Overdrive | British Motorsport News

VIDEO : Jason Plato and Sam Tordoff lead MG Charge in 2013 BTCC

2013-02-08T12:00:00.011Z

Britain’s brightest young racing driver has joined the MG KX Momentum Racing team − and has already achieved one of his lifelong ambitions.

Sam Tordoff, aged 23 has been racing since he was 10 years old and is acclaimed as Britain’s brightest racing talent. Last year he was officially recognised as the British Racing Drivers’ Club ‘Rising Star.’

He joins Jason Plato, the most successful driver in BTCC history, to contest the 2013 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

They will both be driving racing versions of the award-winning MG6 GT prepared by Triple 888 Race Engineering, one of the most respected constructors in touring car racing.

Last year Plato was third in the championship in what was supposed to be the team’s ‘learning year’ as MG returned to the track.

Tordoff, who hails from Leeds, began racing karts as a boy and worked his way up the motorsport ladder via the Renault Clio Cup and the Porsche Carrera Cup with many wins and podiums under his belt. He also competed in one round of BTCC racing in 2010 on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit.

Last year Tordoff, who has a B.Eng in Mechanical Engineering and works as a trainee accountant with the JCT600 motor group, won a place at the KX Akademy for the 2013 season. The bursary programme was set up by KX Energy Drink where Jason Plato is the scheme’s mentor.

Newcomer Sam Tordoff (Top) is looking forward to racing with Jason Plato

He said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Jason, Ian and the rest of the team and I’m determined to do well – even if it means beating Jason!”

Jason said: “Sam’s a great young talent and brings a lot to our team. He’s a fast learner and it will be great to see him alongside me on the podium – but I’m planning to be on the top step.”

Ian Harrison has the task of managing the MG KX Momentum team. He added: “We’ve got a great team for the 2013 season in Jason and Sam.

“Jason’s obviously got the experience, including a fabulous year with the MG6 GT last year, and Sam’s out to prove himself now he’s won a seat in a top team. It’s going to be a great year of racing.”

MG’s Sales & marketing Director, Guy Jones, said: “It was brilliant for us to get MG back on the track last year and the cars were seen by millions of fans. Motor sport is in the DNA of the MG brand and we can’t wait for the 2013 BTCC to get under way.”

Twingo Trophy returns to British Rally Championship in 2013

2013-02-08T12:00:00.010Z

Fast action from last year's Twingo Trophy - expect more of the same as part of the 2013 British Rally Championship

The Twingo Renaultsport Trophy UK will follow all seven rounds of the MSA British Rally Championship in 2013, joining the UK’s premier rally series for the second year running.

The Twingo R1 Trophy provides the winner with a fantastic Renault Sport Technologies-funded prize drive in a Twingo R2 Evo on the final round of the French Rally Championship. The R1 crews also benefit from an on event prize fund with parts vouchers of £500, £300 & £200 going to 1^st, 2^nd& 3^rdrespectively on each of the seven rounds.

There are some updates to the Twingo R1 for 2013 too, with the facelifted shape, new competition dampers and an ECU upgrade to increase torque being homologated for the start of the new season, it makes an ideal car in which to fight for the British Junior Rally Championship title. Also new for 2013, right hand drive versions will be permissible with donor cars being sourced in the UK, it should make it even cheaper to build a car with second hand low cost examples being readily available.

Competitors using the Twingo R2 will be recognised with their own Renaultsport awards relating to their overall position in the new RallyTwo Championship. Running alongside the R1 cars with parts and technical support on all BRC events, the eventual R2 winner will be presented with his or her trophy at the prestigious British Rally Championship Awards Ceremony.

In addition to being eligible for the new BRC RallyTwo Championship, both versions of the rapid little Twingo will be vying for a yellow jersey nomination and a place in the Pirelli Star Driver competition to win a prize drive in the 2014 BRC.

All users of Renault rally cars will benefit from the presence of Monster Sport Europe who will attend all of the rounds with a parts supply vehicle, hospitality area and support.

Competitors running Twingo and Clio should contact MSE direct to make them aware of any parts requirements they have ahead of the new season.

For more information visit www.renaultsport.co.uk or www.twingotrophy.co.uk

Scudereia Vittoria return with Wakefield and Modell

2013-02-08T12:00:00.009Z

Scuderia Vittoria return to Clios in 2013 with a new line up of Josh Wakefield and Devon Modell

Former British GT Championship racer Josh Wakefield (Colchester) and motor racing returnee Devon Modell (London) will make their respective debuts in the Renault UK Clio Cup this year after finalising deals with front-running squad Scuderia Vittoria.

Wakefield, a multiple podium finisher in the GT4 Class of the 2011 British GT Championship, makes the move back to front-wheel drive racing having originally cut his teeth in the SaxMax series in 2009 where he was the Rookie Champion.

Switching to the Trofeo Abarth 500 category in 2010, ending the season fifth overall with several podiums to his credit, the Essex driver then embarked on a strong campaign in British GT where he was fourth overall in GT4, teaming with Jake Rattenbury, taking one win and four other podiums.

“Josh has had a couple of testing years in different formulas, but has been able to show that he possesses great pace”, said Scuderia Vittoria team principal Danny Buxton, the 2001 Renault UK Clio Cup Champion, “I’m really pleased to be able to bring him back to front-wheel drive cars and I’m confident that he will be able to perform extremely well in 2013.”

Modell, who is a former Stars of Tomorrow [now Formula Kart Stars] Mini Max Champion, makes a welcome return to active competition after several years away from motorsport. The new Renault UK Clio Cup season will be his first in cars, although he did previously test a Renault Clio in 2011 with Scuderia Vittoria.

Originally starting out in Super 1 National Cadet Championship karting in 2002, the Kent-born racer progressed into Mini Max where he enjoyed a superbly successful campaign in 2005 – winning the Stars of Tomorrow title, finishing third in the Kartmasters Grand Prix and runner-up in the Super 1 Mini Max category. Following graduation to Rotax Max, Modell’s last appearance was four years ago.

Speaking on the Londoner’s arrival into the all-action Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship feeder series, Scuderia Vittoria’s Buxton added: “Devon is a really exciting talent that held a huge reputation in karting by beating the likes of Max Chilton [2013 Marussia Formula 1 Team driver] and Adrian Quaife-Hobbs [2012 AUTO GP Champion] along the way.

“I have been chasing Devon for the last two years, as he tested with us at Snetterton previously and was immediately on the pace. He is a very intelligent, calm and confident driver who possesses great pace, and I am sure that he will surprise a lot of people in the TOCA paddock in 2013.”

Scuderia Vittoria, which fielded as many as five Renault Clios last season, is expected to run an even larger squad this year with additional driver announcements expected in due course. Following the official Media Day at Silverstone in Northamptonshire on Thursday, 21st March, the 16-round season will get underway on 30th/31st March at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in Kent.

Fortec announces Driver line up for Protyre Formula Renault

2013-02-08T12:00:00.008Z

Fortec are a front runner in Formula Renault and have great links to other series too.

Fortec Motorsports is the first of the leading teams from the Protyre Formula Renault Championship to reveal its full driver line-up for the 2013 campaign after confirming a capacity four-car entry.

The Daventry outfit, which steered Seb Morris to last November’s Winter Series title, will field a squad with a truly international flavour. Spearheaded by British karting graduate Sam MacLeod (Cambridge) and returning Chinese racer Hong Wei Cao (Stoke-on-Trent), the team will also feature Malaysian newcomer Weiron Tan (London) and Hong Kong-born racer Wei Fung Thong (Liverpool).

