Robinson debuts in cars with Formula Renault BARC

Max Robinson heads to his car racing debut at
Silverstone

Karting graduate Max Robinson (Northampton) will make his car racing debut during the final event of the Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship this weekend, 15th/16th October, at Silverstone National Circuit – the biggest race meeting in the category’s history.

Running on the support package of the high-profile British Touring Car Championship, the last two rounds of the Formula Renault BARC season will be witnessed by tens of thousands of spectators at trackside and hundreds of thousands more through the live broadcast on ITV4 and ITV4 HD.

Newcomer Robinson, who will make his single-seater debut in a car entered by students from the National College for Motorsport, is relishing the prospect of competing at such a huge national event and intends to make the most of the opportunity.

The 19-year-old, who away from the racetrack is a CNC Machine Programmer for AEM Products, a provider of composites for the FIA Formula One World Championship, comes fresh to cars from a top level karting background and couldn’t have picked a bigger event in which to take his first race miles.

“I’m really looking forward to the weekend”, said Robinson, “Everything will be completely new to me, I’ve not even done a standing start before, but I’m excited about the whole experience. I’ve had a few test days at Silverstone and Rockingham, they’ve gone well but I know the race weekend will be really tough. If I can just bring the car home in both races I’ll be happy.”

Following on from the recent deal announcement for Anton Spires (Buckingham) and the return to action of multiple race winner James Theodore (Telford, Shropshire), Robinson’s signing brings the number of entries for rounds 11 and 12 of the season up to 22 – confirming the Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship’s place as the best subscribed junior single-seater category in the UK.

Dino Zamparelli (Bristol), a recently announced finalist for the hugely prestigious McLaren Autosport BRDC Award, goes into the weekend leading the driver standings by 19 points from Josh Webster (Stowmarket, Suffolk). James Thorp (Evesham, Worcestershire) and Kourosh Khani (High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire) are the other two drivers mathematically in with a chance of the championship.

Qualifying and round 11 of the Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship will take place on Saturday, 15th October, at 11.20 and 16.35 respectively. Round 12, which is to be screened live on Freeview, digital satellite and cable channel ITV4, and in High Definition on ITV4 HD, will commence at 13.45 on Sunday, 16th October. Live streaming will also be available at www.itv.com/touringcars

BTCC teams head to the Finale

Two teams head to Silverstone's round of the BTCC with very different approaches to the event. One's got a shot at the championship (for the second year running), and the other is looking to round off a successful season with more success, if not necessarily a title. So here's how Chevrolet's Jason Plato and the Toyota teams are preparing for the event

Plato: “We’ll give it our best shot”

Jason Plato

 Less than a month ago, Silverline Chevrolet driver Jason Plato’s chances of winning the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship were looking slim. Very slim, in fact.

But when life’s full of opportunities, the last thing you do is give up, and as the most exciting racing formula in the UK builds up to its inevitably dramatic climax at Silverstone on Sunday 16 October, Plato finds himself just five points adrift of championship leader, and his historic arch-rival, Matt Neal. Plato is also tied on points with Neal’s Honda team-mate, Gordon Shedden.

Whatever happens when the series takes to the Silverstone National circuit for its curtain call, the 2011 season will be one of the closest on record, a fitting finish to one of the most dramatic and controversial seasons on record, and one that has seen viewer numbers on ITV4 increase by over 45 per cent since last year.

Heading into the final meeting, Plato reflects on a season in which his hopes have been kept alive by a combination of gritty determination, hard driving and teamwork.

“It’s been one of the toughest seasons ever,” reflects the Oxfordshire-based driver. “On the one hand, we’ve won eight races, broken lap and race win records and the car has got better and better as the season has gone on. On the other, we’ve had politics and some spectacular low points. The dramatic roll at Donington back in April was probably the biggest shunt ever in my entire career, we had a miserable weekend up at Knockhill and it’s impossible to overtake with a normally-aspirated car on some of the circuits. It’s astonishing that we are where we are, that we’ve even got a fighting chance going into Silverstone.”*

Silverline Chevrolet is up for a second title in as many years.

But Plato isn’t the kind of guy to roll over, and nor are the team behind him. In 2010, when the BTCC went into its mid-season break, Plato was the outsider in the championship thanks to some bad luck at Oulton Park and Croft. He went on to take the driver’s championship, an achievement he immediately dedicated to his team.

“The Chevrolet Cruze is without a doubt the best Touring Car I’ve driven,” said JP. “And that’s entirely down to the guys that build it at RML. We’ve worked together long enough now to have a real understanding of each other, and that helps us set up the car perfectly. At Brands Hatch last time out, the car was mint – it could not have been better, and that was reflected in the results we got against cars that, on paper, are much quicker and more powerful.”

Heading into the last meeting, Plato is under no illusion that he remains the outsider. The fast, wide Silverstone circuit is expected to suit the turbocharged Hondas, whereas the Chevy excels on the more technical, handling-oriented tracks where driver skill and experience is critical. The five point deficit to Neal will be a massive challenge to overcome, but Plato is in the right mindset.

