Clio Cup 2013 : Oulton Park Round up

LIGHTS-TO-FLAG WIN FOR RIVETT EXTENDS POINTS LEAD AT OULTON

The Clio Cup pack blasts off the startline at Oulton Park

 Paul Rivett (Banstead) soaked up immense race-long pressure from Stefan Hodgetts (Redditch) during the seventh round of the 2013 Renault UK Clio Cup at Oulton Park this afternoon, Saturday, 8th June, to seal his third victory of the year with a faultless lights-to-flag drive.

Making his pole position grid slot count, the Names.co.uk/Stancombe Vehicle Engineering racer produced a fantastic start to lead but – with the exception of a brief Safety Car period – never had a moment to rest.

Hodgetts’ KX Racing with Scuderia Vittoria car was an ever present threat, never more than half a second behind the three-time champion, and to confirm his pace Hodgetts took the two bonus points for fastest lap, thanks to a time of 1m36.705 seconds (82.86mph) on lap 12.

Josh Cook (Bristol), who didn’t enjoy the best of starts from the front row, slipped to third on lap one but was thereafter able to run very similar lap times to both Rivett and Hodgetts. For the bulk of the 15-lap encounter, the JHR Developments driver was in the wheeltracks of the two leaders but just wasn’t quite able to mount a challenge. Even so, third gave him his first Graduate Cup win of 2013.

With Team Pyro’s Josh Files (Norwich) finishing in seventh position, having started the first race of the weekend in eighth place, Rivett was able to increase his lead in the championship to 19 points, having been only three points clear prior to round seven.

“Of all the people to have behind you in the Clio field, Stef [Hodgetts] is probably the hardest and he didn’t make that easy by any means at all”, commented Rivett, “I had to defend from him into the last corner of the last lap, otherwise I knew he’d really be trying to stick it up the inside.

“It’s a great win, lights-to-flag, and I got a cracking start. Hopefully we can do more of the same tomorrow and control it from the front. It’s going to be tough to do it again but if I can get another start like that, it’s half the battle.”

While Rivett led clearly through Old Hall at the start, Cook’s sluggish getaway dropped him into the clutches of both Hodgetts – up from fifth on the grid after a superb start – and his team-mate Ant Whorton-Eales (Lichfield) who ran side-by-side through the first right-hander.

Hodgetts emerged in second place while Cook clung on around the outside at Cascades to edge ahead of Whorton-Eales for third. From that point forward, nothing changed among the podium places with the top three incredibly evenly matched.

“It was relatively boring after the first lap to be honest”, said Hodgetts, “Paul [Rivett] is a quality driver, he’s not going to make a mistake and you can’t pass that easily around here. Second is OK but I’m going to have a right go tomorrow for the win.”

The Clios negotate one of Oulton's fast bends

Reflecting on his second podium of the year, and first Graduate Cup success, Cook said: “I made a very poor start, probably the worst one I’ve ever done. I managed to hold it around the outside of Ant [Whorton-Eales] at Cascades, which was a bit sketchy, but I managed to get the place. I didn’t quite have the pace to stick with the top two, so we’ll make a couple of changes for tomorrow.”

Whorton-Eales’ involvement came to an abrupt end on lap two at the chicane when he tagged the tyre stack, leading to a three lap Safety Car period. When the racing resumed, the lead trio were able to edge back away from the rest of the pack which was headed by Pyro’s Alex Morgan (Reading).

Although Morgan slipped two seconds shy of the podium places by the end, he was able to pull over three seconds clear of JHR’s Masters Cup class winner Lee Pattison (Liversedge) who was heavily pressured by Westbourne Motorsport’s James Colburn (Worthing) during the closing stages.

Files, who was passed for seventh brilliantly by Jake Giddings (Wisbech) on lap eight at Old Hall, managed to return the favour to the Finesse Motorsport driver on the final tour with Mike Bushell (Tunbridge Wells), on his first weekend driving with KX Racing colours, taking ninth.

The battle over the final place in the top 10 was hugely entertaining throughout, half a dozen drivers all within a chance of taking the position. In the end, Clio Cup rookie Ash Hand (Nuneaton) sealed the spot for Pyro by just 0.2 seconds ahead of Jordan Stilp (Potterspury), Devon Modell (Maidstone), James Nutbrown and Simon Belcher (Swindon).

Rob Smith (Telford) was also in the thick of the titanic battle at the tail end of the top 10 but sustained a right-front puncture after hitting debris left behind from Whorton-Eales’ incident at the chicane, dropping him to 15th place.

HODGETTS VICTORIOUS IN ROUND EIGHT AT BAKING-HOT OULTON

The drivers celebrate their success after Round Eight

Renault UK Clio Cup front-runner Stefan Hodgetts (Redditch) claimed a richly deserved second victory of the 2013 season at Oulton Park Island Circuit this afternoon, Sunday, 9th June, during round eight of the championship – the halfway point of the campaign.

In front of the live ITV4 cameras, and tens of thousands of spectators enjoying glorious sunshine, the KX Racing with Scuderia Vittoria driver took the lead at the exit of the first corner after a blistering start from fourth on the grid and delivered an inch-perfect performance despite huge pressure.

