RACING EXPOSURE :: Club level motorsport e-magazine

Club MSV have today (9 November) announced the launch of its new Club Racing School, with the aim of enticing new drivers to motorsport and helping existing competitors unlock the secrets to improving their race performance.

Club MSV, the trackday organising division of major UK circuit owner MotorSport Vision, have introduced more than 100 drivers to the world of competitive motorsport through the novice race series ‘Trackday Trophy’. However, with motor racing being a complex sport, where the fastest car will not necessary guarantee success, Club MSV hope to help drivers lift the lid on how to race successfully through the new Club Racing School.

The Club Racing School sessions will take place at MotorSport Vision’s Bedford Autodrome complex and a team of highly experienced instructors will help aspiring amateur racing drivers learn the basics, from start line procedures, overtaking and defensive driving, through to car control and car preparation. The first ClubRacing School is due to begin with sessions on Friday 27 January and Saturday 4 February, priced at £499. Further dates are expected to be confirmed in due course.

Club MSV Manager Alex Baker said: “Any racing driver can tell you about the racing line, as could most trackday drivers – track driving skills are regularly taught on trackdays throughout the country. However, many racers don’t know the techniques required to be a successful racing driver, particularly those new to the sport.

“Having fed more than 100 new racers through our Trackday and Team Trophy race series, it’s become clear to us that there was nowhere club racers could receive training on racing techniques – most competitors first “race” experience is when they’re actually sat on the grid! That’s why we are launching theClub Racing School to train club racers on the many elements of a race that you simply can’t practice or prepare for on a trackday. Everything from the basics of car preparation through to race craft.”

For more information on the Club Racing School, please contact Nick Rice on 0843 453 3000, emailnick.rice@clubmsv.co.uk or visit www.clubmsv.co.uk/clubracing.

The MSVR-run GT Cup Championship, MINI Challenge, Radical Clubman’s Cup and Monoposto Championships are undecided and with only few races of the season remaining, the MSVR Races of Wales could be a defining moment of the 2011 campaign. Joining the four title fights, providing equally as much entertainment, are the F3 Cup, and Club MSV’s Trackday Trophy.

Anglesey’s picturesque 2.1 mile International circuit will once again echo to the sound of spectacular V8 machinery, with the GT Cup Championship contesting its seventh round of the season. A host of Porsches, Ferraris, BMWs and Chevrons will populate the grid all in search of crucial points.

Only 22 points separate the top two drivers in the title race and both will be vying for strong finishes to boost their championship ambitions. Porsche 997driver Andy Ruhan tops the standings but he cannot afford to relax with David Tomlin, in his Ferrari 430, desperate to claw back the gap. The battles for Group 2 and Group 3 are even closer with Tom Andrew and Barclay Dougal holding slim leads at the top of the standings respectively.

The battle for the 2011 MINI Challenge title is even closer with the championship heading into a three-way fight between Chris Knox, Luke Caudle and Lee Allen. With four all action races scheduled at the Welsh circuit, the destiny of the championship could become a lot clearer. Caudle heads to Wales topping the standings on 187 points after recording two wins last time out at Donington Park. He is 11 points ahead of Chris Knox, who also claimed a win at Donington, his fourth victory of the season. Former championship leader Lee Allen will be eager to ignite his title hopes after suffering a retirement from the last race. Cardiff drivers Craig Freeman and Kevin O’Connor will be hoping to impress on home soil.

The high speed open top sports cars of the Radical Clubman’s Cup are set to thrill with works driver James Abbott hoping to maintain his lead in the championship. Abbott has established a healthy lead in the points’ standings leaving his rivals desperate for a strong weekend in Wales. Mark Abbott is James’ nearest rival in the championship but his hopes were dented by failing to finish one of the races at Donington, which will increase the importance of this weekend’s two races. After two podiums at Donington, Tony Wells is a driver in form and will hope to continue his run of podiums.

With just a handful of races remaining, there is plenty to be decided in the Monoposto Championship, which will see an eclectic mix of single seater machines do battle. Norwich’s Tristan Cliffe is edging closer to lifting the Monoposto 2000 Championship in his Omicron Motorsport Dallara but the title is not out of reach of nearest rival Malcolm Scott. The championship battles are much closer in the Monoposto 1800, 1600 and 1000 classes, with the 1600 class leaders David Parkinson and Nigel Davers split by a single point.

