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

Protyre Formula Renault expands to 16 rounds

Formerly known as Formula Renault BARC - Protyre Formula Renault is aiming to expand for 2013

Organisers of the Protyre Formula Renault Championship are delighted to confirm an expanded 16 round calendar for 2013, featuring four ‘triple-header’ events and, as for the last two seasons, an extremely high-profile finale alongside the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

In-keeping with its growing reputation as a true national-level series in UK single-seater racing, the category will now be known as the Protyre Formula Renault Championship – the ‘BARC’ tag of old will no longer be used, although the British Automobile Racing Club continues its administrative role.

Moving to offer even greater value for money to competitors and teams in 2013, the already highly cost-effective championship will retain a six-weekend calendar but one which features 16 races in total, an increase of two rounds on 2012, with visits to some of the country’s most popular circuits.

Beginning at Donington Park National Circuit in Leicestershire over the weekend 13th/14th April, the 2013 Protyre Formula Renault Championship will then travel to Norfolk’s Snetterton 200 Circuit on 11th/12th May for the first of a run of four consecutive ‘triple-header’ events.

Thruxton in Hampshire will host the third race meeting of the season on 1st/2nd June, the annual visit to Croft in North Yorkshire will take place on 13th/14th July and the last of the triple-headers will be held at Rockingham in Northamptonshire over the weekend 10th/11th August.

Silverstone National Circuit in Northamptonshire will then host the final two races of the campaign on 28th/29th September, with the Protyre Formula Renault Championship joining the hugely popular BTCC support package as it has for the previous two seasons at the home of the British Grand Prix.

“We’re very happy with the calendar we’ve agreed with our teams and the BARC and delighted to have once again secured a support slot alongside the BTCC for our championship finale, we’re very grateful to Alan Gow [BTCC Series Director]”, said Protyre Formula Renault promoter Simon North.

“We’ve been working hard to try and offer even greater value for drivers and teams and with a 16 race calendar, four triple-header events and a BTCC support date I think we have an extremely strong package to offer. Our Tatuus Formula Renault 2.0 is well proven, reliable and a fantastic car in which to learn. After a sensational 2012, we’re very much looking forward to the 2013 season.”

In terms of changes to the qualifying format for 2013, at the triple-header events there will be two 15 minute sessions which will be separated by a 90 minute break. Each driver’s fastest time during the opening period will determine the race one grid with second fastest times setting the grid order for race two. The starting line-up for race three on any given weekend will be set during session two.

Where two rounds are contested, during the season-opening event at Donington Park and the series finale at Silverstone, there will be one 20 minute qualifying run with fastest and second fastest times determining the relevant grids in each instance.

Prior to the start of the 2013 campaign, the competitors and teams from Protyre Formula Renault will join their counterparts from the Renault UK Clio Cup for the pre-season ‘Media Day’ and timed test session on Thursday, 21st March, at Silverstone National Circuit.

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

2013 Protyre Formula Renault Championship Calendar
Rds 1/2  Donington Park National Circuit, Leicestershire - 13th/14th April
Rds 3/4/5 Snetterton 200 Circuit, Norfolk - 11th/12th May
Rds 6/7/8 Thruxton Circuit, Hampshire - 1st/2nd June
Rds 9/10/11 Croft Circuit, North Yorkshire - 13th/14th July
Rds 12/13/14 Rockingham ISC, Northamptonshire - 10th/11th August
Rds 15/16 Silverstone National Circuit, Northamptonshire (BTCC) - 28th/29th September

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!]

Tom Onslow - Cole takes on a new Challenge...

...And it's not what you might have thought it would be. One half of the Wheeler Dealers team joins up with Tom Onslow-Cole to transform, of all things, a Milk Float, into a racing car. And you get no prizes for guessing where they found that!

eBay Motors launches its Mechanics Challenge at Snetterton with British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) star Tom Onslow-Cole and TV motoring expert Edd China to highlight the wealth of automotive parts on the site. 

What on earth are we going to do with this?

eBay Motors challenges Tom and Edd to turn a milk float into a race car using parts and accessories from eBay Motors, the UK’s leading  online automotive marketplace with more than 18 million listings and 250,000 cars and motorcycles for sale.

During the next month Edd will work with the eBay Motors BTCC team engineers in a challenge that will showcase their skills as top mechanics and the huge range of parts and accessories available on eBay Motors.  The activity culminates in September with Tom behind the wheel in an exciting final test. 

