Aston Martin Centenary Celebrations planned for Brands Hatch

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^th and 7^th July.

2013 is the 100^th anniversary 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.”

Josh Cook signs for returning JHR Developments for 2013 Clio Cup

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

Scholar Daniel Lloyd returns to Porsche Carerra Cup for 2013

Daniel Lloyd (Car 23, Left)  battles the pack during the Porsche Carerra Cup 2012

Daniel Lloyd and Team Parker racing will team up in 2013 for an all-out challenge on the overall title in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB. After being selected for a second season as the Carrera Cup Scholarship driver, Lloyd will try to become the first driver to win the title as a Scholar.
 
The Huddersfield racer, who will celebrate his 21st birthday less than a month before the start of the 2013 season, is renewing his partnership with Team Parker Racing and says that the knowledge he gained in his debut season last year will serve him well. Lloyd was incredibly quick from the start and scored a fantastic victory in treacherous conditions at Thruxton in April, but also suffered some ups and downs across the balance of the season as he raced to sixth place in the final standings.
 
“Last year was very, very tough but I’m glad I had the problems I did because I learnt from them and it has made me a stronger driver,” said Lloyd. “I know I’m quick and it’s all about consistency this season. We’re in a very strong position and I definitely want to go for the overall title. It would be mega to win it in my second year in the Carrera Cup.”
 
Lloyd is delighted to be continuing his relationship with the team headed by Stuart Parker. “Staying with Team Parker Racing is another huge bonus,” he said. “We work really well together and it is a very good package.”
 
Parker is equally pleased to confirm the deal. “Dan had a tough but fantastic first year in the Carrera Cup,” he said. “Now he knows the team, the car and the circuits and he will be going all out to win the championship. It’s great to have such a fast and dedicated driver to spearhead the team.”
 
The 20-race Carrera Cup GB season starts at Brands Hatch on 30/31 March.

Ariel takes the Atom racing in new championship

Ariel Motor Company’s latest offering, the Ariel Atom 3.5, will make its UK public debut at The Performance Car Show on 12-13 January 2012, held at Birmingham’s NEC.

One of the fastest cars money can buy, the new Atom 3.5 features a host of updates, including a boost to 310bhp with the supercharged version of its 2.0-litre Honda iVTEC K20Z4 engine. British designed and built, it accelerates from 0-60mph in just 2.7 seconds and boasts a top speed of 155mph.
The Atom’s iconic look remains, but with a stiffer chassis, improved balance and traction, it’s even more fun behind the wheel!

Debuting alongside the new road-going mean machine is the race-ready Ariel Cup, which has been specially designed to compete in Ariel’s new one-make race series, launching in 2013 and visiting tracks such as Silverstone and Brands Hatch. The Ariel Cup is powered by a 2.0-litre Honda Type R iVTEC engine and features more enclosed bodywork, a modified chassis, rollover protection, race instrumentation and Ohlins suspension.

One of the world's most recognisable cars!

“The Atom is one of the most unique cars in the world and we’re delighted to debut these new editions to the UK public at The Performance Car Show,” said Simon Saunders, Director of Ariel. “Moving from road to racing is something that we’ve long talked about. We’ve worked hard to make sure the Ariel Cup is right for on-track competition and we’re looking forward to the public’s feedback at the show.”

“The Atom is one of the most exciting cars around, and it’s great to host the first public showing of these fantastic models,” said Paul Garlick, PistonHeads.com Brand Manager. “Renowned for its looks and even more so for its performance, both the new road-going Atom and its racing counterpart are set to be outstanding to drive.”

Ariel’s new offerings will be on show at The Performance Car Show alongside a host of the most coveted supercars and sports cars from top manufacturers, including Lamborghini, Ferrari, Audi, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz.

Tickets for The Performance Car Show are on sale now, priced at £31 for an adult and £20 for children (under fives are free). Tickets also include entrance to sister show Autosport International, which features some of motorsports finest cars and top racing stars.
For more information call 0800 581 1419 or visit www.pistonheads.com/show.

750 Motor Club announces 2013 Calendar.

The 750 Motor Club has announced an expanded racing programme for the 2013 season, having experienced growth in a number of its core categories during the past year. The calendar includes first visits to the Snetterton 300 circuit and Rockingham, and the first event on the Donington Park Grand Prix layout for several seasons.