“We’re really pleased to have all four deals done so early, I think it’s going to be a very open season this year with so many of the experienced guys having moved on”, said Fortec team manager Steve Lynch, “It’ll be a learning year for Sam but he’s been very quick in testing and we’re confident he and Martin [Cao] will be fighting at the front for regular podiums.

“Sam’s already proving himself to be a very good driver and we’re looking for Martin to continue where he left off in the Winter Series, he’s committed to making a big push this year. We know it’ll be a whole new challenge for Tan and Thong but we’re sure they’ll both make strong progress, setting a strong base for next year and, hopefully, a future move up the ladder with Fortec.”

MacLeod competed in British and European KF2 Championship karting last year, having debuted in continental-level action in 2011 where he was fourth in the CIK-FIA European Championship. Prior to that, in 2010, MacLeod was fifth overall in the KF3 class of the UK-based Formula Kart Stars series.

Cao, also known as ‘Martin’, is the most experienced of Fortec’s quartet. After making his British racing debut in Protyre Formula Renault last year, the 19-year-old Keele University student went on to achieve his maiden podium in the 2012 Winter Series – concluding the four round championship fifth overall. He was also the 2008 Asian Formula Renault Champion.

Malaysian driver Tan, who is part of the AirAsia Caterham Driver Development Programme, moves into Protyre Formula Renault from the JK Racing Asia Series where he was seventh overall last year, taking two podiums along the way. The 18-year-old, from Kuala Lumpur, also contested selected JK Racing Asia Series rounds in 2011 alongside a campaign in the Malaysian Super Series.

Hong Kong youngster Thong, who is also referred to as ‘Shaun’, competed in Asian Formula Renault in 2012 where he was third overall and took one race victory. The 17-year-old, who currently studies at Liverpool University, also tried his hand at GT racing with outings in the Malaysian Super Series, Porsche Carrera Cup Asia and the Trofeo Maserati World Series.

Commenting on Fortec’s announcement, Protyre Formula Renault promoter Simon North said: “Having a team the stature of Fortec as an integral part of Protyre Formula Renault really is very important for the championship as a whole, we’re obviously delighted with the confirmation of four drivers and the international flavour underlines the increasing reach of Protyre Formula Renault.

“Fortec is one of the biggest and most successful teams, both nationally and internationally, and I’m sure everyone there will be determined to add the main Protyre Formula Renault title to the Winter Series crown won last year.”

Protyre Formula Renault features an expanded 16 race calendar for 2013, beginning with two races at Donington Park in the East Midlands on 13th/14th April before embarking on a run of four ‘triple headers’ at Snetterton in Norfolk, Thruxton in Hampshire, Croft in North Yorkshire and Rockingham in Northamptonshire.

The season finale, like the championship opener, will be a double-header and will take place at Silverstone National Circuit over the weekend 28th/29th September alongside the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

Along with headline sponsor Protyre, Formula Renault is additionally supported by Michelin, The Lubricant Consultancy, Petronas Syntium and NGK Spark Plugs.

Rockingham lines up action packed Calendar for 2013

2013-02-08T12:00:00.007Z

BTCC is sure to be a fan favourite at Rockingham in 2013

WITH the new motorsport season just around the corner Rockingham has announced its exciting racing line-up for 2013, which will again feature action on both two and four wheels at the Northamptonshire circuit.

The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship leads the action on four wheels and will again be the headline race meeting when it returns in the autumn. Rockingham hosts Round Eight of the UK’s premier tin-top series over the weekend of September 14/15.

Following a successful return last season, the UK’s largest bike racing series, Thundersport GB, is back over the weekend of July 27/28, to offer the chance to watch an awesome array of motorcycle racing on Rockingham’s 1.94-mile International Motorcycle Circuit.

It’s also a summer date for 750 Motor Club, which is one of the UK’s leading motor racing organisers with championships to suit all tastes. The club will hold its maiden race meeting at Rockingham over the weekend of July 13/14.

The Avon Tyres British GT Championship will provide a touch of glamour over the Bank Holiday weekend of May 5/6, when some of the world’s most prestigious supercars will provide bumper-to-bumper racing at breathtaking speeds.

Rockingham Chief Executive Charlotte Orton said: “We are looking forward to a fantastic 2013 season at Rockingham. We have secured some great race meetings this year from grass roots motorsport through to the UK’s premier motor racing series.”

The British Racing and Sports Car Club (BRSCC) will raise the curtain on the new season over the weekend of April 6/7, while British Automobile Race Club (BARC) are pencilled in for two visits on May 10/11 and August 10/11.

Rockingham 2013 Race Calendar

April 6/7 BRSCC Race Weekend

May 5/6 Avon Tyres British GT Championship

May 10/11 BARC Race Meeting

June 1 Britcar

July 13/14 750 Motor Club

July 27/28 Thundersport GB

August 10/11 BARC Race Meeting

Sept 7 BRSCC Race Weekend

Sept 14/15 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship

Dec 7/8 Rockingham Stages Rally

To reinforce Rockingham’s commitment to making motor racing accessible and affordable to all fans, adult admission prices start from just £10 per day, while children aged 16 and under get in for free.

Don’t forget if you buy a BTCC Sunday race day ticket before March 1, you will receive free entry to Saturday’s qualifying day. Advance tickets can be purchased either online at www.rockingham.co.uk or via the ticket hotline on 01536 500500.

All tickets include a grandstand seat with a unique panoramic view of the entire circuit and access to the race paddock, allowing an exclusive insight into the hard work which goes on behind the scenes to keep the drivers and cars on track.

For more information visit the race events page on the Rockingham website.

Aston Martin Centenary Celebrations planned for Brands Hatch

2013-02-08T12:00:00.006Z

A huge array of Aston Martin Racing Cars will be in action at Brands Hatch

The largest collection of Aston Martin racing cars ever to gather on a single track will meet at Brands Hatch in July for a unique race series to continue the British brand’s centenary celebrations.

More than a hundred of the marque’s racing cars, dating from 1922 to the present day, will gather for the two-day race series in Kent on 6^thand 7^thJuly.

2013 is the 100^thanniversary of the incorporation of Aston Martin, and the event in July will recognise the company’s achievements in sports car racing during the last century.

Astons from the past...

Aston Martin has recorded multiple wins at Le Mans, including outright victory in 1959, as well as the World Sportscar Championship the same year and most recently the Le Mans Series title in 2009.

The two-day event will see Aston Martin racing cars from nearly every decade compete on the Brands Hatch Indy and Grand Prix circuits. Two special centenary races are also planned, the first covering the pre-war era to the mid 1960s, and the second open to all Astons from the mid-sixties, including the latest Aston Martin GT1, GTE, GT3 and GT4 cars in a single race on the Grand Prix circuit.

Additional races will include pre-war Aston Martins, with Lagondas and Bentleys also expected to take part. Meanwhile the AMOC Intermarque Championship, ‘50s Sports Cars, Equipe GTS and HRDC Touring Greats categories will also pit cars from throughout Aston Martin’s history against contemporary rivals. The weekend will also feature two rounds of the 2013 Aston Martin GT4 Challenge of Great Britain.

Off the track there will be examples of nearly every Aston Martin racing car ever produced, plus some of its finest road machinery, while everything from pre-war Ulsters through to Nimrods and the Aston Martin AMR1 will take part in on-track demonstrations.

The marque’s connection with James Bond will also be showcased in a display to celebrate the history of 007’s Aston Martin cars from the DB5’s first appearance in Goldfinger in 1964 to its most recent appearance in Skyfall.