“A month ago, we had nothing. We were 40 points adrift, with three race meetings left – you’d never have thought we’d have clawed it back this far. At Rockingham and Brands, we got some amazing results, driven mostly by a desire among everyone in the team to not roll over and not give up. It runs deep through the team, from the team manager to the truckie, the drivers to the caterers. Remember, these are the guys that got my wreck of a car back out on track at Donington, when I was changed and ready to go home.”

The points Plato scored at Donington in that infamous third race could end up crucial in the final meeting of the season, almost as much as the huge points haul the team has racked up in the past two meetings.

“To be where we are now is a remarkable achievement, and if it rains at Silverstone we’ll grab the bull by the horns and give it our best shot. Even if it’s a perfect track, where on paper our chances are slim, we can’t give up without a fight. Absolutely anything can happen in motorsport, and with the championship this close, all it takes is a puncture or a simple driver error to turn the whole thing on its head.

“But even if it doesn’t come off, if I’m to take one thing from this season it’s the fact that against all odds, we gave it our best shot and we took it to the wire, where weaker teams would have given up. That’s because the Silverline Chevrolet BTCC Class of 2011 are amazing, and it’s absolutely my belief that RML are the best Touring Car team in the world – that’s why I’m proud to drive their car.”

To read the interview in full, and to keep up with the Silverline Chevrolet BTCC team ,visit www.chevroletbtcc.co.uk

TOYOTA INDEPENDENTS LOOKING FOR STRONG END TO BTCC SEASON

Hughes is looking to round off a successful season in style

Toyota’s independent BTCC racers, Frank Wrathall and Tony Hughes, will bring their maiden seasons in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship to a close at Silverstone this weekend (15/16 October), and each is looking to end the year on a positive note in preparation for a renewed assault on the UK’s most popular race series in 2012.

Wrathall and his Dynojet Racing Team are hoping for further podium success for their ‘Next Generation Touring Car’ Toyota Avensis.

Last month, at Knockhill and Rockingham, the Dynojet Toyota claimed four top-three finishes on the trot and came within 0.4s of an historic race victory when it crossed the Round 25 finish line right in the wheeltracks of championship frontrunner Gordon Shedden’s Honda.

Wrathall, who celebrated his 25th birthday last week, is keen to return to that sort of form: “We were on the crest of a wave at Knockhill and Rockingham, and that made it all the harder to take a weekend like Brands Hatch…” Earlier this month at the Kent track Frank posted two non-finishes, his first retirements since Snetterton.

“Everyone within the team is determined to make up for last time and put everything into getting it right and finishing the season on a high,” adds Wrathall. “Fortunately the damage suffered at Brands Hatch was mostly cosmetic and easily fixed, and we have had a good, relaxed time in the workshop getting everything prepared. We will shake the Toyota down at Donington on Thursday and hopefully arrive at Silverstone with everything well prepared and in good shape.”

The track in use at Silverstone will be the triangular 1.6-mile National Circuit with its three long straights, which should provide some speedy and breathtaking action. “The Toyota has the potential to go well there,” says Frank, “although I have been caught out before with my predictions – circuits where I have thought we might struggle we have gone well, and vice versa.”

Wrathal has proved to be very impressive this season

For Tony Hughes and the Speedworks Motorsport team the hope is for a trouble-free weekend. Last time out, problems with the TOCA ‘stock’ engine of their Avensis washed out their qualifying hopes and left the squad on the back foot. “We want to get through this weekend solidly and reliably,” said Tony. “I want to be able to come away from Silverstone with everything in one piece so that we can crack on and get as much set-up and experience as possible to start 2012.”

The weekend’s action will decide which of five drivers – Matt Neal, Jason Plato, Gordon Shedden, Mat Jackson or James Nash – will wear the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship crown. It’s the first time in the 53-year history of the BTCC that so many drivers have taken the title fight down to the wire.

The weekend’s BTCC action kicks off with two free practice sessions and qualifying on Saturday followed by three races on Sunday – at 1135, 1435 and 1715 – all of which will be live on ITV4.


*We're bored with the whole NA vs Turbo argument now, Mr Plato. 

