Mission Motorsport set for launch

The Mission Motorsport Team at the 2011 Britcar 24 hours

The official launch of Mission Motorsport, an exciting new venture designed to provide amazing and unusual rehabilitation opportunities to service personnel affected by military operations will take place at Thruxton Circuit at 11am on Thursday 1^st March 2012.

Formed by a dedicated group of serving soldiers, officers and Motorsport professionals; Mission Motorsport’s mission is to use the competitive and dynamic nature of motorsport to inspire and rebuild confidence, develop skills and ensure that soldiers who are learning to cope with a disability gain a greater degree of independence through working in different and testing environments.

Gavin Harvey and the Track Club Lotus Elise, which will be on show

Following a very successful year in 2011 establishing the principle, Mission Motorsport has been officially appointed as the British Army's provider of adaptive motorsport.  The new organisation will work with the Defence Recovery Capability, Help for Heroes, Battleback and the veterans of the Band of Brothers to deliver stimulating, constructive and competitive activities ranging from high level racing to educational programs and vocational opportunities in partnership with the UK’s automotive industry.

Trooper Chris Harris takes to the track in a Caterham

Full details of Mission Motorsport’s plans for 2012 will be unveiled at the launch however highlights are expected to include participation in the Britcar 24hr race, an offshore powerboat racing team and work placements with Bentley Motors.  Servicemen who have raced and worked with Mission Motorsport in 2011 will be on hand and on the track to talk about their experiences and explain how being involved with Mission Motorsport has helped their personal recovery.  The organisation is also expected to be able to announce the granting of charitable status.

http://www.missionmotorsport.org/

Rallye Sunseeker, Manufacturer's round up.

Citroën enter B.R.C.

Citroën is pleased to announce that it will be supporting the MSA British Rally Championship as an official manufacturer for the 2012 season.

With updated rules for the upcoming season - which specify two-wheel-drive machines - more emphasis is placed on driver skill, increasing the opportunity for Citroën to find the next Sébastien Loeb of the future and also develop its growing young driver programme in the UK.

A number of privateers will drive a Citroën DS3 R3, the 210bhp customer rally car developed by Citroën Racing in the 2012 MSA British Rally Championship. With the new rules, Citroën will be eligible to earn points scored by privateer teams in the manufacturers’ championship.

The MSA British Rally Championship remains the largest and most prestigious national rally championship, comprising six individual rounds across the UK. It was originally run in 1958 and earned a license from the Motor Sports Association (MSA) in 1999.

BRC Manager Mark Taylor commented: ‘It’s great that Citroën, with such a strong rallying pedigree, has joined the Championship, and we look forward to working more closely with them going forward.

‘We recognised the commercial realities currently faced by car manufacturers and their dealerships and specifically created a British Championship to attract UK Importers by reducing the usual barriers and high cost of entry. We are providing them with a platform to promote products that relate to what is being sold in the showroom. We are also offering them high quality media products and a chance to engage in rally themed dealer events. Importantly, they will have a stakeholder status in the future of this world renowned motor sport series.’

The Citroën attack for this weekend’s opening round - Rallye Sunseeker International - is a strong one. Three young guns, Osian Pryce from Wales, Desi Henry of Northern Ireland, and the number one seed, fast Finn Jarkko Nikara will line up on Saturday in Bournemouth with their striking new privately run Citroën DS3 R3’s.

Nikara, the 25 year old from Saarijarvi in Finland has an impressive C.V. to date, as he switches to the 210bhp Citroën DS3. The former Finnish Junior Champion, and 2008 Pirelli European Star Shoot-out champion, has shone in the British Championship before, finishing sixth in the 2010 series using an R2 specification Renault. He has also been an extremely fast Group N driver at IRC and WRC level, and now relishes the chance to drive an R3 machine. “It’s fantastic to be returning to the BRC with Autosport Technology and to be driving the Citroën DS3 R3T – I know this is a very good car and I’m sure we can be setting fastest stage times. We won’t have time to test the car before this event, but the plan is to find a pace we’re happy with.” Jarkko’s first opportunity to drive the car will be in the event shakedown.

At number 9, 2011 Citroën Racing Trophy UK winner Desi Henry debuts his recently acquired DS3 R3. Teamed with co-driver Niall Burns and run by John McKillop Motorsport, Desi will be one to watch. The 22 year old from Portglenone in Co. Antrim has only had a short gravel test to try and learn the very different characteristics of the turbo-charged DS3, which differs from his familiar Citroën C2 R2 Max. “The DS3 seems very good. It’s a very deceiving car at times, as it’s a lot quieter than the C2 Max, but it’s a fast car. We haven’t had that much mileage in the car, but certainly we will be trying hard at the weekend, and hopefully on Thursday’s shakedown we can settle in more. I’m definitely looking forward to it.”

