, with an almost identical gap in the times. “That was a very good session,” said Al Harthy. “I’m pleased with how the car feels.” Pierce had a better time disallowed for running four wheels over the white line at the edge of the circuit, but Pierce and Leonard were in very good shape and look set to take the Pro-Am1 battle to Al Harthy.

It was a superb session for Tania Mann (SIBSport) who claimed both Pro-Am2 poles ahead of her Carrera Cup debut. She upped her pace further from testing and headed Pro-Am2 as a third of a second covered the four cars in the category. “That’s fantastic,” said Mann. “I was just building up steadily again and following our plan.” Series newcomer Jean Glorieux (Speedlover) and Tautvydas Barstys (Juta Racing) were close behind.

Round One grid:
Pro category: 1 Michael Meadows (48.006s); 2 Richard Plant (46.127s); 3 Daniel Lloyd (46.179s)
Pro-Am1 category: 1 Ahmad Al Harthy (46.585s); 2 Derek Pierce (46.688s); 3 Michael Leonard (46.730s)
Pro-Am2 category: 1 Tania Mann (47.617s); 2 Jean Gloriuex (47.868s); 3 Tautvydas Barstys (47.913s).

Round Two grid:
Pro category: 1 Michael Meadows (48.092s); 2 Daniel Lloyd (46.258s); 3 Richard Plant (46.293s)
Pro-Am1 category: 1 Ahmad Al Harthy (46.630s); 2 Derek Pierce (46.741s); 3 Michael Leonard (46.743s)
Pro-Am2 category: 1 Tania Mann (47.701s); 2 Jean Gloriuex (47.936s); 3 Tautvydas Barstys (47.941s).

Plant wins Michelin award in Carrera Cup at Brands

Richard Plant is the first Porsche Carrera Cup GB racer of the season to benefit from Michelin’s on-going support of the championship by winning a set of tyres this weekend at Brands Hatch (31 March/1 April).

At the start of his second season in the Carrera Cup GB, the Yorkshire racer has continued his partnership with Team Parker Racing and is one of the championship’s young guns in the contest for overall wins and podiums.

Having been the control tyre supplier for the Carrera Cup GB for ten seasons since the championship was created in 2003, Michelin is once more supporting the teams and drivers with the award of a complete set of slick racing tyres at each event. Before the start of testing, a name is drawn from a hat to receive the tyres, with a value of more than £1200.

Meadows tops Carrera Cup GB test at Brands Hatch

Michael Meadows is fastest overall in testing as Rory Butcher leads the chase
Ahmad Al Harthy sets the pace in Pro-Am1
Tania Mann stars to head the Pro-Am2 times

Michael Meadows scored the first strike of the season in testing for the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at Brands Hatch today (Friday 30 March) ahead of the opening two rounds of the 2012 championship.

Meadows (Redline Racing) stormed the Indy circuit to set the pace, lapping two-tenths of a second clear of a fiercely competitive chasing pack. While Meadows edged clear, his top eight pursuers were covered by only 17-hundredths of a second, including Pro-Am1 pacesetter Ahmad Al Harthy (Redline/Oman Air). Topping the Pro-Am2 category with a fine championship debut was Tania Mann (SIBSport).

For much of the afternoon session the times at the head of the Pro category were incredibly close, but then Meadows put a marker down to edge clear with a best of 46.232s, set in the final minutes of testing. “It was good to go out and do that, said Meadows. “We worked on the set-up and found something good later on. There could be more to come in qualifying tomorrow,” he added.

Leading the chase of Meadows with a mighty run was Rory Butcher (Celtic Speed), with Sam Tordoff (Team Parker Racing), Jonas Gelzinis (Juta Racing), Daniel Lloyd (JD Pierce with Parker) and Ben Barker (Parr Motorsport) wrapping up an incredibly strong top six.

“That was a hard session,” said Butcher, who was P1 until Meadows’ late charge. “I had a puncture early on, but I just kept calm and put the new tyres on.” Tordoff also had a dramatic session when he had to pit for more fuel when running on his new tyres. He then spun off at Surtees in the closing moments and bumped the tyre wall. “It should have been so much better,” he said.