Pritchard enjoys success in Scotland

Jason Pritchard took his fine form from his outstanding WRC overseas debut out in Germany to the Rally of Scotland this week as he triumphed in his North Road Garage (NRG) backed Subaru Impreza. Pritchard who was joined by co-driver Dale Furniss produced a confident and stylish drive to clinch first place in group N and 12th overall. Rally of Scotland’s stages are some of the fastest and most spectacular on the calendar and with strong wind and rain throughout the weekend, the stages proved tough on all competitors.
Winding his way through the picturesque Perthshire and Stirlingshire countryside in the centre of the country Pritchard managed to deal with everything that came his way over the three days, including a broken damper, which a lack of spare parts meant he was unable to replace. The team at NRG working with Pritchard, worked heroics on the car to ensure it finished the race and most importantly allowed Jason to repay their hard work with a stunning drive and fantastic final result. The 23-year-old from Wales expressed his delight straight after the finish: 
 “I’m delighted to finish and delighted with my performance, this was one of the most testing events I’ve done and I can’t thank my team enough, everyone delivered this weekend and I’m so pleased to finish first in my class and reward the hard work”. The stages proved tricky for many across the weekend, and a number of drivers had to retire because of the harsh surface and damage it caused the car. Pritchard’s Subaru Impreza suffered a broken damper during Saturday’s stages and at one stage it looked like the car wouldn’t be able to continue into the Sunday, however with an impressive determination from the team and Pritchard the final result was sign of Pritchard’s ability and skill: 
“We did consider pulling out of the event on Saturday night but I’m thrilled we didn’t, each stage on the Sunday could have been my last but it proved not to be the case and I’m just pleased that my form is continuing to gather pace before some big events towards the end of the year.” Pritchard and his NRG backed Subaru Impreza almost didn't make the start of the event as the engine failed on the car late Tuesday evening. Again, after a huge effort from his team who worked around the clock to get a new engine and fit it to the car in time for the start of the event. 
“They worked so hard, even before we’d driven a stage here in Scotland, I can’t thank every member of my team, a real team effort and I’m so glad to have finished top”. Tempest in Aldershot will be the next challenge and the event will be used as a shakedown for the upcoming Wales Rally GB in November, being on a home turf, it will be fantastic for a result like the one achieved in Scotland for Pritchard and his team.

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Pritchard heads to Scotland

Jason Pritchard is heading north of the border this weekend for the RACMSA Rally of Scotland and is confident he can reproduce his fine form from his outstanding WRC debut out in Germany. Pritchard, who will be joined in his North Road Garage backed Subaru Impreza by co-driver Dale Furniss, is confident he’ll be challenging for top honours on Sunday.

Rally of Scotland’s stages are some of the fastest and most spectacular on the calendar. Winding their way through the picturesque Perthshire and Stirlingshire countryside in the centre of the country, the stages use mainly closed-forest roads and Jason can expect blind crests, climbs and descents, sharp drops, tight junctions, off-camber corners and tree-lined straights over the weekend.

Jason is looking forward to another competitive rally:

“It’ll be my first time on gravel since April this year and I’ve never competed in Scotland on gravel before so I’m really looking forward to it.

“I’ve been told by the guys who competed last year that they are some of the best stages in the world, I can’t wait to experience them for myself and I hope to have another clean run and a good result; I’m confident I can build on the performance out in Germany.

The event gets underway with two runs through the Carron Valley stage on Friday night following the ceremonial start at Stirling Castle. Carron Valley, which measures 8.36 kilometres in length, uses forest roads around Carron Reservoir close to Stirling and will provide an early test for the IRC crews, who will tackle the stage in the dark.

Running on the afternoon of Saturday 8th and all day Sunday 9th October, Saturday’s itinerary features three repeated stags in Perthshire: Craigvinean, Drummond Hill and Errochty. The finishes of Craigvinean and Drummond Hill have both undergone minor changes for 2011 with the last two kilometres of Craigvinean featuring several high-speed crests, while the second Drummond Hill run will be held after dark.  

National crews will get the chance to compete on some of the best stages in the world before following the international rally over the finish podium at Scone Palace on Sunday evening

Military heroes to pilot new Bowler racer on demanding Dakar drive

“One step closer to Dakar: Project Mobility team members Gavin Harvey and Nathan Cumberland with Jon Chester of Bowler and a prototype of the Bowler EXR they will be driving in Dakar 2014”

Project Mobility, the British not-for-profit organisation which helps re-habilitate injured military personnel through motorsport, has selected specialist all-terrain vehicle manufacturer Bowler to provide the cars to help it reach its ultimate aim: completing the 2014 Dakar Rally.

The organisation – which appeared in a recent feature on BBC Top Gear TV – is preparing to enter a team made up entirely of former service men and women, all of whom have suffered injury in combat, in the 2014 event. The team will develop its rally-raid skills with other vehicles in national and regional events over the next three years, before tackling the 2014 Dakar in Bowler’s all-new, fourth generation model, codenamed EXR.

The Project Mobility venture aims to engage, involve and inspire injured military personnel, and the wider disabled community, to participate in motorsport and off-roading activities; enhancing confidence, independence and providing a sense of achievement – from behind the wheel.

Director of motorsport at Bowler and company founder, Drew Bowler, commented, “Project Mobility is a fantastic organisation with inspiring core values; empowerment, adventure and performance – things which came across powerfully in their recent appearance on BBC Top Gear. Bowler shares these values and we’re delighted to be involved with their Dakar programme.

“For the 2014 Dakar event, the Project Mobility team will be using our upcoming model – currently under development – so their drivers will be among the very first to get behind the wheel of this exciting newcomer. The Bowler EXR will deliver exceptional off-road performance, and will be more capable than any vehicle they will have driven. Bowler’s motorsport pedigree has been one of the driving forces behind the development of this new model, so it’s great to be able to support Project Mobility and see a Bowler vehicle participating in yet another rally-raid competition.”

The Bowler is a potent rally raid machine

Stefan Povolotsky, Project Mobility’s Team Principle, added, “We’re very glad to have Bowler on board with us. The competition and technical experience they have is extremely valuable, and their new model will provide the best possible platform for our team.

