Photo by Jakob Ebrey Photography

Charlie Robertson has a double reason to be pleased today – 1 February – as he has confirmed his plans to return to the Ginetta Junior Championship with HHC Motorsport alongside a top three ranking in respected industry publication Motorsport News.

The weekly Motorsport newspaper has ranked the fifteen year old racer as the third British driver to watch out for in the forthcoming 2012 season – the ‘Fast 50 – Drivers to Watch 2012’ covers young drivers from all forms of Motorsport, including saloon cars, rallying, karting and single seater racers.

This is the second accolade which has fallen the way of the 2011 Ginetta Junior vice Champion; last month saw the Whyteleafe-based youngster included in the prestigious MSA Academy.

“It was a fantastic feeling opening Motorsport News today and seeing my name in the top three of this year’s Fast 50”, said Charlie, “It’s great to come out so high up the list compared to so many top young drivers. This year I’m aiming for nothing less than the championship title in Ginetta Junior, I’ve got a great relationship with the guys at HHC and we know we’ve got what it takes to win.”

Robertson proved himself as one of the fastest and most competitive drivers in the Championship with the Harrogate based HHC Motorsport team, and he set the record for the youngest ever winner of a MSA regulated race when he took the chequered flag first at Croft, and he secured a total of nine podiums during the season.

His pace was also evident as he set lap records at four out of the ten circuits the Ginetta Junior Championship visited in 2011.

Robertson was on for Championship glory in the season ending Winter Series – having won two out of the four races, but he lost out on the trophy after clutch failure in the second round. Despite the clutch failure, Robertson once again proved his clear pace and front running potential after a single year in the Ginetta Junior Championship.

“I’m really looking forward to testing getting underway and being back in the car, it feels like ages since the winter championship last November”, added the Surrey racer, “We know Ginetta Junior will be as tough as ever this year but, with a year’s experience under my belt, I’m well prepared and I’m confident we can fight for the title.”

The 2012 Ginetta Junior Championship will get underway at Brands Hatch in Kent over the 31 March/1 April, before visiting Donington Park, Thruxton, Oulton Park, Croft, Snetterton, Knockhill, Rockingham, Silverstone and the season finale over the 20/21 October at Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit. Each race weekend features two Ginetta Junior races, meaning a twenty race calendar.

Photo by Tim Whittingham

Lucas Oil Team Geriatric left the annual Quaife MSA British Rallycross Championship awards nights with two reasons to celebrate – having picked up two awards in one evening in recognition of their 2011 campaign.

Westhoughton-based Tony Lynch picked up his trophy for finishing second overall in the Suzuki Swift Sport Rallycross standings for the second season in a row while his team, Lucas Oil Team Geriatric, secured the honour of Best Promoted Team.

The awards evening, held at the Hilton Hotel in Coventry, came as the preparations form 2012 continued, with Lynch and Lucas Oil Team Geriatric looking to once again fight for honours in the Swift Sport Rallycross Championship.

2010 and 2011 have seen Lynch finish second overall and he heads into 2012 looking to go one better in what has become one of the most competitive classes on the British Rallycross Package.

“For two years now we’ve finished second in the standings, so the aim is to go one better and take the title this season,” Tony said. “It won’t be easy as the Swift field just gets stronger and stronger, but we’ve shown what we can do in recent years and I’d like to think we are starting the new season as one of the teams to beat.

“Winning the best promoted team of 2011 is a great achievement for us and a good boost for all of our sponsors going into this season, as we wouldn’t be out competing if it wasn’t for their support. I fully appreciate how important it is to do all we can to represent each of our sponsors and I’m pleased that the work we’ve done on their behalf has been recognised.”

Away from the action, Lucas Oil Team Geriatric will also help young drivers work their way up the ranks after they took over title sponsorship of the Clubmans Rallycross Stock Hatch Championship for 2012.

The Clubmans Rallycross Stock Hatch Championship is run by the BTRDA and MDA – they have joined forces to run the series and the Lucas Oil Team Geriatric Clubmans Rallycross Stock Hatch Championship will run over six to eight rounds with the final schedule due to be released in the near future.

Lynch and Lucas Oil Team Geriatric have had previous success in Stock Hatch before moving into the Swift Sport Rallycross Championship for the 2010 campaign. He secured the national MDA title in 2005 and 2006, while 2007 and 2009 saw him crowned the MSA Stock Hatch Champion.