Eighth best overall, behind Glynn Geddie (Redline Racing), put Al Harthy top of Pro-Am1 from Michael Leonard (Naas Court Hotel with Parker) and Derek Pierce (JD Pierce with Parker). “I’m pleased with testing and I now need to perform well in qualifying,” said Al Harthy. Leonard, meanwhile, was also pleased with progress. “Very happy: I’ve not done much testing and I’m starting to get back into the swing of it.”

In Pro-Am2, Mann was elated to set the pace ahead of her first Carrera Cup race weekend. “I can’t quite believe that,” she said. “I’m just building my pace bit by bit and I’m having an absolute ball.” Less than a tenth of a second slower was Tautvydas Barstys (Juta Racing) while another series newcomer was third as Will Goff (Goff Racing) made big progress through the day. “That’s a big step forward,” he said after improving by one and a half seconds in the later session.

After qualifying at 11.20am on Saturday morning, the first race is scheduled to start at 4.05pm on Saturday afternoon.

Pic: Norwich Photo

A grid of more than twenty Formula 3 cars will race in the F3 Cup’s opening round at Oulton Park this Easter (9 April). The championship, which is run by MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR), will partner the British GT Championship on one of the busiest days of the season at the Cheshire circuit, with thousands of spectators expected to attend on Bank Holiday Monday.

F3 Cup features Formula 3 cars built between the early 1980s and 2007, and lap only a few seconds slower than the cars that race in the current British F3 Championship. With budgets a fraction of the cost, F3 Cup provides an affordable opportunity for drivers and teams to compete in high-tech F3 cars, and the superb grid of more than 20 cars for the opening round includes British Formula Ford race winner Linton Stutely, plus MSVR champions Tristan Cliffe from the Monoposto single seater series and James Abbott from the Radical Sportscars Clubman’s Cup.

Jamie Stanley

Local man Jamie Stanley from Chester will be making a return to single seaters at Oulton Park with the F3 Cup, a path he was earlier forced to abandon due to budgetary issues. Having carved out a successful career in sportscars, which includes winning the 2010 British GT4 title, the 28-year old makes his F3 debut this Easter at his home circuit.

Stanley, who will drive for Lanan Racing, said: “I couldn’t climb the single seater ladder with the budgets that are normally involved, so the chance to come back and race an F3 car was too good an opportunity to miss. I think the series promotion is great and it’s a fantastic championship and concept.”

David Scott, Race Operations Manager for MSVR said: “We’re delighted to welcome so many F3 cars to the opening round of this year’s F3 Cup Championship. By keeping costs to a sensible level, whilst opening the series to cars from as recently as 2007, both club racers and young drivers on the ladder to F1 can now experience Formula 3 competition in a highly professional environment, even on modest budgets.

“The F3 Cup will co-headline the event at Oulton Park with the British GT Championship, and it will be a fantastic opportunity for F3 Cup competitors to showcase their talents in front of a huge crowd on Bank Holiday Monday. It should be a fabulous meeting and we can’t wait to get started!”

F3 Cup 2012 Round 1 Provisional Oulton Park Entry List:

