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.

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

The Club MSV Team Trophy is enhancing the package for its inaugural event at Snetterton on Bank Holiday Monday (2 May), by offering competitors an additional 30 minute practice session free of charge.

The Team Trophy is a new series for 2011, offering both novices and more experienced competitors a cost-effective opportunity to go racing. The category is open to production and production-based saloons, hatchbacks and sports cars manufactured post 1994, and pre-1994 vehicles belonging to previous or current Trackday Trophy competitors are also eligible to compete.

The series will follow the same one-day format as the Trackday Trophy, with a 30 minute practice/qualifying session followed by a 45 minute race featuring mandatory pit stops and driver swaps.

Club MSV is also now offering competitors an additional 30 minute free practice session on Monday morning at no extra charge, to enable them to perfect their set-up around the new 2.99-mile 300 circuit.

Alex Baker, Club MSV Manager, said: “The Team Trophy is an exciting, informal and cost-effective new challenge for club racers, and we’re really pleased to be offering our competitors even greater value with more time behind the wheel at our inaugural Snetterton event.”

Entries for the inaugural round of the Club MSV Team Trophy at Snetterton on Monday 2 May are now open, at a cost of £325 including VAT per team. Solo entries and teams of two drivers are accepted.