“Supporting the Stock Hatch series is a chance to give something back to rallycross at grass roots level,” Lynch said. “I enjoyed my time running in the Clubmans Rallycross series and hopefully there are some drivers competing in 2012 who will follow me up into the main British series.

“Stock Hatch is a great formula for people coming into the sport as it is a level that is affordable but also gives great racing. I’ll be keeping an eye out to see if there are any drivers coming through who have the potential to succeed and I’m looking forward to sharing the bill with them later in the year.”

MSA Chairman Alan Gow and FIA Deputy President for Sport Graham Stoker were on hand to present awards, while broadcaster Steve Rider acted as Master of Ceremonies.

The Champions honoured on the night were:

MSA British Cadet Kart Championship: Daniel Ticktum, from East Grinstead in West Sussex
MSA British Junior Kart Championship & Mark W Hines Memorial Trophy: Callan O’Keeffe, from Hindhead in Surrey
MSA British Short Circuit Kart Championship: Tom Joyner, from Braintree in Essex
MSA British Long Circuit Kart Championship: Paul Platt, from Warrington in Cheshire
MSA British Autocross Championship: Richard Davies, from Haverfordwest in Dyfed
MSA British Autotest Championship: Steven Ferguson, from County Tyrone in Northern Ireland
MSA British Car Trial Championship: Barrie Parker, from Ascot in Berkshire
MSA British Sporting Trials Championship: Ian Bell, from Bedord in Bedfordshire
MSA British Drag Racing Championship: Graham Ellis, from Westcliff-on-Sea in Essex
MSA British Sprint Championship: Stewart Robb Snr, from Blair Drummond in Stirling
MSA British Hill Climb Championship: Scott Moran, from Ludlow in Shropshire
MSA British Rallycross Championship: Julian Godfrey, from Heathfield in East Sussex
MSA British Cross Country Championship: Ian Rochelle & Chris Hammond, from Bridgnorth in Shropshire
MSA British Junior Rally Championship: Martin McCormack, from Magherafelt in County Londonderry
MSA British Historic Rally Championship: David Stokes & Guy Weaver, from Dursley in Gloucestershire and Oaken in Staffordshire
MSA British Rally Championship: David Bogie & Kevin Rae, from Dumfries and Hawick in Roxburghshire
MSA British Rally Championship Teams Winner: Autosport Technology, based at Tonbridge in Kent
MSA British Endurance Championship: Craig Wilkins and Aaron Scott, from Lichfield in Staffordshire and Telford in Shropshire
British GT Championship: James Geddie & Glynn Geddie, from Abderdeen
British Formula 3 International Series: Felipe Nasr, from Brasilia in Brazil
MSA British Touring Car Championship Manufacturer: Honda
MSA British Touring Car Championship: Matt Neal, from Kidderminster in Worcestershire

A series of special awards was also presented:

FIA Outstanding Official of the Year: Barry O’Neill, from Omagh in Northern Ireland
BWRDC Lord Wakefield Trophy: Carolynn Hoy, from Inverness
Sir Malcolm Campbell Memorial Trophy: Racing Steps Foundation
JLT MSA Club of the Year: Omagh Motor Club
JLT MSA Marshal of the Year: Andrew Holley, from Shawbury in Shropshire
RSF MSA Young Driver of the Year: Josh Webster, from Stowmarket in Suffolk
Renault MSA Young Motor Sport Journalist of the Year: Dan McCalla, from Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire
Renault MSA Young Motor Sport Photographer of the Year: Dominic Romney, from Heckington in Leicestershire

MSA Chief Executive, Colin Hilton, said: “The Night of Champions is our opportunity to celebrate those who have excelled at their chosen motor sport discipline. The number of championship trophies presented on the night was a fitting reminder of the great depth of British motor sport, while the recipients of the special awards illustrate why the UK motor sport is admired around the world.”

The Yorkshire-based property developer has never raced before and has linked up with experienced GT racer Tim Sugden for support and tutoring. “I just want to go racing,” said Riall. “The car is immaculate and I want to do some races in 2012 before a full programme in 2013.”