1. Chris Needham, Cup Class (2002 – 2007)

2. Mark Harrison, Cup Class (2002 – 2007)

3. Neil Harrison, Cup Class (2002 – 2007)

4. Stuart Wiltshire, Cup Class (2002 – 2007)

5. Alf Skeels, Cup Class (2002 – 2007)

7. Tony Bishop, Cup Class (2002 – 2007)

8. Philip Austin, Trophy Class (1997 – 2001)

9. Louis Hamilton-Smith, Cup Class (2002 – 2007)

10. Prajesh Shah, Cup Class (2002 – 2007)

14. Nick Robinson, Cup Class (2002 – 2007)

16. Gino Ussi, Cup Class (2002 – 2007)

17. James Ledamun, Masters Class (1980 – 1996)

23. James Cross, Cup Class (2002 – 2007)

24. Matt Payne, Cup Class (2002 – 2007)

25. Kat Impey, Cup Class (2002 – 2007)

27. Tristan Cliffe, Cup Class (2002 – 2007)

33. Benjamin Harvey, Cup Class (2002 – 2007)

48. Jamie Stanley, Trophy Class (1997 – 2001)

58. Linton Stutely, Trophy Class (1997 – 2001)

74 James Abbott, Cup Class (2002 – 2007)

77 Dave Karaskas, Trophy Class (1997 – 2001)

Tickets for the British GT/F3 Championships at Oulton Park, featuring the F3 Cup Championship, are available from £13 with free entry for children aged 12 and under. British F3, which traditionally races at this event, will this year feature on the Good Friday and Easter Saturday. For more information on the event line-up and to purchase tickets, call 0843 453 9000 or visit www.oultonpark.co.uk

The British GT Championship is set for a memorable season, with 23 stunning cars already confirmed ahead of the opening round at Oulton Park over Easter weekend (6, 7 & 9 April). Thirteen different manufacturers from five countries will be represented on one of the highest-value grids outside of Formula 1, with the new McLaren MP4-12C an undoubted highlight.

After capturing the 2011 title with one of the first Ferrari 458 Italias in the championship, father and son pairing Jim and Glynn Geddie have defected to Maranello’s biggest rival on track, which is fast becoming a threat on the road too. The new MP4-12C will head a contingent of British supercars, with representation from Aston Martin courtesy of the Beechdean outfit, Lotus with a brace of Evoras in the GT4 class and a trio of Ginettas covering both categories.

Returning to the series after promising outings in 2011 will be the local Chevron outfit with Anthony Reid and Jordan Witt taking turns at the wheel once more. Near-neighbours Speedworks are also back with their Corvette Z06 R and both teams are likely to claim much of the crowd’s affection. “We’re all happy to be back and we’ve got some significant upgrades to be delivered soon which should help push us up the grid,” said Speedworks driver Ron Johnson. “We had a big learning year in 2011, but we know the car is good. It’s worked well in Europe and hopefully we’ll see more of its potential this year.”

Ferrari representation comes from the Rosso Verde, Scuderia Vittoria and Mtech teams running 458s, whilst Predator stick with the older 430 model. Expect to see several Porsches in Cheshire too, as Motorbase’s 997 GT3R adds to three entries from Trackspeed, one of which will contain former British Touring Car Champion Tim Harvey. Germany is also covered with the Preci-Spark Mercedes SLS AMG, United Autosports Audi R8 LMS and a BMW Z4 for the reborn Ecurie Ecosse outfit.

There will also be a Japanese contingent with a Nissan GTR GT3 entered by JMH, who will have local driver Benji Hetherington on the driving strength. The Jota team will run a Mazda MX5 in the GT4 class.

“We’ve worked hard over the winter to build upon the successful platform we established in 2011,” said Benjamin Franassovici, British GT Championship Manager. “To have such a good variety of sexy GT3 and GT4 cars is the reward from last year’s successful season.

“Having the likes of Nissan, BMW and Mazda joining our grid shows we’ve made a leap forward on previous years. We also welcome some quick new drivers into our family, and I think we’re set for our best season to date.