“We have an extraordinary crew at Project Mobility, and each member has overcome various injuries sustained in combat. From flesh wounds and psychological trauma, to multiple-limb amputees, they have all been affected in some way, but the team has incredible determination to achieve its goal of completing the 2014 Dakar Rally, and we’re all excited that Bowler will be there with us.”

Bowler’s involvement with Project Mobility heralds a return to racing for the manufacturer, after taking a sabbatical from the 2011/12 seasons to develop its newest model, which will be offered in both rally-raid and – for the first time in the company’s history – road-going form. With experience in rally-raid racing since the 1980s, Bowler has enjoyed considerable success in a variety of competitions over the years, including the gruelling Dakar Rally, thanks to the reliability and performance of its vehicles.

Project Mobility mechanics have transformed various 4x4 vehicles into competition specification over the years, and the team has had to undertake driving and theory tests to achieve the requisite licences to allow them to compete. The project’s first vehicle – nicknamed Freida – was a Land Rover Freelander, converted to Motorsport Association (MSA) competition standards. The team will continue to compete in UK rallying events over the coming months and aims to progress to the European stage in 2012, before taking on the Bowler EXR in time for the 2014 Dakar Rally.

For further information, visit www.projectmobility4x4.org [or click the banner over to the right] or www.bowler-offroad.com.

BTCC set for 5 way showdown

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

Jason Plato [btcc.net

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. Tom Chilton, 116

8. Robert Collard, 105

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

Manufacturers/Constructors’ Points:

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

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

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

Independent Drivers’ Points:
1. James Nash, 253

2. Mat Jackson, 236

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

Independent Teams’ Points:

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

3. WSR, 212
4. Team Aon, 208

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

*All points remain provisional

Computer gamers get a reality check at Silverstone

Whilst it's true that you can learn track layouts and racing lines from computer simulations, actual race pressures - particularly in a 24 hour race - can't be simulated at all. This team of playstation gamers seem to have found this out the hard way; when your car breaks down in a game you can just hit reset and carry on, in real life it's not that easy! Still, the gamers do have talent. Heitkotter and Mardenborough recently took part in a round of the Welsh Sports and Saloon championship at Pembrey and came away with podium finishes up against some much more powerful machinery (Including the returning Alvin Powell in his ex BTCC Ford Mondeo Super Tourer, and David Krayem's Ginetta G50). Admittedly the WSSC is not quite the same league as Britcar, but still the talent is there. It's doubly unfortunate that the talent of the drivers has been hobbled by a rare mechanical failure on the well prepared Nissans. Still, Here's how they got on at the Britcar 24 hours last weekend.

The Nissan PlayStation® GT Academy endured a challenging time at the Britcar 24 Hours (1/2 October 2011). After qualifying a strong seventh overall , second in class, for the Silverstone endurance event the RJN Motorsport run 420bhp Nissan 370Z GT4 race car was running in a competitive fourth place early on.

Experienced Nissan driver Alex Buncombe handed over to latest European GT Academy winner Jann Mardenborough who was quickly recording competitive lap times. But as the 20-year-old started his fifth lap, the car lost all oil pressure and coasted to a halt. It was disappointing for Chris Ward and American GT Academy winner Bryan Heitkotter who despite showing impressive practice pace didn’t get to race.

The 370Z was recovered to the pits where the RJN Motorsport mechanics elected to retire the car. “We were looking good for a strong finish,” said team principal Bob Neville. “This is only our second retirement in 26 races this season so we’re not used to this kind of disappointment, especially as the car was so competitive during qualifying and the start of the race.”

Jann Mardenborough added: “It’s disappointing but you have to take the rough with the smooth and I have been lucky enough to experience many highs since winning GT Academy. I can also take encouragement from today, having put in some good lap times both in the heat of the day and in the dark.”

The weekend did end up being a celebration for GT Academy. The first gamer-to-racer champion Lucas Ordoñez and his Signatech Nissan teammates won the 2011 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup LMP2 title after a strong finish in the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, USA. The result continues the fairytale story for the Spaniard who has proved the full potential of the GT Academy programme.

Having already qualified for their ‘International C race licence’, the latest GT Academy graduates Jann and Bryan are hoping to follow in the footsteps of Ordoñez. The pair will start preparing for their next race in Zandvoort, Holland, on 15/16 October, as they continue their driver development programme for their main prize – entry into the Dubai 24 Hours in January 2012.

News and views on GT Academy 2011 and the progress of Jann and Bryan’s training can be followed on various platforms including: www.facebook.com/GTAcademy | http://eu.gran-turismo.com / | www.twitter.com/GTAcademy

Renault Championships Wrap up at Brands Hatch

RIVETT NAILS THIRD CLIO CUP CHAMPIONSHIP

Paul Rivet is the Clio Cup Champion
for the 3rd Time

Paul Rivett (Lumison BlueSquare Data/Stancombe Vehicle Engineering) secured his third victory of the year in determined fashion to end the 2011 AirAsia Renault Clio Cup UK season as champion in its season finale, also securing his third Clio Cup title, more than any other competitor that has ever entered the series.