“Guy is just the type of driver we are keen to see in the GT3 Cup Challenge,” said Marion Barnaby, motorsport manager, Porsche Cars GB. “Getting started in racing can be daunting, even for drivers with track day experience, but the GT3 Cup Challenge is the ideal environment for newcomers.”

In total, up to 2000 911 GT3 Cup race cars have been built by Porsche since the introduction of the 996-model car over a decade ago and the GT3 Cup Challenge will have classes to cater for both the 996-model cars and the later 997-model cars.

The GT3 Cup Challenge is now an established concept across the world, with successful race series in ten countries.

The Luton-based squad who recently revealed Dave Newsham would be driving for the team in 2012 alongside team principal Chris James have managed to keep the deal under wraps until now.

James Nash took the Independent championship title in the Vectra for Triple Eight racing in 2011 and Team ES will be looking to emulate this success in 2012.

Talking of the announcement Chris James said: “They’re race winning cars and they will continue to be highly competitive in 2012. We’re delighted to get the deal concluded to run the Vectra’s and look forward to pushing hard at the start of the season. They come with a great spares package and a massive amount of data so we should be able to hit the ground running.”

“We will get podiums and maybe even sneak more than that, certainly in the first half of the season. NGTC will get stronger but I truly believe that like football it will be a game of two halves – the first half will be S2000 and the second NGTC.” added James.

While James and Newsham have been announced for the team there is still a seat available for the season.

“There is still the option for us to run a third car so if the right driver with the right budget comes along then it will happen.” said James.

Fans will be able to get their first taste of the Team ES Racing Vectra’s at the BTCC Media day on Monday 19 March at Silverstone when the circuit will be open to the public for the afternoon test session.

You can follow the team on twitter at @teamESracing, Chris James directly at @ChrisJamesBTCC and Dave Newsham at @newshamracing. The team are also on facebook at www.facebook.com/teamESracing.

Stage Rallying returned to Brands Hatch on Sunday 22nd January 2012 with the successful second running of the TRS (Essex) Ltd Brands Hatch Stage Rally.

Chelmsford Motor Club, the JLT Sport / MSA Club of the Year 2009, secured a full entry within only two days of entries opening. The capacity field enjoyed the variation of stages on offer, which utilised the full venue including the Indy circuit, paddock, pitlane and rally course.

Over 1500 spectators attended the event and with such strong support the rally has established itself as the annual opening fixture of the Brands Hatch calendar. Clerk of the Course Tony Clements commented, “We are pleased with how everything went and thanks must go to MSV and Jonathan Palmer for their co-operation in bringing stage rallying back to Brands Hatch.”

With drama striking the early leading crew of Nigel Mummery / Fiona Scarrett in their Ford Focus WRC and subsequent leaders John Indri / Keith Hounslow in their Darrian T90, it was the Darrian T9 of Jeremy Straker / Mark Straker who came through to win the event. Jeremy said

“With the high quality entry I wasn’t expecting to be standing here making the winner’s speech today, fortunately things went my way and I have achieved my first outright win in 14 years of rallying.”

Chelmsford MC organise many events throughout the year and have around 400 members, the majority of whom are active competitors, marshals and organisers.

Overall Winners Jeremy Straker and Mark Straker. Courtesy of M&H Photography

Award Winners

1st Overall Jeremy Straker / Mark Straker (Class C ) Darrian T9 45:05

2nd Overall Paul King / Alicia Miles (Class C ) Ford Escort RS 46:06

3rd Overall Tom Roberts / Nicky Marriott (Class E ) Mitsubushi Lancer Evo 6 46:12

1st Class A Ian Barnard / Will Barnard Vauxhall Nova 48:35

1st Class B Richard Davies / Gareth Wilcox Ford Escort MK II 47:25

1st Class C Alan Thompson / Helen Straker Ford Fiesta 46:16

1st Class D Ian Hucklebridge / Gary Johnson Ford Escort 46:50

1st Class E Gareth Hurford-Jones / Emlyn Hurford-Jones Ford Escort Cosworth Grp A 49:26

Full results available at http://www.mcsrallyresults.co.uk/2012TRSBHS.html

Photo by Jakob Ebrey Photography

Laura Tillett has turned her attentions towards securing a drive in the 2012 AirAsia Renault Clio Cup UK after her maiden test at a wet Brands Hatch in Kent on Tuesday, 24 January – the rising star made an encouraging and impressive debut at the wheel of the Total Control Racing car.

