RACING EXPOSURE :: Club level motorsport e-magazine

Team Falken driver Matt Carter is crowned as the winner of the 2011 British Drift Championship Super Pro class after a sixth place finish in Sunderland. The Falken team take second place in the Constructors Standings, narrowly missing out on first place by just two points.

The final round of the 2011 British Drift Championship was held at the Nissan Manufacturing Plant in Sunderland last weekend. The street course at the factory was transformed from a large expanse of tarmac into a high speed and flowing race track. All three Falken drivers Matt Carter, Alan Green and Paul Cheshire were in attendance and pushing for a strong result to take home the title

Matt Carter entered the final round at the top of the Super Pro championship standings with a 16 point advantage over Mark Luney in his Toyota Supra. Luck was not to be on the team’s side as Matt’s car developed running issues during practice, the car losing all power mid run once engine temperatures rose. Several different remedies were tried and Matt managed to put in a strong qualifying run, netting third highest qualifier and securing him a vital championship point. In the lead up to Sunday’s Top 16 run-off, Matt’s mechanical gremlins reappeared but fortunes changes as he was awarded into the Top 8 when his competitor was forced to retire from the event.

As Matt faced Stephen it was clear that the car was not performing as well as it had previously in qualifying and despite his best efforts Matt was eliminated netting him sixth place but crucially the overall series crown. ”I am absolutely over the moon with the championship title,” says Matt Carter. “It has been a long hard year and it was topped off with a nerve racking experience at the final round. The car has been through a lot this year and these things always seem to happen at the worst possible time.  I am now looking forward to making a return to Lousada in Portugal in October to defend my title out there and the enjoy the preparation to defend my BDC title here in 2012!”

Drifting - certainly not the fastest way around Snetterton!

Snetterton is preparing for one of its busiest weekends of the year this Sunday (25th September) for an event which many racers admit to not really understanding.   Time Attack is a phenomenon originating in Japan, but is now hugely popular in both the US and increasingly in the UK.

Most racers are aware of the normal concept of a practise of qualifying session, and then a race where the first across the line is the winner.    Time Attack isn’t like this.  For the people used to racing, an analogy of a series of knock out qualifying sessions is most apt.

It is more similar to Sprinting, but unlike sprints where each car is released on its own, and is unlikely to encounter traffic, Time Attack uses an open pitlane format, and overtaking is permitted, although there is no actual wheel to wheel racing – they are not racing for position.      Some competitors have graduated from Sprinting and to compete in some of the lower classes, a race license isn’t needed – just a National B non-race license, which can be applied for on the day.    The higher classes just require a National B race license which many readers will possess, although some drivers are vastly experienced racers.

Those who know they have a fast car will pace themselves early on – fast enough to get ensure safe passage to the next round, but not so fast to risk the car or to reveal the true speed of their car to their competitors. Sandbagging, or keep your powder dry as long as possible…

Those with slower cars will want to go as fast as they can to get as far as they can in the days sessions, and may knock out some faster cars caught napping or with problems.

Because these sessions are open pitlane format,each driver has to slot their way into the traffic on track, and as the track rubbers in times start to drop, unless the weather interferes.    Its crucial to get a clear lap and to ensure you slot into clear air.

When the final round is there, the cars are wound up to their maximum potential.   Boost is turned up to eleven.   Rev limits are raised.  He who dares… …may just win.

The cars are often highly tuned – some pushing out 800bhp or thereabouts.    One control element is that Pirelli are the tyre supplier and each class is limited to what tyre compounds they can use.    Many cars are road legal too.

As there isn’t any racing to watch, the commentary is all the more important as the tannoy can advise who to watch and what the current benchmark times are.

The European Drift Championship is another controversial discipline and this event will also entertain the crowd.   Drift cars will start from Corum and drift through to Murrays (formerly Russells) whilst observers judge each run and allocate points.   The driver with the best score wins.    Some say this isn’t motorsport, but when asked if Ice Dancing is a sport, or Diving, they say yes, and both of those are scored by a panel of judges.    Yes this is motorsport, but maybe a form of motorsport many are not comfortable with.

The crowd that does turn up certainly does ‘get it’.   In terms of audience it is behind British Superbikes and BTCC, and probably level with the Lotus Festival, certainly one of Snetterton’s top 5 events.

Pics: Norwich Photo

Former BTCC and Porsche Carrera Cup champion Tim Harvey is the latest high profile driver to sample the thrills of the UK Time Attack series. In a recent testing session at Donington Park, Tim took the opportunity to drive a few laps of the damp circuit in Paul Doyle’s 750bhp K-Sport Impreza. Matt Neale drove the Ameon Racing Mitsubishi EVO at Brands Hatch earlier this year, whilst Phil Glew was part of the championship winning Zen Performance team in 2007.

You can watch Tim driving the K-Sport Impreza in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cgLb98K8Zs

Tim declined the opportunity to drive the Impreza on full boost in the demanding wet conditions!

Paul Doyle powersliding his K Sport Impreza to victory at Anglesey

Paul will be competing in the final round of the UK Time Attack series this coming weekend at Snetterton Park, as part of the Modified Live event, which includes the final round of the European Drifting Championship.

Brett Castle, Sumo Power S14 European Drift Championship

Words: John Stewart
Images: Flat Out Photography

Cadwell Park hosts an event with a difference on Sunday 31 July when Modified Live roars in for a day of high-octane entertainment. ‘Summer in the Park’ features Europe’s hottest modified car show and is a popular attraction.

