RACING EXPOSURE :: Club level motorsport e-magazine

Norwich based Tristan Cliffe, Monoposto 2000 front runner, declared himself satisfied following his pre-season shake-down test at Norfolk’s Snetterton Circuit. The winter months have seen Cliffe’s Omicron team take advantage of new regulations for 2010 and have converted the red Dallara F398-Toyota from carburettors to fuel injection.

“Todays tasks was to make sure the fuel injection system was working properly, so this was tested under a number of different conditions. The weather was wet for the first session which was useful in being able to judge how the system coped with wheelspin. There are a few things to tweak and adjust but I am happy with the car. It’s been good to get out of the workshop and back on the circuit!”

Sadly Cliffe’s first session ended early following a broken throttle cable, and the second session was missed whilst repairs were made. However, he was back on track for the two afternoon sessions and completed a number of longer runs which gave useful data regarding fuel consumption as well as engine temperatures and pressures following fitting of an enhanced oil cooler system and changes to the dry sump scavenging system.

Cliffe won the Monoposto Classic Championship in 2008 with a Reynard 883 in only his second season of racing, before changing car for 2009 to contest the 2000 Championship, which he always regarded as a learning year. Despite this, and missing three races, he finished third in the championship with two wins and a number of fastest laps to his name.

His first race of the season is at the Brands Hatch MSVR meeting on the 28th March.

Photography: Norwich Photo

The Monoposto Racing Club’s 2010 non-championship Spa meeting is now taking reserve entries.

Forty members of the MRC have paid their deposits, and the reserve list has at least three more entrants.   Anyone who think they may have missed the boat, should put their name down quickly as there is a possiblility people may drop out for various reasons between now and July, and the French Formula Ford Zetec club that they are sharing track time with do not take up their full allocation of spaces.

Whilst it is a non-championship race, the lure of driving the famous Grand Prix circuit, and corners such as Eau Rouge was irresistible.  For those who missed out, the Monoposto Club is also having a non-championship race on the new Silverstone Arena GP circuit as a support race for the Britcar 24hr race later in the year, although I understand that priority for this event will be given to those who are regular entrants.

Former 3-Times Monoposto 2000 champion Mark Harrison is set to make is championship return in a one off entry at Brands Hatch on March 28th.

Mark Harrison in BRSCC F3, 2009

Harrison, currently a strong competitor in the BRSCC F3 championship with a Dallara F301 Toyota, spent many years in Monoposto, clinching a hat-trick of titles in 2005, 2006 and 2007 at the wheel of a Dallara F398 Vauxhall.  His brother, Neil, kept up the family name by winning the same championship in 2009 also in a Vauxhall powered F398.

Mark is going to be driving the same F398 that took Neil to the title in 2009, which is also the car that took the title in 2005.

2010 Will see the return of Worcester based former Monoposto champion Arty Cameron, 23.   The National Monoposto Championship is the largest of its kind  for single seat racing cars in the UK.  It is held over 13 rounds at the UK’s greatest circuits such as Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit, Brands Hatch and Thruxton to name a few!

It has been four years out of the seat for Arty due to lack of a racing budget and a a lot of time spent making his car more competitive by fitting a more powerful engine – The Yamaha R1 which produces 185bhp.  The car itself is manufactured by Jedi Racing Cars Ltd and only weighs 320kg giving a power to weight ratio of 580bhp per ton.  This equates to 0-60mph in 3 seconds and a top speed of 155mph.

The season kicks off on March the 28^th at Brands Hatch where Arty aims to start the season how he means to continue- at the front.  “Being a privateer race driver is really difficult financially at my age, but I really hope to have a partner join me this season to ensure I can win the championship and grow their business through advertising in the local and national press.”

Any companies of any size, or interested individuals can contact Arty Cameron direct on 07877 827109.  Sponsorship packages are very attractive and start from only £1000 depending on the level of  involvement and advertising you need.

Monoposto regular Lenny Coleman is putting the finishing touches to his recently acquired Reynard 883.  Coleman, who has contested Mono2000 Classic championship with his Formula Vauxhall Lotus now has the Reynard 883 that propelled Tristan Cliffe to the 2008 Classic Championship.

Coleman’s car was originally raced in Swedish F3 by current WTCC star Rickard Rydell, with guest appearances in British F3.

Lenny Coleman testing the Reynard 883

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS

We are now in a position to reserve entries from members of the Monoposto Club for a non-championship meeting at Spa on 2/3/4 July 2010.
Monoposto Racing Club has been invited to take part in this meeting, with cars eligible for all Monoposto classes sharing the track with FF Zetec cars from the French TOP organisation. There will be two 25 minute sessions for qualifying, and two 25 minute races. The first qualifying session will be on Friday 2 July and last race on Sunday 4 July; this race will be scheduled in the morning to enable competitors to return to the UK on Sunday. Races will have a rolling start.

Entry, Sign-On, Qualifying and Racing will be arranged so that two drivers can share the same car if they wish (one

driver in each Qualifying/Race), or a driver/car can participate in only one qualifying session and one race. The entry fee for two quals/two races will be £475. For two drivers sharing one car the total entry fee will be £480. For one driver entering a single qual & race the entry fee will be £240 – note these single entries will have a low reservation priority – see below. As there is a very high level of inter

est in taking part and we only have access to part of the grid capacity, competitors who wish to be sure of a place should reserve this by sending a cheque for their entry fee made out to “Monoposto Racing Club” as soon as possible to Tony Cotton.

Reserving an entry place does not mean that your entry has been formally accepted, as official entry fees are not yet available, but when this is the case paid up entries will be accepted in order of reservation priority. You should not incur any costs such as ferry bookings until your entry is formally accepted. Official entry forms will be issued as soon as possible. Entry fees are not refundable if you do not compete in the event. However you can transfer your entry to another eligible competitor & car if you wish, provided you inform us before the final closing date for entries (which will be 21 days before the event).

Please note that you will need at least a UK National A licence to compete in this meeting. Your car and race clothing will need to comply with FIA regulations, which in some cases differ from UK MSA requirements.

This is a great opportunity to race on one of the world’s truly classic Grand Prix circuits. It is also fantastic value for money – the cost per minute is less than Mallory!

The Monoposto Racing Club (MRC) has joined forces with MSVR – the racing division of MotorSport Vision – for seven of its 13 rounds in 2010.

Monoposto is a club level single seater series for cars that are at least four years old, and is designed to give enthusiastic amateurs the chance to compete in Grand Prix style cars at a low cost.

The MRC will join MSVR’s racing bill this season for five events at Brands Hatch, Thruxton, Snetterton, Oulton Park and Silverstone.

“We’re pleased to welcome Monoposto on board with MSVR in 2010, as its eclectic grids and the racing pedigree of the cars mean it will be a very interesting addition to the programme for spectators,” said David Scott, Race Operations Manager for MotorSport Vision Racing. “MSVR is continuing to grow in the strength and diversity of series under our fold, and next season should provide some close and exciting racing in all our categories!”

Monoposto Chairman Nick Harrison added: “Being recognised by MSVR as a major force in single seater racing is excellent news for the Monoposto Racing Club and its 120+ members.

“2010 has all the makings of the best season yet with MSV’s organisational skills, excellent circuits and new members set to swell the Monoposto grids further.”

Monoposto calendar 2010
28 March – Brands Hatch
8 May – Thruxton
22/23 May – Anglesey
19/20 June – Snetterton
29/30 August – Mallory Park
11 September – Oulton Park
25/26 September – Croft
2 October – Silverstone GP
16/17 October – Silverstone National

Tristan Cliffe's Dallara 398, racing in the Mono 2000 class