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

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.”

Rising star Jake Dalton moves to Formula 4

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.

Yokohama supports Formula Four and Atom Cup in 2013

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

Yokohama supports Formula Four

The New Formula Four Car has caught lots of eyes

The Japanese brand of high-performance and motorsport tyres, Yokohama, has been selected as control tyres for a brand new UK race series. The BRDC Formula 4 series, based on identical 'slicks and wings' single seat race cars, will use Yokohama dry slick and moulded wet tyres throughout the 2013 inaugural season.

Announced in late 2012 and launched at the 2013 Autosport international show, the series is run by the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) and will be managed by MSV, the company founded by former Formula One driver, Dr Jonathan Palmer.

The series is based on 24 identical cars, designed and built by RFR, founded by Ralph Firman who also created the legendary Van Dieman operation. All will be built to an identical specification, use sealed engines and transmissions yet allow the individual teams and drivers a wide range of set-up possibilities, including front and rear suspension geometry.

The engines are Ford Duratec units supplied by renowned specialist Cosworth mated to paddle-shift Sadev developed transmissions. With power of 185bhp and low weight, they will provide an exciting yet cost-effective first step into the world of single seater racing.

Following its long-standing relationship with MSV, Yokohama has been selected to provide the tyres for the series, which will feature three races over each of the eight race weekends. Each team will be allowed unlimited wet tyres but just four dry slicks for each weekend.

The tyres will be from the Yokohama A005 dry and A006 wet ranges, sized 200/50x13 for the front and 240/45x13 rear. The UK distributor, Yokohama HPT Ltd will service the series, including distributing tyres and providing technical support at every round of the series, which visits some of the UK's most famous circuits, including Silverstone and Brands Hatch.

Commenting, Head of Motorsport at Yokohama HPT Ltd, Mark Evans, said; "We're delighted to be involved in the new BRDC Formula 4 Championship which we know is going to be a great success and a fantastic stepping stone for young aspiring drivers. Using all our previous experience in this area, and in keeping with the cost-effective approach of the series, we've opted for a tyre that can offer both optimum performance and durability.

"Production of the tyres began in November with an extensive testing programme taking place early next year. Throughout the season YOKOHAMA will of course be offering full technical support with a dedicated team attending all race weekends and official test days."

Giles Butterfield, Group Operations and Engineering Manager for MSV, added: "Given Yokohama's pedigree as an international tyre supplier we had no hesitation in selecting them for the new BRDC F4 Championship. They've been able to deliver us a tyre that is not only very hard-wearing but also able to get the best out of the car which will no doubt lead to some great, close racing."
The likely popularity of the series is clear, with all 24 cars being sold before the end of the 2012 racing season. The New Year will see the start of the intensive testing period, before cars begin shipping to teams and private drivers.

Video of the launch of the new F4 car is coming soon to Overdrive

Jonathan Palmer and Derek Warwick unveil the car in front of the press
(Including Overdrive!)