The youngest of the Citroën runners is Osian Pryce from Wales, who will actually celebrate his 19^th birthday on the eve of the rally! Seeded at number 10, Osian started his rallying career in 2008, competing in the Latvian Rally Championship from the tender age of 16. On his WRC debut on the 2010 Wales Rally GB, he took class honors by a staggering 22 minutes, before becoming the 2011 Fiesta Sport Trophy Champion. Now, however, he has switched to Citroën for 2012. Osian is happy after a test in the new car. “It’s a big step from last year’s R2 machine, but I could tell as a driver that Citroën Racing have put a lot of work into the car. We probably did 80 kilometers or thereabouts at Sweet Lamb and I really felt at home with DS3. It seems in some ways effortless to drive, and suits a smooth, tidy style. I am really looking forward to the Sunseeker and the BRC in the car. Our plan for the event however is to get a decent finish, as really it will be the first time we have measured ourselves against this line up of drivers.” Co-driver for the Welsh youngster is Iestyn Williams, whilst the car will be run by Andy Davies of Davies Motorsport.

Another young Welsh driver, Tom Cave has also taken delivery of a DS3, but he expects to debut it on round two of the British series, the Bulldog. With the possibility of another DS3 for that round and the fact a Trophy for the DS3’s will start on the Bulldog rally with generous prize money, things are looking good for the Citroën drivers in 2012. It all kicks off with the Rallye Sunseeker ceremonial start, at Poole Quay in Bournemouth where an expected 10,000 plus crowd will turn out to wave in a new era of the MSA British Rally Championship. Then twelve loose surface special stages on Saturday will decide the winners as Jarkko Nikara leads the field into the forests.

Renault debut new Twingo R2 Evolution.

Former works driver Justin Dale and multiple Rallye Sunseeker winning co-driver Andrew Bargery will drive a Twingo Renaultsport R2 Evolution on the opening round of the 2012 MSA British Rally Championship.

The car, which is the latest variant of the successful 1.6-litre Twingo, will act as a course car ahead of the main international field and will be run by Renault Sport Technologies’ own engineers. The Twingo R2 in its existing form has already tasted success on Rallye Sunseeker International, a pair of Autosport Technology cars taking the top two podium steps in Formula 2 in 2011, the ultra reliable multinational team going on to take the British Teams Rally Championship at the end of last season.

Dale has already complimented the Twingo, having driven Pajunen’s car at a sponsor’s day last year and the R1 variant at this year’s BRC Media Day. He and Bargery will team up after last contesting the BRC in a Clio in 2006 to showcase the new Twingo R2 Evo, which will make its UK debut on the Dorset & Hampshire based event.

Renault UK’s recent registration to this year’s British Manufacturers Rally Championship and the new Twingo Renaultsport Trophy coupled with around a third of the entries on this year’s opening round, underlines the French marque’s commitment to UK rallying.

“We are keen to show off the new Evo version of the Twingo R2 and evaluate its performance on gravel. The British Rally Championship’s move to a two wheel drive formula is important to Renault and we intend to be at the forefront with our range of cars,” said Renault Sport Technologies Sales Manager Jean-Pascal Jocou, who will attend the event to keep an eye on not only Dale’s progress, but all the Renault competitors.

Zamparelli inspires racing engineers of the future

Dino Zamparelli settles into his new car for the 2012 season... only joking! It's Ashlawn School's F24 Racer

Reigning Protyre Formula Renault BARC Champion Dino Zamparelli did his bit to help inspire the next generation of racing drivers and engineers recently, delivering a motivational talk and presentation to more than 250 pupils at Ashlawn School and Science College in Rugby.

The Bristol 19-year-old, who made history last November as the first driver from Protyre Formula Renault BARC to become a finalist in the prestigious McLaren Autosport BRDC Award, attended the Warwickshire secondary school earlier this month.

Invited along as part of a specially organised ‘Super Learning Day’ off-timetable event, Zamparelli, who is rightly regarded as one of Britain’s top young stars of the track, delivered an inspirational talk on the determination and resilience required to be successful in motorsport.

Following the talk in the main hall, the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) Rising Star met with the school’s own IET Formula 24 racing team – a group of pupils involved in the Greenpower Education Trust-led sustainable engineering project.

Sharing tips and offering great encouragement, Zamparelli provided a major boost to the team which is busy preparing for the first F24 event of the season at Silverstone in Northamptonshire on Sunday, 29th April. The Super Learning Day was rounded off, unsurprisingly, with a very busy and popular autograph signing session.

“It’s fantastic to see such enthusiastic young engineers who, I’m sure, will be the race engineers of the future”, said Zamparelli, “Meeting the F24 boys was great and I think it was good for them to meet someone who is involved in racing, it was nice seeing the car they’ve produced and it’s great for the engineering side of the sport that young people are so interested.

“Through the main talk I just wanted to try and give the pupils the motivation to think it is possible to do something and that you should always believe in yourself, not be swayed by what other people may say or think.”

Science College co-ordinator Liselle Dixon commented: “Dino left the students feeling really inspired and we all agreed he’s a fantastic ambassador to the sport. We’re delighted he was able to come and give such a fantastic, motivating talk to the pupils. We’ll definitely be following his progress this year and wish him the very best of luck for his future.”