BTCC fans and motoring enthusiasts will vote on the parts and accessories from eBay Motors that will be used to transform the milk float into a race car. The finished car will be on display for fans at the final BTCC round at Silverstone on the 7^th October 2012.

Edd China, eBay Motors blogger and host of Wheeler Dealers, commented: “This is a really tough challenge, but I am very excited to be working with Tom and the guys from the eBay Motors BTCC team to build this vehicle.  The range of items available from eBay Motors will make our job a lot easier, and we look forward to getting started on the developments.”  

Tom Onslow-Cole, eBay Motors team driver, added: “I have never been involved in anything like this before and can’t wait to get started. Having driven the milk float around Snetterton it is clear that we have a massive amount of work on our hands. We have got some great engineers working on the car and I am eager to see what is in store for the final challenge.”

This probably goes a bit slower than Tom's BMW.
The optional Edd attachment is likely to add a bit of drag too!

For exclusive videos, imagery and to see the latest vote statistics go to www.ebaymotorsbtcc.co.uk   

This is eBay’s third season involved in the 2012 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), although the first as title sponsor of the team. Rob Collard, Nick Foster and Tom Onslow-Cole are the three drivers in 2012, and the team is currently lying in first place in this season’s Independent Team Championship.

We caught up with Tom earlier in the year... Here's what he had to say

Maiden Victory for ES Racing

Dave Newsham collects the first place trophy for the first time!

12 August 2012 will be a day etched in Luton-based Team ES Racing history as Dave Newsham took his and the teams’ maiden victory in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Snetterton.

The weekend didn’t start ideally for Newsham when he retired from the first practice session early with radiator problems, but he soon made up for lost time as he qualified third place just 0.054 seconds from pole position.

Race one saw Newsham drive a strong race to finish fourth only to be disqualified after stewards deemed the car to be underweight after a miscalculation with fuel.

Newsham had it all to do again in the second race as he started from last on the grid, his steady pace saw him move up through the field to finish a strong eighth place, securing second place on the grid for the final race of the day as 9 was drawn for the reverse grid.

After initially losing out to the BMW of Tom Onslow-Cole at the start Newsham pushed hard to build the pace and take back his second place by the end of the first lap. His pace would prove relentless as he found a gap to pass Lea wood in to the hairpin for the top spot, from that moment Newsham never looked back.

Dave Newsham crosses the line to take the maiden victory

“I thought we might be able to do something like this this weekend if everything went in to place. We had great pace in qualifying and practice, no testing in between the last race, it’s just awesome isn’t it.” commented Newsham after the race.

Team mate and team principal Chris James suffered a disappointing weekend that involved delaminated tyres in qualifying, broken driveshafts and a number of collisions where James was hit from behind. Despite his own disappointment James was delighted at the performance of Newsham to take his team the top spot of the podium.

“We always believed we could do it but believing and it turning in to reality is two different things. What an up and down weekend for the whole team with Dave being disqualified in the first race and three DNF’s from myself we ended the weekend as a BTCC race winning team” said James. “The team have turned out a quality car and with Dave in the driving seat the whole package comes together.”

Team mananger Andrew Dean added “Well done to all at Team ES racing after another ‘character building’ weekend - under sometimes trying circumstances Dave and the team got the result that we knew we were capable of at the media day back in March.”

Wins for Plato, Jordan and Newsham at Snetterton

Andrew Jordan grabbing the lead to win today's second, highly dramatic second race at Snetterton.

Jason Plato, Andrew Jordan and, for the first time, Dave Newsham shared the wins in today’s three action-packed Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship races at the Snetterton circuit in Norfolk. But it is Matt Neal who continues to lead the standings – just – from team-mate Gordon Shedden as the nation’s premier motor racing championship now heads to the latter’s home circuit of Knockhill, Fife in a fortnight on the weekend of 25/26 August.

 

Preston’s Frank Wrathall had achieved his and his Dynojet team’s first BTCC pole position in Saturday’s qualifying session. Oxford’s Plato, though, got in front at the start of race one to take his third win of 2012 in his MG KX Momentum Racing MG6. Wrathall was second in his Toyota Avensis and Jordan third in his Pirtek Racing Honda Civic.