Basked in glorious sunshine, Brands Hatch played host to arguably one of the most exciting endings that the series has ever witnessed, with four competitors all with a chance of claiming the prestigious crown that has previously been won by the current BTCC starts such as Tom-Onslow-Cole, Martin Byford and Dave Newsham.

“It’s such a brilliant feeling to win the 2011 championship,” said Rivett. “If anything, this championship means more to me than any of the titles that I have won previously. I’m almost at the point where I am lost for words.

“It was a great race, I struggled to get off the line yesterday and that cost us the win. Today there were no issues, I was off the line like a rocket and that was it. I’m absolutely chuffed to get the fastest lap of the race, to end the season in style.”

The 2011 champion made a great start, leading Jake Packun (Get On Track Developments) into Paddock Hill for the first time, followed by James Colburn (Westbourne Motorsport) as Aron Smith (Team Pyro) made a nervy start off the line, dropping back to fourth in the process.

Despite a brief safety car period caused by debutant Chris Smith (Scuderia Vittoria) ending his weekend earlier than he had hoped at Surtees, Rivett controlled the pace of the race throughout, continually setting fastest laps as he charged to the finish line, picking up a further two points.

After making a flying start off the line, Packun was able to storm past Smith and Colburn to follow Rivett. The Bolton based driver continued his fine end of season form to finish second, matching his best result of the year gained on Brands Hatch Indy circuit at the season opener.

Rivett remained in front and continued to pull away, leaving Packun to defend second position manfully from Smith who tried on countless occasions to gain back the place lost at the start. However, his efforts would be to no avail, Packun holding on to the flag.

“I got a great start,” said Packun. “I couldn’t quite get in front of Paul like I had planned but remained on his bumper for the first three laps. After that, Paul showed blistering pace and pulled away. I just decided to drive my race and make no mistakes. Smith was right behind me for about 80 percent of the race and I managed to keep him at bay.”

Joint series runner-up, Smith crossed the line in third position after dropping to fourth, coming out as victor in a dice with fellow runner-up in the championship, Colburn as the pair entered Westfield early on in the race. The Irishman pulled away from his rival and completed the podium with third.

“I’m happy to have finished the championship in second position,” said Smith. “If someone told me at the start of the season that is where I would end up, so close to Paul going into the last race of the season then I would be absolutely over the moon.

“I didn’t get the best of starts in the race itself, which hurt me a little bit. We came back, I got past James and I tried everything to get past Jake to enable me to get on to Paul but he didn’t leave me an inch. To come away from this weekend with a double podium is a brilliant result for me.”

Still in with a mathematical chance of winning the championship going in to the last race, James Dixon (Total Control Racing) ended the season fourth in the championship after finishing the race in sixth, having started from seventh on the grid.

Amongst the action packed racing there was also a matter of deciding who would emerge as victor in the Masters Cup, with both Darren Wilson (20 Ten Racing) and Mark Proctor (Total Control Racing) in the running for the 2011 honours.

Proctor’s Graduate Cup hopes ended on lap nine after an error at Clearways saw him retire in the gravel, leaving Wilson needing to finish to take the win. Wilson did just that and also lifted the Graduate Cup, beating Proctor by 22 points.

“I didn’t think that I was going to do that well this weekend, as I knew that I was off the pace here,” said Wilson. “I don’t think I’m brave enough around Brands Hatch, but it all seemed to come to me in the final race. I saw Proctor go off with about six laps to go and I knew that it was just a case of bringing the car home to receive the Cup.

“It’s an amazing feeling to win the Masters Cup today. I came into this championship a few years ago and the Cup didn’t exist. This year things have really come together for me and we have had some good results in the middle of the year, it means a lot to me.”

Of the remaining debutant’s, Ash Miller (Scuderia Vittoria) ended a productive weekend in the AirAsia Renault Clio Cup, bringing his car home in thirteenth on a track that the young Australian had never visited before.

Elsewhere, Nicolas Hamilton (Total Control Racing) rounded off his first season as a racing driver by finishing in tenth place, just short of matching his season best result of ninth in round 15 yesterday. Hamilton finished fourteenth in the championship, a remarkable result for the youngster who has cerebral palsy.

Round sixteen results

1. Paul Rivett Lumison Blue Square Data/SVE 25:06.353
2. Jake Packun Get On Track Developments +2.476 secs G
3. Aron Smith Team Pyro +2.717 secs G
4. James Colburn Westbourne Motorsport +3.260 secs G
5. Josh Files Team Pyro +5.862 secs G
6. James Dixon Total Control Racing +5.894 secs G
7. Ant Whorton-Eales Scuderia Vittoria +11.529 secs G
8. Rob Boston JHR Developments +14.249 secs
9. David Dickenson Team Pyro +14.873 secs
10. 10. Nicolas Hamilton Total Control Racing +17.014 secs G
11. 11. Adam Bonham Team Pyro +17.227 secs G
12. 12. Andy Gorton 20Ten Racing Limited +17.636 secs
13. 13. Ash Miller Scuderia Vittoria +18.787 secs G
14. 14. Darren Wilson 20Ten Racing Limited +34.789 secs M
15. 15. Simon Belcher Handy Motorsport with Karcher  +35.039 secs M