“We have pursued a policy of conservative expansion,” said the Club’s Competition Manager, Giles Groombridge. “We have two more days of racing than in 2012, but have maintained a good variety of circuits and a sensible spacing in the calendar. The majority of our competitors will have the opportunity to race on one or more new layouts next season, and I know that they will enjoy the challenge.”

The increase in dates, combined with the earlier cancellation of the Saxmax championship, has allowed Groombridge to increase the number of championship rounds by two for 750 Formula, Bikesports, Classic Stock Hatch, Compact Cup and Sports Specials. “All five of these championships showed growth in 2012 so the extra dates are justified,” he said. “This demonstrates the Club’s commitment to developing our categories and rewards the loyalty of our competitors.”

The popular Locost Championship, which fielded average grids of 39 cars in 2012, will feature on the bill at the Motors TV Live Race Day at Castle Combe on the May Bank Holiday. The Club’s season will close, as is traditional with the Birkett Six Hour Relay Race on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit on 26 October. A near capacity entry of 67 teams took part this year.

Silverstone will also be the venue for the Club’s Summer Festival on the August Bank Holiday weekend.

The full calendar of race events organised by the 750 Motor Club in 2013 is as follows:

23 March                       Donington Park (Grand Prix) 

1 April                           Mallory Park

27/8 April                      Brands Hatch (Indy)

25/6 May                       Snetterton (300/200)

15/6 June                      Pembrey

13/4 July                       Rockingham (International Super Sportscar Long)

24/5 August                  Silverstone (National – Summer Festival)

21/2 September             Donington Park (National)

12/3 October                 Cadwell Park (Full)

26 October                    Silverstone (Grand Prix – Birkett Relay)

[2 out of 3 Grand Prix Circuits!]

Collard, Neal and Plato win in BTCC

Jason Plato emerges from his car as the Championship leader, with MG as the leading constructor.

Robert Collard, Matt Neal and Jason Plato shared the wins in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship’s first three races of 2012 today at the Brands Hatch Indy circuit in Kent. A win for double Champion Plato in race three – notably also for the famous MG badge on its return to the championship – means he leads the standings as the title race now moves to Donington Park in Leicestershire in a fortnight (14/15 April).

 

Dave Newsham had qualified on a career-first pole position for the opening race but his Team ES Racing.com Vauxhall Vectra crashed out in a tangle with Plato’s new MG KX Momentum Racing MG6. This enabled Collard’s eBay Motors BMW to sneak through for victory. Finishing second and third were Neal’s new Honda Yuasa Racing Team Honda Civic and Collard’s team-mate Tom Onslow-Cole.

 

Neal then came out on top of a long tussle with Plato to win race two – the first victory for a car built to the BTCC’s latest ‘Next Generation Touring Car’ technical regulations. In fact it was an NGTC ‘1-2-3’ as Andrew Jordan’s Pirtek Racing Honda Civic was second after muscling past Plato’s MG in the closing laps. Meanwhile there was a lucky escape for Nick Foster who rolled his eBay Motors BMW onto its roof.

 

Plato’s victory in race three – which increased his career record tally of wins to 69 – came after he turned the tables on Jordan by passing him for the lead at mid-distance. Jordan took second ahead of Newsham who, after his race one disappointment, ended the day on a high with a maiden podium result. Significantly the race needed to be re-started after a multiple pile-up shortly after the original start forced a red flag stoppage.

 

The results mean Oxford’s Plato takes away a slender lead to Donington Park (14/15 April) with Worcestershire’s Neal, Staffordshire’s Jordan and Hampshire’s Collard in hot pursuit.

“We honestly never expected this so soon so we’re all cock-a-hoop,” enthused Plato. “I must take my hat off to my team – I’m just a small part of it all and they have worked their socks off to get this car ready. It’s still way off being fully sorted so I’d imagine the rest of the pit lane is probably feeling a bit scared…”

 

Neal commented: “It’s great that the new Honda has shown race-winning pace on its debut but I don’t think I’ve started a season before when the competition has been so fierce. The BMWs were on fire and Jason and that MG also look like they might take a bit of catching. We can’t afford to leave any stone unturned.”