 

Lichfield’s Jordan took the win in the second race – his first of the season – but only after Plato’s MG and Worcestershire ace Neal’s Honda Yuasa Racing Team Civic had controversially collided and run off the track ahead of him with a lap to go. Shedden was second ahead of the recovering Plato and Neal in third and fourth.

Inverness racer Newsham’s victory, his and the tiny Team ES Racing.com squad’s first in the BTCC, came in race three as he won comfortably in his Vauxhall Vectra. Tom Onslow-Cole was second in his eBay Motors BMW ahead of Plato who took another third.

Redstone Racing's new NGTC Focus ST proved to be highly capable

 

Lea Wood may well have achieved a maiden podium result had his BINZ Racing Vectra not cruelly retired with just a few laps to go, while Mat Jackson completed a hugely encouraging debut for Redstone Racing’s all-new NGTC-spec Ford Focus ST – only completed at 7.00am on Saturday – with a fourth-place finish.

 

But there was a double disaster for the factory Honda squad as Neal finished a lowly eighth after a spin and Shedden, who had crossed the line in third, was later excluded for a technical infringement with his car.

 

It means reigning Champion Neal retains the championship lead but now only ten points cover the top three, with Shedden eight behind and Plato just two more adrift. Plato had started today 29 points down on Neal…

 

Neal commented: “We knew we were on the back foot after qualifying and so it proved to be. It’s been a case of damage limitation today and the spin in race three after contact from Wrathall did me no favours. Knockhill, which has shorter straights, is next so should be better for us but it’s clear we have a lot of work to do.”

Dalgety Bay’s Shedden, who’d started the day’s first race from last on the grid after a spectacular fire aboard his car on Saturday morning had prevented him from qualifying, was dejected. He said: “I’ve clearly done something to someone, what with the fire and then the exclusion – without that I’d have been leading the table and it was also very cruel on the team who’d performed miracles to give me a race-ready car today after the fire. Knockhill is, of course, next and I’m determined to fight back for the fans there. I won’t be short on adrenaline…”

Three podium results today have suddenly moved Plato right back into contention as he chases a third BTCC title. He added: “I couldn’t have asked for much more, although it was a shame about the incident with Matt in race two after I’d led all the way up until then. What’s encouraging is the MG is really starting to come alive at a crucial stage of the season. In fact I think it’s going to be strong at all four remaining rounds so it’s game on.”

 

Jordan and Newsham were both elated with their wins. The former enthused: “The win is long overdue and the perfect way for us to start the second half of the season. I’m delighted.” And said Newsham: “A win for little ES Racing and the sponsors who keep our season ticking over is just unbelievable but thoroughly deserved. The timing couldn’t be better either with Knockhill, my home race, next. It’s going to be a very special weekend.”

 

Elsewhere Honda/Dynamics and the Honda Yuasa Racing Team continue to handsomely lead both the Manufacturers/Constructors and outright HiQ Teams championships. Jordan has also extended his lead in the Independent Drivers standings and his Pirtek Racing outfit has taken command of the Independent Teams Trophy.

 

Robb Holland (35) takes a disliking to Adam Morgan(33)

Meanwhile a number of drivers were penalised for incidents at Snetterton today. Race 1: Robb Holland, official reprimand and two penalty points on his competition licence (for an incident with Adam Morgan); Dave Newsham, excluded (underweight car); Andrew Jordan, verbal warning (for an incident with Dave Newsham). Race 2: Jason Plato and Matt Neal, verbal warnings (for an on-track collision); Jeff Smith, official reprimand and two penalty points on his licence (for an incident with Andy Neate). Race 3: Gordon Shedden, excluded (for exceeding turbo boost limits); Frank Wrathall, verbal warning (for an incident with Matt Neal).

