RACING EXPOSURE :: Club level motorsport e-magazine

Britcar are giving away (yes giving away) tickets for the 2010 Britcar 24hrs.

Tickets give you weekend long access to the only 24hr GT race in the country, including paddock access, grandstand seats, a full package of support races and off-track activities including a trade mall, air shows and car displays.

To book your tickets visit: www.britcar24hr.co.uk/tickets

The Britcar 24hr was made famous by the Top Gear team entering a BMW 3-series Diesel in the 2007 event and is regularly re-shown on the Dave TV channel.

Small print:

• Ticket stock is limited and is supplied on a first come, first serve basis
• Tickets are limited by the number of car parking spaces available
• Car park passes must be purchased with each ticket order and are priced at £ 6 per car and £ 12 per large vehicle.
• Tickets subject to a £ 2.50 booking fee per ticket.
• Tickets are not transferable.
• Ticketholders become members of the free Britcar Spectactors Club (unsubscribe options are available)

Free is a price Racing Exposure likes!

The Cooper Tire British F3 International Series and the Avon Tyres British GT Championship will be thundering into the home of British motorsport, Silverstone, on August 14/15 and you could be there to catch all the action.

The two tyre manufacturers are offering VIP tickets to watch the F1 stars of the future, plus a grid full of mouth-watering sports cars on the newly-christened Silverstone GP circuit.

The winner will enjoy two VIP tickets, with entry to the paddock area as well as breakfast, hot and cold buffet lunch with reserved table, open bar and afternoon tea.

To be in with a chance of winning, simply visit www.avonbgtpromotions.co.uk/silverstone or www.coopertyrespromotions.co.uk and fill in the application form to be automatically entered into the free prize draw.

Closing date for the competition is 2^nd August 2010.

Porsche Carrera Cup GB Scholarship drivers Euan Hankey and Michael Meadows showed strongly in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup race supporting the British Grand Prix yesterday (11 July). Hankey qualified a superb eighth fastest but had an incident packed race while Meadows drove a strong race to take 14th in a superbly competitive field.

The step up to the Formula 1 support race at Silverstone came as an additional reward for their success in the 2010 Scholarship and represented a fantastic opportunity to race in front of a huge crowd at their home Grand Prix. Victory in the race went British racer Nick Tandy, who made his Porsche debut in the Carrera Cup GB VIP car at Silverstone in August 2008.

In qualifying on Saturday, Hankey claimed eighth place on the grid and just a tenth of second improvement would have left him fifth as he out-qualified a number of established Supercup aces. Meadows was 18th fastest, one place behind Supercup race winner Alessandro Zampedri.

“I was pretty chuffed with P8 in qualifying,” said Hankey. “The Formula 1 rubber gives you grip I’ve never experienced before. It felt like driving a single-seater, but with the power of the Porsche.”

“The frustrating thing in qualifying is that I didn’t get my lap on the first lap on the Formula 1 rubber,” said Meadows. “Euan did, and he showed where we could be. It was just great to be out there and feel that amount of grip. You push 100% on every lap and it really tests you as a driver. I qualified around Zampedri, Bridgman and Maassen.”

In Sunday’s race, run in front of a crowd in excess of 100,000, Hankey attacked from the start but was forced off the track on the opening lap and eventually dropped to 18th place at the finish with an ill-handling car. Meadows, meanwhile, moved up the order to take 14th place. “I had a great start and got into seventh,” said Hankey. “Then someone launched up the inside of me and I got pushed way off the track. The handing was terrible after that.”

“It’s been hard work, but so good to do,” said Meadows. “You get to compare yourself to the best Porsche drivers around. The pace was quite good and I learnt a lot. It was so aggressive in the first couple of laps and I just sat at the back of it. It was great to be on the back of people like Zampedri and Maassen.”

The experience has left both Carrera Cup Scholarship drivers keen to graduate into the Porsche Supercup in the future. “It’s been a big learning curve and the whole Supercup experience is absolutely brilliant,” said Hankey. “The atmosphere is fantastic and it is awesome. I could do this for the rest of my life!”

“This is where I want to be next,” said Meadows. “It could be possible to do Supercup and Carrera Cup GB, like the German guys do with Supercup and Carrera Cup Germany.”

Racing Exposure contributor, Steve Shurey, has provided some photos from the recent BRSCC meeting at Silverstone.

Racing Exposure photographer Scott Mitchell has provided these shots from the MG Live meeting at Silverstone.   Click the thumbnails for the bigger versions.

