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News Archive  December 2009

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01/05/2010

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31-12-09

WTCC: The prize money reserved for the competitors of the Yokohama Independents' Trophy will be substantially increased in 2010. The total amount of the prize money rises from 384,000 to 480,000 euros, meaning that at each event 40,000 euros will be awarded to the independent drivers, compared to the 32,000 awarded until 2009. This amounts to a 24% increase. The prize money is awarded to top six Independent drivers, classified by adding together the points obtained in the two races of each event, according to the following scale:

- to the first driver: euro 12,000
- to the second driver: euro 10,000
- to the third driver: euro 8,000
- to the fourth driver: euro 5,000
- to the fifth driver: euro 3,000
- to the sixth driver: euro 2,000

The point scoring system is the same as the WTCC: 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 points to the first eight drivers classified; however, unlike the WTCC, double points are awarded in the two races of the final meeting at Macau. From 2009, one additional point is awarded to drivers setting the independents' pole position and fastest lap at each round. Three additional points are also awarded for each point scored in the WTCC overall classification. Previous winners of the trophy were Wiechers-Sport's Marc Hennerici (BMW 320i) in 2005, GR Asia's Tom Coronel (SEAT León) in 2006, Wiechers-Sport's Stefano D'Aste (BMW 320si) in 2007, Proteam Motorsport's Sergio Hernández (BMW 320si) in 2008 and SUNRED's Tom Coronel (SEAT León) in 2009. 

29-12-09

Karts: Sheffield kart driver Russ Danzey endured a season of two halves in 2009, struggling with uncompetitive machinery to start with but overcoming the odds to triumph twice in succession and ultimately secure third position in the British Championship – and he vows that the experience has made him a stronger driver for 2010. Russ began the campaign in low-key fashion only to snatch victory in difficult circumstances and wind up as one of the KF3 class pace-setters following a mid-season kart switch. Back-to-back wins in Formula Kart Stars (FKS) at Glan Y Gors and Rowrah when the heavens opened, transforming his underperforming kart, were almost completed by the hat-trick in similarly treacherous conditions at PF International, but for a tyre pressure error that restricted him to a battling third.. “It’s been a tough but rewarding year,” he reflected. “The kart was two seconds off the pace to begin with, but that helped to improve me as a driver, as I knew that I still had to go out there and drive it as hard as I could. When you’re down at the back you have nothing to lose, and you can just focus on going forwards. I certainly never expected to get two wins and be battling for second in the championship in FKS, but halfway through we were right up there, and if it hadn’t been for the bad round we had with an engine failure at Whilton Mill, we would have been right in contention.” When his equipment allowed Russ was quick, and as he prepares to graduate to the more powerful KF2 class next year, his confidence is up from having proven that he can mix it with the very best in the country. Now he has a chassis bearing the initials and input of grand prix-winner Robert Kubica and also a new IAME for 2010.   Having lapped at the sharp end in his two meetings with the ‘RK’ to-date Russ could scarcely contain his enthusiasm after testing his new KF2 mount. “I love it!” he enthused. “I went testing for the first time at PF, and as the day wore on I got more and more into my stride. The RK was unbelievable; driving it was like stepping into a different world. It’s really forgiving, the brakes are incredible and it’s just so easy to control. Every lap we were able to be consistent, because the kart just felt so good.It’s nice to be staying with the same team. I have a lot of history with JM, and having been with four different teams in four years before joining them, it’s good to be staying on-board and not having to move around and learn how to work with new people and a new mechanic. They all know how I work and I know how they work, so I really think we can hit the ground running in 2010. I don’t see any reason why we can’t win the British Championship, to be honest. We’ve been very quick after just two days of testing, and I think the class will be quite open with some good drivers coming up from KF3 and some experienced KF2 drivers staying put. I think we can definitely finish in the top three, but to be honest the only number I’m interested in is number one.”  Russ hopes to compete in both FKS and fellow national championship Super 1 in 2010, and is seeking sponsorship to be able to race in the WSK International Series in Europe too with the factory RK operation. pic Chris Walker/www.kartpix.net

28-12-09

Formula Renault:  2009 Review - Dutch single-seater driver Thomas Hylkema enjoyed, his most successful year to date in 2009 during his second season in the Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship. Racing with Manor Competition for the first time, the 21-year-old from Delft in The Netherlands came of age as a Formula Renault UK driver. Concluding the year with a double podium performance in the season-ending Winter Championship, Thomas underlined his potential as a front-running contender should he return to the series in 2010. “It was a rollercoaster season this year for me but I learned a lot and it was great to be able to drive for Manor”, said Thomas, “I want to take this chance to thank the team as they helped me develop so much. In testing we were strong and our prospects looked good for the season but we did have a lot of bad luck. It all came good in the winter series though, taking two podiums was fantastic.” Backed by long-time sponsors TORO and ClubCar, he started the Formula Renault UK Championship with a solid points haul from the opening two races on the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in April, bad luck befell Thomas during the following event at Thruxton when he retired from both races. Donington Park came next where he recorded his best finish  so far with a top 10 result in the second of the weekend’s races. Rounds seven and eight at Oulton Park saw Thomas deliver a great performance with an excellent seventh place in race one followed by 11th in race two. The first half of the championship concluded with more points at Croft and then it was on to Silverstone for the biggest event of the year, the World Series by Renault meeting. Unfortunately, more bad luck reared its head during the second of the Silverstone races but the most severe blow of the year came with four retirements from the next six outings at Snetterton, Silverstone National Circuit and Rockingham which cost him a lot of points. The second of the Rockingham encounters though gave everyone another  glimpse of Thomas’ pace with a top six finish,his career best result to that point. Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit for the series finale he rounded off the campaign with another brace of points finishes.  Thomas added: “After the Friday test sessions each weekend we were generally very happy but qualifying was the main problem throughout the year and that did cost us. There were weekends which were strong though, Oulton Park and Croft were real highlights and Rockingham later in the year was probably my best performance of the main season, our pace was very good.” His final championship position was 16th but it was in the 2009 Winter Championship where he showed his true potential.

Still with Manor Competition for the 4-round Winter Championship, Thomas made an instant impact during the opening race at Snetterton i by claiming his debut podium with third . Backing that up with another podium in round two, he concluded the first weekend of the championship in  third overall in the table. Rockingham staged the third and fourth rounds where a disappointing seventh from the first encounter followed by fifth in the final race enabled Thomas to secure fourth in the championship. He commented: “The winter series was great for us, to be on the podium in both races at Snetterton was fantastic and showed what we’re capable of. Rockingham wasn’t quite as strong for us but overall the championship went very well and we only just missed out on a top three finish in the points table.” For 2010, Thomas has confirmed his desire to return to Formula Renault UK with the Manor Competition squad. No deals have yet been signed but both driver and team are keen to work together once more.  “Nothing has been agreed or signed yet but I think we can say it’s 99 per cent certain I’ll be back in Formula Renault UK next year with Manor”, he said, “We all want to work together again so I hope we can sort something out soon. I think we should be in a good position with the new car arriving for 2010, I’ve built up some good experience now and with the brand new Formula Renault coming quite late, testing should be more equal. Manor is an extremely strong team at getting the most out of cars, set-ups and drivers and I’ll do all I can to be as consistent and as fast as possible.”  pics Jakob Ebrey Photograph

27-12-09

KAMS: Works KTM Quad rider, Rodger Twikler will enter the 2010 European Late Model Series. Twikler, who brings with him over 16 years of Motocross and Quad racing experience, has purchased a brand new Roots V8 Racing Chevrolet Impala for the 2010 season. Despite the lack of oval racing on Twiklers C.V, the Dutchman has already proven himself an adaptable racer by making the difficult transition from MX1 Enduro to Quad racing. Twikler is expected to be a crowd favourite and is already renowned for his live Quad Freestyle shows where Twikler is the consumate showman. Check out Rodger Twikler's website at www.twiklerquadracing.nl and keep an eye out for a new Flying Dutchman when the European Late Model Series kicks of at Easter. 