2012 Dunlop BTCC Drivers’ Points after Snetterton (round 6 of 10):

1. Matt Neal, 255

2. Gordon Shedden, 247

3. Jason Plato, 245

4. Andrew Jordan, 218

5. Robert Collard, 178

6. Mat Jackson, 170

 

Manufacturers/Constructors’ Points:

1. Honda/Dynamics, 567

2. MG/888, 458

HiQ Teams’ Points:

1. Honda Yuasa Racing Team, 482

2. eBay Motors, 350

3. Pirtek Racing, 313

4. MG KX Momentum Racing, 292

5. Redstone Racing, 267

6. Team ES Racing.com, 133

Independent Drivers’ Points: 

1. Andrew Jordan, 265

2. Robert Collard, 217

3. Mat Jackson, 213

4. Tom Onslow-Cole, 203

5. Frank Wrathall, 163

6. Dave Newsham, 141

 

Independent Teams’ Points:

1. Pirtek Racing, 287

2. eBay Motors, 282

3. Redstone Racing, 262

4. Dynojet, 188

5. Team ES Racing.com, 187

6. BINZ Racing, 152

*All points remain provisional

Pictures courtesy of BTCC.net

ES Racing's David Newsham qualifies 3rd at Snetterton.

David Newsham qualifies Third for today's first race at Snetterton. Photo : BTCC.net

Team ES Racing had a positive return to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship today at Snetterton when Dave Newsham qualified in third place, just 0.054 seconds away from pole position while team-mate and team principal Chris James finished the session in fifteenth.

The day didn’t start well after radiator problems put Newsham out of the first practice session. Newsham made it out for second practice and soon started to signal his intentions as he set the second fastest time just behind Jason Plato.

It took some time to set a time in qualifying after a red flag interrupted the first flying laps for the Team ES drivers. As the session resumed and the drivers headed out James was unlucky to pick up a puncture and had to limp back to the pits on a rim. Thankfully there was no major damage cause by the blow-out and James was able to resume the session promptly.

The first flying lap of the session from Newsham catapulted him up the timesheets placing him second, just behind the flying Toyota of Frank Wrathall. As the session went on the times fell and the top three would be covered by just 0.054 seconds as the chequered flag fell. Team-mate James had been putting in consecutively faster laps and finished the session in fiftheenth, just 0.042 seconds behind Rob Austin, who himself was only 0.020 seconds off the pace of Andy Neate in the works MG.

“It started off with a bit of a problem with Dave’s radiator, but at least it happened in first practice, hopefully that’s the bad luck for the weekend out of the way” reflected James. “I was happy with my pace in free practice two but qualifying started with a puncture which was far from ideal.”
“It’s a shame I couldn’t be a little further up the grid as I’ve got Nick Foster behind and he’s likely to be quick of the grid in the rear wheel drive BMW, but we’ll plug away and look to stay out of trouble on the opening laps.”

Newsham added: “I’m happy with today, and I’m surprised at our pace in comparison to the NGTCs. We know we have great race pace as we did a long run this morning and were competitive times.
“I’ll be looking to get off the grid cleanly and let the grid sort themselves out before we can see where we are. I’ll be attackin early, and if we have the pace I’ll be going for the win, we just have to see how we get on.”

Wrathall beats Plato to take his first Pole Position

Frank Wrathall narrowly beat Jason Plato to achieve his first BTCC pole position at Snetterton Norfolk.

Frank Wrathall has spectacularly taken the first pole position of his Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship career at the Snetterton circuit in Norfolk.

 

The 25-year-old from Preston achieved pole in a time of 1m57.595s in his Dynojet Toyota Avensis to pip former double Champion, Oxford’s Jason Plato in his MG KX Momentum Racing MG6 by just 0.015s.

Motorbase debured the new Focus ST

 

Wrathall’s pole is the first for a Toyota driver in the BTCC since 1993 and also a qualifying record for the championship around the Snetterton track.

 

Inverness’s Dave Newsham was also close to pole, just 0.054s away from Wrathall in third in his Team ES Racing.com Vauxhall Vectra.

 

An elated Wrathall said: “That was very close as Jason and I were trading fastest times but in the end I came out on top. I’d come back into the pit lane and knew he was out there giving it one final go, but it seems he made a mistake and went off the track – when the team told me I was shouting a lot in the car! To beat a driver of his stature makes it all the more rewarding and I’m delighted.”

 

Plato replied: “Congratulations to Frank – it’s always nice to see a young driver doing well, even if it is at my expense! The important thing is I’m ahead of the two drivers I’m chasing for the title and from here can start thinking about taking points back off them.”

 

And added Newsham: “Finally the Vectra feels like it did back at the start of the season when I had three really strong opening events. From what we’ve seen in the earlier practice sessions our tyre wear rate is also excellent so I’m hoping for three very strong races tomorrow.”