The battle to succeed Zamparelli as Protyre Formula Renault BARC Champion will begin less than seven weeks from now when rounds one, two and three of the 2012 season take place at Snetterton in Norfolk on 7th/8th April. Zamparelli, meanwhile, is working hard to try and secure the budget to graduate to the FIA Formula 2 Championship this year.

News from Porsche Carrerra Cup GB

Porsche Carrera Cup GB continues partnership with Sacred 
The Porsche Carrera Cup GB has continued its association with Sacred into a third consecutive season to provide teams, drivers and guests with gourmet coffee throughout the coming race season. Sacred will be the supplier of coffee in the Carrera Cup GB race centre, which is home to over 300 people on busy race weekends.

Tubbs Wanigasekera and Matthew Clark formed Sacred in 2005. Now seven years and over two million great coffees later, Sacred now has six locations in Central London and a reputation for being one of London’s favourite café experiences.

Locations that include Covent Garden and Carnaby Street have helped Sacred grow into one of London’s finest gourmet tea and coffee brands. It has been voted as one of the top five cafes, four years running by Time Out London, and singled out as a brand to watch by The Times. More details are at www.sacredcafe.com

“Sacred is incredibly proud to support the Carrera Cup GB for another season,” said Wanigasekera. “The partnership is perfect for our brands and we are excited to be part of the Porsche family for another year. Entering our third year together is testament that the relationship with Porsche and our Sacred Coffee brand is successful and provides fantastic exposure to us and our core product of gourmet coffee."

"Sacred would also like to congratulate James Sutton and Simon Leonard at Redline Racing for winning the 2011Carrera Cup title, and wish them and the other drivers the best for the 2012 season."

For more details, please visit www.sacredcafe.com

George Richardson collecting his prize

Richardson joins Parr Motorsport for Carrera Cup GB
George Richardson will join Parr Motorsport for an assault on the Pro-Am1 category of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB this season.

Richardson, who will only celebrate his 21st birthday during the week following the final races of 2012, will go into his third season in the Carrera Cup GB aiming to be one of the pacesetters in the category.

Manchester-based Richardson had his first full season in the Carrera Cup in 2010 and finished third in the Pro-Am2 category with four wins. In 2011 he was fifth in Pro-Am1 with six podiums, five of them in the final eight races of the season. For the coming year, Richardson will join Ben Barker (20) and Chris Dymond (24) to give the Sussex-based team an incredibly strong and youthful driver line-up.

“I’m excited about the prospect of working with Parr Motorsport," said Richardson. "I’ve had a good relationship with Paul Robe since I entered the championship and with Parr’s standard of preparation and its history in the Carrera Cup the team has always been at the top. I hope to learn as much as I can to help achieve my goal of becoming a professional sports car driver.”

Team boss Paul Robe was delighted to complete his driver line up, which has an average age of less than 21 and a half. “I really am very pleased to have George joining our team for 2012,” said Robe. “We’ve got a very young team of drivers and it is great to work with young guys who have a lot of drive and determination. The target for George is to win races in Pro-Am1.”

Looking for our videos?

The overdrive TV page which holds our programmes is currently unavailable due to maintainance, it'll re-appear shortly. In the meantime, you can still watch our programmes on Youtube at www.youtube.com/overdrivemotorsport - Thanks for your support!

Matt Cotton takes on Sunseeker Rally

Matt Cotton and Glyn Thomas' Ford Fiesta

This weekend will see Cornish rally driver Matt Cotton return to the British Rally Championship after a 3 year break from the sport when he lines up to tackle the Rallye Sunseeker which takes place in the Bournemouth region. Having to take a forced sabbatical from international rallying in 2009 due to a lack of funds, Matt will face some of Europe’s fastest drivers in the race to win the UK’s most prestigious rallying title.

The British Rally Championship season opener kicks off with an autograph signing session and event start on Poole Harbour during Friday night. An early start Saturday morning will greet the crews before taking them through 65 hard fought miles of forests in Dorset & Hampshire, testing both car and competitors to the limit. If they survive the day, crews will spray the champagne with a ceremonial finish at Bournemouth Pier on Saturday evening.

Matt said; “I haven’t competed on Rallye Sunseeker before so it will be a totally new experience for me. It will take a while to get used to the surface and style of the southern forests but we will get some good car set-up data from our test this week. There are several young European drivers that will put in some very competitive times, but I’d still like to think that I have a good pace. We are certainly not just here to make up the numbers!”

Matt will be co-driven this year by long time friend Glyn Thomas from North Somerset and they will contest both the British Rally Championship and Fiesta Sporting Trophy championships during 2012.
“We are doing our best to raise funds for our BRC assault this year and I’m doing everything I can to make sure we can get a great result and find the sponsorship we require. We would like to welcome our technical partners, Rally Collection UK, Dogcam Sport, PIAA and First Class Technologies to the team”.

During the event, Matt will have a dedicated media team on hand to keep you informed with LIVE news from the event as its happening. You will find results, news and images of Matt’s progress both on and off the stages by visiting www.mattcottonrallying.co.uk, following us on Twitter, or finding us on Facebook.