“It’s fantastic”, said Hodgetts, who earned the ‘BuyOils.co.uk Driver of the Event’ accolade, “We started P4 and, if you say about it Motocross-style, we got the hole-shot at the start. When you’re in the lead in these cars you can kind of control the race but, in order to do that, you need a fantastic car. We’ve been really fast all weekend, it’s just desserts we got the win.

“Turning up at these race meetings with all the crowds, there’s no better feeling than to race in front of that many people – it’s a massive privilege. To be on this package and in this championship is pretty cool to be honest!”

Pole-sitter, and championship leader, Paul Rivett (Banstead) had problems with a slipping clutch at the beginning which compromised his getaway. Although managing to see off the quick-starting Alex Morgan (Reading) initially at the exit of Old Hall, the Team Pyro driver hit back on lap two into the hairpin and held on to an excellent second place from that point forward.

While Morgan’s runner-up spot, his fourth podium of the year, moved him into second place in the championship ahead of team-mate Josh Files (Norwich), Rivett’s third position was enough to see him marginally increase his advantage at the top of the standings to 22 points.

“I’d say the season is probably going better than I imagined initially”, said Morgan, “I knew we were quick in testing during the pre-season but you never know until you line-up with the other guys where you’ll be. To be at the halfway stage of the season and have had four podiums, one each weekend, and be second in the championship is fantastic – I couldn’t have asked for much more.”

Hodgetts’ launch away from the second row was outstanding and although Morgan appeared to have the lead into Old Hall, the KX Racing driver was able to bravely move ahead around the outside while Rivett – recovering well from his difficult getaway – followed Hodgetts through on the outside line, taking second on the run down The Avenue and into Cascades.

Into lap two, Hodgetts, Rivett and Morgan were nose-to-tail and into the hairpin Rivett thought about looking to the outside of the race leader. In doing so though, the Names.co.uk/Stancombe Vehicle Engineering driver left the door open for Morgan to edge up the inside.

There was absolutely nothing to separate the top three throughout, Hodgetts smartly backing the others up lap after lap. On lap eight the Safety Car was deployed, following an excursion into the barriers at the top of Clay Hill for Ronnie Klos (Market Harborough), but after the re-start nothing changed at the front with Hodgetts, Morgan and Rivett covered by just 0.7 seconds at the finish.

The end of the race actually came one lap early when Finlay Crocker (Bathgate) made contact with the barriers at the top of Deer Leap, bringing out the red flags, just moments after Pyro team-mates James Nutbrown and Ash Hand (Nuneaton) had tangled at Druids.

Reflecting on his third place, Rivett said: “It was probably quite lucky I didn’t slip any further back at the start to be honest, once we got going in the race it was OK but at the start the clutch just didn’t bite and that really cost us.

“When Alex [Morgan] got by at the hairpin it was my mistake, I shouldn’t have gone to the outside of Stef [Hodgetts] – I was desperate to get the lead back after the clutch slip though! Championship wise we’ve got another podium, more points and we’ve extended the lead even more. It goes without saying, a huge thank you to all my fantastic sponsors as usual.”

Behind the lead trio, Finesse Motorsport’s Jake Giddings (Wisbech) produced a star performance with fourth – giving him his first Graduate Cup win of the season. After taking fourth place from JHR Developments’ Lee Pattison (Liversedge) on lap one, Giddings was a consistent threat to the podium placings but just wasn’t able to carve open an opportunity.

Pattison finished fifth, taking his second Masters Cup victory of the weekend, ahead of team-mate Josh Cook and Westbourne Motorsport’s James Colburn (Worthing). KX Racing’s Ant Whorton-Eales (Lichfield) made amends for his non-finish on Saturday with eighth while Total Control Racing’s Rob Smith (Telford) was ninth, just seeing off Files – the latter taking the extra points for fastest lap.

There are only two weeks to wait until the next outing for the Renault UK Clio Cup competitors with rounds nine and 10 of the 2013 campaign taking place at Croft in North Yorkshire on 22nd/23rd June.


Provisional 2013 Renault UK Clio Cup Driver Standings (after Rd8):1st Paul Rivett, 207pts; 2nd Alex Morgan, 185pts; 3rd Josh Files, 176pts

Provisional 2013 Renault UK Clio Cup WP Racing Clio Cup Team Trophy Standings (after Rd8):1st Team Pyro, 359pts; 2nd Westbourne Motorsport, 272pts; 3rd Scuderia Vittoria, 267pts

Provisional 2013 Renault UK Clio Cup ‘Graduate Cup’ Standings (after Rd8):1st Josh Files, 213pts; 2nd James Colburn, 203pts; 3rd Jake Giddings, 179pts

Provisional 2013 Renault UK Clio Cup ‘Masters Cup’ Standings (after Rd8):1st Simon Belcher, 204pts; 2nd Graham Field, 191pts; 3rd Finlay Crocker, 139pts

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.”

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

Autosport International 2013 : Ariel Atom Cup - Video Interview

Our presenter, Chris Lucas, meets Atom Cup organiser Mark Harrison to talk about the first one make racing series for the Ariel Atom at the Autosport International Show 2013

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!)

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.