WTCC:The Chevrolet team have already started their winter testing for the 2010 WTCC season. Last week Alain Menu spent a couple of days at Jerez de la Frontera (December 17th and 18th) which were interrupted by the rain. "It was nice to be back at the wheel, although the rain prevented us from doing proper development work. As weather and track conditions were constantly changing, it made no sense to work on set-up, but we completed some useful system checks and completed 700km without troubles," said the Swiss driver. After a short Christmas break the team will hit the track again at Valencia (January 11th and 12th), Algarve (January 20th and 21st) and Valencia again (February 17th and 18th). The first of these three test sessions will see Yvan Muller making his maiden appearance in the Cruze car. "What we'll achieve during the winter will be critical for the coming season, as once the championship starts, events and travelling make development work more difficult. We have high ambitions for 2010, so we are doing our utmost during these winter months," explained Chevrolet Motorsport director Eric Nève. 

Tom Coronel was declared winner of the "Driver of the Year" award from Dutch motorsport magazine Top Gear. Coronel was selected because he won the FIA World Touring Car Championship's Independents' Trophy despite having lost support from SEAT Dutch importer before the two final race meetings in Japan and Macau. With a brilliant mix of obstinacy and results, Coronel managed to gather a pool of sponsors willing to back him until the end of the season. And this enabled him to win Race 1 in Okayama and Macau at the wheel of the SUNRED-run SEAT León, securing the title with a 13-point margin ahead of Proteam Motorsport's Félix Porteiro.

The FIA European Touring Car Cup will change format from next year, switching from a one-off event at the end of the season to a four-event series.

2010 FIA European Touring Car Cup  calendar
28 March - Braga, Portugal
30 May - Oschersleben, Germany
25 July - Salzburgring, Austria
17 October - Franciacorta, Italy

Each meeting will include two 50km races, for a total of eight rounds awarding points.
Three FIA cups will be awarded at the end of the season, one per each of the eligible categories: Super 2000, Super 1600 and Super Production. A 100,000 euro prize money will be awarded at each of the four race meetings: 65,000 euros to Super 2000, 25,000 to Super 1600 and 10,000 to Super Production. "A series of four events will help to cover the whole European territory, making it easier for the teams to take part in all or selected events. The aim is also to strengthen the ties between the National Championships that adopt the FIA technical regulations," KSO General Manager Marcello Lotti explained.  

24-12-09

Star Mazda: Mundill has agreed a unique sponsorship agreement with ProRaceSupply LLC (PRS). The alliance will make scholarships possible for Mundill's drivers in the Star Mazda Series. ProRaceSupply becomes the latest in a long line of companies to join forces with Mundill in support of Star Mazda, following on from the likes of Eagles Canyon Raceway. “Mundill is committed to our customers and is very excited to be able to offer this package to our 2010 drivers,” says Jeff Hill, owner of Mundill. “Our agreement with PRS demonstrates our commitment to our drivers‟ success and underscores the importance of the Star Mazda series to Mundill's core business.“The Star Mazda series provides the final step in education of young drivers as they transition to professionals in the competitive business of racing“. Jeff added, "To put this in perspective, the funds available to our drivers is equivalent to last year's third Place Championship prize money."  PRS' sponsorship to Mundill of up to $200,000 is to be divided among four full season Championship drivers. The $50,000 Cash Scholarships will significantly assist in meeting the financial requirements of racing as well as to assist each driver in their development within the Star Mazda Championship.   “We are very excited to team up with Mundill,” says Chris Streit, Principal Partner at ProRaceSupply. “We are committed to the motorsports market and this new venture with Mundill holds a lot of opportunity for both our companies.”  According to Streit, “in addition to the driver scholarships ProRaceSupply will be working hard to elevate Mundill to cutting-edge online technology, communication and commerce.”  PRS provides synchronized software commerce and marketing solutions to the motorsports industry and will accelerate Mundill as the leader in commerce, online marketing and syndication. Notably this partnership will provide additional exposure and insight from the drivers, team, and crew members.

Other news: Chemical process offers cleaner, lighter and safer bodyshells. A unique chemical immersion process that easily removes all paint, grease, oil, underseal, adhesives and sound deadening material offers motorsport preparation companies a simpler and safer method for stripping and cleaning bodyshells. By removing up to 35kg of unnecessary weight from a typical four door shell, the process developed by Surface Processing (SPL), also offers preparation companies a legal weight reduction service without affecting the existing vehicle strength. SPL’s process also claims to improve the working environment for engineers; by removing paint, adhesive and underseal, any further preparation work such as welding is done on clean metal, avoiding the release of noxious fumes and lowering the fire risk. 

23-12-09

GT1:Aston Martin will be represented by two teams in the new FIA GT1 World Championship in 2010. Teams Hexis AMR and Young Driver AMR have applied for entry and each plan to run two Aston Martin DBR9s in the championship. Entries are subject to approval by the FIA and the confirmed entry list will be issued in January. Hexis AMR, an existing Aston Martin Racing partner team, based at the Nimes circuit in France has successfully campaigned Aston Martin DBRS9s for the past three years, winning the FIA GT3 European Teams Championship in 2009. In addition to its existing GT3 activity, the French team is adding two GT1 DBR9s to its stable of Aston Martin race cars in preparation for the World Championship. Young Driver AMR is a new team, formed specifically to compete in the FIA GT World Championship with Aston Martins. The team has taken delivery of its two DBR9s and is currently setting up its new race facility. With 10 events on four continents, organisers hope that the new championship will capture the hearts and attention of motorsport fans around the globe. Based on the road-going DB9, the V12 engined Aston Martin DBR9 has enjoyed great success since winning its inaugural race at Sebring in 2005. Multiple race wins around the world followed and the DBR9 went on to win its class at Le Mans in 2007 and 2008 in the hands of Aston Martin Racing.

USF2000: Two-time Firestone Indy Lights championship winning entrant Brian Stewart Racing announced plans to field a team in the Cooper Tires presents the USF2000 National Championship powered by Mazda in 2010. The new team will serve as a development step for the team's Firestone Indy Lights program, which claimed back-to-back entrant championships in 2005 and 2006. "Since 2005, we have sponsored the Brian Stewart Racing Karting Championship (BSRKC) in an effort to enable all young people to be able to participate in a competitive karting series while developing their driving skills," said team founder, Brian Stewart. "Now we want to take our Driver Development Program one step further by establishing a new stepping stone between karting and our Firestone Indy Lights team. The decision to enter a team in the USF2000 Series also helps us to support the 'Road To Indy' ladder program that was recently announced by the Indy Racing League." Participants in BSR's Driver Development Program will compete in 12 USF2000 races over the course of the year and will be supported by Firestone Indy Lights quality staff and technology, including driver coaching by Tommy Byrne and physical training from the staff of PitFit. "Each driver will have a team of people to support them, including top-notch mechanics and engineers," added BSR business manager, Janet Stewart. "We will be bringing 45 years of experience and our history of excellence with us to this series."