Matt Cotton and Glyn Thomas

Throughout the year, the team will embark on a fundraising campaign to raise money and awareness for Cancer Research UK. Both on and off events, the team will be asking fellow competitors, spectators and supporters to dig deep in their pockets for this worthy cause that is close to their hearts.
“I lost my Father to cancer last year and it been a really tough time. I think we all know someone who has suffered from this terrible disease so we just want to give a little something back to this valuable cause. Glyn’s Mother suffered from breast cancer in 2006 but is now in remission, so Cancer Research UK was the obvious choice to support” said Matt.


The team has set up a Just Giving page where you can pledge money online and help reach their target if you can’t make any of the events; www.justgiving.com/Rally4CancerResearch

New Formula Renault series announced

Organisers of the Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship have reached agreement with its teams and the British Automobile Racing Club to establish a three-round ‘Renault GP Cup’, taking place as a stand-alone class in the final three events of the 2012 Certina Formula Renault 2.0 UK Championship to help bolster grids in the national-level category.

With proposed competitor numbers for the cost-effective Formula Renault BARC series looking very strong for 2012, championship promoter Simon North and Ian Watson of the BARC have liaised closely with the category’s teams to come up with a workable solution to assist Formula Renault UK.

The Renault GP Cup will be a replacement for the proposed ‘Formula Renault Junior’ class, which would have utilised the Tatuus FR 2.0 cars currently raced in the BARC series – albeit with a different engine restrictor.

So as to avoid any issues with testing bans at particular venues for the Formula Renault BARC teams, the viable answer is for the Renault GP Cup to take place during the last three events of the Formula Renault UK season, which is expected to bring an additional 10 or 12 drivers onto the UK grid.

Only competitors already registered for the Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship will be eligible to enter their ‘BARC’ specification FR 2.0 cars in the UK championship races on 8^th/9^th September at Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit (supporting British Formula 3), on 22^nd/23^rd September at Rockingham and 20^th/21^st October at Brands Hatch (both supporting the British Touring Car Championship).

While the already announced main Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship season will still be in progress when the Silverstone GP Circuit and Rockingham Formula Renault UK rounds take place, the Renault GP Cup is a standalone entity and will not form part of the main season title race.

“We’ve been working very closely with the BARC and SRO, who have been in touch with the Formula Renault UK teams, to arrive at a solution to help improve their grids and the Renault GP Cup is the perfect answer”, said Protyre Formula Renault BARC promoter Simon North, “Drivers will only be able to enter the Cup by being registered for the BARC Championship, we envisage it could bring as many as 12 more drivers onto the UK grid.

“It’s not in anyone’s interest for the numbers in Formula Renault UK to be low and we’re keen to proactively work with the BARC to help the current situation. That couldn’t be at the expense of altering the low-cost element which continues to see Protyre Formula Renault BARC thrive. Our teams are satisfied the Renault GP Cup is the best solution.”

Widespread support for Renault GP Cup from Formula Renault BARC teams

Teams from Protyre Formula Renault BARC have widely welcomed the creation by the BARC of the Renault GP Cup which will give drivers an extra opportunity to race on a bigger stage at three of the UK’s most popular venues – the latter two likely to feature television coverage on the ITV network.

Jon Pettit, team principal of 2008 and 2009 Protyre Formula Renault BARC Champions Scorpio Motorsport, commented: “I like the idea of the Renault GP Cup, it gives us and our drivers a bigger stage to race on and it will also help to continue raising the profile of the BARC championship.

“We’ll definitely be suggesting to our guys that they do this, it can only be good experience for them but it’s also at a more achievable budget. Hopefully, this will put a bit of fire back into the UK series as well during the last three events of the season and bring some positivity to that side of things.”

Richard Ollerenshaw, team principal of 2010 champions Hillspeed, said: “What has been put forward by the BARC now with the Renault GP Cup has the benefits of the Junior class idea but in a programme the BARC drivers can afford at an acceptable budget level. We definitely welcome this as a good step forward and support it wholeheartedly.”

“It got to the point where not enough people wanted the Junior class in Formula Renault UK”, added MGR Motorsport team principal Mark Godwin, “The Renault GP Cup is a great idea though, it all depends how popular it is with the drivers but I think we should get quite a few wanting to do it.

“Formula Renault BARC is good value for money, there aren’t many other options out there for drivers to race in a great car, and in such a great championship, for such a good budget. For the drivers who don’t have the money to race in Formula Renault UK, this is a very good compromise.”

The main Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship season will commence on 7^th/8^th April at Snetterton in Norfolk and will conclude at Silverstone in Northamptonshire on 6^th/7^th October.

New Tyres for British GT

Avon’s new GT racing tyre was used successfully at 

last month’s Gulf 12 Hours event

Avon Tyres has introduced a quicker, more consistent tyre product for this year’s British GT Championship.

The Avon brand, manufactured by Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Europe Ltd, has unveiled the fourth generation of its GT racing tyre since it took over as sole supplier and title sponsor of the series in 2006.

Avon Tyres Motorsport technical manager, Mike Lynch, believes the new tyre will be around a second quicker than its predecessor around most circuits on the British GT calendar but, importantly, will also be durable enough for teams to use strategies demanding longer stints.