2011 AirAsia Clio Cup Provisional Final Standings  

1. Paul Rivett Lumison Blue Square Data/SVE 356 points
2. Aron Smith Team Pyro 348 points G
3. James Colburn Westbourne Motorsport 348 points G
4. James Dixon Total Control Racing 324 points G
5. Jack Goff Total Control Racing 272 points G
6. Jake Packun Get On Track Developments 255 points G
7. Josh Files Team Pyro 209 points G
8. Adam Bonham Team Pyro 198 points G
9. Matt Allison Scuderia Vittoria 168 points
10. 10. Tom Grice Total Control Racing 150 points G

ROWLAND DOUBLES UP AS CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE GOES DOWN TO THE WIRE

Oliver Rowland celebrates his victory 

Fortec charger, Oliver Rowland took two comprehensive lights to flag victories today, in rounds seventeen and eighteen of the CERTINA Formula Renault 2.0 UK Championship, at a sun-drenched Brands Hatch circuit in Kent.
Making the most of his brace of pole positions, Rowland dominated in both races. This morning’s race saw him streak away from Alex Lynn, leaving his Fortec team-mate to defend hard from fellow title challenger Tio Ellinas (Atech Reid GP) throughout the course of the opening laps.
Manor Competition’s Alice Powell and Josh Hill gained the most on the first lap, both making up two places, overcoming Fortec duo Alex Walker and Ed Jones. Atech Reid GP’s Dan Wells dropped from fifth to seventh, with Daniel Cammish (Mark Burdett Motorsport) and Felix Serralies (Fortec Competition) making their way past the Salisbury-based driver.
Wells would later re-take Serralies, only to spin on the last lap, at the off-camber Stirlings corner, during a last ditch attempt to overtake Cammish.
Rowland began to pull out a healthy lead of almost three seconds over Lynn and Ellinas, who were embroiled in a fascinating battle for second place. Just behind the Cypriot driver was Jordan King, who was keeping ahead of the pacey Cammish, but making little impact on the Atech Reid GP driver in front.
Eventually, on his eleventh time around the 2.3-mile circuit, the Racing Steps Foundation backed driver would break James Calado’s two-year-old lap record with a 1:23.038.
Following a brief safety car period to recover the stricken car of Fortec’s Jones, who spun out at Paddock Hill bend when attacking team-mate Walker, Rowland got the jump on Lynn at the restart and remained in front to take his second win in three races.
“It almost felt easy today, the car was so perfect,” said a thrilled Rowland. “I was a little bit worried about the start because we have struggled a bit with them this year, but I got off the line well. I just kept on pushing as the car felt so good. Everything was perfect today.”
Championship leader, Lynn followed Rowland home, with Ellinas just behind, nine tenths of a second separating the top three after the safety car period.
“We had a good race,” said Lynn. “I made a good start and got into second in the first corner in front of Tio, so that’s the main thing. Ollie drove a really good race and was really fast so it was just all about keeping Tio behind me and making sure that we got the championship points that are needed.”
Despite trying a number of different approaches, Ellinas couldn’t find a way past Lynn, who made his Fortec as wide as possible.
Rounding out the top four was Manor Competition’s Jordan King, who was unable to match the pace of the first three cars. King had a quiet race aside from the occasional attempt by Cammish, whose Mark Burdett Motorsport team-mate, Jack Hawksworth, rounded out the first six finishers.
Going in to the day’s second CERTINA Formula Renault 2.0 UK race, just thirty-nine points separated Lynn and Ellinas at the head of the field now, Lynn with 482 points, Ellinas with 443 points.
Grid positions for race two were largely the same as for race one; Rowland on pole with Lynn next to him, Ellinas third with King alongside.
Lynn needed to finish in the top three positions to claim the title, and the Essex-based driver made a flying start off the grid, so quick in fact that he was judged to have jumped the start. A lap later, Lynn completed a drive through and re-joined last.
With Lynn out of the picture, Rowland continued where he left off, driving into the distance, pulling out vital tenths on King in second and Ellinas in third. However, Ellinas would soon inherit second when King came into the pits for an unscheduled stop.
Elsewhere, Hill was having a better weekend after his disappointment last time out. The son of the 1996 Formula 1 World Champion, Damon, had progressed five places on his grid position and would finish sixth, just behind Serralies.
Try as he might, Lynn could only finish ninth, ensuring the championship will be decided at the final rounds in a fortnight at the legendary Silverstone circuit in Northamptonshire.
Rowland completed a spectacular weekend by taking the double win, both pole positions and two fastest laps, not to mention setting a new lap record in the process.
“What a wicked weekend,” exclaimed Rowland as he got out of the car. “I wanted to win the race on the track, so I chased Alex hard for two laps, but just couldn’t catch him. I carried on pushing when I was out in the lead and I’m delighted to get two poles, two wins and two fastest laps. I’m looking to go to Silverstone now and win two more races.”
Ellinas profited from his championship rival’s start line error, and held firm to take second at the flag, leaving him 27 points behind Lynn.
“This is a very good ending to the weekend,” explained Ellinas. “I was happy to bring the car home in second, and I am very happy that the title will go down to the wire at Silverstone. I’m just going to go there in two weeks’ time and push as hard as I can.”
Joining Rowland and Ellinas on the podium was Cammish; the Mark Burdett Motorsport driver completed a solid move on Wiltshire-based Wells with three laps remaining and Wells hung on for his best finish of the season in fourth.
“To be honest I knew from the second I set off that I was racing for third as I saw Lynn jump the lights,” said Cammish. “From then on I knew that because overtaking here is very difficult, I had to play the waiting game behind Wells. Eventually, I pressured him into an error and the result came.”
Following this weekend’s events at Brands Hatch, and with the championship still up for the taking, the CERTINA Formula Renault 2.0 UK championship heads to the Silverstone national circuit for what promises to be a spectacular finale on 15^th and 16^thOctober.