V8 Utes: 2009 V8 Ute Series Champion Jack Elsegood and Racer Industries Rookie of the Year winner Paul Williams each took a test in one of Paul Morris's Supercheap Auto Supercars last Thursday, 17th December at Queensland Raceway. The two were awarded the tests by Racer Industries' Ryan McLeod who believes the V8 Utes are a good feeder platform to V8 Supercars and is happy to support the drivers looking for career progression. "As part of our association with the V8 Utes, we are happy to arrange the test as it is a great tool in helping shape a V8 Supercar career," explained McLeod. "It gives the drivers an opportunity to test in a V8 Supercar so if at some point they get called up for a another session they have had some experience." It was Elsegood's second time in a Supercar; however he still enjoyed the experience immensely "It's always good to get a drive in a Supercar, I haven't been in one for a longtime and I really enjoyed myself out there," said Eslegood. For the Perth Rookie, however it was a first time experience and something he will never forget "It was a lot of fun. They are a lot easier to drive than the Utes. It's a lot more like a racecar, everything is built for faster driving," said Williams. Each driver had 4 track sessions, covering at least 20 laps each with feedback from Paul Morris and the Supercheap crew as part of the evaluation process. "Both drivers were very competent and impressed the team in their first hit out behind the wheel," McLeod said. "They did a number of runs and their feedback was spot on."

LMS: JMW Motorsport, runners up in their debut Le Mans Series GT2 season in 2009, will be switching allegiance for 2010-11 to anAston Martin Vantage GT2 in the 2010 Le Mans Series and Le Mans 24 Hour, having become Aston Martin Racing's official global GT2 Development Partner. The Essex based team, headed by Team Principal Jim McWhirter, will become an official Aston Martin Racing partner and will work closely with the Banbury-based team on a three year programme to help develop the Vantage GT2. JMW Motorsport are retaining their strong partnership with Dunlop who have renewed their commitment to the team as Development Partners in the GT2 programme. The JMW Motorsport Aston Martin Vantage GT2 will feature in Dunlop’s 2010 Le Mans Design Competition. The core team, which took JMW Motorsport to 4th at Le Mans in 2009, remains with Tim Sugden as Team Manager and Steve ‘Doc’ Bunkhall as Technical Director, ably backed by Davey Nicholas, Duncan Ritchie and Ian Jones. The UK’s Rob Bell, twice LMGT2 Champion, shall once again be part of a formidable driver line-up to be finalised shortly. An intensive testing programme begins in January ahead of the opening Le Mans Series race on 9-11 April – the 8 Hours of Le Castellet, France. Participation in a number of selected high profile events may be added to the team’s calendar at a later date. George Howard-Chappell, Aston Martin Racing team principal: “We have focussed considerable engineering resource on improving the performance of the Vantage GT2.  While we offer cars in every class from LMP1 to GT4, the GT2 car is probably the most important customer car and the one where we can make the most improvements.  Working with a top professional team like JMW with their resources and commitment will mean we will be able to really challenge for GT2 honours in 2010.” Jim McWhirter, JMW Team Principal : “This is a very exciting development for our team and reflects the efforts invested over the past seasons. This may be a new car for JMW, but the same desire, commitment and perseverance is still there and we are confident we shall be in the mix from the start. Dunlop have been an integral part of our success and it is extremely rewarding that they are joining forces with JMW and Aston Martin Racing in this challenging new adventure.”  Rob Bell, JMW Driver: “I am so excited about this new challenge, the only way I can describe it is I feel rejuvenated. As a driver, the opportunity not only to race the Aston Martin Vantage GT2 but to play such an integral part in the development of the car fires me up.” JMW Motorsport’s progress can be followed on their website at www.jmwmotorsport.com. People can also keep in touch via social networking with the JMW Motorsport Facebook group and on Twitter (www.twitter.com, @JMWmotorsport).

22-12-09

F2000: Radon Sport Introduces New F2000 Car. The first images of an innovative new F2000 car, the Radon Rn.10, were released today(22 Dec). At least four cars have been sold and will contest the 2010 F2000 Championship Series season, which begins in April at VIR. "We started with a clean sheet of paper," according to Dr. Nathan Ulrich, Technical Director of Radon Sport.Radon Sport introduced an aero package for the Van Diemen chassis during the 2009 season, which resulted in significant lap time improvements and race wins. Ulrich felt the Rn.10 was the logical next step: "After testing a Van Diemen F2000 in the wind tunnel in August, we realized we had exhausted the potential of that chassis and a completely new car was necessary." A team of designers from the US and the UK took on the task. Ulrich credits Ken Anderson for much of the innovation in the new car: "Ken guided the Rn.10 suspension design and shared his experience in several other key areas,” commented Ulrich. “He was concerned that we not repeat the mistakes made by other small formula car constructors, and his ideas resulted in several novel features." Miqdad Ali and Robert Perry, aerodynamicists with extensive experience in motorsport, including Formula 1, were responsible for the aero design. Ali explains: "There are many CFD packages available, but few are capable of accurately simulating formula car aerodynamics. We are using state of the art CFD software and practices, the same used by several championship F1 teams. The final design is a very significant improvement over previous F2000 cars." At least four Radon cars will be campaigned in the 2010 F2000 Championship Series, starting at VIR in April. GTP Motorsports, a former F2000 series championship team, will field two Rn.10 cars. "After working with Radon Sport last year with their Van Diemen aero project, we are excited to help develop the Rn.10 into a race winning car," said Glenn Phillips of GTP. "We provided lots of input in the areas of quality and serviceability during the design phase. We know the car will be very fast, but it will also be more reliable and a lot easier to work on." The first production run of Rn.10 chassis has been sold and is currently in build. The design is fully compliant with SCCA 2010 Formula Continental regulations. The 2010 F2000 Championship Series gets going on April 9th at VIR.

Star Mazda: Andersen Racing have signed Anders Krohn for the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear in 2010. The deal reunites the driver from Sandnes, Norway with the team he drove for in 2008 where he won nine races enroute to the Rookie of the Year and the drivers' title in the F2000 Championship Series. Krohn won the race at the Milwaukee Mile and finished sixth in this year's Star Mazda driver point standings. Krohn's primary sponsors in 2010 will be Trallfa Industries, Colosseum Dental and Norse Cutting & Abandonment. Other partners in the effort will be Bring Logistics US Inc., ZAT Graphics.com, SR Transport, Rioja Tapas Restaurant, Repcon Media and Racing for Kids. "My entire crew wanted Anders back with us, and I am so pleased we could work it all out," said team co-owner Dan Andersen. 'We're extremely happy to welcome Anders back into the family for 2010. Our experience with Anders in 2008 proved to us what an amazing talent he is. Though circumstances had him racing for another team last season, we remained fans of his, and we are confident that he will bring us many victories while challenging for the championship in 2010." Krohn plans to test with the team next month, he'll have to wait until March 19 for the 2010 season opener. It is a support event for the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.

GP3: Eight rounds have been confirmed for the 2010 season, seven of which will support the FIA Formula One World Championship. The season goes green in Barcelona where Formula One kicks off its European season. GP3 will then take a break whilst big sister series GP2 travels to Monaco and Istanbul for rounds two and three of their season. GP3 will then return on 19-20 June to Portimao for round two, a stand- alone event supporting the GP2 Series. The final six events will then support the remaining Formula One European calendar, resulting in the finale of the championship being held at historical Monza.  Ten teams will take part in the new series, and there have been two significant name changes since the initial team line-up was announced back in October - Carlin Motorsport will now be known as just Carlin following a new partnership with Capsicum, and Silverstone-based Hitech Junior has been renamed ATECH Grand Prix following a partnership with CRS Racing. Three pre-season test days have also been scheduled, first at Paul Ricard on 3-4 March and 30- 31 March followed by Barcelona on 13-14 April. GP3 Series Organiser Bruno Michel commented: "I am very pleased with the inaugural GP3 Series calendar. Three pre-season test days and eight rounds means drivers will have a sizeable amount of running during the season, and with seven of those rounds running alongside Formula One, we are confident the series will achieve excellent exposure for the teams and drivers. Our driver line-up for the season is also starting to take shape, and I am confident by the time the season kicks off in May we will have thirty highly promising young drivers representing the series." 