Scott has a website at www.scmmotorsportpictures.co.uk where more shots can be seen.

The programme included:

• Aero Racing Morgan Challenge
• Cockshoot Cup
• Drayton Manor Park MG Metro Cup
• Enduro Pit Stop
• Equipe GTS
• Finishline MG Trophy Championship
• Historic British Sportscars
• Kimber Trophy
• Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club
• MGA’s and ‘T’ Types
• MMM
• Moss-Europe BCV8 Championship
• Motoring Classics Thoroughbred Sportscars
• Pete Best Insurance Challenge
• Surveying Devon & Cornwall Midget Challenge

Photography: Scott Mitchell

Scott Mitchell sent in these photos from the HSCC event at Silverstone.

More on his website

AAA Saloons splash and dash at Silverstone

The AAA (Ajec AWD Academy) Saloon Cup, featuring the UK’s fastest saloons, headed to a wet and windy Silverstone on May 8th for a double header with overall victory shared between an Escort Cosworth and a Mitsubishi Evo.

Once again it was Gary Prebble’s Sparshatts Evo VII RS which claimed pole position but on lap three a 20p split pin on his gear selector dropped out leaving him with no gears and forcing him to retire. His big rival Nick Williamson (Escort Cosworth) then inherited the lead until on lap seven he broke a ball joint and ended up stranded on the track. Another Escort Cosworth, driven by Malcolm Wise, then lead the field to the chequered flag. Richard Jones was delighted to take his Launch Motorsport Evo to the runner-up slot in GpA, despite his windows misting up, while Simon Norris survived some spins and a trip through the gravel trap to bring his Bogey Evo home third in class.

Laurie Kilby’s Ajec Racing Evo IX set the fastest lap of the race before he retired with a puncture on lap four, and Jonathan Faull’s Evo lost all power when a boost pipe sprung a leak.

In Gp B, for cars limited to 400 bhp, it was Steve Liquorish in the Ergo/JRM Evo X who led the GpB runners from his pole position, despite his windscreen steaming up and his gamble on running dry R888 tyres. It was a big gamble – the track was very wet and slippery that even the Pace Car – the unique X1 Evo Concept Coupe – struggled to stay on the tarmac, and unluckily for Steve, the track never dried out. Appearing through the spray, almost within touching distance of the chequered flag on the final lap, to snatch victory from under Steve’s bonnet, was Ben Anderson – Autosport magazine’s staff racing driver – who was making his saloon car debut in the Ajec Racing ‘guest’ Evo VIII. A delighted Ben, running the Toyo R1R wet option tyre, had been stalking Steve for most of the race, getting quicker and quicker, and took the opportunity to pounce and grab the AAA winners cup and champagne. Ben was second overall in the race. He also picked up the Launch Motorsport ‘Drive of the Race’ award. However it was Martin Thomas’ Evo (3rd in GpB) which set the fastest lap of the race for the GpB cars and he was on the Toyo dry tyres.

Freddie Leatham’s Evo VIII ended his race by diving across a gravel trap straight into a concrete wall. He didn’t return for Race 2. Angus Gorringe brought his Tangerine Audi S2 home in 4th place – another who suffered from steamed up windows.

Prebble started Race 2 from the back of the grid, due to his DNF in Race 1. Could he do the same as he did at Combe earlier in

the season and win the race? Yes he could, with his wipers working overtime – he was leading the pack before most of his rivals had even finished their opening laps. But his main rival Nick Williamson started the race from the pit lane – having worked flat out to repair his car from Race 1 – and managed to work his way through the field – avoiding all the spinning cars (and there were quite a lot to avoid) to claim the runner-up slot and Launch Motorsport Drive of the Race award, ahead of Simon Norris who set the fastest lap. Malcolm Wise was never a serious threat for the podium as his Escort was suffering from a sticking throttle; it was either 6000 rpm or nothing!

Ben Anderson briefly led the GpB runners from the front row, but spun and spent the rest of the race trying to make up for lost ground – he eventually finished third in class behind Martin Thomas – who set another fastest lap – with Steve Liquorish claiming the champagne and a well deserved GpB victory.

The first race from Silverstone will be broadcast on Motors TV on Friday May 21st at 7.35 pm, with the second race shown at the same time the following Friday (28th).

The AAA Saloon action moves to Brands Hatch for the next two races on Sunday June 6th.

Full details about the series can be found at www.aaasaloons.com and on Facebook.

Silverstone (Grand Prix) Rounds 3&4 2010 Race Report

After contesting the Brands Hatch circuit for the opening rounds of the Toyo Tires Racing Saloons, round two saw the drivers and teams of the TTRS series head to Silverstone, where the grand prix circuit was eagerly awaiting them.