The challenges of the Anglesey circuit should produce two interesting races in the F3 Cup as the series makes its first visit to the venue. Aaron Steele, driving for the Welsh-based Gray’s Motorsport, has been the dominant force so far this season and he will be keen to extend his run of victories to increase his hopes of winning the Sunoco Grand Am 200 Challenge. The national competition could earn the most successful driver of the season an opportunity to race at the famous Daytona circuit in America. However, Mark Terry, Chris Needham and Matt Draper will be aiming to halt Steele’s charge.

The novice racers of the Club MSV Trackday Trophy are set to provide plenty of thrilling on track action as they embark on their penultimate round of the season. With four classes competing, there will be an impressive grid of cars varying from Renault Clios to high powered BMWs. The series is strictly for novice drivers who are looking for an entry in to motor racing.

The next MSVR event is the MSVR 300 Weekend at the Snetterton 300 circuit on 15/16 October. More information is available at www.snetterton.co.uk or visit www.msvracing.co.uk.

Andy Ruhan remains the man to beat in the GT Cup Championship

Bumper grids, close racing and title scraps will dominate a superb line up of races at MSVR’s Donington Park Weekend on 13/14 August.

The MSVR run GT Cup Championship, Lotus Cup UK, Lotus on Track Elise Trophy, MINI Challenge, Radical UK Cup, Radical Clubman’s Cup, Trackday Trophy and Team Trophy will all provide entertaining races around the 1.96 mile Leicestershire circuit.

A bumper grid of more than 20 spectacular GT cars is expected to battle it out for the top honours and precious championship points in Sunday’s two GT Cup Championship races. Irishman Andy Ruhan has been the man to beat in 2011 so far, but his 21 point lead is by no means safe; David Tomlin, driving his Ferrari 430, reduced the Porsche driver’s advantage after a solid showing at the last round at Brands Hatch. The emergence of Chevron driver Jordan Witt, who recorded a win at the Kent circuit, could also become a factor. The Group 2 and 3 battles are even closer with Sean Winder and Adam Hayes holding slim leads.

Trooper Martyn Copleston ready to take on the Lotus Cup UK and Elise Trophy

The Lotus Cup UK will have a unique presence this weekend with Afghanistan conflict heroes Major James Cameron and Trooper Martyn Copleston hitting the track in a Lotus Elise. Tank Commander Cameron has already competed in the championship, but he will be joined this weekend by 21-year-old Martyn Coplesdon, who will compete in his first motor race after successfully passing his ARDS test with MotorSportVision at Bedford Autodrome. His achievement is even more impressive after making a full recovering from injuries to his thigh, following an IED explosion during service in Afghanistan earlier this year.

The pair will also be taking part in the Elise Trophy, Club MSV Trackday Trophy and Team Trophy. Elsewhere in the Lotus Cup UK, Ken Savage leads the championship, but Mark Fullalove is the man in form after recording a double win at Brands Hatch last time out.

Alongside the Lotus Cup UK, the Lotus on Track Elise Trophy will once again provide close racing. Andy Dolan, Luigi Mazza, Ken Savage, Steve Quick, Emma Selway and Craig Denman have all visited the top step of the podium this season.

Lee Allen holds a narrow lead in the MINI Challenge

With four races scheduled for the popular MINI Challenge this weekend, the destiny of the 2011 title could alter significantly. Former champion Lee Allen currently leads the standings by nine points, courtesy of his double win at the MSVR Indy Weekend. With so many points up for grabs, a strong performance from any of the top four drivers could help decide the outcome of what is proving to be an intriguing 2011 championship race.

Points are becoming increasingly important as the battle for the Radical UK Cup and Radical Clubman’s Cup enters its final stages of the season. The popular open top sports cars have produced some thrilling racing this season and the UK Cup is far from decided. Stuart Moseley and Mark Smithson are the new leaders after a win at Brands Hatch last month, but Rob Wheldon and David Thorburn are only 16 points behind ahead of two races this weekend.

The battle for the Radical Clubman’s Cup is even closer with only eight points separating championship leader Mark Boot, ahead of a bumper 30 grid for Saturday’s two races. Just 14 points cover the top three drivers in the championship standings going into the sixth round of the season.

The Club MSV Trackday Trophy and Team Trophy are set to entertain once again as they embark on their second a fourth round of the season respectively. The cost effective series designed for first time racers will produce strong grids, including an impressive 26 car entry for the Team Trophy. The Team Trophy will witness a special challenge this weekend as motoring journalists Ben Anderson (Autosport), Rob Ladbrook (Motorsport News) and Ben Barry (Car Magazine) plan to swap their notepads for race overalls.