FBMW: 2009 Formula BMW Americas Rookie Cup winner Michael Lewis will join the U.S. Formula Project Formula BMW Europe team and will compete in all of the 2010 Formula BMW Europe events, announced U.S. Formula Project Team Manager Alessandro Ferrari. Michael will be the only American competing in the Formula BMW Europe series in 2010. Although Michael is joining a new team to this series, Team Manager Alessandro Ferrari brings an extensive motorsports background, being the former race director of the historic WSK (World Series Karting) Series in Europe. "I saw Michael in WSK karting races as race director in 2008, and now I am very happy to be his team manager," said Alessandro. "We have just completed a grueling four-day test session in Valencia, Spain, with Michael and our other U.S. Formula Project drivers. Michael has shown continuing progress in his lap times and consistency. We are very pleased to have Michael be a part of our team, and the fact that he has BMW Junior status because he earned the Formula BMW Americas Rookie Cup is an added plus for Michael and our team. This will be the second season for Michael in Formula BMW, and with his natural talent combined with his very professional and dedicated approach, will give him the opportunity to compete with the strong contingent of rookie and returning drivers." Michael Lewis competed in the 2009 Formula BMW Americas series with the Eurointernational Inc. team and was crowed 2009 Formula BMW Americas Rookie Cup Champion,

Trans-AM: The SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am Series will join the NASCAR Nationwide Series for its recently announced event at Road America, June 18 - 20. With the Nationwide Series adding a third road race to its schedule at Road America on June 18 -- 20, the Trans-Am Series has announced it will join the bill for the Road America 200 weekend. "This is a fantastic opportunity for the SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am Series," SCCA Pro Racing President and CEO Robert Wildberger said. "NASCAR puts on a spectacular show and brings with it a strong and dedicated fan base. The thunderous racing that is Trans-Am will fit in well with the Nationwide Series. I anticipate our Trans-Am fans will witness some great racing over the weekend." The Trans-Am Series is tentatively scheduled to practice on Friday, qualify before Saturday's Nationwide race and close out the weekend by headlining Sunday's events. "We're thrilled that Trans-Am will be a part of the Road America 200 weekend lineup," Road America President George Bruggenthies said. "Trans-Am has been a big part of Road America's history and will continue to be as it joins us for our first Nationwide event." 

Club News: When local biker Michael Heaton lost his wedding ring

21-12-09

Masters Provisional 2010 Calendar: With only a few days left until the Christmas break, the Masters Series have  released their provisional calendar for 2010.  There are new race formats and challenges, which will be revealed in early in the New Year.   More news on what will be running at each specific event, as well as the race durations, will be available early in January, as well as the 2010 Registration and Entry Forms. 

F2000: For the 2010 season the aspiring drivers of the F2000 Championship Series will continue to be under consideration for Team USA Scholarships. The program provides end-of-season opportunities at the Formula Ford Festival and Walter Hayes Trophy events in England for talented American drivers rising through the ranks of the open wheel ladder. Drivers also enjoy a number of opportunities to visit manufactures and teams, including Lola Cars and the McLaren Technical Centre. F2000 Series champion Chris Miller and rookie of the year Benjamin Searcy were among the 2009 nominees. “Outright speed is obviously important for anyone looking to move up auto racing ladder, but in this sport it takes much more than that to be successful,” commented Team USA Scholarship President and founder Jeremy Shaw. “For most young drivers, obtaining outside funding is essential, and to do so requires a wide variety of skills. Quite frankly, in that regard, racing isn't really much different than any other career. The more you put into it, the more likely you are to reap rewards."  The scholarship winner list reads like a who's who of road racing and includes: A.J. Allmendinger, Conor Daly, Paul Edwards, Memo Gidley, Joey Hand, Bryan Herta, J.R. Hildebrand, Josef Newgarden, Tony Renna, Buddy Rice, Bryan Sellers and Jimmy Vasser.  "If you look back through the list of past Team USA Scholarship winners, I think what stands out is that they are as accomplished off the track as they are on it,” Shaw said. “For example, I am proud to say that all of those who have gone on to build successful careers -- which is the vast majority -- not only have expressed their gratitude for the opportunity that was presented to them through the scholarship, but have actually dug into their own pockets to ensure the program is able to continue."  F2000 drivers will be monitored by Shaw's network of correspondents looking for promising young drivers. "I have been a firm believer in Formula Ford 2000 for many years," said Shaw. “The cars are relatively affordable to run, and provide an excellent platform for teaching drivers how to maximize the potential of both themselves and their cars." As for funding the scholarship, a wide variety of motorsports-related companies, teams and drivers contribute to the program which sends young American hopefuls to do battle on race tracks overseas. "The scholarship has been a labor of love for many years now, and I hope we will be able to continue it for a long time to come,” Shaw added.“It is made possible by help from a wide variety of sources -- companies and individuals -- who all share the same goal: to help foster young talent. I am especially grateful to the likes of vintage F1 racer Doug Mockett and the Road Racing Drivers Club, and its president, Bobby Rahal, for keeping the dream alive." The scholarship was founded in 1990 and has awarded some 32 young American drivers deserving opportunities overseas. The F2000 Championship Series season starts on April 9th at Virginia International Raceway.

LMS: Strakka Racing will race in next year’s Le Mans Series with Honda Performance Development (HPD) and the ARX-01 LMP2 sports prototype. The Silverstone based team will move into LMP2 with regular drivers Danny Watts(pictured - pic Strakka Racing) and Nick Leventis who bot spent last season racing in LMP1 with the team  

Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge and Porsche Club Championship 2010 Race Dates Announced -  13 races for New Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Porsche Club Championship features 15 rounds for 2010, Seasons end at Silverstone GP circuit.  Porsche Club GB can now announce the race schedules for the two circuit race series they will be administering in 2010 – the new Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge and the highly successful Porsche Club Championship. The season will kick off for both series at Brands Hatch in April, and features a meeting at the Zolder circuit in Belgium before culminating in a triple header meeting on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit in October. All meetings feature double-header events for each series with the exception of the events at Castle Combe in August and Silverstone in October. The season closing Silverstone event uniquely features no less than three races for a combined field from the GT3 Cup Challenge and the Club Championship. Castle Combe sees two rounds of the Club Championship and also an opportunity for entrants from either series to compete in a Porsche versus Ferrari race – as was so successful in 2009.