Meanwhile, owners of Aston Martin and Lagonda cars will be invited to take part in track parades and to display their cars around the historic venue. A concours area, dealer stands and live music will also entertain visitors, while a special celebration dinner will be held on the Saturday night in the MotorSport Vision (MSV) Centre at Brands Hatch.

David Richards, chairman of Aston Martin Lagonda, said: “Brands Hatch has played an important part in Aston Martin’s racing history so is a fitting venue for one of the key events in our year of centenary celebrations.

... and present will be in action

“Legendary drivers such as Graham Hill, Jack Sears and Innes Ireland all raced at Brands Hatch in Aston Martin cars and the atmospheric Kent circuit will provide a wonderful arena for our competition and road cars to participate in what I’m sure will be a superb weekend.”

Jonathan Palmer, chief executive of MSV added: “Aston Martin is an incredible brand that is synonymous with quintessentially British sports cars, famous for an enviable pedigree from James Bond 007, royal patronage and Le Mans motor racing success.

“With a great range of ever-evolving road cars, Aston Martin makes products that are more desirable than ever and we believe a record number of its sports cars will be present at the Brands Hatch Centenary Meeting.”

Shelsley Walsh lines up 2013 Calendar

2013-02-08T12:00:00.005Z

a British Hillclimb Championship competitor blasts up the 108 year old course

2013 at Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb will feature six speed hill climb weekends, two of which are rounds of the Avon Tyres/TTC Group MSA British Hill Climb & Hill Climb Leaders Championship held in June and August.

Throughout 2013 we are celebrating a number of notable anniversaries starting with 100 years of Morris at “Speed Into Spring” May 4/5th where the Morris Owners Club will be displaying a variety of cars in the public areas and up the famous 108 year old hill.

June 1st/2nd welcomes the Avon Tyres/TTC Group MSA British Hill Climb & Hill Climb Leaders Championship for “Best of British” where fans can see some of the most powerful cars in British motor sport reach 0-60 in under 3 seconds before topping out at 140mph over the finish line. And all up a single track tarmac road in the beautiful Teme Valley where time really has stood still...

July has two meeting with the “Reg Phillips Trophy Meeting” on Saturday July 6th followed by the “Vintage and Post Vintage Thoroughbreds” on Sunday July 7th celebrating 100 years of the Vauxhall 30/98 with up to 100 cars arriving after a tour of the UK.

At the end of July over the weekend of 27/28th “Classic Nostalgia” will celebrate 50 years of the Mini Cooper S. There will be the very popular and often oversubscribed Concours d’elegance for the first 100 pre 1982 cars supported by Classic and Sports Car Magazine and judged by Simon Taylor. We will also be welcoming Sir Stirling Moss OBE, who in the very early days of his career drove at Shelsley. He will be here with Peter D James Insurance who is also supporting the event this year.

Our highlight meeting in August takes place on 17th/18th with “Championship Challenge” offering a second chance to see the high powered cars of the Avon Tyres/TTC Group MSA British Hill Climb & Hill Climb Leaders Championship, as well as celebrating Aston Martin’s Centenary in association with the Aston Martin Owners Club and Aston Martin Heritage Trust. There will be parades, displays and a competition class. More news to follow.

The season will round off in September with the “Autumn Speed Finale” where records can still be broken and championships won or lost as the English summer comes to a close with evocative long shadows that are so in keeping with Shelsley Walsh over its 108 year history.

May 4th - 5th SPEED INTO SPRING
Midland Hill Climb, Paul Matty Lotus & SBD H.S.A. Speed Championships, Westfield Speed Series. Also celebrating the Centenary of Morris

June 1st - 2nd BEST OF BRITISH
Avon Tyres/TTC Group MSA British Hill Climb & Hill Climb Leaders Championship Midland Championships. Ferrari Owners Club Championship, Shelsley Specials and other feature classes

July 6th REG PHILLIPS TROPHY MEETING
Bert Hadley Memorial, Service Hydraulics Speed Championships, Westfield Speed Series and NHCA Motorcycles

July 7th VINTAGE & POST VINTAGE THOROUGHBRED MEETING
co-promoted with the Vintage Sports Car Club, Centenary celebrations of the Vauxhall 30/98

July 27th & 28th CLASSIC NOSTALGIA,
Luffield Cars MG, Paul Matty BOC Classic Championships, Pre & Post war racing & sports cars, 50th anniversary celebration of the Mini Cooper S, (Sunday)Concours D’Elegance supported by Classic and Sports Car Magazine (Sunday)

August 17th - 18th CHAMPIONSHIP CHALLENGE
Avon Tyres/TTC Group MSA British Hill Climb & Hill Climb Leaders Championship, Midland Championships, Paul Matty Lotus Championship, Celebrating 100 years of Aston Martin, AMOC parade and competition class.

September 21st & 22nd AUTUMN SPEED FINALE
Porsche Club, TR Register, BARC SBD, Service Hydraulics Speed Championships, NHCA Motorcycles, TVR, Morgan, Austin Healey, Ferrari, SBD H.S.A Championships

MGR Returns to Protyre Formula Renault

2013-02-08T12:00:00.004Z

MGR's team has steered many teams to success over the years, 2013 should be no exception

Protyre Formula Renault (Formerly Formula Renault BARC) Championship front-runner Chris Middlehurst (St. Helens), second year competitor Tom Oliphant (Tarporley, Cheshire) and series newcomer Matteo Ferrer (Ipswich) are the first three drivers confirmed for MGR Motorsport’s 2013 assault on the 16-round season.

With plans to field a four car squad currently in advanced stages, as the Bardon team continues discussions regarding its final vacant seat with a number of drivers, MGR is delighted to confirm its first three signings.

Middlehurst enjoyed a strong debut season in Protyre Formula Renault last year, ending the main campaign ninth overall with two podiums to his credit before going on to mount a strong challenge in the Winter Series where he took two further rostrums from the four races contested.

The 18-year-old, son of former racer Andy Middlehurst, will certainly be a championship challenger this season and will be aiming to secure his maiden race victory in the category. His best result so far of second place came during the opening weekend of the 2012 Winter Series.

Oliphant, like Middlehurst, will be embarking on his second season in Protyre Formula Renault this year and the 22-year-old will be hoping to continue where he left off with Leicestershire-based MGR during the final event of last November’s Winter Series.

After a difficult main championship campaign, Oliphant moved to the Mark Godwin-led team for the Rockingham rounds of the Winter Series and showed a marked improvement by achieving a career best finish of seventh place.

Protyre Formula Renault newcomer Ferrer, who is of Venezuelan, German and Italian heritage, had no previous karting experience prior to his motorsport debut last year in the now defunct InterSteps Championship but developed significantly as the season wore on.

Ending the year eighth overall in the driver standings, Ferrer is now preparing for a major step-up in competitiveness and has already made a strong impression on MGR team principal Godwin during initial winter test outings.

"I watched Matteo develop during the 2012 Intersteps Championship, and was really quite impressed considering his complete lack of experience”, said Godwin, “From what I saw during our winter testing in Valencia, I believe we can look forward to a very competitive year. Tom has looked strong in winter testing and we’re confident he’s going to have a good season, he did a great job with us in the Winter Series considering how much he had to adapt to the new car and team.

“We’re very confident Chris will be challenging up at the front from the off, what he achieved last year was very impressive – especially towards the end of the main season and in the Winter Series. We’re sure, with our determined and structured approach, that Chris will be a strong contender.”

Rounds one and two of the 2013 Protyre Formula Renault Championship will take place on 13th/14th April at Donington Park National Circuit in Leicestershire – MGR’s home track. Before then, teams and drivers will take part in the official ‘Media Day’ at Silverstone on Thursday, 21st March.