On track the action is topped by the European Drift Championship. The sport of drifting requires competitors to spend as much time as possible on the circuit moving sideways in a balletic display of car control. Points are awarded to the most spectacular drivers, so entertainment is guaranteed!

Equally impressive is the Time Attack series. Featuring some of the fastest modified cars on the planet, the drivers race against the clock for the quickest lap of the track. Many of these cars have to be seen to be believed as they record breathtaking times around the twists of the challenging and undulating Lincolnshire circuit.

There’s also action for race fans as the Mighty Minis take to the track for some frantic and timeless fun. The series’ are renowned for close racing with packed grids and whilst not the quickest cars of the weekend, they’re just as entertaining to watch.

However it’s not all about on-track action at Modified Live. All around the circuit there’s a variety of things to do, including a show and shine contest for the best looking car plus a competition to find the next grid girl.

Tickets for Modified Live at Cadwell Park on 31 July are available in advance from £17, with free admission for children aged 12 and under. For more information call 0843 453 9000 or visit www.cadwellpark.co.uk.

Oulton Park is preparing for a symphony of squealing tyres and whistling turbos next Saturday (16 April), when the Tarporley circuit hosts the Modified Live performance car festival.

Modified Live showcases the UK’s hottest performance cars and latest tuning products through an exciting combination of track action, demonstrations and expert advice on tuning your own vehicle.

This year’s event will include racing from Time Attack – a ‘beat the clock’ series for highly tuned road cars – and the Super and Mighty MINI categories. Oulton Park will also host the opening round of the European Drift Championship.

In addition, there will be live action demonstrations including a 1,000bhp race truck, fiery Santa Pod drag car and a World Rally Championship specification rallycross car on Oulton Park’s purpose-built rally stage.

As Modified Live is an interactive event, spectators will be able to get involved by taking part in a high octane drift car passenger ride or visiting the festival’s huge exhibition area, where they can receive professional advice on performance tuning their own vehicles.

Modified Live will also be running several competitions, including the search for the show’s next promotional girl and the chance to win a KLEERS detailing kit by entering the ‘show and shine’ contest to find the best spectator modified vehicle.

Tickets for Modified Live at Oulton Park on Saturday 16 April cost £17 in advance for adults, with free entry for children aged 12 and under. For more information call 0843 453 9000 or visit www.oultonpark.co.uk.

Cadwell Park set for Modified Live mayhem

Interactive performance car show to make Lincolnshire debut

The world’s hottest performance cars will make their Lincolnshire debut next month when Cadwell Park hosts Modified Live for the first time on Sunday 1 August.

The Louth circuit is a brand new stop for the Modified Live tour, which will visit five venues around the country this year to showcase its unique interactive blend of competitions, circuit demonstrations and a huge exhibition area.

On-track highlights include action from the Time Attack ‘beat the clock’ series for highly tuned roadgoing cars including Mitsubishi Evos, Lotus Exiges and Subaru Imprezas, along with smoking tyres and whistling turbos courtesy of the European Drift Championship.

Among the high octane demonstrations at Modified Live will be a sensational run by a Santa Pod drag car and some impressive two wheel antics from professional motorcycle stunt rider ‘Ghostie’.

There will also be a chance for spectators to take part in the festivities with a search for the next grid girl competition, drift car passenger rides and a trade area showcasing the latest tuning products and expert advice on modifying your vehicle. Plus, performance car fans can win up to £250 by entering their car into the ‘show and shine’ competition to find the best spectator modified vehicle.

Advance tickets for Modified Live Cadwell Park on Sunday 1 August are available for £15 for adults, with free entry for children aged 12 and under. For more information call 0870 950 9000 or visit www.cadwellpark.co.uk.

The world’s hottest performance cars will descend on Brands Hatch this Sunday (27 June) when the West Kingsdown circuit hosts the Modified Live festival.

Modified Live is an all-action interactive day out that combines track demonstrations, performance car competitions, spectator activities and expert advice on modifying your vehicle.

Headlining the packed timetable will be the whistling turbos and smoking tyres of the European Drift Championship, along with track action from the Time Attack ‘beat the clock’ series for highly tuned roadgoing cars.

Modified Live will also feature a world exclusive, as manufacturer Cosworth will unveil the brand new 395bhp Impreza STI CS400 – its first road car in more than 14 years – at the event, in addition to demonstrating Cosworth founder Keith Duckworth’s original Sierra Cosworth RS500.

Plus, Modified Live will feature a series of supercar demonstrations including some exciting display laps by a 600bhp Nissan GT-R courtesy of the Sumo Power FIA GT1 World Championship team, along with a high octane drag car display by Santa Pod Raceway.

Other highlights include the chance for spectators to get involved in the event with drift car passenger rides, a huge exhibition area showcasing the latest tuning products and expert advice, and a search for the next grid girl competition. Performance car fans can also win up to £250 by entering their car into the ‘show and shine’ competition to find the best spectator modified vehicle.

Tickets for Modified Live are available in advance until Wednesday 23 June at £15 for adults or on the gate this Sunday at £20 per person. Entry is free for children aged 12 and under. For more information call 0870 950 9000 or visit www.brandshatch.co.uk.

Ends

Words: 349

Note to editors: Copyright free captioned photographs attached, free for editorial use

Captions:

1. A European Drift Championship car tackles the Brands Hatch Indy circuit

2. Time Attack cars line up to leave the pit lane

3. Modified Live also features a grid girl search