RACING EXPOSURE :: Club level motorsport e-magazine

The legendary Brands Hatch circuit will celebrate all things ‘Mini’ when it hosts a major new event in the form of the Brands Hatch Mini Festival on 16-17 June.

With a history spanning more than 50 years, the Mini in its former and current guise is one of the most iconic cars of a generation and the famous Kent circuit plans to commemorate the marque with a unique event in the summer. A superb line up of Mini-based motorsport is set to entertain spectators while Mini owners from across the country will be invited to showcase their cars around the 1.2 mile Indy circuit. There will be various off track activities with a display of special motorsport Minis old and new, a Mini stunt show, trade village, parades, live music and festival fun for motor racing fans throughout the weekend.

For fans of the new MINI, the MINI Challenge will head the on track entertainment with a round of their fiercely competitive championship, which provides plenty of thrills and spills. The championship, run under the banner of MSVR, went down to the wire last season with Chris Knox overcoming Lee Allen and Luke Caudle to lift the title.

MINI Challenge manager Paul Harvey said: “I’m really looking forward to the event. It will be great to get all the Mini clubs involved and hopefully if enough people get behind the event it will become a regular feature. I think all the MINI Challenge drivers will be looking forward to taking part in this meeting.”

Enthusiasts of the original Mini, which has an illustrious motorsport heritage, will be catered for with frantic action from the Mini Se7en and Mini Miglia Championships. The Mini Se7en Championship is almost as old as the classic car, now entering its 45th year of competition. The popular series will see versions of the 998cc Mini compete against each other for valuable championship points, while the Mini Miglia championship will see highly tuned variants tackle the challenging Kent circuit.

Mini Se7en and Mini Miglia championship commercial manager Colin Peacock, said: “The Brands Hatch Mini Festival will be one of the highlights of the year without doubt. It could turn into a mega event as we progress towards Mini’s 60th birthday. The racing is always close at Brands Hatch and all the drivers will be looking forward to it.”

There will also be action from historic Minis with a Pre-66 Mini race and a handicap race for both the new and old variants of the car. A bumper grid of pre-66 Minis is expected which will include several competitors travelling from Europe to take on the Brits at Brands Hatch.

Race organiser Nick Swift said: “The Brands Hatch Mini Festival should be a great event and we are pleased to be a part of it. There are still so many historic Minis out there racing and plenty of drivers who want to race them because they are one of the most enjoyable cars to drive. We should be welcoming drivers from Europe to race in an Anglo French battle which should be entertaining.”

Further details regarding the off track entertainment will be announced in due course.

Tickets for the Brands Hatch Mini Festival on 16-17 June are available from £17 in advance with free admission for children aged 12 and under. To book tickets visit www.motorsportvision.co.uk or call 0843 453 9000. More information on the festival can be found at www.mini-festival.co.uk.

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.

Ben Anderson (Autosport) and Rob Ladbrook (Motorsport News)

The MSVR Donington Weekend on 13/14 August produced some thoroughly entertaining racing as championship battles intensified with the 2011 season rapidly approaching its climax.

While the MSVR run GT Cup Championship, MINI Challenge, Radical UK Cup, Radical Clubman’s Cup, Lotus Cup UK and Lotus on Track Elise Trophy dominated the racing schedule, the Club MSV Team Trophy welcomed two prominent motorsport journalists, who swapped their notepads for race overalls.

Haymarket Media Group’s Autosport and Motorsport News pitched reporters Ben Anderson (Autosport) and Rob Ladbrook (Motorsport News) in the Team Trophy, a new series designed for novice racers organised by Club MSV.

Ben, driving Ginetta’s new G40R, designed as a ‘race car for the road’, missed qualifying and had to start from the back of the grid. But Ben showed flashes of pace and gained 16 places before the mandatory driver change in the 45 minute race. However Rob, partnered by Club MSV’s Trackday organiser Nick Rice in a Proton Coupe, produced solid pace throughout the race on Sunday, finishing 18th overall (third in class). Alistair Stenhouse and Stephen Darbey secured the outright victory in their BMW M3.

GT Cup

“It’s been brilliant and really enjoyable,” said Rob Ladbrook, “The Club MSV Team Trophy is very accessible and Advent Motorsport gave us an absolute beast of a car. Full throttle through the Craner Curves is an experience.”