Commenting on MGR’s signings, championship promoter Simon North said: “MGR is obviously one of the most competitive and well run teams in Protyre Formula Renault and we’re delighted Mark [Godwin] has confirmed three drivers already for the new season. Knowing a fourth car is also highly likely with the team is fantastic news for the championship.”

Along with headline sponsor Protyre, Formula Renault is additionally supported by Michelin, The Lubricant Consultancy, Petronas Syntium and NGK Spark Plugs.

Toyota enters British GT with new GT86 GT4

2013-02-08T12:00:00.003Z

The GT86 - Quite possibly one of the best looking Toyotas - nay even cars - seen this decade

The GT86 has already seen racing action in the Britcar 24 Hours

The first GT4 racing version of the Toyota GT86 will hit the track later this month following completion of the first chassis by Buckingham-based motorsport engineering pioneer GPRM.

The new car is powered by a 2.0-litre direct injection turbocharged four-cylinder ‘Boxer’ engine which has been developed in conjunction with Nicholson McLaren Engines. The GT86 will be shaken down at a UK circuit ahead of a schedule of European tests and the pre-season ‘balance of performance’ sessions organised by GT4 series organiser SRO.

GPRM and its directors Gary Blackham and Roger King believe the new Toyota will be a serious GT4 contender: “The new engine from Nicholson McLaren will be capable of between 360 and 400 bhp,” said Blackham, “although of course the definitive output figure will be determined by the balance of performance testing.

Inside the Office

“We have gone all out to engineer quality and reliability into the GT86 as well as competitiveness, and the result has provoked a lot of interest from all around Europe.” GPRM has already taken one GT86 order and is in advanced talks with a team keen to race one in the AvonTyres British GT Championship. “The Toyota GT86 will make an ideal GT4 contender in British GT, as well as in the many GT4 series growing in strength and popularity around Europe.”

GPRM’s Toyota GT86 is a cost-efficient entry-level endurance car. The company embarked on the GT4 project immediately after the Britcar24 last September, where the new Toyota sports car made a successful UK race debut. Although not a works effort, the GT4 project has the blessing of Toyota GB, which is providing technical support.

More marvellous mid-engined Motors move towards magnifient Goodwood Revival

2013-02-08T12:00:00.002Z

a Ferrari 250LM (and a GT40 in the background) racing at Goodwood.

Further to the recent announcement that Goodwood will be staging a unique all-Ford GT40 race at this year’s Goodwood Revival (13-15 September) to mark 50 years since development of this exceptional mid-engined Anglo-American racer began, another legendary mid-mounted endurance racer will now also be competing at this September’s event.

Like the Ford, the revered Ferrari 250 LM celebrates its half century this year, having premiered at the Paris salon late in 1963. Also like the Ford, the 250 LM went on to win the Le Mans 24 Hours race, with the North American Racing Team-entered car – driven by Jochen Rindt and Masten Gregory – taking the chequered flag in the 1965 event. This remains the last time Ferrari took overall victory in the French endurance classic.

The 250 LM raced in the Tourist Trophy at Goodwood in 1964, where it finished fourth, and last competed in this race in the modern era at the Revival in 2000. An example of the Ferrari has also run in the Whitsun Trophy race at the Revival in various years.

For the 2013 Revival, a number of 250 LMs will be returning to the prestigious Royal Automobile Club TT Celebration race for the first time in 13 years, campaigning against fierce competition from Ferrari 250 GTOs, AC Cobras, lightweight Jaguar E-types, Maserati 151s, Aston Martin DB4s, and many other rare and mouth watering machines to create the most valuable historic motor race in the world.

Tickets, grandstand seats, camping and other products for the 2013 Goodwood Revival can be purchased via the Goodwood website (www.goodwood.com/motor sport/), or the Ticket Hotline as follows: Telephone: +44 (0)1243 755055

Have Breakfast at Shelsley!

2013-02-08T12:00:00.001Z

Yes, I know we used that same headline for Goodwood not so long ago...

A Breakfast Club gathering at Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb

Now in their second full year, the Midland Automobile Club are pleased to announce the dates for their very popular Breakfast Clubs.

Nine dates have been confirmed, starting on February 10th going through to October 13th.
The Breakfast Clubs are a free social event and a chance to come to the famous Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb, meet with like minded enthusiasts, see a wonderful array of cars, have a great breakfast with our new caterers and still be home in time to watch the Grand Prix!

A full “Shelsley Breakfast” is served in the Stratstone Restaurant and for those who like a healthier option there are cereals, fruit and croissants, after which you can walk the hill and admire the views of the Teme Valley.

Gates open at 9am and close at 12pm, all those wishing to attend are asked to register via the web site

February	10th	Breakfast Club, Shelsley Walsh

March	10th	Breakfast Club, Shelsley Walsh

April	7th	Breakfast Club, Shelsley Walsh

May	12th	Breakfast Club, Shelsley Walsh

June	16th	Breakfast Club, Shelsley Walsh

July	14th	Breakfast Club, Shelsley Walsh

August	11th	Breakfast Club, Shelsley Walsh

September	8th	Breakfast Club, Shelsley Walsh

October	13th	Breakfast Club, Shelsley Walsh

David Wright takes on the Wyedean Rally

2013-02-08T12:00:00.000Z

David Wright aims to get his 2013 season off to a flying start on the slippery Wyedean rally

Bentham's David Wright will start his 2013 rally season next weekend when he contests the Wyedean Forest rally in his Kumho Tyres, Proflex, Drenth, York Brewery, Millers Oils, Owen Developments and Grove Hill Garage-backed GPM Mitsubishi Evo 9.

The Chepstow-based event is the opening round of the BTRDA rally championship which Wright is intending to contest this season.

"I can't wait for the season to commence," said Wright. "I'm keen to get the year off to a good start after our disappointing retirement from the Grizedale Stages at the end of last year."

"I enjoy the Forest of Dean stages that the Wyedean uses although I am hoping that conditions will be better than last year when the stages were covered in sheet ice - it becomes a bit of a lottery when we have zero grip."

"Thanks to the support from my sponsors we are starting the year with the aim of contesting the full BTRDA championship. I will be trying to repeat the title win I achieved in 2009."

The rally starts from Chepstow racecourse on Saturday morning with the crews facing tough stages such as Speech House and Serridge.

Daytona DMAX launches 2013 season

2013-01-25T12:00:00.003Z

Daytona's DMAX championship is a great way to get into motorsport without the hassle of owning your own kart

The UK's most competitive hire kart series, the Vodafone DMAX Championship, is all set to burst onto the Tarmac for its fourth thrilling season.

After 2012’s sensational total of 1225 entrants, 60,000 racing miles, 10 rounds at 8 different circuits and six worthy champions, the 2013 series is gearing up to be the biggest and best yet.

Since it first stormed onto the grid in 2009, the Daytona Vodafone DMAX Championship has seen an unprecedented increase in competitor numbers year-on-year. In 2010 an average of 55 drivers raced at each of the ten rounds – in 2011 that number increased to an average of 80 drivers per race and in 2012 a staggering 124 drivers on average entered each round – an amazing increase of over 100 percent in just two years.

So what is the secret behind the series’ meteoric success?

Devised by the Daytona Motorsport Group in 2009, the Vodafone DMAX Championship was designed to offer a unique opportunity for serious drivers to compete in a professionally run series at a fraction of the expense of running their own race karts.