Jordan added: “Any other day I’d be very pleased with two seconds but I’m slightly disappointed that the win got away from me in race three – it’s certainly got me fired up for my home event at Donington. The main thing, though, is we’ve come away from the first round with a decent points haul.”

Collard, who backed up his race one win with a pair of sixths, said: “I’m delighted with the win so a bit disappointed to be off the podium in the next two races but at least we’re in the hunt from the off.”

 

Having dominated 2011’s Manufacturers/Constructors Championship, Honda/Dynamics find themselves trailing MG/888 after Brands Hatch’s three races. And it is Pirtek Racing, thanks to Jordan and team-mate Jeff Smith’s combined efforts, which has stolen an early lead in the HiQ Teams Championship. Jordan and Pirtek also lead the Independent drivers and teams’ standings respectively.

 

Elsewhere, officials fined Robert Collard (£500) and Jason Plato (£750) and put three penalty points on both drivers’ competitions licences following on-track incidents. The Honda Yuasa Racing Team’s Gordon Shedden was also excluded from race three’s results after his team carried out unauthorised work on his car during a red flag period.

BTCC Round 1 Preview

LOCAL TEAMS & DRIVERS LOOKING TO SHINE IN FRONT OF BUMPER BRANDS HATCH BTCC CROWD

Matt Neal is hoping to hold onto his title this year, and will get off to a good start at Brands Hatch.

Kent’s world-famous Brands Hatch circuit is bracing itself for a bumper crowd this weekend (31 March/1 April) when the stars of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship arrive for the start of their much anticipated 2012 season.

 

Wrotham based Redstone Racing will hope that Mat Jackson and
Liam Griffin will bring them success at Brands Hatch and beyond

The two-day fixture is one of the South East’s biggest sporting events of the year with tens of thousands of public attending trackside. Swift access to the venue, near Dartford, from the M25 and M20 motorways plus free admission for children and the chance to meet the hero drivers from Britain’s premier motor racing championship all add to the public appeal.

 

Indeed circuit owner MotorSport Vision recently reported pre-sales of BTCC tickets were at record numbers and, due to demand, it has this week extended the booking deadline by an extra 24 hours until midday this Thursday (29 March). For more details visit www.brandshatch.co.uk or call the ticket hotline 0843 453 9000.

Worcestershire’s Matt Neal will be hoping to get the defence of his 2011 crown off to a flying start in his brand new Honda Yuasa Racing Team Honda Civic but faces a whole host of challengers from the 24-strong grid that features no fewer than nine different makes of car – some entered by local teams and drivers to Brands Hatch.

Another local team, Ebay Motors is coming to play with it's BMWs

Wrotham team Redstone Racing has entered three Ford Focus STs, one of them for Mat Jackson who came close to lifting last year’s title. Among his team-mates is Liam Griffin, MD of London’s biggest private hire cab firm Addison Lee. Team principal David Bartrum commented: “We’re always excited about our home race and we go into this weekend with high hopes as we’ve had more time to prepare with the Fords than in 2011. But the BTCC is a tough old nut to crack and we’re not underestimating anyone.”

Tony Gilham, from Dartford, will certainly stand out in his bright green
and pink honda Civic

The Sunbury-on-Thames based eBay Motors team with its three turbocharged BMWs is also chasing success – among its drivers is Surrey racer Tom Onslow-Cole. The 24-year-old from New Malden said: “This weekend’s event will be huge and, being the first round, there will be a great atmosphere as well. The BTCC is famed for its action-packed racing and nowhere does it get more exciting than at Brands Hatch.”

 

AmD Tuning - based in West Thurrock, hopes that Ollie Jackson will
bring them success in their VW Golf GTi

Meanwhile Dartford’s Tony Gilham is behind the wheel of one of last year’s title-winning Honda Civics which he will run under the Team HARD. banner. “There’s never a dull moment when the BTCC races at Brands Hatch and the lay-out there means the crowds can view the whole lap unfold,” enthused Gilham. “It’s going to be a big weekend for my team and I’m targeting top ten results, but I’m setting the goals high because I have a proven car and a very capable bunch of people behind me.”