Autosport journalist Ben Anderson said: “Having missed qualifying we were up against it from the start and I nearly went off in the first corner on the first lap. But with a ‘burn from the stern’ strategy we made it up to 10th place. The G40R road car has more power than its racing sibling the G40. The car was a very competitive proposition and a great car to drive to the track and back.”

The Team Trophy’s sister series the Trackday Trophy produced yet another thrilling battle on the Saturday, introducing a further three drivers to the world of racing.

Lotus Cup UK - Deacon and Williams

Elsewhere, an epic lead battle in the final 10 minutes of the race was the highlight of the latest round of the Lotus Cup UK, which was won by Simon Deacon. The Motorsport Elise of David and Rob Fenn led the majority of the race but the winner was decided following a great lead battle between Deacon and Williams. The pair diced for the lead for several laps before Deacon narrowly took the chequered flag. Andy Dolan produced two impressive drives to claim the top step of the podium in the two Lotus on Track Elise Trophy races. Afghanistan hero Trooper Martyn Copleston, competing in his very first race meeting, managed to finish both the Elise Trophy races before suffering a retirement in the Lotus Cup UK race alongside Tank Commander Major James Cameron.

The GT Cup Championship provided two action packed races boosted by a bumper 29 car grid. Nick Whale emerged the winner of a dramatic first race which saw a train of seven cars battling for the lead during the opening laps before Whale in his Porsche 997 inherited the lead and the subsequent race win. Title rivals David Tomlin and Andy Ruhan finished fourth and fifth respectively. The entertainment spilled over into the second race with Derek Johnston adding his name to the 2011 winners’ list.

James Abbott moved into the lead of the Radical Clubman’s Cup after recording an impressive double victory. With title rival Mark Boot retiring from the second race, Abbott has established a commanding lead at the top of the standings. The Radical UK Cup title race took another interesting twist, with Manhal Allos and the car of Terrence Woodward and Ross Kaiser shared the victories in the two 40 minute races.

The MINI Challenge appears to be heading into a three-way fight for the championship after Luke Caudle and Chris Knox tasted victory in a drama-filled triple header. Caudle and Knox were involved in an intriguing battle for the lead in the first two races, but it was Caudle who came out on top. Championship leader Lee Allen finished in fourth and third respectively but a retirement in the third race opened up the title battle, and it was Knox who took the victory from Sam Osborne and Caudle.

The next MSVR event is the MSVR GP Weekend at the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit on 20/21 August. More information is available at www.brandshatch.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

Stunning racing across all seven series in challenging weather conditions

Pic: Gary Hawkins

More than 300 competitors helped produce a weekend of exciting racing at the MSVR Brands Hatch GP Weekend on Saturday and Sunday (4/5 June).

The GT Cup Championship, Radical UK Cup, Radical Clubman’s Cup, MINI Challenge, Champion of Brands, Project Eight Racing Saloons and the Production BMW Championship all entertained on the 2.3-mile Grand Prix circuit in Kent. A huge entry of nearly 90 Radicals took to the famed track to make up the manufacturer’s largest ever group of entrants for a single race meeting.

A highlight of the event was a victory for former F1 driver Martin Brundle and his son Alex, as the pair guided a shared Radical SR8 through difficult wet conditions to the chequered flag in the Radical UK Cup on Sunday.

Pic: Roy Ng

The Brundles adapted well to the works Radical but a spin in the first UK Cup race saw them finish in 11th position, whilst Per Staaf went on to take the win. However, in difficult wet weather Martin and Alex triumphed from sixth on the grid to win the second SR8 race on Sunday. Pete Osborne and Alex Kapadia came from 16th on the grid to win race one in the SR3 category, whilst Junior Strous produced an impressive drive to win the second race. In the Radical Clubman’s Cup, Tony Wells and Richard Carver shared the victories on Saturday.

Martin Brundle said: “It was very good for me to get back behind the wheel, as I’m testing a Formula One car for BBC television this week. The guys in the series are very good and they know how to set these cars up.”