British GT Championship 2012 entry list

1, Apex, Jim Geddie & Glynn Geddie/Tim Mullen, McLaren MP4-12C

3, Rosso Verde, Hector Lester & Allan Simonsen, Ferrari 458 Italia

4, Speedworks, Ron Johnson & Piers Johnson, Corvette Z06 R

5, Scuderia Vittoria, John Dhillon & Aaron Scott, Ferrari 458 Italia

7, Beechdean, Andrew Howard & Jonathan Adam, Aston Martin Vantage GT3

9, JMH, Benji Hetherington & TBA, Nissan GTR GT3

11, Motorbase, Danielle Perfetti & Michael Caine, Porsche 997 GT3 R

12, Predator, Phil Burton & Adam Wilcox, Ferrari 430

14, Scuderia Stark, Ian Stinton & Jake Rattenbury, Ginetta G55

15, Team WFR, Jody Firth & Warren Hughes, Ginetta G55

21, Mtech, Duncan Cameron & Matt Griffin, Ferrari 458 Italia

22, Preci-Spark, David Jones & Godfrey Jones, Mercedes AMG SLS GT3

23, United Autosports, Matt Bell & Charles Bateman, Audi R8 LMS

31, Trackspeed, David Ashburn & TBA, Porsche 997 GT3 R
32, Trackspeed, Steve Tandy & Joe Osborne, Porsche 997 GT3 R
33, Trackspeed, Jon Minshaw & Tim Harvey, Porsche 997 GT3 R

42, Century Motorsport, Dominic Evans & Zoe Wenham, Ginetta G50

47, Jota Group, Drivers TBA, Mazda MX5 GT4

48, Lotus Sports UK, Sailesh Bolisetti & TBA, Lotus Evora GT4
49, Lotus Sports UK, Drivers TBA, Lotus Evora GT4

55, Team WFR, Jody Fannin & Riki Christodoulou, Ginetta G50

79, Ecurie Ecosse, Oliver Bryant & Alasdair McCaig, BMW Z4 GT3

99, Chevron Cars, Anthony Reid & Jordan Witt, Chevron GR8 GT3

Ginetta can today announce that both the Ginetta Junior Championship and its sister championship, the Ginetta Junior Ireland Championship, will receive an addition to their respective championship prizes this year.

In addition to the previously announced prize of the use of a Ginetta for either the Ginetta Juniors (G40J), Ginetta GT Supercup (G50) or Total Quartz Ginetta GT5 Challenge (G40) for 2013, the winner and runner up of the Ginetta Junior Championship, and the winner of the Ginetta Junior Ireland Championship, will win a test in an NGTC British Touring Car.

In association with Speedworks Motorsport, the three drivers will be invited to a UK circuit where they will join the 2011 Ginetta GT Supercup champion, Adam Morgan in his NGTC specification Toyota Avensis, which is set to make its debut at the opening round of the British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch on April 1.

Ginetta Championship Co-ordinator Max Gregory said; “This is a great opportunity for our junior drivers in both the UK and Irish Championships.  Aspirations of young drivers are changing, and it is clear that the majority of these drivers are stepping away from the stereotype of Formula One dreams and looking more towards a career in Touring Cars or GT Racing.  We think that to have the opportunity to drive a current specification touring car at such a young age will be inspirational for our junior drivers”.

Ginetta Junior Ireland Class Principal Ann Stevens said: The support and encouragement we have received from Ginetta since starting our championship here in Ireland in 2009 has been wonderful. With the additional prize to test in a BTCC car, our competitors will have an opportunity of advancing their racing careers further. We cannot thank Ginetta enough for their ongoing support.

The first round of the Ginetta Junior Ireland Championship kicks off at Kirkistown on Saturday March 31^st.

MGR Motorsport has made a superb start to their maiden InterSteps season at Oulton Park, with driver Matt Mason (14) taking a clean sweep of first places.

Having qualified in P1, from lights out on the first race of the 2012 championship, Matt never dropped back, claiming top spot on an all Brit podium, ahead of second place, Matt Parry (1) with Mason’s MGR team-mate, James Fletcher (15) in third.

James ran a strong race, despite a minor electrical problem in the second half of qualifying, just four hours prior to the first race. Fletcher powered past eventual fourth place man, Liam Venter (7), early in lap two and never looked back. MGR’s third racer, Switzerland’s Jan Schwitter (12), maintained his qualifying position of fifth throughout the race, finishing just three seconds behind Liam.

As the clouds closed in for race two, the mood in the pit garages stayed sunny and the team were duly rewarded with Matt claiming his second victory, giving him top spot in the drivers championship. Fifth place went to Jan who skillfully held off a competitive Cameron Twynham (2), finishing 1.329 seconds ahead, just 0.268 seconds behind team-mate, James.