The multiple title winners ran Nicolas Hamilton – younger brother of 2008 FIA Formula One World Champion Lewis – in 2011 and former Karter Tillett adapted herself well to the 2.0-litre race car.

Tillett was faced with less than ideal track conditions for her debut in the Clio – a very slippery track surface and persistent rain meant that the West Malling youngster was faced with a trickier debut than she had hoped, but she made strong progress as the day progressed and her nine years in Karting helped her to adapt to the different demands of the Clio Cup race car – she was soon proving why she is one of the most highly rated female racers in the UK.

“I really, really enjoyed the test and I felt very confident by the end of the day, even with the weather against me, so it couldn’t have been much better”, said the Kent racer, “Having never been in a saloon car before, I didn’t know what to expect but it was fantastic. The team is really lovely; they gave me a lot of help during the day and gave me some great advice.

“The test has definitely swayed me into looking at a future in saloons; I know I’d be comfortable racing in something like Clios. I always thought single-seaters would be the way to go after karting but the Clio is so much fun to drive. Hopefully we’ll be able to arrange another test soon with TCR.”

Total Control Racing team Principal Lee Brookes – a former Clio Cup Champion from the mid nineties as well as a Privateer Cup winner from the British Touring Car Championship – was impressed with Tilletts maiden test, considering the poor weather at the Kent circuit.

“Laura adapted to the Clio really well and for her first ever time in one of these cars, we were very encouraged”, Brookes commented, “It’s difficult to come in from karts, put aside some of the things that come naturally there and learn the different things you need to try and get the most from a car like a Clio. The conditions were terrible but she did a great job, we’d love to run Laura this year.”

For Tillett to make the move into the BTCC Supporting Clio Cup, she needs to attract sufficient sponsorship and commercial backing – as a record breaker by being the first British female Karter to compete in the top class of the CIK-FIA World Karting Championship, her ability and potential is unquestionable, as is her marketability.

There are now just over two months to the start of the 2012 AirAsia Renault Clio Cup UK, with rounds one and two of the sixteen round campaign taking place at Brands Hatch, Kent over the 31 March/1 April.

The 2012 AirAsia Renault Clio Cup will once again enjoy prime live television coverage as part of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship package, as well as excellent track side attendances.

Photo by Britishgt.com/Jakob Ebrey Motorsport Photography

The finalised calendar for the 2012 British GT Championship has been announced, with the mixture of double head one hour races, two hour races and a single three hour race completing the calendar.

Following the announcement from October of the provisional calendar, the 2012 calendar follows on from the successful 2011 season, and the stability which has been created over the last two seasons.

For 2012, the series heads to the Nurburgring as support to the 24 Hour race on the Nordschleife, as well as visiting some of the best circuits in the United Kingdom.

Oulton Park in Cheshire will host the opening two rounds of the season over the Easter Weekend, 7/9 April before heading to Germany for the following two one hour races over the 17/18/19 May – the Nurburgring rounds will be played out in front of 150,000 spectators.

Arriving back from Germany, the series then gets ready for the first of the two hour races, to be held on the Rockingham ISS Long Circuit for the first time, Two weeks later, from the concrete lined walls of Rockingham, the series heads to the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit for the second two hour race of the season.

Snetterton 300 plays host to the final double header of the season at the beginning of August, a weekend which the Trackspeed outfit will want to forget after last year.

The midlands plays host to the final two races – with Silverstone playing host to the three hour endurance race before Donington Park Grand Prix circuit closes out the season over the 29/30 September.

“We’re confident that the 2012 championship will be the best yet,” said a positive Benjamin Franassovici, SRO’s championship manager.

“2011 was a great year for us and we built a solid foundation for this season. We’ve decided not to meddle with a formula that is proven to work, instead we’re adding to the series on and off track and adding clarity to the regulations to improve understanding.”

2012 is shaping up to be an extremely competitive season with a number of significant entries having been announced already and there will be more to follow ahead of the first entry deadline – Tuesday, 31 January.

The final entry deadline is Tuesday 29 February and for Franassovici, he is looking forward to the season ahead: “Judging by the unprecedented levels of interest we have already had for January we are on track for another exciting British GT season. We are working on adding some new cars to join us this season and I can’t wait for race one at Oulton Park.”