 

Marshals rush to put out Gordon Shedden's burning Honda

There were career-best qualifying results, too, for Preston's Adam Morgan and Fleet's Daniel Welch – a fine fifth and sixth fastest in their Speedworks Motorsport Toyota and Welch Motorsport Proton respectively.

 

That'll polish out. The mechanics had the car out later on.

But there were major frustrations for the two championship leaders, Honda Yuasa Racing Team team-mates Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden. Worcestershire's Neal was a lowly seventh by his standards and Fife's Shedden 22nd and last after on-going problems with his Civic – which had suffered a major fire in practice this morning – prevented him from setting a time.

 

Elsewhere Warwickshire's Mat Jackson, another of the championship’s top names, qualified the Redstone Racing team’s all-new Ford Focus ST an encouraging 16th fastest on its debut. The Focus, only completed at 7.00am, becomes the seventh different make of car to be built to the BTCC’s new and much-applauded NGTC regulations…

 

Meanwhile Neal will go into tomorrow’s three BTCC races at Snetterton leading the standings by a point from Shedden. Plato is a further 28 back with 20 awarded for a race win. All the action will be shown live on the ITV4 and ITV4 HD channels plus www.itv.com in a seven-hour show from 11.00am-6.00pm.

 

Top positions, Dunlop BTCC qualifying, Snetterton, Sat 11 Aug 2012

1. Frank Wrathall (GBR), Dynojet/Toyota Avensis, 1m57.595s
2. Jason Plato (GBR), MG KX Momentum Racing/MG6, +0.015s
3. Dave Newsham (GBR), ES Racing.com/Vauxhall Vectra, +0.054s
4. Andrew Jordan (GBR), Pirtek Racing/Honda Civic, +0.538s
5. Adam Morgan (GBR), Speedworks/Toyota Avensis, +0.610s
6. Daniel Welch (GBR), Welch Motorsport/Proton Persona, +0.668s
7. Matt Neal (GBR), Honda Yuasa Racing Team/Honda Civic, +0.957s
8. Lea Wood (GBR), BINZ Racing/Vauxhall Vectra, +1.104s
9. Tom Onslow-Cole (GBR), eBay Motors/BMW 320si, +1.286s
10. Jeff Smith (GBR), Pirtek Racing/Honda Civic, +1.620s

Pictures courtesy of BTCC.net

Teams prepare for Snetterton : Honda

The two Hondas squabble for position at Croft. Can they bring home success at Snetterton?

Matt Neal and Gordon ‘Flash’ Shedden will be defending their lead in the MSA Dunlop British Touring Car Championship as the Honda Yuasa Racing Team heads to Snetterton this weekend.

After a long summer break, the duo will be making its second race visit to the 300 version of the Norfolk circuit, this time with the title-leading NGTC Honda Civics.

Despite being at the top of the table, the squad has been working hard over the break so that it can continue its fine run. Work has been ongoing with the chassis as the boost restrictions in the series are still limiting the Civic’s straightline speed.

“Our engines have been away for a check over and we’ve been tweaking bits and bobs,” says points leader and reigning champion Neal. “Everyone’s learning the NGTC package and we’ve had the best grip of it so far, and we’ve got a few new bits to try.”

The triple champion had a difficult time at Snetterton last year on his way to the title, but he still likes the new layout, which was used for the first time in the BTCC in 2011.

“We’ll get left on the straights at Snetterton, so we’ll have to work in the corners,” he said. “[MG driver and rival] Jason Plato will be there, and so will the Fords, but we should be in the mix again.

“The 300 circuit still has long straights, but it’s more technical than the old layout, which should help us. I enjoy it – I loved the old circuit, but I like the new one even better. It’s challenging.”

Shedden, who is just one point behind Neal in the drivers’ table, did win a race at Snetterton last year and is not worried about the lack of testing he has had since the last BTCC round at Croft.

“We had quite a few things we needed to make changes too and we focused on those rather than running,” he said.

“There are a lot of corners at Snetterton, but there are a lot of straights too. You’re flat in sixth on the start/finish straight, again on the straight behind the pits, and again on the Bentley Straight. It’ll make it a bit tricky, but we’ll have to make the most of the corners.

“It’ll be the usual suspects and I can see the Fords and BMWs being quick. The racing was quite good last year, but it’s quite easy to defend.”