With no running in the second half of qualifying, James was forced to start race two from the back of the grid but took just one lap to find his way to seventh spot. Pushing hard in the latter stages of the race, he was rewarded with a fourth place finish. With just a half-car length behind third place man, Venter, James was left to reflect on the podium position that might have been.

Following a strong debut, Team Principal, Kelvin Burt, said: “I think we’ve made a very good start but there’s still a long way to go, both in the championship and in the development of the car. We’re under no illusion that we still have a lot of work to do but as a team we can come away happy.

“Jan showed great consistency, James pulled off some superb overtakes and all credit to Matt who drove two superb races. Oulton is very much a driver’s circuit but we look forward to the challenges that await us at the remaining tracks. As a team we know what needs to be done to move forward, so now it’s all hands to deck to get the improvements in place before Donington on April 22.”

Speaking of the day championship leader, Matt Mason, said: “It couldn’t have gone better. I’ve been working hard on my race preparation running up to the race and it’s great to see it paying off.”

“We had a solid qualifying and consistent laptimes and that’s what ultimately clinched the victories. The team did a great job and I’m really pleased with the results. It’s been an absolutely perfect start to the championship.”

Commenting on his first experience at the popular Oulton Circuit, James Fletcher, said: “Overall it’s been a good weekend. To get a podium in my first time at Oulton is great, I’m very happy.

“Having not managed to get out in the second qualifying session was unfortunate and meant we faced an uphill struggle. I think we can be pleased with fourth but had we had another lap or two, third would have been firmly in our grasp, but that’s motor racing!

“The guys did a great job, the pit crew have been top and the racing was exciting, you couldn’t ask for more.”

MGR Motorsport results

Qualifying one:

Matt Mason Q1: 1:25:179
James Fletcher Q4: 1:25:930
Jan Schwitter Q5: 1:26:375

Qualifying two:

Matt Mason Q1: 1:24:973
Jan Schwitter Q4: 1:25:999
James Fletcher: DNQ

Race one:

Matt Mason P1: 20:12:637
James Fletcher P3: 20:25:101
Jan Schwitter P5: 20:29:230

Race two

Matt Mason P1: 20:20:295
James Fletcher P4: 20:38:124
Jan Schwitter P5: 20:38:842

Pics: Paul Davies Photography

Following the decision made by Renault Sport to cancel the CERTINA Formula Renault 2.0 UK Championship for 2012, Fortec Motorsports has opted to join the Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup for the 2012 season.

The Northern European Cup has enjoyed great success in recent years and has proven to be extremely competitive, counting top names such as Fortec’s Formula Renault 3.5 driver Robin Frijns amongst its racing alumni. Although Fortec has previously entered a select few rounds in the Championship, 2012 will be the first full season for the team.

2012 will be the seventh season of the NEC, which was launched in 2006, merging Formula Renault 2.0 Germany and Formula Renault 2.0 Netherlands and the organisers have already announced grids of over 20 cars for the year ahead. It has not yet been established whether all four drivers who were set to compete in the Formula Renault 2.0 UK Championship will compete in the NEC this season, but the team will travel to Hockenheim tomorrow to take part in the second of two official pre-season tests, ahead of the season opener at the German circuit in April.

Fortec Team Principal Richard Dutton said that the NEC seemed like the most sensible option for the Fortec squad: “We’re all extremely disappointed that the UK Championship failed to attract the number of entries required and that the decision to cancel the Championship was made so close to the start of the season, particularly as the team and drivers have worked extremely hard in pre-season testing.

“Ultimately, we want to race in a competitive Championship and the NEC, with strong grids – both in terms of size and quality – seems like the most sensible option for us now. We’ve had to move extremely quickly to get the ball rolling but we’re certain that we can perform at the top level in northern Europe; we have a great, experienced team of mechanics and engineers and I have every confidence in them and we look forward to the new challenge ahead.”

Fortec finished as Team Champions in the 2011 CERTINA Formula Renault 2.0 Championship, which saw Alex Lynn take the Drivers’ Championship in record-breaking style, while Oliver Rowland clinched the Runner-Up spot.

The first round of the eight-event Championship takes place at the Hockenheimring, Germany, April 19-22.