 

Another to watch will be West Thurrock-based outfit AmD Tuning.com with its VW Golf raced by promising newcomer Ollie Jackson from Reigate, Surrey. Team boss Shaun Hollamby said: “Given Ollie’s pre-season testing form I truly believe we can achieve regular top ten finishes. It was always a three-year plan with the Golf so this is when we have to deliver and there’d be no better place to start than in front of our home crowd at Brands Hatch.”

 

Brands Hatch’s big BTCC weekend (31 March/1 April) will also include the first races of 2012 for the hotly-contested Ginetta Junior, Ginetta GT Supercup, Porsche Carrera Cup GB and Renault Clio Cup championships that represent the very best in sports and saloon car action. Nicolas Hamilton – the younger brother of Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton – will be among those on the Clio Cup grid.

For a full list of the BTCC’s 2012 race dates and circuits plus the latest championship news as the clock to Brands Hatch’s opening round counts down visit the championship’s official website www.btcc.net.

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New Works Team ready for Debut

Andy Neate (L) and Jason Plato with the new MG6 GT BTCC car

The MG KX Momentum Racing Team is set for their debut race weekend at the world famous Brands Hatch circuit this weekend (31stMarch & 1stApril) for the opening three rounds of the 2012 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC).

The BTCC’s most successful driver (in terms of race wins, 68 to date) and double BTCC champion Jason Plato, will lead the MG challenge for the British brand; their first season back in Britain’s premier Motorsport series as a Manufacturer entry since 2003. Jason will be joined by rising star Andy Neate in the new MG6, having joined from the Ford squad he raced for in 2011.

It has been a huge challenge for Triple Eight Race Engineering to build and prepare the two brand new NGTC specification MG6 GT’s in time for this weekend’s curtain raiser, since the announcement surrounding the British marque’s return to the series was made just nine weeks (64 days) ago.

"Bring on the noise" indeed! And that's just the livery.

The KX Energy drink and Tesco Momentum99 premium fuel backed squad head into the season opener having completed extremely limited test running. The car took to the track for the first time last week, to complete just a handful of tentative laps at the BTCC’s Media Day at Silverstone, in the experienced hands of Plato.

Despite the team’s late start, they head to the short 1.22 mile Brands Hatch Indy Circuit optimistic for the season ahead, keen to see the potential of the new car and get some much needed mileage under the new MG6’s belt.

Jason Plato, MG KX Momentum Racing #99: 

“I’m incredibly excited about this weekend, the first in the new 2012 season. The car looks absolutely amazing and Triple Eight deserve a lot of credit for pulling all the stops out. This weekend is all about getting to grips with this NGTC car and realising its potential and the Indy Circuit is one I’ve had great success at so I genuinely can’t wait.”

Andy Neate, MG KX Momentum Racing #44:

“It will be fantastic to get to Brands Hatch and get the season underway, I’m so excited and really can’t wait to see what the MG6 is capable of. It’s been great seeing the car come together over the last few weeks and all credit to Triple Eight for getting us ready against such tight timelines.“

Ian Harrison, MG KX Momentum Racing Team Principal:

“The whole team has worked extremely hard to be ready for this opening race weekend. It has been tough for the crew, but they have risen brilliantly to the challenge as they always have done. It will be a proud moment for everyone at Triple Eight when the cars role out of the garage for First Practice on Saturday. However, this is the first step and inside the Triple Eight team we are realistic about what is possible, although we have clear objectives for these first few race weekends.”

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Luton-based Team ES Racing head in to the first race weekend of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship on a positive note after an eventful pre-season programme.

Team Principal Chris James in his Vectra

Despite damage caused by a testing accident at Brands Hatch the team topped the timesheets with new driver Dave Newsham while team principal Chris James finished in ninth place with the 2011 spec engine.

Team principal Chris James is looking forward to a more even playing field in the Vauxhall Vectra for the start of the year after his debut year in the Chevrolet Lacetti.

“We’re looking forward to getting out on track and seeing what we can do. Dave proved at media day we have the pace to run at the front and we’ll be looking to emulate that at Brands Hatch.
“The team have done a fantastic job in the lead up to Brands Hatch with all the preparation work put in to ensure the cars will be running smooth out of the box.”