For more information on the MSVR Donington Weekend visit www.msvracing.co.uk or log on to www.donington-park.co.uk

Due to overwhelming demand, the Club MSV Trackday Trophy has expanded its event at Cadwell Park on 21/22 May to include a second grid.

The novice racing series has attracted strong entries already in 2011, with 45 cars for the opening round at Snetterton in March. Due to circuit regulations, the Trackday Trophy’s Cadwell Park race has a maximum grid capacity of 28 cars, however phenomenal interest in the event has led series organisers to open up a second grid.

Club MSV Manager Alex Baker said: “We have received an overwhelming amount of interest in the series this year and particularly for this round at Cadwell. It is a fantastic circuit and although it’s normally renowned as a biker’s mecca, it’s just as rewarding for car racers.”

The initial capacity grid will compete at Cadwell Park on Saturday, with qualifying and racing for the second grid on Sunday. 21 entries have already been confirmed for the Trackday Trophy’s additional Sunday field, with just seven places still available.

Alex Baker added: “Although it is normal procedure for most series to have races on both days, this is the first time we’ve run the Trackday Trophy over more than one day at a race meeting and we’re really looking forward to it.”

Places for the Trackday Trophy second grid at Cadwell Park on Sunday 22 May are available for £325 (including VAT) per team. This includes a 45 minute practice/qualifying session and a 45 minute race.

For more information contact Alex Baker on 0843 453 3000 or visit www.trackdaytrophy.co.uk.

Club MSV Trackday Trophy to inaugurate Snetterton 300 circuit

Novice racing series unveils expanded calendar for 2011

Following a successful first season in 2010, the Club MSV Trackday Trophy has unveiled an extended calendar for its second year in 2011, including an outing at the new Snetterton 300 circuit’s inaugural event.

The novice racing series – which offers enthusiastic trackday drivers a cost effective route into competitive motorsport – will take place over six rounds in 2011, beginning at the Norfolk racetrack in March as part of the MSVR Season Starter. This is the first event to take place on Snetterton’s new 2.99 mile layout, which is due for completion later this month.

The Trackday Trophy will also make its debut at three new UK circuits this season, with rounds at Cadwell Park in May, Donington Park in August and Anglesey International in September, alongside return visits to Brands Hatch and Oulton Park.

Alex Baker, Club MSV Manager, said: “2010 was a fantastic first season for the Trackday Trophy and we’re pleased to be able to build on that with an even stronger calendar in 2011. It’s an honour to be among the first series to race on the new Snetterton circuit, and our competitors are excited about racing at a mixture of familiar and new venues this year. We’re really looking forward to the season ahead!”

Registration for the 2011 Club MSV Trackday Trophy is now open at a cost of £75 per team, with places also available at a dedicated pre-season trackday at Brands Hatch on 17 February and a pre-season test day at Snetterton, also on the new 300 circuit on 8 March.

Club MSV Trackday Trophy 2011 calendar

Last years opening round was held in very wet conditions - for many entrants it was their first ever car race!

Pre season trackday - 17 February - Brands Hatch

Pre season test day - 8 March - Snetterton 300

Round 1 - 19 March - Snetterton 300

Round 2 - 21 May - Cadwell Park

Round 3 - 17 July – Brands Hatch

Round 4 - 14 August - Donington Park National

Round 5 - 10 September – Anglesey International

Round 6 - 22 October - Oulton Park

For more information visit www.trackdaytrophy.co.uk or contact the Trackday Trophy team on 0843 453 3000.

MSVR Trackday Trophy series has announced its 2011 plans.   The event is designed for trackday enthusiasts but who are new to competition to go racing.    It will be one of the first series to visit the new Snetterton 300 circuit.

Race 1 – 19/20 March – Snetterton 300

Race 2 – 21/22 May – Cadwell Park

Race 3 – 16/17 July – Brands Hatch Indy

Race 4 – 10/11 September – Anglesey International

Race 5 – 29 October – Donington Park

Pre-season – 17 February – Brands Hatch

Following a successful inaugural season in 2010, the Club MSV Trackday Trophy has confirmed it will return in 2011 and places are now available at its pre-season trackday at Brands Hatch in February.

Over 300 people have already registered their interest for the 2011 Trackday Trophy, a cost-effective novice racing series aimed primarily at trackday drivers looking to make the step into motorsport and newly qualified racers who cannot commit to a full season of club level competition.

Club MSV anticipates strong grids next season after its four 2010 events attracted fields of more than 20 cars, with journalists from Autosport magazine and Channel Five’s Fifth Gear among the entries.