With qualifying done and dusted it was Tim Sweet who soared to pole position, with Roger Kneebone starting alongside him in second. Colin Tester recorded the third fastest time, with Peter Seldon beside him in fourth.

Race 1:

As the lights went out it was Roger Kneebone who got the jump on his rivals to take the lead from the off. Colin Tester initially settled into second, while Tim Sweet was demoted to third.

Photo: www.snappyracers.com

After the first lap of the race everyone began to find their rhythm, as they started to realise where they were strong and what their limits were. This made for a very close fight at the front, with Tester, Sweet and the pursuing Leigh Franklin all fighting for the same piece of track. Tester held second position for the majority of the race, despite Sweet trying his upmost to steal the position away from him.

By the third lap Kneebone maintained the upper hand, by extending his lead at the front. Behind, it was still a free for all, as Sweet, Tester and Franklin piled on the pressure to each other, each determined to control the pace.

Further back, Peter Seldon led the way for the next gaggle of cars in fifth, while his followers kept him honest, determined to find a way through. Towards the back of this group, Lawrence Ball and Jason Christie enjoyed a spectacular sideways moment in synchronisation on lap five, as the duo exited the first corner alongside one another. With the perfectly placed grandstand on the inside of Copse corner overlooking this action, it was a great spectacle for the many fans watching.

While all the action was taking place behind him, Kneebone soon extended his lead to two and a half seconds, but was still pushing to make sure he kept his advantage. Before long Tester, still heading the battle for second, stepped up the chase once again, trying his best to cut the gap to the BMW M5 pilot. Determined not to lose sight of the top two, Sweet was reeling them in, now riding right with them.

As the opening race came to a close in sight of the chequered flag, it was Kneebone who held onto the prominent position, sweeping passed the flag in first. After carrying off a late lunge on the final tour it was Sweet who crossed the line in second, stealing the position from Tester right at the end. Tester was left to take third, while Franklin finished a lonely fourth.

Seldon managed to hold onto his fifth position, just ahead of Mark Capewell, while Stephen Primett, Julian Newman, Matt Knight and Ken Lark completed the top ten.

Race 2:

Race two saw a 45 strong grid take the start, with everyone fired up for another blast around the infamous circuit. With the race one result forming the grid it was Kneebone who took pole, ahead of Sweet on the front row.

After another seven lap dash, this time it was Tester who raced to the top step of the podium, while Kneebone was forced to relinquish his number one spot to finish second. Sweet completed the podium in third, while Franklin again finished in a strong fourth place.

As ever we weren’t disappointed with the TTRS turn-out and races. Next stop is Thruxton on 8th May, where we expect yet another storming outing.

Race Report by Leanne Fahy (leannefahy@hotmail.com)

GAZ Shocks Production BMW Championship

Rounds 3&4 Silverstone (Grand Prix) 17-18/04/10

Round two of the Production BMW Championship saw the field head to Silverstone, where they were set to race around the infamous grand prix circuit.

Qualifying saw the day kick off in style; however with just four minutes remaining the red flag was thrown, signalling the end of the session, due to a number of cars off at various points of the circuit. Despite this, Tim Wilson secured pole position, just ahead of Alan Wileman and Liam Crilly.

Race 1:

As the 48-strong field powered into the first corner, Wilson and Wileman led the way, running side by side away from the rest of the pack. As they worked their way around the opening lap it was Wilson who kept the momentum, stealing back his initial advantage, as he leapt into the lead.

Image by Snappyracers.com

Reigning champion, Rob Smith also managed to find a way passed Wileman, muscling through into second, while the latter was forced back to third. As the field weaved their way around the opening few laps the battle at the front really began to hot up, with the top seven being separated by less than half a second.

Before long, Wileman was edged out that bit more, as the BMW 320i of Robin Welsh seized the opportunity to take third place. By this point, leader Wilson had managed to break free of his pursuers, and was beginning to disappear into the distance.

With all attentions at the front of the field focused on the Smith-Welsh scrap, further down the pack the spotlight shone on Jerry Brown and Mickey Daly, who were enjoying a fierce tussle, running nose to tail for much of the seven laps.

The field was mainly dominated by the BMW 320i pilots throughout the opening race at the Northamptonshire venue; however Liam Crilly was taking the fight to them, running as the highest placed BMW E30 318i driver for the duration.