Round seventeen top ten results

1. Oliver Rowland Fortec Motorsports 23:15.145 G
2. Alex Lynn Fortec Motorsports +0.458 secs
3. Tio Ellinas Atech Reid GP +0.957 secs
4. Jordan King Manor Competition +2.040 secs G
5. Daniel Cammish Mark Burdett Motorsport +2.219 secs
6. Jack Hawksworth Mark Burdett Motorsport +3.746 secs
7. Mitchell Gilbert Fortec Motorsports +5.426 secs G
8. Josh Hill Manor Competition +6.643 secs
9. Alice Powell Manor Competition +7.281 secs G
10. 10. Alex Walker Fortec Motorsports +7.560 secs G

Round eighteen top ten results 

                                

1.    Oliver Rowland Fortec Motorsports 21:07.267 G

2.    Tio Ellinas Atech Reid GP +6.070 secs

3.    Daniel Cammish Mark Burdett Motorsport +12.119 secs

4.    Dan Wells Atech Reid GP +13.995 secs

5.    Felix Serralies Fortec Competition +14.572 secs

6.    Josh Hill Manor Competition +15.427 secs

7.    Ed Jones Fortec Competition +15.938 secs

8.    Alice Powell Manor Comepetition +16.037 secs G

9.    Alex Lynn Fortec Motorsports +17.977 secs

10.   Mitchell Gilbert Fortec Motorsports +21.781 secs G

Chevrolet's Brands Hatch report

The two Works Chevrolets lead the first race at Brands Hatch

 A scorching performance to match the hottest October sunshine on record saw Jason Plato keep his Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship dreams alive, with back-to-back victories in the day’s first two races at Brands Hatch.

The Oxford-based racer not only won the first two races in pure textbook style, leading from the first corner to the very end, but he also added to his points tally with an amazing pole position on Saturday, scoring the fastest ever qualifying time on the Brands Hatch GP Circuit. New lap records in both the first and second races meant an astonishing points haul, lifting him from 24 points adrift of Honda Racing’s Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden to just five points by the end of the day’s proceedings.

Both Hondas suffered punctures in the first race of the day, meaning they finished out of the points, leaving the door wide open for Plato to take advantage, achieving his seventh and eight victories of the season.

Plato sprays the champaign following a great win

“We’ve got the car set-up just perfectly,” said Plato. “It was unbeatable out there today, thanks in no small part to the fine-tuning we did in free practice. It was amazing in qualifying, amazing during the races, and the performance really shows why the team at RML are the best in the business for preparing Touring Cars. Despite the challenges we’ve faced this year, the Cruze is the best Touring Car I’ve ever driven, and the hard work we’ve put into the set-up has really paid dividends.”

The incredible comeback leaves the championship wide open heading into the final round of the 2011 season, which takes place at Silverstone, Northants, on Sunday October 16.

“Realistically, it’s going to be a tough challenge,” said Plato. “The high speed nature of Silverstone will allow the turbo cars to run at full throttle, which will make things a little difficult for us, but if it rains then anything could happen.”

Meanwhile, Plato’s team-mate, Alex Macdowall, had a fantastic first race, with the 20-year old Cumbrian bringing his Chevrolet Cruze home in third position, having held second all race until a suspected puncture in the final lap made him give way to Mat Jackson’s Ford Focus.

But Alex’s luck wasn’t to hold, after a rare mechanical failure in the second of the day’s races saw him retire whilst running fourth.

MacDowell pushing hard in Race 3

The third race saw Plato start from 10^th on the grid thanks to the BTCC’s reverse-grid system, with Alex bringing up the rear after retiring from Race 2. A gearbox fault led Alex to retire on Lap 7, but Plato battled through the field, initially picking off Nick Foster’s BMW and Tom Onslow-Cole’s Ford, before an incident involving Andy Neate’s Ford Focus and Tom Boardman’s SEAT allowed Plato to capitalise, finishing sixth overall.