Dave Newsham at Speed at Silverstone

Team-mate Dave Newsham is positive following his pre-season tests, he admits the car handled well at the Brands Hatch test prior to media day and gained some valuable data to give the team a head start going in to first practice.

“Before driving the car I was thinking we would be aiming for reverse grid podiums, I think now we can go in to Brands Hatch with outright podiums from outright speed rather than relying on the reverse grid.” Commented Newsham.

Talking at media day team manager Andrew Dean commented: “Obviously the team are still learning the cars and still learning to work with two cars because it’s a big step up for them from one car, but I have to say my initial impression of the guys is that they are massively enthusiastic and very capable so hopefully as the season goes on and we gel as a team we can build on some decent results.”

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.

Photos by Matthew Miller

BTCC Ready to burst back into action

The grid is augmented by the colourful MG team this year
(Photo : Matthew Miller)

The waiting is almost over. There is now little more than a week to go before Britain’s premier motor racing championship – the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – bursts back into action for a pulsating new season of hard-fought action with the first of its ten events in 2012, at the world-famous Brands Hatch circuit in Kent on the weekend of 31 March-1 April.

In front of huge trackside crowds and millions more watching ITV4’s live coverage, the BTCC’s popularity among the British public continued to spiral in 2011 when it culminated in an unprecedented, nail-biting five-way shoot-out for the title on the final day of the season.

Five months on, the nation’s favourite four-wheeled motor sport attraction is back with a truly turbocharged grid – indeed all teams to have announced their plans so far have switched to spectacular, flame-spitting turbo engines as the championship’s latest Next Generation Touring Car regulations really begin to take hold.

Furthermore, team announcements to date indicate that at least nine different makes of car will be represented on the starting grid, thereby giving the BTCC’s ever-expanding fanbase plenty of variety from which to choose a favourite.

Matt Neal will be looking to hold onto his title
(Photo : Matthew Miller)

The 2012 BTCC title race will be played out in front of vast audiences at nine top race circuits located in eight different counties throughout the country – ensuring that it remains accessible for hundreds of thousands of people right across the UK: Brands Hatch, Kent (1 Apr & 21 Oct); Donington Park, Derbys-Leics border (15 Apr); Thruxton, Hants (29 Apr), Oulton Park, Cheshire (10 June); Croft, North Yorks (24 June); Snetterton, Norfolk (12 Aug); Knockhill, Fife (26 Aug); Rockingham, Northants (23 Sept) and Silverstone, Northants (7 Oct).

Another of the BTCC’s massive appeals, notably among families, is that admission to all ten of its race weekends is FREE for accompanied children* – this includes access to specially organised pit lane autograph sessions with the star drivers plus, at most events, the race teams’ central paddock.

Brands Hatch’s big BTCC weekend (31 March-1 April) will also include the first races of 2012 for the hotly-contested Ginetta Junior, Ginetta GT Supercup, Porsche Carrera Cup GB and Renault Clio Cup championships that represent the very best in sports and saloon car action. Nicolas Hamilton, the younger brother of Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton will be among those on the Clio Cup starting grid.

Tickets for the event are still available at discounted prices including £25 per adult for Sunday’s main race day. For all ticketing options for the event visit www.brandshatch.co.uk or call the ticket hotline 0843 453 9000. Admission is FREE for children aged 12 and under all weekend.

For a full list of the BTCC’s 2012 race dates and circuits plus the latest championship news as the clock to Brands Hatch’s opening round counts down visit the championship’s official website www.btcc.net.

* Individual circuit policies may differ, eg. some circuits employ a 16 and under policy, others 12 and under etc.

BTCC 2012 Calendar now finalised

Chaos at Donington as the BTCC drivers discover that 20 cars entering Old Hairpin doesn't always work!

Donington Park’s date on the 2012 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship calendar has today been confirmed – meaning all ten BTCC fixtures for next year are now in place.

The historic Leicestershire [We always thought it was in Derbyshire?!] venue will host the second event of the season when the BTCC, the UK’s premier motor racing championship, tours the country – in total it will visit nine top-class race circuits in eight different counties.