The new tyre has been extensively developed over the last two years, with Avon Motorsport evolving its previous generation product in endurance series such as the VLN. It was also used and well received by all teams at the inaugural Gulf 12 Hour in Abu Dhabi recently.

Lynch said, “The new tyre has been developed using a wide range of cars so we can be sure that it will suit the range of cars we have in the British GT Championship. It is a more consistent, faster product and will provide a more stable drive so our drivers should feel more comfortable when pushing their sports cars to the limit.

“What we found in testing was that the drop-off in terms of grip was almost entirely insignificant so drivers wishing to use a longer-stint strategy will be able to do so.”

Avon has also prepared a new wet weather tyre for the 2012 season, which Lynch says will be considerably quicker and easier to drive than its predecessor.

The British GT Championship is the UK’s most high-profile sportscar championship and features supercars such as the Ferrari 458, Porsche GT3, BMW Z4 and Lotus Evora GT4.

The new tyres will be used by teams for the first time at the championship launch event in March. The championship kicks off at Oulton Park on April 7-9.

BTCC sorts out Turbo differential effect.

Going ont he information we've got, this is a BTCC Turbo engine fitted to a 888 Vectra.

After three months of scientific research and data collation, the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship is finalising the programme that will be used to automatically level out any significant performance differentials between relevant turbocharged S2000-based cars and their newer ‘Next Generation Touring Car’ rivals throughout 2012.

A highly detailed ‘flow-test programme’, to establish the baseline boost pressure setting of all turbo engines in each type of car from the start of the season, is nearing completion.

The BTCC’s Engine Technical Review Panel – headed by internationally renowned automotive engine/powertrain consultant Clive Dopson and utilising the resources of Lotus Engineering – has carried out the programme, which started in November. It has received unanimous support from all competing teams and their engine builders, all of whom sit on the ETRP.

Dopson commented: “There is very definitely an underlying trust and confidence among all the engine builders that we’ve got this spot on. The feedback and support we’ve received while carrying out this programme has been highly positive and, in fact, some of our tests have been useful for them correlating their own data and testing.

“We’ve got massive amounts of data and our readings have been very consistent and accurate. Once those baseline values are set, then during the course of the season the mathematical methodology will automatically govern any further adjustments when and if needed – it’s a straightforward calculation exercise and not open to conjecture.”

BTCC Technical Director, Peter Riches, said: “It’s a two-stage programme; firstly, we’ve flow-tested all the engine heads used by all teams in order to establish the baseline engine values and their respective boost levels for the start of the year.

“Then after two rounds the defined mathematical calculation kicks in and will determine if – and by how much – any adjustments should be made to boost levels of any engines for the next event. It’s an automatic process and is almost exactly the same methodology and system used in the World Touring Car Championship, except they use weight adjustments and we use boost adjustments.

“The strength of the test programme and adoption of the on-going boost calculation is that everything has been done with the full support of all our teams and engine builders.

“The calculation figures are currently being finalised in conjunction with all the teams and once done it’s very much a ‘set it and forget it’ job… the numbers will simply and clearly provide the straightforward answer to any adjustments to be made during the season. It’s an entirely transparent process to ensure the performance levels of the relevant S2000-turbo and NGTC cars are equalised during the season and not open to any subjective opinion or debate – it just happens.”

BTCC Series Director Alan Gow added: “The BTCC prides itself on the great variety it provides in terms of so many different makes and models on the grid. Of course the best car/team/driver combination will always shine through but, with this performance equalisation programme applied to the relevant cars as well as, of course, our normal success ballast system, the BTCC is again shaping up for an even more enthralling season.

“Even though they are still eligible, we don’t foresee any teams competing with a naturally-aspirated car so have not needed to take those into consideration… thus simplifying this process even more.

“My thanks go to the Clive Dopson, Peter Riches and particularly all the teams and engine builders for getting so supportively behind this programme.”

Double British Rally Champion takes on a Twingo

Double British Rally Champion Keith Cronin will drive a Twingo Renaultsport R1 Trophy car on the opening round of this year’s British Rally Championship, Rallye Sunseeker International. The 2009 & 2010 champion will be partnered in the Mantis Performance Car Care sponsored car by BRC and WRC Academy co-driver Seb Marshall.

Irishman Cronin’s appearance will be his second on the event, contesting it in 2008, three years before it debuted as the BRC opener, but Marshall has experience of the Dorset and Hampshire stages, finishing fourth alongside Adam Gould last year. Having made a sensational BRC debut in 2009, winning at his first attempt, Cronin became the first Irishman to take the title since Billy Coleman in 1974 and the first from the emerald isle ever to win it twice.

“I have been working hard to get deal to compete at International level but so far I haven’t managed to secure anything. When the opportunity to drive the R1 Twingo came up, I accepted and I am really looking forward to driving the car. Let’s hope I can show what the car is capable of doing and provide a competitive bench mark for the other Twingo competitors.” said Cronin.

Cronin’s will be a one-off promotional appearance in the car which has been prepared and will be run by the official Twingo Renaultsport Trophy UK technical and parts suppliers Monster Sport Europe.