Club MSV has also announced a pre-season Trackday Trophy event on Thursday 17 February at Brands Hatch, where interested drivers can prepare for their first season of racing. It will include the chance for drivers to take to the track in their race cars, sit an ARDS National B Licence test including the mandatory medical, enjoy scrutineering tips on how to ensure their cars meet series regulations and receive advice on driving and racing techniques from professional instructors.

Alex Baker, Club MSV manager, said: “We’re really excited about next year following the success of 2010, where we helped more than 50 drivers take part in their first ever race!”

Places at the pre-season trackday on 17 February are available to book on the Trackday Trophy website and MSV will announce the full 2011 Trackday Trophy calendar and regulations in the New Year.

Club MSV Trackday Trophy confirms grid of more than 20 cars for season finale

Four new teams also join series for final round of inaugural campaign

Organisers of the Club MSV Trackday Trophy are predicting a busy grid for the 2010 finale at Brands Hatch on Saturday 23 October, which will include an end of season party to celebrate the series’ successful first year.

Four new teams have joined the series, further increasing the wide mix of cars competing. “You won’t find many grids where an eight litre Dax Cobra replica is sat alongside a Renault Clio Cup Car, and a Jaguar XJS is pitched against a Vauxhall Nova!” said Series Coordinator Alex Baker. “The final round should be the best yet for the series and I think we as organisers are looking forward to it almost as much as the competitors themselves!”

The post-race party in the Kentagon restaurant on Saturday evening has also generated significant interest, with three top bands from the county providing live music. Anyone is welcome and spectators are invited to attend the Trackday Trophy race and after-party by purchasing a special Trackday Trophy ticket for just £5 via the brandshatch.co.uk website.

Entries for the Brands Hatch final round are still open at a cost of £299 per team. For more information call 0870 850 5014 or visit www.trackdaytrophy.co.uk.

Club MSV Trackday Trophy attracts bumper grid for second round

McHugh father-son team Porsche 944 leads home 26-strong field in Norfolk

After attracting more than 20 entries for its inaugural event at Brands Hatch in March, the Club MSV Trackday Trophy featured an even bigger field of 26 cars when it returned for its second event of the season at Snetterton last Sunday (27 June).

Nine new teams joined the series for round two, including Fifth Gear presenter Jonny Smith in a Porsche 944 S2 and 18-year-old Michael Buxton, who only passed his driving test in November 2009, in a Citroen Saxo.

The fast, flat Norfolk circuit provided new challenges for competitors in the novice racing series compared to Brands Hatch, both in terms of the track layout and the racing conditions – Snetterton featured gloriously warm weather in comparison to the heavy rainfall that competitors experienced at the opening event.

Second round honours went to the pole-sitting Porsche 944 of father and son team Tom and Jamie McHugh, who enjoyed a late battle with Brands Hatch winner Jim Cameron in his BMW M3. The McHughs look set for a lights-to-flag victory until lap 25 when Cameron – who was joined at Snetterton by new team-mate Nick Oak – snatched the lead. However, Jamie McHugh, the younger member of the team, came back at Cameron on the final lap to snatch the win from his BMW rival.

Another father and son team, Gary and Ben Littlewood, clinched third place despite losing position on the opening lap when a fast starting Tom Barley overtook both them and the Ginetta G20 of Richard Hardie in his Peugeot 205. However, a retirement for Barley eight laps before the end of the race meant the Littlewoods reclaimed third position overall and victory in Class C.

Fifth Gear’s Johnny Smith secured fourth place and a Class B podium on his racing debut, whilst Hardie and his team-mate Gary Paterson clinched Class A victory in overall fifth position. Another media racing newcomer, CAR magazine’s Ben Barry, won Class D after crossing the line in sixth place.

Alex Baker, Club MSV Manager, said: “We’re thrilled with the development of the Trackday Trophy this season – we were impressed by the size of the grid for the opening round at Brands Hatch, but to attract an even bigger field for Snetterton is fantastic, especially with so many new teams joining us. We saw some great performances last Sunday and we’re now looking forward to making our first trip to a non-MSV circuit at Mallory Park in August.”

The next round of the Club MSV Trackday Trophy will take place at Mallory Park on Sunday 1 August. Entries are now open and cost £299 including VAT.