20-12-09

KAMS: Former Super Rod racer, Andrew Knight tried out the European Late Model Series at Warneton in 2009 and was so impressed he has bought a former West-Tec Ascar and joined the Revolution Racing Team for the 2010 European Late Model Series. His only previous success has been in Superod Racing back in 2000. Knight said he was attracted to the formula by the consistency of the cars and the awesome sound they make. The ability to turn up and drive has made this the "must do" formula for Andrew Knight, who is busy the rest of the time running a coffee roasting business ,Andronicas world of coffee’. www.andronicas.com

BTCC: Alex MacDowall sampled British Touring Car Championship machinery for the second time in as many months this past week after joining RML for a two-day test at Jerez, at the wheel of Jason Plato’s race winning Super-2000 specification Chevrolet Lacetti. Having tested a rear-wheel drive Motorbase BMW 320si E90 at Brands Hatch four weeks ago, his debut in a BTCC car, the Cumbrian returned to the more familiar territory of front-wheel drive with Ray Mallock’s team on Thursdayand Friday, 17- 18th December.  During the opening day, which was mainly dry, Alex won praise from RML’s Alain Menu after lapping within just 0.4secs of the Swiss racer’s benchmark.  Menu, at the wheel of his WTCC Chevrolet Cruze, posted a best lap of 1m54.2 seconds around the 4.4km track while Alex lapped with a 1m54.6 seconds in his BTCC Lacetti. Wet weather arrived for day two which enabled Alex to gain experience of a full range of set-ups as the track changed from wet to dry several times. “Driving the Chevrolet Lacetti was great fun”, said the Carlisle based racer, “I thoroughly enjoyed our two days at Jerez and working with everyone at RML was an absolute pleasure. Ray Mallock runs an outstanding team, there’s such a wealth of experience to tap into, and to receive compliments from a driver as talented and successful as Alain Menu was very special. The car itself is very quick in a straight line, handles well through the corners and gives you a lot of confidence to push hard. Having now tested a rear-wheel drive BMW and the front-wheel drive Lacetti, we have plenty of food for thought for next year.”  Alex added: “In the meantime we’re continuing to work as hard as possible to try and attract more sponsors to our 2010 BTCC bid. I can’t thank RML enough for this fantastic opportunity to test with the team and I sincerely hope a deal can be done that will allow me to drive for them in 2010.” 

Karts: Jay Goodwin went down fighting in the final round of the 2009 Kimbolton Club Championship as he tried to overcome the odds and steal the title at the last, missing out by just  eight points in the end.   pic Chris Walker/www.kartpix.net   

Jonathan Palmer has praised Jordan King on his  debut  drive in the  FIA Formula Two Championship test at Valencia earlier this month.  King was invited to try out one of the 160mph F2 machines in Spain by Palmer, the man behind the re-launch of the championship in 2009. Not intimidated by being the youngest driver at the test, Jordan lapped in or around the top ten throughout the test. Impressing the onlookers with his speed, feedback and approach both in and out of the cockpit, it was clear that the Repton School pupil had turned a few heads with his performance. Jonathan Palmer said, “For a 15-year-old karter whose single-seater experience included just one day of FPA and Formula Renault testing, driving a 450bhp Formula Two car at Valencia was a huge jump,Jordan took it totally in his stride. He impressed everyone by learning rapidly and confidently to set amazing times, only one second off the front-runners in just two days’ testing. Jordan is clearly enormously talented – and likely to go far in his pursuit of an F1 drive.” Though graduation from karting to cars may be a year away yet, watch this space, as they say.

19-12-09

Karts: Tom Harvey drove superbly in his final outing of 2009 at PF International where he confirmed his move from a rear-of-the-grid runner to a bona fide contender for British glory. Pics: Chris Walker/www.kartpix.net 

18-12-09

Karts: Strawberry Racing's Luke Varley completed 2009 by winning the Rotax World Final at Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt. His success has won him a Formula Renault test, an invitation to compete in the Florida Winter Tour and the possibility of a seat with reigning WSK KF2 champions, the Tony Kart Junior Racing Team.  

WTCC: Championship promoter KSO established the "WTCC Special Award" to reward the efforts made by the companies involved in developing and promoting the FIA WTCC. The jury, formed of representatives from KSO and Eurosport, decided to award two trophies in 2009, to the Marrakech Grand Prix and the Office National Marocain du Tourisme (ONMT) for their joint contribution towards the organisation of the first WTCC Race of Morocco and for supporting local driver Mehdi Bennani to take part in the event. "Our aim was to give recognition to the whole country through its enterpreneurs and government institutions," explained Eurosport Events vice-president Jacques Raynaud while handing the awards to Aly Horma and Islam Zahid of Marrakech GP and to Abdelhamid Addou of OMNT. "We have been honoured to receive such an award. This was not only testament to what we all achieved, with the return of international motorsports to our country and the massive media spotlight on Morocco, but also an indication to what the future holds, as we all believe the event has enormous potential for the future," commented Islam Zahid and Aly Horma. While Abdelhamid Addou said: "The huge success of the first WTCC event in Marrakech shows that our partnership with the Race of Morocco and Eurosport will last for years to come. We are honoured to receive this distinction that promotes the image of a modern and dynamic country."  Other nominees for the awards were HSBC, for expanding support to the WTCC Race of Mexico as well as the Race in Brazil. Yokohama were also given an award for commitment to the WTCC manufacturers and teams and to introduce eco-friendly technologies in the production of racing tyres. 

LADA Sport driver Jaap van Lagen broke his collarbone during a workout on his mountain bike last Saturday. Van Lagen jumped over a tree and was settling for another jump when his rear wheel got stuck. The Dutchman was thrown in the air and landed badly on a tree trunk. "I immediately knew something was wrong," he said. Jaap van Lagen cycled three kilometres with an injured left shoulder to the nearest village before being taken to hospital, where x-rays revealed a multiple fracture to his left collarbone. The LADA driver underwent surgery that same afternoon, his collarbone being fixed with a large metal plate. "The operation was successful," Jaap said from his hospital bed. "After six weeks the bone will be fully repaired, but well before that I will be able to practice. And by the start of the WTCC season I will be in great shape again." 

FBMW: In 2010 BMW will again support young hopefuls in Formula BMW Europe and in Formula BMW Pacific as they take their first steps in single-seater racing. The calendar for the European series, that has just been announced, will see the youngsters be the support act to Formula One at seven venues and also race at one of Formula 3's premiere events. The 2010 action for season three again kicks off in Barcelona and it was here in May of this year that the eventual champion, Felipe Nasr (BR), and Michael Christensen (DK) set the scene for a season long battle. The other Formula One venues will be Silverstone, Hockenheim, Budapest, Valencia, Spa- Francorchamps and Monza. There is traditionally one non-Formula One venue and again it will be Zandvoort. Every Formula BMW Europe competitor states Formula 3 is the next chosen step on their career ladder, so this is an ideal time for them to see just what they can expect. Also they can witness former series stars in this category. At each weekend the series will have its regular format of a free practice session, qualifying and two races. However, the drivers will all have the chance to see what to expect on these circuits during official tests held between March and May. The dates for all of these apart from Hockenheim have been confirmed and are 9/10 March Monza, 21/22 March Barcelona, 6/7 April Silverstone, 12/13 April Spa-Francorchamps, 20/21 April Zandvoort and 25/26 May Budapest.