Official 2012 Avon Tyres British GT Championship Calendar:

The Silverstone based centre organised the one day event last Saturday, 21 January and it gave the Huddersfield based driver a chance to test his race fitness as well as challenging himself at the wheel of the i-Zone Performance race simulator, and he gained essential advice on sports nutrition.

“The day was absolutely mega”, said the West Yorkshireman, “We started off with a nutrional talk and a chance to talk with Mark and ask him about how he prepared for an F1 weekend. After that we had a Yoga session, which was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be, but I learned some really useful things that’ll definitely help my training.”

The highlight of the event was the question and answer session with Red Bull Racing’s Webber – the longest serving member in the team’s history; he was able to offer Lloyd plenty of food for thought in his preparations for the forthcoming season.

Lloyd capped his day off – quite literally – by winning a cap signed by the man himself having finished victorious in the competitive ‘shoot-out’ on the i-Zone simulator.

“After lunch, there was a Q&A session with Mark – it felt weird talking to such a superstar of F1, he’s a really down to earth guy though. To get that high in motorsport, to achieve so much and yet still be a ‘normal’ guy was fantastic to see. Winning the shoot-out at i-Zone was a great way to top off the day and meeting Mark really gives you the inspiration to work harder than ever to try and reach the top.”

The Porsche Carrera Cup GB gets underway at Brands Hatch over the 31 March/1 April, and Lloyd will start his pre-season testing next month in the Team Parker Racing car.

Photo by Chris Walker/www.kartpix.net

Total Control Racing will begin their 2012 testing campaign at Brands Hatch in Kent tomorrow, with one of the team’s cars being tested by twenty year old karter Laura Tillett, who will be making her saloon car track debut.

Tillett, who is from West Malling, ten miles from the circuit, has spent the last nine years competing in karting and she entered the record books in 2009 as she became the first female karter in the CIK-FIA World Karting Championship.

She started her Karting career in 2005, firstly racing in the Super 1 British Formula JICA category (known as KF3 now) before moving into Formula ICA, where she remained until 2008, when the KF2 class was introduced.

Having taken fifth in the MSA Kartmasters Grand Prix, she moved into the European and World kart scene – this is where she made history by becoming the first British female to compete at the top level of Karting – in the World Championship.

She then had a successful run in the Super KF class of the European and World Series in 2010, and she finished eleventh overall in the WSK European Championships.

Her final season in Karting saw her compete against the best in the business in the CIK – FIA World Championship, as well as competing in the KF1 class of the WSK Euro Series.

All of her Karting experience has been coupled with experience of testing single seat race cars – having tested Formula Ford and Formula BMW, and she was lucky enough to enjoy a day at the Williams F1 Team in November, using their race simulator.

No decisions have been made about her plans for 2012, as he turns her attentions to car racing – he has previously tested Formula Ford and Formula BMW cars – and her test tomorrow could open the door to a saloon car racing future.

“This will be my first ever go in a Clio, so I’m really looking forward to it”, said Laura, “I’ve still got a desire to race single-seaters but we need to look at all of the options as it’s all down to sponsors. I’ve been karting for nine years so I can tell you everything about that. Being 20, I’m slightly behind some of the others who have moved up to cars already so this is something I definitely need to do now.”

Tillett could become the first female entrant in the AirAsia Renault Clio Cup UIK since 2007, when Mel Healey competed in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship support series.

Looking ahead to the test at Brands Hatch, Lee Brookes, Team Principal of Wednesbury based TCR said:  “We’re delighted to be able to give Laura her first test in a Clio, she’s proven her talent in karts for a number of years now at the top level so we’ve got no doubts she’ll be able to adapt quickly. We’re really looking forward to working with her.”

Photo by Jakob Ebrey Photography

Hillspeed have today announced that they have secured fifteen year old George Gamble to lead their title challenge in the 2012 Ginetta Junior Championship, having announced Nathan Harrison last week at the Autosport International Show.

Nottingham based Gamble will head into the 2012 campaign as one of the Championship contenders – having finished third in the main series in what was his first season of racing, he went on and secured the end of season Winter Series crown, his first car racing title.