“The Twingo Trophy is new to the UK this year and this will be the first competitive outing for the R1 variant on gravel.” explains Trophy Manager Simon Moss, “So we wanted to make a bit of a splash and Keith kindly agreed to take the challenge. I’d like to thank Mantis Performance Car Care for making this possible, as the car will run under its colours.”

Rallye Sunseeker International starts on Poole Quay on Friday 24^th February at 18.00hrs with stages throughout Saturday in the forests north of Bournemouth. For more information on the rally visit www.rallyesunseeker.co.uk

For information on the MSA British Rally Championship visit www.rallybrc.co.uk

For information on the Twingo Renaultsport visit www.renaultsport.co.uk

Caterham appoints Karting series director

Laura Tillett

Caterham Motorsport has appointed 20-year old karting ace, Laura Tillett, to assist with development of the new karting championship it will launch in 2013.

Tillett, 20, was the first British female to compete in the ‘KF1’ World Championship, the karting equivalent of Formula One, following considerable success on the British scene.

The Tillett family is very well-known in the global karting world, as Tillett Racing Seats are the world’s leading supplier of race seats, rib protection and karting accessories.

Aspiring racer Laura joined Caterham last week and will spearhead the Caterham kart series project, announced at last month’s AutoSport International show in Birmingham.

Caterham Motorsport Manager, Simon Lambert, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Laura on board. Kart racing is clearly in her family’s blood and her expert knowledge of the karting world will be invaluable in helping us set up what will be a uniquely accessible championship.

“Laura will be working on every aspect of our planned karting series, from race formats to technical specifications and from race venues to organisational know-how.”

Kent-based Laura will initially be based at Caterham’s Dartford factory base.

Caterham unveiled its ambitions to run a karting championship at AutoSport International. With the recent launch of the Caterham F1 team and Caterham Motorsport’s existing 25 years of experience running low-cost, high-value one-make racing series, it now has the ‘ladder’ to potentially take young racing drivers from entry-level motorsport to the pinnacle of Formula 1.

Lambert added: “We want to make motor racing as accessible as possible to parents and youngsters to whom going racing might not have been feasible before.” 

Overdrive caught up and spoke to Andy Noble, Sales director of Caterham Cars at this year's Autosport show to talk about the Karting series, and also the company's plans for 2012 and beyond.

Autosport International 2012 : Highlights

At last! Here's our 30 minute long round up of the best of Autosport International 2012! Enjoy...

Avon Tyres supports British Hillclimbing

Reigning British Hillclimb champion. Scott Moran, in action

Avon Tyres is throwing its weight behind the MSA British Hillclimb Championship, with a new agreement to be title sponsor this season. The Championship will be organised by the BARC and will include rounds at the leading hillclimb venues in the UK, as well as Jersey and Guernsey.

The addition of the prestigious grassroots championship expands the glittering UK motor racing portfolio of Cooper Tire Europe, which manufactures the Avon brand.

Cooper’s European motorsport involvement already includes title sponsorship of the Cooper Tire British F3 International Series and the Avon Tyres British GT Championship.

A new pricing structure for its competition tyres has been designed by Avon specifically to attract new entry-level drivers to the championship, with a view to securing its long-term future.

Paul Coates, Avon Tyres Motorsport general manager, said, “Across the UK and Europe, we are involved in a wide range of very high-profile, prestigious and important race series but we can’t forget the grassroots competitors, as they represent the baseline and the future of the sport.

“That’s why we’re delighted to work with the BARC, support the Avon Tyres MSA British Hillclimb Championship and provide what incentives we can to make the series as attractive as possible to new racing drivers.”

BARC Chief Executive, Dennis Carter said, “It really is great to have Avon Tyres on board in supporting and helping to promote this very prestigious Championship. They have a wealth of experience in producing and supplying hillclimb tyres and we look forward to working with them.”

Avon will subsidise prices on specific hillclimb specs in size ranges relevant to the typical hillclimb competition cars and has promised to continue compound development on its hillclimb offering throughout the 2012 season.

The company will be introducing race tyres in a selection of new sizes to suit hillclimb competitors and advances in technology from all areas of Avon’s development programme will be transferred to hillclimb tyres, wherever relevant.

It will also support the championship, its teams and drivers with marketing and local PR campaigns.

A tyre supply and fitting service at the events will be provided by BMTR, who will also be available to offer competitors specialist advice on the Avon hillclimb product range.

The Avon Tyres MSA British Hillclimb Championship was launched on Saturday February 4 at Leicestershire circuit, Mallory Park. For further information visit www.britishhillclimb.co.uk , www.avonmotorsport.com and www.barc.net

Silver Arrows to race again at Goodwood

Nick Mason at the controls of his Auto Union

After much speculation and excitement, Goodwood is now able to confirm the sensational news that 75 years after the first appearance of the legendary pre-war ‘Silver Arrows’ in the UK, the 2012 Goodwood Revival (14-16 September) will stage arguably the most spectacular historic vehicle demonstration of all time.

The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the famous Silver Arrows Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union Grand Prix cars once again being driven in anger at a British motor circuit for the first time in 75 years will make the 2012 Revival a must-attend event for all motor sport enthusiasts.