The BTCC’s 2012 race dates are:

Date Circuit, Location

31 March-1 April Brands Hatch, Kent

14-15 April Donington Park, Leicestershire

28-29 April Thruxton, Hampshire

9-10 June Oulton Park, Cheshire

23-24 June Croft, North Yorkshire

11-12 August Snetterton (300), Norfolk

25-26 August Knockhill, Fife

22-23 September Rockingham, Northamptonshire

6-7 October Silverstone, Northamptonshire

20-21 October Brands Hatch, Kent

Mazda races to success in Britcar Production

The sun sets on a successful season for the MX5 GT

Brilliantly unfussy and distinctive livery makes the MX5 stand out

Mazda’s MX-5 GT car finished the Britcar Production GTN Championship season on a high this weekend at Brands Hatch with a race pace that placed it ahead of rivals Porsche, Ferrari, Lotus, Ginetta and Marcos.

Finishing fifth overall and second in class from 21 competitors, the MX-5 GT car was only beaten in its class by a 400bhp BMW M3 and ran at a competitive GT4 pace around the Brands Hatch Indy circuit.

Regular drivers Mark Ticehurst and Owen Mildenhall qualified in damp conditions with a mid 50 second lap which put them second in class on the grid, during the two hour race they completed 129 laps, averaging 77.82mph.

Slick pit work is essential to all endurance racing.

The MX-5 GT car at Brands Hatch was the new 2012 development version, complete with a new lightweight chassis and gearbox, lower roll cage, new front splitter and rear diffuser for improved aerodynamics. The weight has been reduced by 50kg over the previous car and lowered by 20mm to give it better aerodynamic performance, better grip and more stability through the corners, which combined with the car’s legendary handling, fuel economy and light tyre usage, makes this an ideal endurance car.

Mazda finishes the race season with the lightweight Mazda MX-5 GT car ranking fourth overall in the championship and second in class, while the Mazda MX-5 production race car is fourth in class and seventh overall.

The Mazda MX-5 production race car - driven by Mike Wilds, Former F1 Driver and Major James Cameron of the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment who raced with Mazda at the Britcar 24hr Race in October - finished second in class at Brands Hatch this weekend.

Britcar Production always has varied grids - the MX5 fits right in!

“Throughout this year’s race season the MX-5 GT car has been subject to ongoing developments which has made the MX-5 GT an ideal GT4 endurance car which is competitive against Porsche, Lotus, Ginetta and Marcos. In just a year we have achieved fourth overall in the championship, three podiums and second in class overall. This is testament to professional motorsport company, Jota Sport - who designed and developed the MX-5 GT car - and the MX-5’s agility, reliability and handling,” comments Graeme Fudge, PR Director, Mazda UK.

Formula Renault BARC looks forward to 2012

Formula Renault BARC is an excellent learning series for young drivers

Organisers of the Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship are delighted to reveal an exciting and expanded 14 round calendar for the 2012 season which will feature, for the first time, a pair of triple-header events designed to give drivers maximum track time and value for money.

Off the back of its most successful and high-profile campaign yet, a point underpinned by 2011 champion Dino Zamparelli earning a spot in the prestigious McLaren Autosport BRDC Award, the increasingly prominent junior single-seater category is striving to continue its terrific momentum.

Each race meeting will be a two-day affair with the provisional 2012 schedule set to commence at Snetterton 200 Circuit in Norfolk, over the weekend 7th/8th April, with the first of the triple-header events. The second of those will take place five weeks later at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in Kent on 12th/13th May.

After a seven week sojourn, the action will resume at the massive FIA British Truck Grand Prix event at Donington Park National Circuit in the East Midlands on 30th June/1st July for rounds seven and eight – in front of an anticipated 20,000-plus spectators.

From there, the next stop will be the category’s annual visit to Croft in North Yorkshire on 21st/22nd July for rounds nine and 10 before a six-week break prior to the penultimate event of the season at Rockingham in Northamptonshire on 1st/2nd September. The venue for the final two rounds of the campaign, and the date of the event, remains unconfirmed at this stage.

After close consultation with team representatives and the British Automobile Racing Club (BARC), Championship Promoter Simon North says the provisional calendar has been widely welcomed and the introduction of triple-header events is an important step for the burgeoning category.