Daytona Motorsport owns and manages the superb fleet of state-of-the art DMAX karts and thus can guarantee a level, yet highly competitive, playing field at affordable prices. Despite the reasonable cost, absolutely no compromise is made on performance; the karts are designed by World Championship winning manufacturer Birel and powered by legendary Rotax 2-stroke engines. With exceptional handling and agility, plus top speeds of up to 80mph, the DMAXs are unquestionably the fastest hire karts available in the UK today.

Jim Graham, DMAX Series Director is understandably thrilled with the success of the Championship. “Just look at the statistics. We had 1225 drivers compete in the 2012 Vodafone DMAX Championship in ten epic rounds at eight different venues,” he enthused. “This Championship offers the chance for serious kart enthusiasts – looking for the best in racing technology at the most affordable price – to enter a series without any of the hassle or expense of owning and transporting equipment. We have listened to the drivers and are committed to providing the very best run and most evenly matched Arrive&Drive championship in the UK… and by all accounts we have achieved this.”

Those wanting to ensure 2013 is a year to remember by being part of the Daytona DMAX success story are strongly advised to register soon,as places on the grid are filling up fast. Registrations can either be made via contacting Daytona Motorsport on 0845 844 5504 or by emailling: mark.wimblett@daytona.co.uk

Vodafone DMAX Championship Calendar - 2013

Round	Date	Venue	Circuit
1	17 February	Daytona Milton Keynes	International
2	17 March	Daytona Sandown Park	Grand Prix
3	21 April	PF International	Extended Circuit
4	19 May	Rye House	Full Circuit
5	16 June	Lydd	Full Circuit
6	21 July	Bayrord Meadows*	Full Circuit
7	18 August	Whilton Mill	Full Circuit
8	15 September	Red Lodge*	Extended
9	20 October	Daytona Milton Keynes	Cliff
10	17 November	Daytona Sandown Park	Alternate

(*new venues on the calendar for this year)

Silverstone Classic back for 2013

2013-01-25T12:00:00.002Z

Masters F1 cars will once again be in action

This summer’s Silverstone Classic (26-28 July) is all set to be another record breaker following confirmation of an action-packed programme of 24 races spanning eight decades of glorious motor sport history.

Already firmly established as the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival, the mouth-watering line-up for 2013’s extravaganza features all the hugely popular historic Formula One, sportscar, GT and touring car grids that produced such close racing last year… plus a further three grids to be announced in the coming weeks.

As the home of the British Grand Prix and birthplace of the FIA Formula One World Championship, Silverstone is the perfect venue to celebrate the full spectrum of F1 history. And, with more than 100 of the most famous and iconic GP cars recreating many of the sport’s golden eras, there’s no better homage than the Silverstone Classic.

Headlights ablaze, the Group Cs race into the darkness

The Historic Grand Prix Cars Association (HGPCA) will be out in force with packed grids for both spectacular pre-1961 and pre-1966 F1 cars that revisit five decades of technical rivalries from the Bugattis of the 1920s, through the Maseratis and Ferraris of the 1950s to the dawn of the rear-engine epoch in the early 1960s when British-based constructors such as Brabham, Cooper and Lotus came to the fore.

Grand Prix Masters puts the spotlight on the following generation of DFV-powered F1 cars, reliving a fantastic decade of GP racing from 1968 to 1978 as well as the rise of many of the British teams including Brabham, Lotus, McLaren, Tyrrell and Williams. Adding to the spectacle and rekindling many fond and magic memories, all these renowned racers compete in familiar period liveries.

The comprehensive single-seater bill features two more exciting grids. Races for Historic Formula Junior and the combined F5000/F2 class were among last summer’s many highlights and both make welcome returns this July. All five of these open-wheeler categories are in race action twice at the Classic with a thrilling showdown each during both Saturday’s and Sunday’s busy schedules.

Harking back to what many believe were the halcyon days of the world famous Le Mans 24 Hours event, no fewer than five sportscar and GT grids are also on the unrivalled Silverstone Classic bill.

Touring cars ancient and modern are always popular

The Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy features post-war sports-racers up to the end of 1955, with victory last year going to the hard-charging Jaguar D-type of brothers John and Gary Pearson. The Stirling Moss Trophy stars slightly more modern pre-1961 sportscars with Lister Jaguars, Cooper Monacos and Maserati T61 Birdcages often to the fore while the World Sportscar Masters covers an equally exhilarating era from the mid-1960s up to 1974, boasting track idols such as the Porsche 917, Ferrari 512 and Lola T70.

Moving the clock forward to the 1980s are the super-fast Group C prototypes that once again will race into dusk on Saturday evening. Last year’s entry featured legendary machinery from Jaguar, Mercedes, Peugeot and Porsche as well as a trio of Ferrari-engined Lancia LC2s. An even more alluring line-up is promised for 2013.

Meanwhile Aston Martin will aim for a famous hat-trick of wins in the prestigious Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy for Historic Cars. Run for Pre-63 GT cars, victory in 2011 went to an Aston Martin DB4GT shared by racing legends Stuart Graham and Richard Attwood while last year’s encounter was won by Wolfgang Friedrichs and David Clark in the remarkable Aston Martin Project DP212.

Classic GTs return in 2013 in the Woodcote trophy

The Silverstone Classic also honours the very best of saloon car racing history with two stunning grids already confirmed. The first is for Under 2-Litre Touring Cars with a full 58-car field of battling Lotus Cortinas, BMW 1800 Tis, Alfa Romeo GTAs and Mini Coopers from the pre-1966 era. The second is another Silverstone Classic success story… Last year’s event staged a new tin-top showdown for Group A and Super Touring cars from the 1980s and 1990s. It was such an immediate hit with competitors and fans alike that the category not only returns 12 months on but also has spawned an exciting new series, to be run by the famed Historic Sports Car Club (HSCC).

“It all adds up to another incredible line-up of races that put the spotlight on so much fantastic racing history… and we have another three grids still to announce,” enthused Nick Wigley, event director. “With more than 1000 entries, the Silverstone Classic is now not only the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival but also the largest race meeting staged anywhere on the globe. It may sound clichéd but, hand on heart and given some of the announcements yet to come, this summer’s looks like being the most successful yet.”

To house so much exotic and priceless motor sport history, the massive event will again fill both Silverstone’s National and new Wing pits and paddock complexes. The non-stop racing schedule, organised by the HSCC, is staged on the full Silverstone Grand Prix circuit with many races boasting fully-subscribed 58-car grids.

A very wide range of racing cars line up for the Silverstone classic.

Adding to the Classic weekend’s enormous appeal, all tickets give free access to both racing paddocks as well as trackside grandstands and live music concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Those booking before the end of March can take full advantage of special ‘Early Bird’ prices with adult tickets starting from just £30 (plus fees). Considerable savings are on offer for festival goers spending the full weekend at Silverstone and special packages for car clubs and their members are also available. Full details can be found on the official www.silverstoneclassic.comwebsite.

Rising star Jake Dalton moves to Formula 4

2013-01-25T12:00:00.001Z

Jake Dalton

Up and coming British racer Jake Dalton will join the BRDC Formula 4 Championship for 2013 after signing to race for Mark Godwin Racing (MGR).

The 17-year-old from Audley in Staffordshire began karting in 2005 and quickly climbed the ranks with strong results in the Rotax Mini Max Championship, KF3 Championship and the BRDC Stars of Tomorrow.

In 2011 he made his car racing debut with a test in a Formula Ford followed by a race in the InterSteps Championship where he recorded a best of fifth in the final round at Croft. The following year he took part in his first full season of slicks and wings competition in Formula Renault BARC racing with MGR. Jake enjoyed an encouraging season to finish as top rookie and eighth overall with one podium and eight top 10 finishes.