Pic: Roy Ng

The GT Cup Championship provided two entertaining races from a bumper field as the wet weather really tested the drivers’ skills. Danny Winstanley, in his TVR Sagaris, drove a mature race from third on the grid to win the first encounter. He was joined on the podium by Group 2 winner Benjamin Harvey and Group 3 victor Mark Radcliffe. Matt Seldon completed a lights-to-flag victory to win race two, finishing ahead of Gary Eastwood and Winstanley. Harvey completed a double win in Group 2, while Adam Hayes claimed the top honours in Group 3.

Chris Knox was the class of the field in the MINI Challenge as he completed a perfect weekend by claiming pole position and victory in all three races. The MINI Spares UK driver was untouchable in the wet conditions and has surged up the championship standings. Reigning champion Lee Allen, Luke Caudle and Chris Smith all visited the podium during the weekend.

Australian Formula Ford racer Jordan Skinner became the first two-time winner of the Champion of Brands after producing a lights-to-flag victory on Saturday. Skinner‘s lead was rarely threatened during the race after making a strong getaway from pole position.

Ben Winrow continues to be the man to beat in the Production BMW Championship after showing his class in wet weather to record a double win. The trip to the famous Grand Prix circuit attracted huge grid of nearly 40 cars for both races.

BMW driver Adam Sharpe continued his run of victories in the Project Eight Racing Saloons with two more visits to the top step of the podium. Once again, he was pushed hard by Colin Tester in both races, which saw 44 cars tackle the Kent circuit with action throughout the field.

A selection of the world’s most exotic sports cars will be on show on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit this weekend (4/5 June), where there’s an impressive entry of more than 300 competitors across seven of MSVR’s flagship championships and series.

Spectacular Porsches, Ferraris, BMWs and TVRs will make up the grid for the GT Cup Championship’s two races on Sunday. Andy Ruhan leads the standings going into the meeting at the 2.3-mile Kent circuit, after recording a win and a fourth place finish at the last round at Oulton Park. But the Porsche 997 driver isn’t running away with the championship, and holds a narrow 12-point lead from David Tomlin, driving a Ferrari 430. The GT Cup Championship will contest two sprint races on Sunday with qualifying on Saturday.

The popular Radical UK Cup and Radical Clubman’s Cup will host six races in total. Bumper grids are expected as the UK Cup competitors will be joined by cars from the Euro Masters series for the event. An estimated 90 Radical cars are set to contest the meeting and the demand has forced the introduction of two specific races for the SR3 and SR8 versions of the sports car.

David Thorburn and Rob Wheldon currently hold a three point lead from the Marks Electrical car of Mark Smithson and Stuart Moseley in the Supersport Class of the UK Cup. The pair will be set to do battle in two 40 minute endurance races, involving a pit-stop and driver change. Manhal Allos leads the Masters Class.

In the Radical Clubman’s Cup James Abbott stretched his lead after recording his second win of the season at Oulton Park last month. Nearest rivals David Jacobs and Nick Panteli will have their eyes fixed on victory to reel him in.

The fast and furious nature of the MINI Challenge will be one of the highlights of the event, as they embark on their third round of the season. Celebrating its 10th year, the MINI Challenge is open to three variants of the modern version of the car. The premier JCW category will see former British Touring Car drivers Martin Depper and Arthur Forster amongst a competitive field of 220 bhp MINIs vying for the top step of the podium.

Formula Ford single-seaters will also entertain as the Champion of Brands series visits the full GP circuit for the first time this season. Neil Alberico won the opening race of the year on the Indy circuit in May and the American is set to be among a healthy grid for this weekend. Josh Barnett holds the Champion status heading into the meeting after recording a hard fought win on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit at the Masters Historic Festival last weekend.

Also joining the action will be the Production BMW Championship and the Project 8 Racing Saloons. The Production BMW Championship will see a packed grid of saloons constructed from 1983-1990. More than 70 cars have been entered for the event which will include an eclectic mix of Jaguars, Fords, BMWs, Renaults and a Hillman Imp. Both the Production BMW Championship and Project 8 Racing Saloons are expected to feature grids of 44 cars.

Tickets for the MSVR Club Car Championships at Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit on 4/5 June are available for £13 on the gate for adults with free admission for children aged 12 and under. For more information call 0843 453 9000 or visit www.brandshatch.co.uk.