The iconic Mercedes-Benz W25, W125, W154 and W165, plus examples of the Auto Union Type C and Type D, will be in action at race-speeds in September, with well-known top-level racing drivers behind the wheels of these awesome and significant cars.   This promises to be the biggest thing in historic motor sport for decades.

Alongside the Silver Arrow racers will be many of the cars that competed against – but were totally out-classed – the dominant Mercedes-Benz and Auto Unions in the late 1930s.  Expect to see examples of ERA, Maserati, Riley, Bugatti and MG on the legendary Goodwood track, alongside the Silver Arrows.

A Brief History of the Silver Arrows

The introduction of the 750kg formula in 1934, along with the promise of significant funding from the German government, led to the arrival on the Grand Prix scene of two of the most evocative names in motor sport history: Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union. Built with little regard for cost, their cars were light years ahead of the opposition, and dominated Grand Prix racing from 1934 until the outbreak of war in 1939.

Abandoning the traditional German racing white in favour of bare metal (legend has it that this was to save weight, in order to keep them below the 750kg maximum weight limit, although the truth of this story is still debated), the cars quickly gained the nickname of ‘Silberpfeil’ (Silver Arrows in German)’, creating a legend that endures to this day.

Jochen Mass behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz

By 1937, when the cars raced in the UK for the first time, power outputs were approaching 600bhp – a level that would not be equalled in Grand Prix racing until the turbo era of the 1980s. Such was the speed and sound of these monstrous machines, and the astonishing feats of the daredevils who drove them, that the English crowd – more accustomed to seeing Rileys, MGs and ERAs with less than half the power of the German cars, competing in handicap races – were rendered utterly speechless.

With the full support of Mercedes-Benz and Audi, the 2012 Goodwood Revival will recreate the spirit of that momentous day in 1937, with a race-speed demonstration of as many as ten of these fabulous machines, including examples of the Mercedes-Benz W25, W125, W154 and W165, and Auto Union Type C and Type D.

Piloted by world famous drivers, the Silver Arrows will stage a carefully choreographed ‘race’, alongside examples of the British and Continental ‘cannon fodder’ that raced against them in period – providing all the spectacle of a real race, but without risk to these priceless machines.

Low-speed demonstrations by individual Silver Arrows are an impressive sight, and this will be the first time that so many of these mighty machines have been driven together at full racing speed since the Yugoslav Grand Prix, on 3 September 1939 – the day after WWII broke out. As such, it will be a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience – arguably the most momentous occasion in the history of historic motor sport.

To complete the spectacle, the cars will be housed in an authentic recreation of a period pit/paddock building, based on the distinctive structure at the Bremgarten circuit in Switzerland, alongside period transporters.

Switzerland had strong links with the Silver Arrows. The Swiss Grand Prix was a highlight of the European Championship from 1935-39, with the Bremgarten track was regarded as one of the most challenging in the world:

Additionally, the European Hillclimb Championship was very important during the 1930s, being won by such star drivers as Hans Stuck and Rudolf Carraciola. The Klausen Pass event was one of the most popular on the calendar, won in 1934 by Carraciola in a Mercedes-Benz W25, beating his rival Hans Stuck in an Auto Union.

More information about this one-off Goodwood Revival spectacle will be confirmed over the coming months.

Porsches line up for Race Retro

Race Retro’s Porsche celebrations are continuing to grow with a stunning line up of rare and legendary cars on display and in action when it returns to Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th February.

Sir Stirling Moss' immaculate Porsche RS 61 Spyder will be at Race Retro

As well as the display of the first prototype chassis of the Rothmans Group C Porsche 956, raced by Jackie Ickx and Derek Bell, there will also be Sir Stirling Moss’ Porsche RS 61 Spyder, one of only 14 built, brought for $1.7 million at the Amelia Island Auction in Florida to mark Sir Stirling’s 30^th Wedding anniversary. They will be joined by the original Porsche 962 Group C car in Blaupunkt livery, driven to third place overall at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1988 by Frank Jelinski, John Winter and Stanley Dickens.

Joining the Group B Porsche 911 SCRS 1984 280bhp three litre flat six rally car in action on the Live Rally Stage in none other than rally legend Bjorn Waldegard who will be reunited with a very special Porsche 914/6, raced in the 1971 Monte Carlo rally, and now owned by Jamiroquai front man and car collector Jay Kay. Jay will also have a turn behind the wheel on the live rally stage that will be running on Saturday and Sunday only.

Alongside the Porsche celebrations, there will also be the 1964 AC Shelby Cobra and the only 1963 Lotus works Cortina. Both of these incredibly rare cars were raced by driver Jack Sears who will also be at the show.

Plus we’ll have the hardtop roadster, driven in 1963 Sebring 12-hour endurance race by Christabel Carlisle and Denise McCluggage and the works MGB GT racer, also driven at Sebring by Paddy Hopkirk and Andrew Hedges.