Mini Challenge: Chris Alajajian raced in the Mini Challenge Series this year after a one-year hiatus from motorsport in 2008. He and his Jack Hillermans team see-sawed through the championship ladder, to finish in overall second place and be granted the honour to represent Australia in Spain next year. Chris started the year in the V8 Development Series at Adelaide’s Clipsal 500, and was quickly approached to race in the Mini Challenge Series in its 50th Anniversary year. He raced along names such as Grant Denyer (Channel 7 personality), Sam Newman (Channel 9 Personality), Steven Bradbury (Winter Olympic Gold Medalist), Glenn Seton (former V8 Supercar Champion), and even partnering with Paul Morris, in the Townsville duel-driver race. “It’s exciting to have been a part of the two milestone events in this year’s racing calendar” exclaimed Alajajian about being a part of the first fleet to race on the 2 new tracks at the Townsville 400 and the Sydney 500 events. “Townsville was overall an awesome weekend, having the privilege to race side-by-side with a legend like Paul Morris, and Townsville is a great town ... and it’s always special coming back to race in your own backyard, with the Sydney 500 event. You have the comfort of knowing your fans are there cheering you on”.  His season started off extremely well, recording the fastest ever lap time at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne back in March and he was viewed as the favourite to challenge Paul Stokell of Decorug Racing to defend his title. All was going well, as the seasoned Stokell had the Mini Challenge rookie Alajajian breathing down his neck early in the championship, and as ‘The Chris’ was starting to gain experience it looked as the championship challenge was going to be a nail-biting one, as Alajajian and Stokell appeared on the podium race-in and race-out. Chris’ aspirations of taking the title in his debut year nearly ended in one horrific moment, at Sandown in Victoria. Hearts went into mouths as spectators saw Alajajian’s #9 Mini Cooper slide off the track at top speed, barrel-rolling over the safety barrier to land upside down and race marshals stretcher him into an ambulance. Remarkably, Alajajian came out of the accident unscathed, and he and the Jack Hillermans team re-built the Mini Cooper from scratch, aiming to be on track for a Championship revival. With a total of 9 races from the 3 race weekends remaining, Alajajian eyed out the title with an ‘all or nothing’ attitude. He put on a stellar performance, with a top two finish in 5 of the last 9 races of the season, eventually finishing in second place, behind the defending champion Paul Stokell. Alajajian is already planning for next year - “[the Mini Challenge series] is such an exciting racing category, and the Coopers pack alot of punch. I’m happy with the season overall, and I’m looking to better my performance in 2010 both in Australia and Spain”.

Atlantic: The first series-sanctioned on-track activity for the 2010 Cooper Tires Presents The Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda is set for Sebring International Raceway from January 22-24.   Atlantic testing at Sebring is part of a three-day test session that will include other IMSA-sanctioned series, including Star Mazda, the GT3 Challenge and Prototype Lights. Each day of the weekend test will include two on-track sessions for each series. Atlantic testing runs from 8:55 to 9:35 a.m. ET and 1:40 to 2:40 pm ET on Friday, January 22; 8:00 to 8:40 a.m. ET and 12:25 to 1:25 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 23; and 11:15 to 11:55 a.m. ET and 4:10 to 5:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 24. "Participating in testing at Sebring alongside the other IMSA-sanctioned series gives everybody involved a great opportunity to jump start their preparations for the 2010 season," said Atlantic Championship Vice President of Operations John Brunner. "There has been quite a lot of activity and discussion among the teams since our 2009 season ended in October and we will see how things have progressed at this test. It's also a great opportunity for our teams to get baseline setups for our season opener at Sebring in March."

GT Academy 2010 Online Time Trial Goes Live The time for talking is over – do you have what it takes to go from Gran Turismo® gamer to real life racing driver? The  opportunity to have  a preview of the hotly anticipated Gran Turismo®5 game is already a huge incentive for gamers to enter the time trial phase of GT Academy 2010. But  with  the  ultimate  racing  prize  at  stake  –  including  an  intensive  driver  training  programme  to  qualify  for  an international race licence and a full race season in the European GT4 Cup driving a race-spec Nissan 370Z – this is an opportunity no Gran Turismo® fan will want to miss. Anyone from a participating country who is over 18, holds a full driving licence and is eligible under the terms and conditions  of  the  competition  can  enter  the  Time  Trial  stage  of  GT  Academy  2010..  All  you  need  is  access  to  a PlayStation®3  connected  to  the  internet.  Download  the  Gran  Turismo  time  trial  from  PlayStation®Store  via PlayStation®Network. You are ready to go! Lap times will be recorded on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course driving the Gran Turismo versions of both a standard, road version of Nissan’s 370Z as well as a tuned version of the same car. Combined lap times will give each player a place on their country leaderboard. Participants are able to post as many times as they like. The time-trial stage of GT Academy 2010 runs until 23:59 GMT 24 January, 2010. The fastest 20 Gran Turismo drivers from each territory will then face each other in live national finals events. A total of nineteen winners will emerge to attend the GT Academy at Silverstone – a ‘boot camp’ for racing drivers. Two winners will then be set up with  accommodation  at  Silverstone  itself  while  they  are  trained  to  international  race  licence  stage  during  a  two- month period. Only one, however, will have the chance to drive the Nissan 370Z GT4 for the RJN Motorsport Team. For people who want to find out more about GT Academy, lots of news and views will be shared on a variety of platforms including: www.facebook.com/GTAcademy | http://eu.gran-turismo.com/ | www.twitter.com/GTAcademy

17-12-09

F2000: Ralph Firman is set to be a new chassis supplier for the F2000 Championship Series in 2010. The new RFR F2000 chassis is in the final phases of production, with potential teams set to take delivery sometime in March. The project has been under-wraps since summer. “With the advances made in race car design and aerodynamics in the past decade, we would be very surprised if we did not find a considerable amount of speed with this design,” said John Uprichard, sales manager for RFR (Ralph Firman Racing). “There are three main areas that make this car good: a very stiff chassis, a lot of mechanical grip and a very advanced aero package.  “The F2000 formula, with its open chassis format, has one of the best pedigrees in the United States for producing young drivers who ultimately make it to the top,” added Uprichard.  RFR Cars has three distributors in the U.S. – QuickSilver Race Engines on the East Coast, Firman West Cars on the West Coast and McLaughlin Motorsports in the Midwest (SCCA Central Division).  Firman founded Van Diemen and was an important player in the company until it was sold in 1999. In 2008 he created RFR, which also produces a F1000 chassis at their 10,000 square-foot facility in Norfolk, England. “Our first project was the F1000 car,” Uprichard explained. “We were planning to follow up with a sports-car version, but the continuing high interest level in F2000 made us change our mind, and we decided a 2-liter car was the best way forward for the company.” Uprichard noted that while the F2000 chassis is based around the concept of the RFR F1000 car, the new build will be completely different, including a new space frame chassis and all new bodywork. Furthermore very little will be interchangeable between the cars. “Right now the design is finished and we are only waiting for the final body lines,” said Uprichard. “The chassis jig is already underway and we expect to be testing by February.” The original designer of the current 2-litre Van Diemen that most F2000 teams use, David Baldwin, has been contracted by RFR to design the new F2000 chassis. With Van Diemen, Citation and Piper are all set to make appearances on the grid this coming season, the new RFR2000 adds a fourth chassis to the F2000 Championship Series mix.

LMS: Olivier Pla renews contract with Quifel ASM for the LE Man Series until the end of 2011 Quifel ASM Team and drivers, Miguel Pais do Amaral and Olivier Pla, received the LMP2 2009 Championship wining trophies for teams and drivers at the ACO prize giving ceremony held in Le Mans in early December 2009. ASM Team Principal Antonio Simoes reflected the satisfaction of the whole team saying "I am proud of the work ASM Team developed that in the end resulted in this trophy". At the same time Antonio Simoes announced that Quifel ASM Team and Olivier Pla signed a new contract that will keep the Portuguese team and French driver together until the end of 2011, stating that "I am very happy to have Olivier with us again and I'm confident that with him we can repeat the results of 2009". Olivier Pla will be in the Quifel ASM Team LMS and Le Mans 24h program plus he will also be test and development driver for other areas of the team involvement. The preparation of the Ginetta-Zytek 09s for 2010 is running according to the plan. After the November test at Estoril, the team initiated a deep chassis service in order to achieve good reliability in the next season.