“We’re delighted to be in a position to announce our provisional calendar well in advance of the New Year as it gives teams and potential drivers maximum time to prepare for the championship”, commented North, “With the addition of two triple-header events, an increase in races from 12 to 14 and an excellent selection of circuits we really feel this is potentially our best ever calendar.

“Protyre Formula Renault BARC enjoyed a fantastic season this year, the championship battle was one of the best we’ve witnessed and the standard of racing was particularly high. We’re hopeful with this provisional calendar now in place, it will enable the teams to sign early deals and will give them the best opportunity possible to attract new drivers to the championship.”

Steve Lynch, team manager of leading Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship squad Fortec Motorsport, MGR Motorsport team principal Mark Godwin and Scorpio Motorsport team boss Jon Pettit are all very happy with the 2012 calendar – in particular the increase to 14 rounds and the introduction of triple-header events.

“The idea of triple headers at the start of the season and the increase in track time is obviously good news and the rest of the calendar also looks good”, said Lynch, “I’d still like to see a BTCC supporting round on there, as we had this year, and if that can be secured it’ll be great. We’ll definitely continue in Formula Renault BARC next year, we’re committed to it as it’s a great series for young racers.”

Godwin added: “It’s really good for the championship having triple headers at the beginning of the season, it’s good to give young drivers coming in as much track time and experience as possible early on so I’m very pleased to see that.

“I’m happy we’ll be at the FIA truck event at Donington – the truck meet there this year was good and we had a big crowd which is important. Although BARC is a club series, it’s being taken much more seriously now. The fact (Dino)

Zamparelli is in the McLaren Award means it’s a championship drivers are looking at more and more.”

Pettit commented: “I like the calendar a lot, having Donington and Rockingham on there is great and Croft is a fantastic track for the drivers so I’m happy to see that on there. I am disappointed to lose Thruxton but if we can get on the TOCA (BTCC) package again at the end of the year that’ll be great.

“It’s good news the calendar has expanded to 14 races without the additional cost of going to another track. We had a good crowd at the truck meeting at Donington last season so I’m pleased we’ll be there again. Although BARC is still a club championship, the driver level is above that in my opinion and for people to see that at a big event like the trucks is very important.”

Along with headline sponsor Protyre, the championship is additionally supported by ELF, Michelin and NGK Spark Plugs. All dates and venues specified remain provisional and are subject to change.

Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship – Provisional 2012 Calendar
Rds 1/2/3: 7th/8th April - Snetterton 200 Circuit, Norfolk
Rds 4/5/6: 12th/13th May - Brands Hatch Indy Circuit, Kent
Rds 7/8: 30th June/1st July - Donington Park National Circuit, Leicestershire
Rds 9/10: 21st/22nd July - Croft Circuit, North Yorkshire
Rds 11/12: 1st/2nd September - Rockingham Motor Speedway, Northamptonshire
Rds 13/14: TBC - TBC

BTCC set for 5 way showdown

A Huge crowd at Brands Hatch watches the pack fly into Paddock Hill Bend [btcc.net]

Jason Plato [btcc.net

An unprecedented five drivers – Matt Neal, Jason Plato, Gordon Shedden, Mat Jackson and James Nash – will all go into the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship’s nail-biting final round of 2011 at Silverstone in Northamptonshire in a fortnight’s time (15-16 October) still able to be crowned Champion following yesterday’s penultimate three races of the season at Brands Hatch in Kent.

Matt Neal (2) and Gordon Shedden (62) [btcc.net]

In hot weather and in front of a huge trackside crowd plus a live ITV4 audience, Oxford’s Plato won both of yesterday’s first two races from pole position in his Silverline Chevrolet Cruze to move briefly past Neal and Shedden to the top of the standings.

Both his Honda Racing Team rivals needed to make pit stops to have punctured tyres replaced on their Civics in the first race and could only manage seventh and eighth spots in the second. But in the day’s final encounter, contested by a record-equalling 29-car BTCC grid, they struck back as Worcestershire’s Neal led Fife’s Shedden across the line to achieve a 1-2 result for their Honda squad. Plato was back in sixth meaning Neal had regained the championship lead – the 11^th time it has changed hands this season.