There will also be an impressive array of cars up for auction at the show. Silverstone Auctions have secured an amazing line up for its debut auction at Race Retro including a 1958 Tojeiro Jaguar, widely regarded as the best one ever built, presented in its impressive Ecurie Ecosse livery. Also up for grabs is a 1976 Porsche 934 ‘Jagermeister’ race car, an exact recreation of the original which was one of the most famous and evocative cars to compete in that season’s Le Mans and European GT Championship.

The auction will be open for viewing all day on Friday and Saturday morning. The sale will then start on Saturday lunchtime with the automobilia before moving on to classic and historic motor racing and competition cars and motorcycles. Auction catalogues will be available online at www.silverstoneauctions.com.

Adult tickets for Race Retro, sponsored by Peter James Insurance and HERO, start at £20 in advance with children’s tickets at £5 for Friday and Saturday and free on Sunday. Car parking is free and has been moved to a hard surface area nearer to the halls. The show is open from 9.30am each day and closes at 5.30pm on Friday and Saturday and 4.30pm on Sunday. To book tickets and for the latest updates, visit www.raceretro.com.

Vital Equipment put Champions on Ice

Despite recent weather events, this is not Norwich, it's Sweden, where the champions will train with Matt Edwards

Following the success of 2011's Run to the Sun competition, Vital Equipment, the UK distributor for Carless Racing Fuels and DMACK tyres has announced its 2012 competition, Champions on Ice. This year's reward will differ from 2011, in that the winning driver from the Junior categories of the BTRDA and Scottish rally series will win a funded four-day trip to Ice Drive Sweden to hone their skills on a frozen lake.

Last year, the winning junior driver and their co-driver from both series were treated to a four-day trip to Rally d'Espana as guests of Vital Equipment. This proved a huge success, with all four - Tom Cave, Craig Parry, Liam Harkness and William Keaning - soaking up the WRC's most famous party atmosphere as well as taking in some iconic stages.

However, the company decided this year that the prize should help develop a driver's skill and propel them forward in their rallying career. One of the most widely acknowledged ways to do this is for drivers to take part in an ice driving event, learning car control in low grip situations. And it is exactly this that the 2012 scheme will deliver.

Each driver will receive two days of training with Matt Edwards of MERallyDrive. Matt is a former BTRDA 1400, MSA English and Welsh National Group N Champion. Driving Group N Ford Fiesta STs fitted with DMack tyres, they will spend the two days at the Ice Drive Sweden facility, run by former rally and rallycross champion and 205 Challenge series organiser, Pat Flynn. All associated costs, including flights, transfers and accommodation will be met by Vital Equipment.

While the 2011 Run to the Sun competition was open to all Junior drivers in the BTRDA and SRC series, in 2012, drivers must register for the scheme and use  fuel supplied by Vital Equipment, exclusively for at least four events during the season. This can be products from the Carless Racing Fuels range, such as Turbo Ultimate or Vital Equipment's low-cost option, of super unleaded fuel. Competitors must also carry Champions on Ice stickers on their cars on every rally, highlighting their participation in the scheme.

Commenting, MD of Vital Equipment, Alistair Roberts, said: "Last year's Run to the Sun competition was a resounding success and all four of the winners had a real blast in Spain for the penultimate round of the 2011 WRC. We wanted to do something similar for this year but at the same time, offer a prize that would help drivers develop their skills and that's when we came up with the idea of the ice driving school.

"Participation in the scheme is fairly straightforward - people just have to run the stickers and use fuel supplied by Vital Equipment at least four times during the year. We know from feedback from our many customers that the fuel itself delivers the goods in terms of performance and consistency and the idea is to offer a little something more from Vital Equipment.

"Of course, we'll be providing fuelling services at every round of the BTRDA and the SRC series, starting with the Wyedean Rally in February and will also have the full range of DMACK tyres available for delivery to each event."

For more information, including registration details for Champions on Ice and order forms for Carless Racing Fuels and DMACK tyres, go to the Vital Equipment website, www.vitalequipment.co.uk. 

Dymond takes on Porsche Carrera Cup

Parr motorsports team boss, Paul Robe (Left) and Chris Dymond

Chris Dymond (24) has confirmed plans to contest the 2012 Porsche Carrera Cup GB with Parr Motorsport after three successful seasons in GT racing.

The Silverstone-based racer participated in the FIA GT3 Championship in 2008 and 2009 and spent last season contesting selected races in the Blancpain Endurance series. He won the Radical UK Cup in 2010 and was a top level international karter in his formative years. His graduation to cars came in the Renault Clio Cup in 2007 and he won the Clio graduate title in his debut season.

Now, he is switching focus to the Carrera Cup GB. “In the Carrera Cup it is purely about me with no other factors,” said Dymond. “The career path with Porsche is very good and it is the best platform for me. Le Mans is where I really want to get to. I’m really aiming to be consistently in the Carrera Cup top three by the end of the year.”

For Parr Motorsport, signing Dymond comes soon after confirming plans to field Ben Barker and gives the team two hard-charging young racers with the potential to win races and challenge for the title.

Team boss Paul Robe is delighted with the latest development. “Chris is just the type of driver we want to run in the team,” said Robe. “I’m really excited about working with Chris and I believe he has got great potential.