The finish tees up the BTCC for one of its closest ever season-closers, as the series heads to the home of the British Grand Prix on October 16. In the meantime, to keep up with all the latest news from the BTCC, along with the progress of the Silverline Chevrolet team, visit www.chevroletbtcc.co.uk, or follow the team on Facebook at www.facebook.com/chevroletbtcc

Live from the Britcar 24 hours at Silverstone

Please note, this is the official Britcar video stream - as such it's not under the control of us here at Overdrive

Live video from your Android device on Ustream

LIVE TIMING HERE

Ginetta Dominates Silverstone 24 hours

Ginetta boasts one of the largest numbers of same-marque entries, ahead of Porsche and second only to BMW, as the Brits prepare to take on the Germans at Silverstone - the home of British motor sport. The small volume manufacturer -famed for building successful endurance racers- will be out in force offering factory support for teams taking part in the Silverstone Britcar 24hr -Oct 1^st-2^nd as they combine to take on the formidable moneymen of BMW and Porsche with 2 x G40 - class 4, 5 xG50/GT4- class 3 and 1 x G55 - Class 2.

Ginetta Boss Lawrence Tomlinson will also be making a return to 24hr racing in a prototype laden G55 with Rollcentre Racing, alongside drivers Martin Short - famed LMP1 driver and Rollcentre Racing Team Principal, BTCC ace Colin Turkington, 2008 British GT4 champion Matt Nicoll-Jones and former British Karting Champion/Ginetta factory driver Mike Simpson. The Britcar 24hrs G55 mule is part of a continual testing programme for Ginetta’s newest machine, the G55 GT3, which will be released later this year.

The new G55 GT3 £147,000, 3.7lt machine – which will be on display in the Britcar 24hrs Silverstone paddock for the first time - boasts 58 carbon fibre panels, a wider track making maximum use of the GT3 permitted dimensions, a new aero packcreating impressive down force (designed with the aid of an F1 design team) and 10”/12” rims for increased traction and handling, along with a striking 1.8m curved swan neck rear wing assembly. 

Tomlinson said: “I’m excited to be back at Britcar this year following the amazing success of our G40 last year. We listen to what our customers want and Ginetta is all about producing competitive, cost effective machines. The G55 GT3 is no exception. Our G55 Britcar 24hr entry features elements of the GT3 machine as part of factory testing ahead of its release later in the year. I am yet to drive this car but having seen the work that’s gone into the development and the standard ofengineering it excites me. With the new design and continued engine development programme we expect the G55 GT3 car to be every bit as competitive as the GT3 Ferrari’s, Audi’s and Porsche’s. Our G50 GT4 model has become a proven race winner beating the competition at every stage since its launch back on 2008; we hope our G55 GT3 car will mirror that success in GT3”

Rollcentre Racing have 2 Ginettas entered for the Britcar 24hr at Silverstone, the G55 #30 and  ‘2010 Britcar hero’ the G40 #94. Tomlinson went on the say: “There is no bigger test for a race car than a 24hr endurance race, Martin Short and the Rollcentre Racing team are experienced endurance racers and I’m confident both cars will perform well. We have an excellent team of drivers and in between my own driving stints I will obviously be keeping a close eye on the other teams running Ginettas and wish them all the very best of luck.”

Toyota MR2 takes on Silverstone 24 hours

Rogue Racing is a familiar sight at the 24 hours

 A four-man team of Toyota enthusiasts is planning to mount a giant-killing assault on the UK’s toughest race, the Britcar 24 Hours, using a supercharged Toyota MR2 Roadster. Not only are they hoping for top honours in their class, but also have their sights set on a top-20 overall finish in the 1/2 October Silverstone enduro.

It’s the third time that Team Rogue Racing has entered an MR2 in the Britcar 24 Hours; last year the squad’s tenacity was underlined by an against-the-odds race finish. Now Patrick Mortell, Simon Aris, Alric Kitson and Lee McKee are hoping that substantial performance modifications and support from Toyota GB will help bring success.

The view the team hope that most of it's competitors will be seeing!

“The MR2 is fitted with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, a unit which is more used to delivering sufficient power to pull along a Lexus, so it’s quite a proposition in an MR2 weighing around 1100 kg – particularly when we add a supercharger to boost power output to 350-400 bhp,” said team leader Mortell.

In Class 3 of the race, the Toyota is up against some race-proven performance models, including GT4 cars from Aston Martin, Ginetta and Lotus, as well as several BMW M3s and a GT3 Porsche.

Nonetheless, Mortell is “quietly confident” that a good finish is on the cards: “I would like to think that so long as we don’t have any unforeseen problems the overall top 20 is a realistic opportunity, and with it a good finish in class.”

The MR2 bosts a 3.5l Lexus sourced V6. With a supercharger.

The four drivers all started their competitive careers in the MR2 Championship; two of them are flying from their homes at opposite ends of the globe to compete – Aris from Texas and McKee from Kuala Lumpur.

In addition to support from Toyota, as part of their campaign to support British Motorsport, Team Rogue Racing has several other blue-chip backers, including Microsoft, which is using the event to publicise its forthcoming Forza Motorsport 4 Xbox game, and Alpinestars.

The car looks perfectly at home at the race track!

“Our Alpinestars race suits will carry Forza branding,” adds Mortell, “and Microsoft will be demonstrating the new game to spectators in the paddock.” Emagine Productions will be filming a documentary about the team’s campaign.

Following daylight and night qualifying sessions, the 24-hour race will get underway at Silverstone at 4pm on Saturday 1 October. A field of around 70 cars is anticipated.