ALMS: Former Atlantic Champion Simon Pagenaud has a drive for 2010 alongside David Brabham as co-drivers of the Patron Highcroft Racing Acura ARX-01c in the American Le Mans Series. Pagenaud joins the team after driving for de Ferran Motorsports for the past two seasons. Brabham and his 2009 co-driver, Scott Sharp, won the 2009 American Le Mans Series LMP1 championship.

Indycar: Simona De Silvestro had a successful two-day test in an HVM Racing/Team Stargate Worlds IndyCar at Sebring International Raceway last week with an eye toward a possible run in the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series. "She was very impressive," said HVM Racing owner Keith Wiggins. "From the first laps, she showed she was capable of driving the car fast and she progressed rapidly. She was fast, consistent and gave good driver feedback. In fact, by the second half of the first day, we were so comfortable that we began working on development of our 2010 program using her feedback. By Day 2, I think everyone forgot she wasn't a seasoned professional. Everyone enjoyed working with her." De Silvestro won four races and finished third in the 2009 Atlantic Championship standings.

Autosport International: David Brabham’s Celebrity Karting Challenge 2010, at Autosport International on Friday 15 January, offers the public the rare chance to race alongside some of the best racing drivers in the world while raising awareness and funds for the event’s principal charity partner, Malaria No More UK. Triple World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx is the latest star to sign-up in support of the event. The BMW driver will race alongside Le Mans 24 Hours winner, ALMS Champion and event co-founder David Brabham, as well as Allan McNish, Emanuele Pirro, Guy Smith, Marino Franchitti and Paul di Resta to name a few. Priaulx commented: “David and his Racing4Charity team are working tirelessly to put together what promises to be an amazing show, this is a fun event and the funds raised are going to such a worthy cause. Malaria is preventable but still a child dies every 30 seconds in Africa. Malaria No More UK aim to provide a mosquito net for every man, woman and child at risk of Malaria in Africa by December 31, 2010, I'm just glad I can do a little bit to help.” 

16-12-09

Autosport International: Mr Motor Racing, the legendary Sir Stirling Moss OBE, will kick-off the 2010 motorsport season in Birmingham when he opens Europe's largest motorsport show, Autosport International, to the public on Saturday 16 January 2010. The British racing icon is a huge name in the sport with a very loyal fan base, having won an incredible 212 races, almost half of those he entered during his 14-year career behind-the-wheel. These include 16 Formula One victories as well as 24 grands prix podium finishes until a near-fatal crash in 1962 at Goodwood made him decide to retire. At 80 years old, Sir Stirling is one of the most loved British sports personalities and will be greeting his fans at Autosport International's opening at the NEC. "I am looking forward to visiting Autosport International and meeting some of the motorsport fans," said Sir Stirling. "The show provides a great opportunity to see all aspects of the sport, from Formula One to go-karting, under one roof."

The Motorsport Safety Fund has confirmed that Adrian Newey, the Chief Technical Officer of Red Bull Racing, is to deliver the Fund’s "Watkins Lecture" on Friday 15th January at the Autosport Show. This popular annual event is named after Professor Sid Watkins - F1's safety pioneer - who made the very first presentation. The Lecture is very much a highlight of the Autosport International Show and is attended by some 500 delegates. Adrian Newey will join a very prestigious list of previous speakers which in addition to the Professor himself includes Sir Jackie Stewart, Max Mosley, Niki Lauda, David Richards, Martin Brundle, Ross Brawn, Bernie Ecclestone, Malcolm Wilson and Ron Dennis CBE. Tickets, which are free of charge, are now available by sending in an SAE to:  

Watkins Lecture

Motorsport Safety Fund

PO Box 200

Sevenoaks

Kent TN15 8WZ 

MSA Medicals at Autosport Int. Before the new season, one of the first tasks for existing MSA licence holders and budding racers is to get their medical paperwork in order. To save you time and the hassle, Motor Racing Medics will once again be providing on-site medicals at Autosport International. The FIA has also introduced a new regulation that international drivers under 45 years old, now require a 12-lead resting ECG every two years. Motor Racing Medics will undertake these at the show, as well as stress ECGs, medicals and blood grouping. Furthermore, they also have a supply of racing licence application forms available for drivers who have forgotten, or not yet received them. Motor Racing Medics is situated in the Organisers Office outside Hall 18 and appointments are available for all four days of the show. For further info rmation please contact Motor Racing Medics Ltd on 01293 822 036.  Show entry is complimentary to BRSCC members.

BRSCC:  The calendars for all BRSCC championships and race meetings are currently being drawn up and will be issued to championship co-ordinators for distribution to registered competitors as soon as they are available. This information will also be readily available at the Autosport Show.

Superleague Formula: Tottenham’s Head of International Development, Fran Jones, took time out from his busy schedule to talk about the club’s Superleague Formula success in 2009. 

Formula Ford: The official DVD of the 2009 BRSCC Formula Ford Festival is now available. The DVD features highlights from the Duratec, Kent & Zetec categories of the annual Brands Hatch spectacular. Priced at £15, which includes postage & packing, the DVD has been produced by Pit Lane Productions and has a running time of approximately 47 minutes. You can order your copy now online via this link FF FESTIVAL DVD  Alternatively you can order a copy by sending a cheque, made out to Pit Lane Productions to:

Pit Lane Productions

125 Harlequin Avenue

Brentford

Middlesex

TW8 9EW

Porsche Carrera Cup GB: The 14th and final programme in the dedicated TV coverage of the 2009 Porsche Carrera Cup GB will be broadcast in the Motorsport UK programme over the Christmas period. The first showing will be on ITV4 at 5pm on Tuesday 22 December, followed by ITV1 on the night of Thursday 24 December and a further repeat on ITV4 on the morning of Saturday 26 December.The Motorsport UK series, which was extended to hour-long programmes for 2009, has covered all of the Carrera Cup GB action this year. Round 20 of the season at Brands Hatch, the deciding race of the year, will feature in the final programme in the series. 
Motorsport UK will be broadcast as follows:
Tuesday 22 December at 5pm on ITV4
Friday 25 December at 2.15am on ITV1
Saturday 26 December at 10.50am on ITV4

The 2010 Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour Showroom Enduro entry now stands at 30 cars for the Event scheduled over the weekend of February 12-14 with entries still open for another month. A majority of the 2009 class winners are returning including; TMR Australia who took out the 12 Hour in a Mitsubishi Lancer RS, Barry Morcom will participate again in his BMW 335i in Class B – High Performance Rear Wheel, Garth Walden has entered Class C for Performance Sedans in a Holden Commodore SS VE and Matthew Windsor will make a return to Class E – Production Small in the same Subaru Impreza 2.5. Event Promoter James O'Brien is pleased with the current entries and has been informed of more cars that are due to enter by the end of January. "I'm aware of at least another dozen cars planning to enter. Given the financial issues of the last year, we have had a great response and I'm pleased with the amount of entries to date. Entries don't close until the end of January so there is still plenty of time for teams to get their entries in," said O'Brien. The Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour Showroom Enduro is now in its 4th year, with a grid of over 50 cars expected. The Event will be televised in a 3 hour special on the SEVEN Network, through Fox Sports, New Zealand and other International Markets.