“I am really excited about the new BRDC Formula 4 Championship and what it has to offer,” said Jake. “Getting to race on some fantastic GP circuits and supporting the DTM and F3 events, not to mention the prize fund, I feel this championship could open lots of doors for my future and makes it the right choice to help my motorsport career progress. The championship, run by MSV and supported by the BRDC, gives me the confidence that we are making a step in the right direction and I can’t wait to get started with developing and understanding the car and the Yokohama tyres with Mark and the MGR team.”

MGR Team Principal Mark Godwin added: “We’re delighted to welcome Jake back to the MGR team and I know he’s going to be a great addition to our line-up. We ran Jake in Formula Renault BARC last year and I was very impressed with his pace and attitude and I’m really looking forward to continuing this partnership in F4 this season. We expect to be making further announcements very soon, having received a lot of interest after the recent F4 car launch at the Autosport Show.”

For more information on Jake Dalton or MGR visit the teams and drivers section on the F4 website -www.formula4.com.

Rally 2 Raise back in action

2013-01-25T12:00:00.000Z

The Rally 2 Raise Nissan Micra in action

After a very successful 2012 where £2,500 was raised for four charities the Rally2Raise project will continue in 2013.

The project, founded by Aberdeen's Rachel Clark, is using motorsport to raise funds and awareness for charitable causes and for this year the Nystagmus Network will once again be supported.

John Sanders of the Nystagmus Network said: "The Nystagmus Network funded research in Leicester University and Moorfields Eye Hospital in 2012. We helped more than 800 people directly by email and phone and thousands more through the support and information on our website.”

“We also published our ‘The Challenge of Nystagmus’ book and wrote a new ‘easy guide to nystagmus’ for teachers. All of these achievements were only possible thanks to the support of Rally2Raise and many other fundraisers and donors. We hope to do a lot more in 2013 and are really pleased that Rally2Raise continues to support us."

In addition Rally2Raise will help raise awareness of the Bottle Stop campaign, a campaign started by Jane Sherriff after her husband tragically died after being attacked and stabbed with a broken glass bottle at a corporate event In London. The aim of the campaign is to ban glass bottles from late night pubs and clubs.

Rally2Raise has already had a great start to the year with the news that the Saltire Rally Club have very generously agreed to continue their support, part of which will involve the Rally2Raise Micra running as course car on the popular Saltire Classic rally in March.

Colin Wallace of the Saltire Rally Club said: "The Saltire Rally Club were delighted to support Rally2Raise in 2012. We look forward to continuing our association in 2013 and contributing to the superb work of the nominated charities.”

Rachel is hoping to compete on selected Scottish Rally Championship events this year but her first event will be running as course car on the E.Watson and Son Coneyhatch rally time trial next Sunday.

Rachel commented: "I'm delighted that Rally2Raise was such a success last year and we are hoping to build on that this year. I'd like to thank everyone who has supported us, we raised far more than I expected and I think the awareness raising, particularly of the lesser known causes such as nystagmus, went really well."

"We have decided to continue to support the Nystagmus Network this year. My son suffers from nystagmus and I want to do all I can to help find a cure for it. We will also help raise awareness for Bottle Stop. Both myself and fellow Rally2Raise team member Katherine have seen the trauma due to glass incidents through our work. Jane has been through her worst nightmare in losing her husband and she has founded Bottle Stop to try and prevent more families from going through that pain. The cause really resonated with us.”

"I can't wait for the season to start, Stonehaven and District Motor Club have kindly let me run as course car on their time trial so that will be a good way to blow away the cobwebs. Hopefully we will be able to run on a few of the Scottish championship rounds again this year but that will depend on funding – if anyone can help with the costs of running the Rally2Raise Micra please get in touch via our website.”

For more information please visit http://www.rally2raise.co.uk or follow the team on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/rally2raise and Twitter @rally2raise.

Have breakfast at Goodwood - 2013 Breakfast Club Dates announced

2013-01-21T12:00:00.007Z

As it enters its eighth season, the Goodwood Breakfast Club for 2013 promises another tantalising mix of great vehicles and a hearty Goodwood organic breakfast. Often copied, but never bettered, Goodwood’s first-Sunday of-the-month events remain the original and authentic Breakfast Club, with free admission to all visitors.

The tower, The scoreboard, the old adverts... this could only be Goodwood

The Goodwood Breakfast Club is firmly established as a ‘must attend’ event for thousands of car and motorcycle connoisseurs who appreciate an enjoyable Sunday morning drive through the quiet West Sussex country roads down to Goodwood, where they are able to meet like-minded enthusiasts, admire some fabulous machinery, and eat a tasty Goodwood organic breakfast, before heading back home in time for the Sunday roast, to do a bit of gardening and DIY, or simply put their feet up and watch the Grand Prix!

For the 2013 Breakfast Club season, Goodwood will offer a range of popular themes that cater for all enthusiasts and vehicle types. As in previous years, the Breakfast Club meetings will be held on the first Sunday of the month at the historic Goodwood Motor Circuit, starting a March, with the exception of July and September, when the hugely successful Festival of Speed (11-14 July) and Goodwood Revival (13-15 September) motor sport events will be held.

The breakfast club offers an impressive array of cars to see - and good cooking!

The 2013 Breakfast Club meetings promise an eclectic mix of vehicles and a tempting breakfast menu to whet the appetite of any motoring enthusiast. Each meeting is themed to appeal to a strong petrolhead audience who own an interesting and diverse selection of motor vehicles.

The dedicated and detailed Goodwood Breakfast Club website has regular updates on each monthly theme, and visitors are encouraged to pre-register online at (www.goodwood.com/breakfastclub) to help ensure a prime parking position with a theme-relevant vehicle. A full list of the 2013 Goodwood Breakfast Club dates and themes follows.

2013 CALENDAR AND THEMES

Date Breakfast Club Theme

03 March: Tax-Free Sunday:

Pre-1973 tax-free classics, plus modern eco-friendly vehicles, with a nod to key anniversaries, including the Centenary of the Vauxhall 30/98, 60 years of the Corvette, 50 years of the Mini Cooper S and Lotus Cortina, etc.

07 April: Sushi Sunday:

A celebration of Japanese cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles.

05 May: Soft Top Sunday:

The best of top-down motoring in the Spring sunshine

02 June: Super Car Sunday:

The ultimate high-performance machines – cars and bikes, with a nod to 50 years of McLaren and the Porsche 911

07 July: Event not held due to the Festival of Speed

04 August: Thoroughbred Sunday:

Pre-1966 vehicles, celebrating the golden era of Goodwood Motor Circuit, with a nod to 100 years of Aston Martin

01 September: Event not held due to the Goodwood Revival build-up

06 October: Italian Sunday:

Italy’s finest cars and motorcycles, with a nod to the 50^thanniversary of the exciting Lamborghini marque

All 2013 Goodwood Breakfast Club events will be staged from 08.00 to 12.00 hours on the first Sunday of the month (except July and September due to the proximity of major Goodwood motor sport events).

Caterham take home Best Stand award from Autosport International 2013

2013-01-21T12:00:00.006Z

The award winning Caterham Stand at the Autosport International Show 2013

The Caterham Group’s first exhibition as a united set of companies at this year’s Autosport International Show was a huge success, with the display winning the show’s Best Overall Stand award.

Showcasing, for the first time, the expertise of Caterham’s Composites and Technology & Innovation (CTI) arms alongside the iconic brand’s road and race cars, the display was executed by exhibition and events expert, SO Group.

Alongside the first prototype of the Caterham CK-01 racing kart and various Seven track and road cars, the stand featured Caterham F1 Team’s 2012 F1 car and a selection of engineering projects spearheaded by CTI.