In his maiden season, he secured three victories and multiple podium finishes and he joins the Hillspeed outfit who are looking for their third Ginetta Junior Championship drivers’ title on the bounce, having run Tom Ingram and Seb Morris to the title in 2010 and 2011.

Speaking about the signing of Gamble to the team, Hillspeed Team Principal Richard Ollerenshaw said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have George onboard for the coming season; he’s someone we kept an eye on from the outset of the 2011 season and the only driver that truly challenged Seb (Morris) throughout the year.

“George had an excellent result in claiming the Winter Series title with TJ, he performed very well indeed, so we’re pleased to have confirmed a deal with him this early as we make every effort to secure a third straight title.”

Throughout the 2011 campaign, Gamble proved himself to be one of very few drivers who could take the fight to second year driver Morris – he secured his maiden victory in the series at Thruxton, beating Morris by 0.036s in one of the closest finishes in the Championship’s history.

He backed up his Thruxton victory with victories at Croft and Knockhill and took eight podiums in total throughout the main series.

Speaking about his decision to join Hillspeed for the 2012 campaign, Gamble said: “I’m over the moon to be back in Ginetta Junior for a second season, especially off the back of winning the Winter Series. It’s great to be joining Hillspeed; the team’s record speaks for itself and we stand a really good chance of fighting for the championship.

“We didn’t decide to do Ginetta Junior last year until a couple of weeks before the championship started, so we didn’t have any real testing pre-season unlike the others. This year, we’ve got a deal done early so we’ll be able to have much better preparation.”

The 2012 Ginetta Junior Championship gets underway over the 31 March/ 1 April at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in Kent.

Last year, Fensport’s Adrian Smith just pipped rally ace Jonny Milner to the overall title.   Milner, whose car was fastest car up the Goodwood Hill in June, is believed to be preparing a new car to try and reclaim the crown.

Round 1 – 18th March at RAF Woodbridge

Round 2 – 13th May at the recently refurbished Blyton Park venue

Round 3 – 17th June at RAF Wittering – a new venue for 2012

Round 4 – 12th August at RAF Barkston Heath

Round 5 – Croft Circuit in Yorkshire

Round 6 – Snetterton 100 – TSS visits Snetterton for the first time and will use the short 1 mile circuit.

Reigning Toyota MR2 champion James Cross is set to swap tin tops for single seaters by joining the ever growing 2012 F3 Cup championship.

The 27-year-old enjoyed his best season to date in 2011, lifting the Toyota MR2 Championship title in only his second full season of racing. With a championship already under his belt, the Newcastle-based racer is hungry for a new challenge and is eager to try his hand at single seater racing in the MSVR-run F3 Cup.

Having purchased the Dallara F302/04 raced by Stuart Wiltshire in 2011, the full time Design Engineer is ready to battle it out to become the first F3 Cup champion.

Cross said: “During the course of the 2011 season I always spared a thought for the 2012 season plans. I raced a 1997 Formula Renault in the Monoposto classic series at Brands Hatch GP in August and have not stopped thinking of a move into single seater racing since. Seeing the F3 Cup cars at Brands was inspiring and looking at the calendar for 2012, coupled with the championship status, meant it was an easy decision to choose F3 Cup.

“I have high hopes for the season and, with the backing of the team that helped me win the MR2 title, I am confident we will hit the ground running at the opening round at Oulton Park. But I certainly don’t underestimate the challenge of moving from a road car on road tyres to a modern F3 car with slicks and wings.”

James brings a new support team into F3 Cup in the form of AW Tracksport. With over a decade of experience and numerous titles from MR2s to kit cars and Formula 4, AW Tracksport are also looking forward to stepping up to the challenge of modern F3 car racing. They will be supporting both F3 Cup and Monoposto 2000 cars throughout the 2012 season.

Simons signs up to new 2012 F3 Cup Masters Class

Single-seater racer James Simons is the first driver to commit to a full season in the Masters Class of the new and improved MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR) run F3 Cup for 2012.

The Leighton Buzzard based driver is the latest to join a rapidly expanding grid of competitors in this year’s F3 Cup, which has received outline approval for championship status by the MSA. For 2012 the F3 Cup will cater for cars built from 1981-2007 splitting the grid into three classes; Cup Class (2002-2007), Trophy Class (1997-2001) and Masters Class (1981-1996), the latter for the older F3 variants.