Club MSV Trackday Trophy, Snetterton race result:

1. McHugh/McHugh (Porsche 933 S), 30 laps

2. Cameron/Oak (BMW M3), +8.874s

3. Littlewood/Littlewood (Renault Clio Cup 172), +27.506s

4. Johnny Smith (Porsche 944S2), +1m05.695s

5. Hardie/Paterson (Ginetta G20), +1m22.159s

6. Ben Barry (BMW M3), +1 lap

7. Andrew Jebson (Peugeot 306 Rallye), +1 lap

8. Abercrimbie/Wheatley (Renault Clio 182), +1 lap

9. Smee/Schofield (VW Gold Mk2), +1 lap

10. Richards/Read (Vauxhall Nova 1.6), +1 lap

For more information on the Club MSV Trackday Trophy call 0870 850 5014 or visit www.trackdaytrophy.co.uk.

Following a hugely popular opening event at Brands Hatch in March, the Club MSV Trackday Trophy has added a fourth round to its 2010 calendar at Mallory Park circuit in Leicestershire on Sunday 1 August.

The novice racing series, which is designed to give circuit driving enthusiasts a cost-effective route into motorsport, will visit Snetterton on 27 June before its Mallory Park debut in August. The season will conclude with a return visit to Brands Hatch on 23 October.

Alex Baker, Club MSV Manager, said: “We’re really excited about having Mallory Park on our calendar as it will be the first time that the Trackday Trophy has ventured from MSV tarmac, and we’re looking forward to working with the BARC to make this event a huge success.”

The addition of Mallory Park to the 2010 calendar follows exciting new changes to the technical regulations for the Trackday Trophy, which now features four power-to-weight classes up to 200bhp/ton.

Entries for the Mallory Park round of the Club MSV Trackday Trophy on Sunday 1 August will open shortly, whilst a limited number of places are still available for round two at Snetterton on Sunday 27 June at a cost of £299 including VAT.

For more information on the Club MSV Trackday Trophy call 0870 850 5014 or visit www.trackdaytrophy.co.uk.

Racing newcomers will experience their first taste of the super-quick Snetterton circuit this Sunday (27 June) when the Club MSV Trackday Trophy makes its Norfolk debut.

The Trackday Trophy is a new initiative for 2010 organised by Club MSV – the in-house trackday division of Snetterton owner MotorSport Vision – to encourage more people into motorsport. The series is aimed primarily at enthusiastic trackday drivers who would like to make the step up into racing, but it is also open to experienced drivers provided they team up with a novice, to help introduce newcomers to the sport.

The inaugural round at Brands Hatch in March saw 20 novice drivers compete for the first time and the event was a big success despite a torrential downpour just prior to the start of the race! Hopefully Snetterton should offer some finer weather, as well as providing an interesting technical contrast to Brands Hatch, for its long straights naturally lend themselves to more powerful vehicles.

An eclectic mix of machinery up to a maximum power of 250bhp per tonne will take to the circuit this Sunday for practice and qualifying in the morning followed by a 45 minute race featuring a mandatory pit swap. Both individual entries and teams of two drivers are eligible and among the cars competing on Sunday will be Volkswagen Golfs, Mini Coopers, BMW M3s and Porsche 994s.

As well as the Trackday Trophy, this weekend at Snetterton will feature headline racing from the Formula Palmer Audi Championship – a leading training ground for single seater stars of the future – and the GT Cup Championship.

Tickets for the Formula Palmer Audi and GT Cup Championships featuring the Club MSV Trackday Trophy at Snetterton on 26/27 June cost from £12 on the gate for adults. Entry is free for children aged 12 and under. For more information call 0870 950 9000 or visit www.snetterton.co.uk.

The Club MSV Trackday Trophy series is a new initiative for 2010, aimed primarily at trackday drivers who would like to start racing.

As the in-house trackday division for MotorSport Vision, we are regularly asked by our trackday drivers how to get into racing. Conventionally there have been several hurdles, so we decided to start a series that makes it as easy as possible to go racing.

The races are designed for teams of two drivers, so that the costs of running the car can be shared - together with the excitement! The regulations for the cars are reasonably relaxed, with three power to weight classes, so that drivers who have already developed cars for trackdays without having to follow any rules will be eligible. The emphasis will be on having fun in a safe and controlled environment with like minded novice racers.

Each race will consist of a 30 minute practice/qualifying session, followed by a 45 minute race. Driver changes are regulated with a minimum time and refuelling during the race is prohibited.

Initially, four rounds are planned for 2010, although we may add more events if there is enough demand. Practice/qualifying and the race will all take place on one day to reduce overnight costs.

We look forward to seeing you on the grid!

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