These included a high-output development engine for the Seven, a supercharger concept and a carbon fibre composite car door, all displayed on bespoke stands.

Caterham Marketing & Communications Manager, James Drake, said: “It’s wonderful that, on the first occasion that all the arms of the Caterham Group come together, our stand is impactful and interesting enough to be voted the best at the Autosport show.

“We’re over the moon and I can’t recommend the SO Group highly enough – our stand manager, Simon Clifton and his front-line troops were brilliant throughout the build and management of what was Caterham’s biggest ever Autosport International stand.”

SO Group Sales Director Simon Clifton said: “We were asked by The Caterham Group to be involved with their exhibition at conception stage. They had a very clear vision of what was required from the stand and SO Group has thoroughly enjoyed helping them bring that vision to life.

“We were overjoyed to learn about their win at the Autosport Show and look forward to working with them in the future.”

Honda BTCC team takes home trophies - before the 2013 starts!

2013-01-21T12:00:00.005Z

Gordon Shedden celebrates with the rest of the Honda BTCC team

Technical Director, Barry Plowman, recieves the MIA Teamwork Award

The Honda Yuasa Racing team have kick-started 2013 in a winning fashion by adding four more top achievements to their awards cabinet.

Hot off dominating the 2012 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship by claiming all three titles on offer, the Honda Yuasa Racing Team has been named as the winner of the ‘Teamwork’ Award at the prestigious Motorsport Industry Association (MIA) Business Excellence Awards.

Jayne Thomas from the MIA commented; “The MIA Awards are for business excellence and the Teamwork Award recognises the significant and varied management issues which must be overcome, throughout the season to win any major motorsport Championship.

“Honda Yuasa/Team Dynamics showed stunning teamwork throughout 2012 – with a clean sweep of both the drivers’ and team titles in the Dunlop MSA BTCC Championship.”

Barry Plowman, Technical Director at Team Dynamics, who collected the trophy at the Awards ceremony which took place at the 2013 Autosport Show added; “To be nominated for this award against high-profile competition such as Red Bull Racing, Silverstone Circuits, and the RML/Chevrolet WTCC team was a great achievement in itself, but to go and win is a fantastic accolade and one which everybody involved in our 2012 BTCC programme should share.

“The MIA award is very special in that it is voted for by industry peers who really understand the scale of what it takes to succeed at this level, it’s an incredibly proud occasion for us”
Not only were the team recognised by industry peers, the fans have also spoken. The readers of TouringCarTimes have voted the Honda Civic the best car of the 2012 British Touring Car Championship and Honda Yuasa Racing as the best team, while Gordon ‘Flash’ Shedden topped the driver vote by a landslide.

These accolades are a great finish to a fantastic year which saw the Honda Yuasa Racing team and drivers Flash and Matt Neal behind the wheel of the NGTC specification Civic dominating the 2012 season by claiming a total of 13 victories throughout the year.

The season ended on a high at Brands Hatch in October with Flash claiming his first Drivers title and the team collecting the Manufacturers/Constructors title and HiQ Team’s trophy.

Peter Crolla, Team Manager, Team Dynamics, concluded; “It’s great to receive recognition from the readers of TouringCarTimes for these three awards and it adds to the team’s motivation in the build-up to the start of the 2013 season.

“Everybody at Honda Yuasa Racing worked incredibly hard to hit the ground running with the new Civic at the start of 2012 and to deliver the results we did in the first year of a new car, built to new regulations was a fantastic achievement. We’ve continued to develop the car during the winter so we’re looking forward to starting our testing programme in the coming weeks and doing it all again!”

The Honda Yuasa Racing team will once again be lining up on the grid when the 2013 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship kicks off with qualifying at Brands Hatch on 30 March.
Fans can follow all the Honda Yuasa Racing Team’s exploits on Facebook and Twitter - www.facebook.com/HondaRacingBTCCand www.twitter.com/hondaracingbtcc

Goodwood Festival of Speed announces 2013 driver line up

2013-01-21T12:00:00.004Z

Emanuele Pirro is one of the many famous names at FoS

As Goodwood pushes ahead with its exciting plans for the 20^thanniversary Festival of Speed (12-14 July), a rich seam of top motor racing names can already be confirmed to be attending this summer’s must-attend Festival, celebrating the best of the first 20 years of this, the world’s most popular motor sport and car culture event.

With 25 weeks still to go until the 2013 Festival of Speed gets underway, Goodwood is already able to confirm a couple of dozen star competition drivers and riders in attendance, with an impressive number of significant motor sport victories between them.

Between them, drivers set to appear at Goodwood this July have achieved 20 Grand Prix wins, as well as 12 Le Mans 24 Hours victories, four Indy 500 wins, four BTCC Championships, and four Targa Florio chequered flags.

Festival of Speed spectators can expect to see the following legendary motor racing heroes, star names and Goodwood favourites, already confirmed for this summer;

- Rauno Aaltonen

- Richard Attwood

- David Brabham

- Kenny Brack

- Russell Brookes

- Tony Brooks

- Ron Chandler

- David Coulthard

- Vic Elford

- Peter Fonda

- Stuart Graham

- Jochen Mass

- Arturo Merzario

- Hannu Mikkola

- Henri Pescarolo

- Win Percy

- Emanuele Pirro

- Brian Redman

- Anthony Reid

- Jack Sears

- Steve Soper

- Bobby Unser

- John Whitmore

Jochen Mass will return to Goodwood for 2013

Many other star drivers and riders – yet to be confirmed – plus cars and motorcycles from each of the world’s major motor sport disciplines, past and present, will also be featured at Goodwood, including champions from Formula 1, Indycar, the World Rally Championship, Superbikes, NASCAR, World Sports Cars and Touring Cars.

Goodwood will recapture many of the outstanding Festival of Speed moments from the 1993-2012 era, whether that’s great cars from the USA and elsewhere making a rare return to the UK; or famous car/driver pairings reunited, including all manner of memorable - and often outrageous - contraptions on the 1.16-mile hillclimb.

These, along with a host of vehicles and competitors new to Goodwood, and a number of unexpected treats, will provide a fitting birthday party for the world’s greatest celebration of motor sport history and car culture.

Tickets, grandstand seats, camping and other products for the 2013 Festival of Speed, as well as the Moving Motor Show and Goodwood Revival, can be purchased from the Goodwood website (www.goodwood.com/motor sport/), or via the Goodwood Ticket Hotline as follows:

Telephone: +44 (0)1243 755055

On-line via the Ticket section of the website www.goodwood.com/motor sport/

Josh Cook signs for returning JHR Developments for 2013 Clio Cup

2013-01-21T12:00:00.003Z

Highly successful Renault UK Clio Cup team JHR Developments has announced its welcome return to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship support category after today, Friday, 18th January, officially confirming its first driver signing – reigning Rookie Cup Champion Josh Cook (Bath).

JHR return to scenes of success in the Clio Cup

The Dronfield-based squad, headed by former Clio Cup front-runner and multiple race winner Steven Hunter, last competed in the championship with a part campaign in 2011. During the preceding years JHR twice won the Entrants’ Championship – in 2008 and 2009 – and also steered Lee Pattison to the Masters Cup title and the Vice-Champion’s position in the overall standings in 2010.

First appearing in Clio Cup racing in 2004 as ‘Team Gatecrasher’ in deference to title sponsorship from the world-famous nightclub brand, JHR has a long association with Renault championships having been formed in 1995 to compete in Formula Renault UK and Eurocup Formula Renault.