Further adrift, Kristian Dean enjoyed a thrilling battle with Stephen Carter, with the duo continuously swapping positions for four laps. After not getting a clear lap in qualifying, Dean was forced to start in 30th place, however not letting this hamper him too much he launched up to 23rd by the chequered flag, finishing just behind Carter at the end.

As the lap counter ticked downwards Wilson’s early advantage began to decrease, as Welsh gradually reeled him in. As the chequered flag greeted them after seven laps, Wilson was the victor with Welsh just inches behind. Crilly completed the podium, while Smith, Clint Bardwell and Wileman concluded the top six.

Commenting on his win, Wilson said: “It was a tough one, Robin made me work for it, but I just held on at the end.”

Race 2:

The second outing was another thrilling adventure, with the usual suspects filling the top positions. With the starting grid being based on race one finishing positions Wilson grasped pole.

This time around it was Welsh who got the better of Wilson, with the top places reversed as the chequered flag fell. Smith promoted himself to the podium, while Bardwell progressed to fourth.

Stuart Waite stormed to fifth from eighth, while Wileman followed in sixth. Further back, Ian Shepherd enjoyed a strong race, advancing from 26th to 14th.

As ever it was an entertaining weekend for the PBMW crowd. Tim Wilson summed up the weekend perfectly – “brilliant races, brilliant driving.”

Race Report by Leanne Fahy (leannefahy@hotmail.com)

Racing Exposure contributor Steve Shurey has provided a few photos from the BARC meeting at Silverstone.  More can be found on his website.

Everyone loves a freebie…

The kind people at Renault have been giving away free tickets for the Renault World Series event for a few years now.   The 2010 event is no exception and takes place at Silverstone on the 18th & 19th September.    Up to 4 tickets per household can be reserved by visiting this site.

Whilst there you will be treated to various races, including rounds of the Formula Renault World Series, Formula Renault , the Renault Clio Cup and Megane Trophy.   There will also be opportunities to look at Renault’s current range of road cars, including their RenaultSport models of the Twingo, Clio and Megane, and the re-introduction of the Gordini brand name.

Racing Exposure contributor Scott Mitchell braved the rain at Silverstone and sent in these photos from some of the support races.   Whilst Superleague – a series linking football teams with racing cars is beyond scope of this site, some of the support races are.

More photos at Scott’s website

Silverstone Circuit nears completion

Work on the new Grand Prix Circuit at Silverstone is nearing completion, as the Northamptonshire venue’s multi-million pound investment in a new track layout and improved spectator facilities remains on schedule to be finished by the end of March.

The new circuit will host a number of world class events in 2010, including the FORMULA 1 SANTANDER BRITISH GRAND PRIX on 09-11 July, and MotoGP and World Superbike motorcycle racing on 18-20 June and 31 July – 01 August respectively. However, the first major international event to test out the new circuit will be the Silverstone Supercar featuring the FIA GT1 World Championship, on 01-02 May.

Richard Phillips, Managing Director of Silverstone Circuits Limited, said, “Work on the circuit and venue is on schedule. The team has been working around the clock, through some pretty terrible weather conditions, to make sure the circuit is ready on time. The track works at Brooklands and Woodcote are now complete, including the new run-off area for the fast entry into Pits Straight, while the major new development – the new section of circuit from Abbey, up to the Arena Complex and round to the National Straight – is also coming along nicely.“

“There is still a considerable amount of work going on at Silverstone, including the new elevated banks and spectator viewing areas, which will continue beyond March. Conference and hospitality buildings are also being built on the new Stowe Complex.”

Click on the following link to access the latest images, highlighting work that has been carried out at Silverstone (to date):http://www.flickr.com/photos/48246033@N08/sets/72157623578111068/detail

Source: www.silverstone.co.uk

A new single make series is being run run by MSVR this year. The events will feature a grid of identical Fiat 500 Abarths and will race at 6 venues across the UK, with a final round to be held at Monza.

In June the series will race at Snetterton for round 4, and will be on the calendar alongside the GT Cup and Formula Palmer Audi Championship.

“This is a great calendar for our first season,” said Championship Organiser Paolo Caellea. “We are running alongside some of the most recognisable racing series in the world and at the same time we are trying some new things. We are really excited that we can offer our teams and drivers the opportunity to drive on six fantastic, different race tracks and be part of some of the UK’s biggest racing weekends.”

3/5 April Oulton Park
17/18 April Silverstone GP
22/23 May Cadwell Park
26/27 June Snetterton
24/25 July Silverstone GP
4/5 September Brands Hatch Indy
23/24 October Monza