As well as leading the drivers’ table with its two stars, the Honda Yuasa Racing Team leads the team’s table and the manufacturers’ championship heading into the weekend.

The Snetterton action gets under way at 09:35am on Saturday with free practice. Qualifying is at 3:15pm, and the first of three races on Sunday is scheduled for 12:00.

In addition to heading to the circuit or watching ITV4’s live BTCC TV coverage, fans can also follow Honda Yuasa Racing’s exploits on Facebook and Twitter for news and race results as the action happens - www.facebook.com/HondaRacingBTCC and www.twitter.com/hondaracingbtcc

Teams prepare for Snetterton : MG

The colourful MG is proving very capable in the hands of Jason Plato and Andy Neate

The MG KX Momentum Racing team is back on track this weekend as the 2012 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) resumes racing after a six week summer break. The Snetterton circuit in Norfolk will play host to rounds 16, 17 and 18 of the series, as the championship battle re-commences.

It was a weekend of highs and lows for Jason Plato last time out at Croft, as technical gremlins within the MG6 continued to blight the Triple Eight team’s progress. Failure to see Jason take the start of Race One was disappointing for the MG KX Momentum Racing Team, however the squad was sent into the summer break happy as the double BTCC champion fought back to win Race Three in spectacular style.

Andy Neate recorded his strongest BTCC weekend to-date with the MG6 at Croft, when he brought the car home for points paying finishes in all three races. It could have been even better for the young Englishman though, as he had impressively led Round Fifteen for the majority of the race.

Having had a chance to catch their breath following the team’s late start to the season’s preparations, the second half of the BTCC season gives the MG KX Momentum Racing squad a chance to build on the team’s positive first six months of existence. The team will now look to push the established squads for glory, in what is still their maiden campaign. The charge towards the finish starts at Snetterton this weekend!

Jason Plato (#99), BTCC Standings 3rd – 192 points:

“Our summer break has been long, the batteries are well and truly re-charged, the team are well prepared; I feel strong and very motivated. Our season starts at Snetterton! I am confident that our recent developments with the MG6 GT will not only improve our speed, but also our race performance. I feel some race wins coming this weekend.”

Andy Neate (#44), BTCC Standings: 17th – 46 points:

“The Croft race-weekend seems a long while ago now, my memory of it is very positive though with a triple points finish and having the pace to lead Race Three from the front for so long. I’m taking those positives into the second half of the season and am determined to get the results that the car, and I, are capable of.“

Ian Harrison, Team Principal, BTCC Standings: Teams - 4th – 235 points, Manufacturers – 2nd - 360 points:

“The summer break has been a good chance for the team to re-group before heading into battle for the second half of the season. It hasn’t been time off and holidays for us at Triple Eight though, we’ve been working hard to get on top of the new MG6 and do a little bit of testing. This should hopefully see us unlock some more potential in the car and challenge at the front – which is the only place we want to be.” 

Chevron scores personal best

Anthony Reid at the wheel of the Chevron GT3 on his way to 7th at Snetterton

Contesting selected rounds of the 2012 British GT Championship, Chevron Racing’s Anthony Reid and Jordan Witt piloted their Chevron GT3 to 7th place at Snetterton (on Sunday 05 August) equalling the highest ever finish for the marque in the series, although this time among a much bigger field. This is also the Chevron GT3’s highest placing in a British GT race – making it a new ‘personal best’.

Despite a weekend of mixed fortunes for the team in Norfolk, the result for Reid and Witt in the second race highlights the success of Chevron Racing’s continued development of the GT3. However, due to tricky weather conditions, which resulted in less track time and qualifying being cancelled, the testing of the Chevron GT3 with newly fitted brakes was limited.

Jordan Witt, having taken the Chevron GT3 across the line on Sunday for 7th place, said;

“After Saturday’s wet weather, and the difficulties it brought with it due to the allocation of grid positions from practice sessions, we really wanted to push in the second race. Anthony handed the car over to me whilst lying in tenth, having come up through the field from near the back of the grid, and by this time the new brakes had bedded in.

“The Chevron GT3 stayed strong until the end of the race, as others seemed to be dropping off the cliff. This is probably down to the fact that we suffered from less tyre degradation, mainly as a result of the Chevron being a lighter car.