Since withdrawing from the Clio Cup a couple of years ago, JHR has remained a force in national motorsport with great success in other categories. Now, with the return of Simon North to the role of Championship Manager and the arrival of the British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) as promoter, Hunter says the time is right for JHR to be back in the BTCC’s chief feeder category.

“We spoke to Josh [Cook] at the end of last year, we’d kept an eye on his performances all season, and we always said if we were going to look at coming back into Clios it had to be with a driver like him so we could be competitive from the off”, commented Hunter.

“With Simon [North] back at the helm managing the championship, along with the BARC, Clio Cup is back in the right hands and a place you want to go racing. We’re aiming to run two cars this year and our overall plan is to re-establish JHR in the Clios ready for the arrival of the new car in 2014.”

Cook was one of the star performers in Clio Cup last year, his first full season in the category, and achieved his maiden outright podium in round seven at Oulton Park. He went on to claim two overall victories during the penultimate event at Silverstone National Circuit. In addition to his domination of the Rookie Cup, he was an impressive fifth overall in the main championship.

The 21-year-old will certainly be a major challenger in the 2013 Renault UK Clio Cup, the final season for the existing third generation car, and Hunter is confident the new partnership will be able to hit the ground running and be serious competition from the outset.

“Josh is a super quick driver, very committed and he’s already a proven race winner in one of the most competitive championships out there, we’ve got no doubts he’ll be a regular front-runner”, he added, “We’re looking forward to fighting at the front and being back as part of the Renault family.”

Rounds one and two of the 2013 Renault UK Clio Cup will take place across Easter weekend, 30th/31st March, at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in Kent.

2013 Renault UK Clio Cup Calendar

Rds1&2 Brands Hatch Indy, Kent 30th/31st March

Rds3&4 Donington Park National, Leicestershire 20th/21st April

Rds5&6 Thruxton, Hampshire 4th/5th May

Rds7&8 Oulton Park Island, Cheshire 8th/9th June

Rds9&10 Croft, North Yorkshire 22nd/23rd June

Rds11&12 Snetterton 300 Circuit, Norfolk 3rd/4th August

Rds13&14 Rockingham ISSC, Northamptonshire 14th/15th September

Rds15&16 Brands Hatch Grand Prix, Kent 12th/13th October

eBay Motors' 2013 Driver line up revealed

2013-01-21T12:00:00.002Z

The 2013 eBay team, Rob Collard,
Colin Turkington and Nick Foster

eBay Motors announces Colin Turkington will be joining its driver line up for the 2013 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). The 2009 BTCC Champion joins Rob Collard and Nick Foster in the new NGTC specification BMW 125i M Sport cars, as they launch their three-pronged attack on the Championship.

2013 is the fourth season in the BTCC for eBay Motors, the UK’s leading online automotive marketplace, and looks to be the most exciting yet.

Colin Turkington said: “I’m really excited to be back in the BTCC with eBay Motors for the 2013 season. I have a long relationship with WSR and we’ve experienced some great success together in both the BTCC and WTCC. I am hoping to bring that success once again this year. Getting behind the wheel of the NGTC specification BMW will be a new challenge and I can’t wait to be back on the grid at Brands Hatch on 31^stMarch.”

Rob Collard said: “Colin and I raced together in 2006 and his addition to the team sees us look stronger than ever. I hope to build on last year’s strong performances and will be looking to win races in the new BMW 125i M Sport.”

Nick Foster said “It’s going to be fantastic having Rob and Colin as teammates this year. I’m looking forward to learning from both of them to building on my success with the eBay Motors team.”

The 2009 BTCC champion returns to WSR in 2013

eBay Motors Team Principal Dick Bennetts added:“It’s really great to have Colin back on board for the 2013 BTCC season. With Rob, Nick and now Colin, I believe eBay Motors have a very strong driver line-up capable of challenging for Championship honours.”

Andrew Hooks, eBay’s Head of Hard Goods (Motoring & Electronics), said: “We are excited at the prospect of a fourth BTCC season and wish our drivers all the very best for the challenging and thrilling season that lays ahead.”

The first race of this year’s Championship takes place at Brands Hatch on the 31^stMarch 2013, with the Media Day at Donington on the 21^stMarch.

To keep up to speed with all the news on the car development and the drivers’ preparations visit www.ebaymotorsbtcc.co.ukand follow us @ebaymotorsbtcc

Yokohama supports Formula Four and Atom Cup in 2013

2013-01-21T12:00:00.001Z

The new Ariel Atom Cup car

Following a hugely successful year of motorsport in 2012, the Japanese brand of high performance and motorsport tyres, Yokohama, is looking forward to another noteworthy season this year. Continuations of existing relationships and new race series will see even greater penetration for the brand in motorsport, in the UK throughout 2013.

The brand has been selected as control tyre for two of the newest and potentially most exciting formulae for the 2013 season. Formula 4 is a new series, run by the British Racing Drivers' Club, the BRDC. Based on identical cars owned and run by teams or individual drivers, the series is based on three races per weekend at some of the UK's most prominent circuits. Identical engines, transmissions and chassis but with huge set-up options mean that the emphasis will be on drivers feel and ability, generating what promises to be exceptional racing.

Another new series to feature Yokohama as control tyres is the Atom Cup, the first race series created for race-prepared versions of the legendary high-performance Ariel Atom road cars. The series will feature two races over each race weekend and visit eight circuits around the UK. The series will be run under three packages, catering for drivers with a wide range of budgets and based on the success of similar series run in America, should provide excellent, cost effective racing for experienced, as well as novice, drivers.

Yokohama will continue with its numerous relationships with race and rally series in the UK, including Formula 1000, which allows young drivers to start in rallying before they turn 17, the Caterham Academy and of course, Sports 2000. It will also continue as tyre supplier to the Irish Touring Car Championship, which sees exciting racing in a two-class structure in Ireland, for Touring and Super Touring-specification cars.

The UK distributor, Yokohama HPT Ltd, will also introduce the new radial tyres for sidecar racing, an area it has enjoyed notable success in recent years, particularly in the world-famous Isle of Man TT races. Tyres are already in production for F2 specification outfits and testing on F1 class machinery will begin in the New Year.

Commenting, Head of Motorsport at Yokohama HPT Ltd, Mark Evans, said; "2012 was a fantastic year for Yokohama in all forms of motorsport and it looks as if 2013 will go one step further... In the UK, we're very excited to be involved in both Formula 4 and the Atom Cup. F4 looks to be a fantastic start in single seat racing for up and coming drivers looking for a series that will allow their talent to shine through. And the Atom Cup has given racers something they have been looking for for some time - a genuine race series for the Ariel Atom."
For more information on Yokohama and its motorsport involvement, go towww.yokohama.co.uk.

Check out our interview with Atom Cup series director, Mark Harrison here

Autosport International 2013 : Johnny Herbert Celebrity Karting Challenge

2013-01-21T12:00:00.000Z

Join Kart Force as they take on celebrity drivers with the help of former Stig Ben Collins in a 3 hour endurance race at Autosport International. Featuring interviews with Johnny Herbert, Ben Collins and former Premiership Footballer, Robbie Savage.

More Johnny Herbert coming soon.

Autosport International 2013 : Live Action Arena Highlights

2013-01-20T12:00:00.000Z

Check out our highlights of the Autosport International 2013 Live Action Arena, presented by Chris Lucas and Rosemary John. This year's show features Freestyle Motocross, Autograss, BRSCC Porsche Boxsters, F1 Stockcars, Terry Grant in an Aston Martin and even a monster truck. oh, and the world debut of the RR Racing Project. wonder what that is?