James Nash (14) leading Matt Jackson (7) [btcc.net]

Matt Jackson (7) Leading at Brands Hatch [btcc.net

Meanwhile second place results in both opening races followed by fifth in the third for Warwickshire’s Jackson in his Airwaves Racing Ford Focus have helped keep alive his title hopes. Fourth, sixth and third places in his 888 Racing with Collins Contractors Vauxhall Vectra mean Buckinghamshire’s Nash also remains in with a chance.

The five will go to Silverstone in two weeks (15-16 Octobr) in the following order – Neal, Plato and Shedden (tied), Jackson and Nash – with 44 points covering them and a possible maximum of 52 to play for in the finale. Nash and Jackson will also thrash it out for the Independents Trophy for drivers in privateer teams – 17 points separate them with a potential 45 still available from the season’s final three races.

Neal, from Droitwich Spa who won back-to-back BTCC titles in 2005 and 2006, said: “A 1-2 in race three is a relief because at one stage today it really looked like the title was slipping through our fingers through some bad luck. Being back in the lead means my car will start the Silverstone weekend carrying the maximum 45kgs of success ballast, but I’d rather have points in the bag any day.”

Plato, the defending Champion and who also won the crown back in 2001, added: “Realistically I think that’s as far as we can go. We’ve made up some massive ground today, but Silverstone is going to be ideally suited for cars with turbo engines, which we don’t have. It will need something very strange to happen there to stop the Hondas, but never say never...”

Shedden, from Dalgety Bay, said: “Today hasn’t been an easy ride for us, but everyone in the Honda team has dug deep and it’s great to end the day on a high. I have experience of being involved in the title fight on Finals Day from last year, but I’m still sure it’s going to get a bit tense on the day between the five of us.”

Jackson and Nash are very much the outsiders, but each believes the title is still possible while also keeping an eye on the other in their Independents battle. Jackson, from Henley-in-Arden, said: “It’s game on, isn’t it? I think Silverstone will really suit our car, the Focus, and while beating James to the Independents title would be nice it’s the big prize we’re all after.” Nash, from Newport Pagnell, added: “We consistently keep picking up strong results which will be important on what’s probably going to be a very unpredictable day at Silverstone. My main goal has to be the Independents championship, but you never know…”

Meanwhile yesterday also saw Plato’s team-mate Alex MacDowall and Tom Onslow-Cole in his Team Aon Ford Focus stand on the BTCC podium as they each achieved a third place finish, in races one and two respectively.

Elsewhere, Honda/Dynamics and the Honda Racing Team have virtually assured themselves of the BTCC’s coveted Manufacturers/Constructors and outright HiQ Teams championships. But it is still very much to play for in the Independent Teams Trophy, with just 15 points between leader 888 Racing with Collins Contractors and Airwaves Racing and a possible 45 on offer at Silverstone.

2011 Dunlop BTCC Drivers’ Points after Brands Hatch (round 9 of 10):

1. Matt Neal, 225 points
2. Jason Plato & Gordon Shedden, 220
4. Mat Jackson, 189

5. James Nash, 181
6. Andrew Jordan, 127

7. Tom Chilton, 116

8. Robert Collard, 105

9. Paul O’Neill, 91
10. Alex MacDowall, 84

Manufacturers/Constructors’ Points:

1. Honda/Dynamics, 556
2. Chevrolet/RML, 463
3. Arena/Ford, 383

HiQ Teams’ Points:
1. Honda Racing Team, 406
2. Silverline Chevrolet, 273

3. Airwaves Racing & 888 Racing with Collins Contractors, 183
5. WSR, 153
6. Team Aon, 150

Independent Drivers’ Points:
1. James Nash, 253

2. Mat Jackson, 236

3. Andrew Jordan, 181
4. Tom Chilton, 174
5. Robert Collard, 151
6. Paul O’Neill, 144

Independent Teams’ Points:

1. 888 Racing with Collins Contractors, 268
2. Airwaves Racing, 253

3. WSR, 212
4. Team Aon, 208

5. Pirtek Racing, 197
6. GoMobileUK.com with tech-speed, 168

*All points remain provisional