“I managed to reduce the gap between us and the leaders, catching them by nearly four seconds a lap towards the end of the race! I could see the sixth, fifth and fourth placed drivers just ahead of me, and we were only six seconds off the pace at the finish. If there had been another ten minutes of the race to run, I’m sure we could of made it onto the podium.”

Anthony Reid commented; “We learnt a tremendous amount from the weekend, came away with a great result, and the team left Snetterton in good spirits. It was unfortunate about the weather on Saturday, but we were able to fight back on Sunday which was fantastic.

“For the next British GT round, at Silverstone in early September, we can now hone the various updates on the car.”

BTCC Back in action this weekend.

There is now little more than a week to go before the UK’s premier motor racing championship – the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – resumes its 2012 season at the Snetterton circuit in Norfolk (Sat 11/Sun 12 August), thereby continuing the country’s sizzling summer of sport.

Like the finalists in an Olympic sprint, the BTCC’s star drivers will each want to be fastest out of the blocks as they return to action following a lengthy seven-week break in their calendar.

Snetterton’s BTCC event makes for the Anglia region’s biggest motor racing fixture of the year and it is little wonder that, with swift access from the A11 dual carriageway, a bumper crowd is anticipated. Traditional scorching hot weather also adds to the appeal for fans and families looking to make a carnival weekend of it with their tents and barbeques.

Honda team-mates Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden will arrive at Snetterton striving to maintain their championship lead ahead of their arch MG rival Jason Plato. Memorably 12 months ago the BTCC’s first race on Snetterton's new ‘300’ track immediately got off to a controversial start when Neal was sent spinning at 120mph after an opening bend clash with Plato…

Meanwhile Attleborough’s Ollie Jackson will be hoping to shine in front of his home crowd in his AmD Tuning.com VW Golf but, with nine different car makes represented on the grid and 11 different drivers having achieved podium results in the season’s opening half, predicting who will come out on top at Snetterton is near impossible.

And while the headlining BTCC will be in race action three times on the Sunday (12 August), there are a further nine races for the supporting Renault Clio Cup, Porsche Carrera Cup GB, Ginetta Junior Championship and Ginetta GT Supercup categories in store for the visiting public during the weekend.

Admission for accompanied children aged 12 and under is FREE all weekend with adult tickets priced at £25 (Sunday) or £31 (weekend) if booked in advance from the www.snetterton.co.uk website or the hotline 0843 453 9000.

Admission includes access to the BTCC teams’ paddock and the specially organised autograph session for fans with their touring car heroes in the Snetterton pit lane.

There is now less than a week to go before the UK’s premier motor racing championship – the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – resumes its 2012 season at the Snetterton circuit in Norfolk (Sat 11/Sun 12 August), thereby continuing the country’s sizzling summer of sport.

Like the finalists in an Olympic sprint, the BTCC’s star drivers will each want to be fastest out of the blocks as they return to action following a lengthy seven-week break in their calendar.

Snetterton’s BTCC event makes for the Anglia region’s biggest motor racing fixture of the year and it is little wonder that, with swift access from the A11 dual carriageway, a bumper crowd is anticipated. Traditional scorching hot weather also adds to the appeal for fans and families looking to make a carnival weekend of it with their tents and barbeques.

Honda team-mates Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden will arrive at Snetterton striving to maintain their championship lead ahead of their arch MG rival Jason Plato. Memorably 12 months ago the BTCC’s first race on Snetterton's new ‘300’ track immediately got off to a controversial start when Neal was sent spinning at 120mph after an opening bend clash with Plato…

Meanwhile Attleborough’s Ollie Jackson will be hoping to shine in front of his home crowd in his AmD Tuning.com VW Golf but, with nine different car makes represented on the grid and 11 different drivers having achieved podium results in the season’s opening half, predicting who will come out on top at Snetterton is near impossible.

And while the headlining BTCC will be in race action three times on the Sunday (12 August), there are a further nine races for the supporting Renault Clio Cup, Porsche Carrera Cup GB, Ginetta Junior Championship and Ginetta GT Supercup categories in store for the visiting public during the weekend.

Admission for accompanied children aged 12 and under is FREE all weekend with adult tickets priced at £25 (Sunday) or £31 (weekend) if booked in advance from the www.snetterton.co.uk website or the hotline 0843 453 9000.

Admission includes access to the BTCC teams’ paddock and the specially organised autograph session for fans with their touring car heroes in the Snetterton pit lane.