Simons, who began his motorsport career racing and preparing MGs, has already experienced the fierce competition of the F3 Cup, after taking part in a round of the series at the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit last year. The former BARC Formula Renault and Formula 4 driver thoroughly enjoyed the thrill of racing F3 machinery, which has prompted the 28-year-old to commit to a full season in the F3 Cup championship this season. Simons will run his own car and has hinted at the potential of his company, Stanbridge Motorsport, preparing more F3 Cup cars in the future.

He said: “I’m really excited to be joining the F3 Cup for 2012. The calendar looks great and I’m really looking forward to getting out there and racing. The target for sure will be to win my class and just to see how far up the grid I can progress throughout the season, but I would love to win a race.

“Racing at the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit for my debut was fantastic and that confirmed the F3 Cup was the right way for me to go in 2012.”

–

The F3 Cup, which will visit the UK’s premier circuits in an 18 race championship, begins with a trip to Oulton Park on 9 April, where it will line up with the British GT Championship.

Drivers and teams interested in joining the 2012 F3 Cup should contact championship co-ordinator Simon Davey on 07770 368648, email f3cup@msvracing.co.uk. For all the latest news and further announcements visit www.f3cup.co.uk.

Bullrun to race new Lotus in Britcar MSA British Endurance Championship 2012.

Team Bullrun have announced they are to take delivery of a new Lotus Evora in time for the first round of the Championship at the Silverstone GP circuit on 24th March 2012.  An Evora GT4 secured a very credible third place in the Britcar 24 Hour Race in October 2011 – however this is the first time the new  endurance model from Lotus will compete for an overall Championship title in the UK.     

Former Britcar Production Champions Richard Adams and David Green will be joined by 2011 BTCC driver Martin Byford.               

Group Lotus Motorsport Director Claudio Berro said: “We are delighted that Bullrun share our view that the Evora could be a serious Championship contender this year. It‘s great to see a  British team, with a British car competing for a British title. The overall package Bullrun has managed to put together looks very strong and we look forward to closely following their progress throughout the season.”

Photo by Jakob Ebrey Photography

Josh Webster has expressed his delight at being named as one of the Motor Sport Association’s Team UK drivers for the 2012 season – he is part of an elite group of seven drivers who will be mentored by former Formula One driver and Le Mans 24 Hour winner David Brabham.

Webster, along with the other talented circuit and rally drivers were revealed on Friday 13 January at the NEC in Birmingham, during the annual Autosport International Show.

Stowmarket based Webster is the youngest of the group at seventeen years of age – this being recognition of the progress he has made in his two years of competing in the Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship, having graduated from karting at the beginning of the 2010 campaign, and he went on to be named the Racing Steps Foundation MSA Young Driver of the Year at the end of 2011.

In the six round ‘Finals Series’ for the Protyre Formula Renault 2.0 UK category, he finished third overall out of thirty drivers, including a number of experienced European entrants.

“I am honoured to be included in the 2012 Team UK squad and I look forward to the first training workshops,” said Webster on his inclusion to the MSA Team UK programme.

“I’ll make the most of this fantastic opportunity to learn under the expert guidance of National Race Coach David Brabham and Performance Director Robert Reid. I know it will be hard work, but I’m grateful for my place in the team and will work hard to justify my selection.”

Away from the track, Webster is currently studying for his A-Levels – he recently graduated from the MSA Academy’s Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence and with his place in the MSA Team UK, Webster has become the first AASE to be invited into the national MSA squad.

The Team UK programme is run by the Brabham Performance Clinic on behalf of the MSA and the programme is designed to give those drivers placed on the scheme the very best in terms of driver coaching and fitness as well nutritional guidance – the selected drivers also get advanced psychology techniques to ensure that they have the best possible approach to their racing programme.

Webster will benefit from exclusive visits to Formula One teams’ headquarters while his current training regime will be supplemented with access to some of the most sophisticated simulator equipment available.

His plans for 2012 hang in the balance – he hopes to graduate into the CERTINA Formula Renault UK Championship but needs additional sponsors to join the grid. His current sponsors, Nine Telecom Group and Admiral Managed Networks are remaining on board and he hopes that his invitation into the Team UK programme will enable him to secure the full budget for the CERTINA Formula Renault 2.0 UK Championship.