GP2 : Fabio Leimer and Max Chilton will drive for Ocean Racing Technology in the 2010 GP2 Series. Going into their second year in GP2, the team of Tiago Monteiro and Jose Guedes is aiming to reinforce its position in the 2009. Fabio Leimer drove for the team in the GP2 Asia Series in Abu Dhabi last month, setting 3rd quickest time in qualifying. The 20 year old Swiss won the Formula Master title in 2009 with 7 wins. He has proved in his testing and in GP2 Asia that he is ready to move into the main GP2 series. "I am just delighted. Since my aim is to race in the GP2 Series, I am determined to do so with one of the best teams. Ocean Racing Technology actually has excellent engineers with a very professional structure and in my opinion it is important to run with such a team. Despite the fact it will be my first season in the series, I think I can find a good pace. I need to be consistent, to do good races, to aim for the podium and why not a win," Leimer said. At just 18, Max Chilton is a British racer who already has experience in several series. He finished the 2009 season in 4th in British F3 and secured two victories along the way.. After three seasons in F3, Max is ready to move up to GP2. "I am happy to join forces with Ocean Racing Technology, this is fantastic! It is a great team and its approach is smart. The structure is really professional and the engineering crew gives all the guarantees the team needs. As for me, it is a big step coming from F3 but I'm motivated. I hope to quickly secure some good results and I know Ocean Racing Technology is the team with which I can do so." In 2009, Ocean Racing Technology finished the championship in 9th place.

GT Sport have confirmed the 2010 calendar of the International GT Open,of 8 two-race events, all in prestigious first-class venues. There are only a couple of changes since the provisional calerdar was released, there’s a switch between the Imola and Portimao events (the opening event has been moved a week further to 18 April to avoid date clashes with other series) while the UK event will take place in Brands Hatch's GP course on 19 September.

GT Academy 2010 goes live on 17 December Nissan  and  Sony  Computer  Entertainment  Europe  (SCEE)  have  revealed  that  the  online,  time-trial  stage  of  GT Academy 2010 will be fought out on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Entrants will record lap times in Gran Turismo® versions of both a standard, road version of Nissan’s stunning 370Z as well as a tuned version of the same car. Combined lap times will give each player their leaderboard place.. The prize at stake is a dream for all motor sport fans. The ultimate winner of GT Academy 2010 will be given an extensive racing driver training programme in order to qualify for an international race licence. They will then be entered for a full season in the European GT4 Cup with a drive in a race-spec Nissan 370Z GT4 car. The time-trial stage of GT Academy 2010 runs until 24 January. The fastest 20 Gran Turismo drivers from each territory will then face each other in live national finals events. A total of twenty winners will emerge to attend the GT Academy at Silverstone – a ‘boot camp’ for racing drivers. Two winners will then be set up with accommodation at Silverstone itself while they are trained to international race licence stage during a two-month period. Only one, however, will have the chance to drive the Nissan 370Z GT4 for the RJN Motorsport Team.

15-12-09

Formula Ford : Reigning National Formula Ford Champion Scott Malvern is to step up to the Dunlop MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain in 2010. The 20-year-old will lead the Cliff Dempsey Racing team back to the championship, and will race a Ray chassis. Malvern's deal with Cliff Dempsey Racing follows a string of successes together in 2009, the Essex driver's maiden season of car racing. Scott won not only the Webcon UK National Championship with the Irish squad but also the Richard Egger Midlands South Championship. Malvern explained his reasons for remaining with Dempsey after receiving much interest from many of the established teams in the series: "I was very happy with Cliff in 2009 and the way he went about his business. Right from the start we talked about this being a two-year programme and if we could crack FF1600 in year one we would move up to Duratec together for year two. Things couldn't have gone much better for my debut season in cars thanks to Cliff and his team and so we've decided to go for it and try to finish the job that we started." Malvern knows all about winning at the top level in Formula Ford - he was formerly a mechanic with multiple champion team Jamun Racing.Cliff Dempsey Racing has not contested the Ford-backed series since 2006, when Cliff's son, Peter, won four races and claimed third in the championship. "We did consider running other cars, including the Mygale, but I have a long and successful association with Ray and we strongly believe it can do a good job," said Cliff Dempsey. "Scott impressed me a great deal this year not only with his talent but his maturity and the calm no-nonsense way he just got on with the job. I know that other top teams have been keen to sign him so I'm delighted that he's decided to remain with us." pic Jakob Ebrey

F2000: Bobby Caldwell became the first official 2010 F2000 Championship Series driver last week as he was at the front of the line when series registration opened.  Caldwell returns to the #80 Van Diemen under the Caldwell Racing banner for a third F2000 season with engineering support provided by Liberty Motorsports and support from sponsors Freitag Weinhardt, Industrial Outsourcing Services and Ryan Fire Protection. “The bang for the buck with the F2000 Series just doesn't get any better,” commented Caldwell. “The big news is that being with Liberty (Motorsports) means I'll have a full time mechanic and the same crew around me all season. It'll be the same engineering guy and data guy and I can build a relationship with them. Last year we changed engineers a few times and I knew what I wanted out of the car but I was talking to a different supporting cast every weekend. There will be dedicated people to specific jobs in 2010 instead of me working on the car and talking to someone different every weekend about setup stuff.”  The 25 year-old American is planning to do the winter nationals in Florida this January along with early spring testing at Putnam Park. The team, Caldwell Racing, just put the finishing touches on their 5,000 sq. ft. shop in Terre Haute, Indiana. Caldwell had a rough 2009 season that saw numerous DNFs and 24th in the final standings. “It couldn't be much worse than what happened in 2009 so anything will be an improvement,” Caldwell said. “We would like to be in the top five consistently. To do that I need to get my qualifying together so I am not stuck in the middle of the pack. We had lots of problems last year being in traffic at the back. At the front I can worry about me more. It's about starting fourth, not 14th.” Caldwell tied the knot with girlfriend Marissa during November in Key West, followed by a honeymoon cruise to the Western Caribbean.

Karts: Ed Brand claimed third place in last Saturday's Junior Max World Final to add to his inmpressive haul of trophies this year. The Junior Max driver now has a  0,1,2 and a 3 number plate, plus  his British 'O' Plate (Open Championship), the national title and finishing the Euro Max Challenge as runner-up.  pic - Bas Kaligis/KartXpress   

Jordan King become the youngest driver ever to test a FIA Formula Two single-seater, the  Warwickshire driver was invited to try out the car during the group Formula Two test in Valencia recently and he didn’t do too bad  fin ishing 10^th fastest on the second day.

V8 Supercar:  Jason Bargwanna had his first drive in a Kelly Racing Holden Commodore V8 Supercar at the team's end-of-season day at Winton Motor Raceway at Benalla, Victoria this week. Bargwanna, who was the overall event winner at Winton in both 1999 and 2000, piloted Kelly Racing chassis PE047 around the 3.0-kilometre circuit, getting around 100 laps of track time while performing passenger rides. The car carried an interim testing livery on the day, with more details on Bargwanna's entry at Kelly Racing to be announced at a later date. Bargwanna was pleased to get a head start on 2010. "I was very excited to actually get a taste for the car, how it drives and just see how it is that they go about getting the cars right and being competitive and I was very impressed with package so far," said Bargwanna. "What impressed me the most is the way the guys all work together, the communication level. It's fantastic and I really think that this is certainly a team that's got the credibility to do the job." Bargwanna, the 2000 Bathurst 1000 winner, was impressed by the Kelly Racing Commodore. "I think over the day I've done probably 100 laps in terms of rides," said Bargwanna. "Obviously it's hard to evaluate the cars with a passenger on board but my initial impression is that they're impressive and that they'll be competitive. The engine impresses me and there are a couple of different little things with the front geometry which seem to make the car work quite well so I'm really looking forward to having a proper attack at it." Brothers Todd and Rick Kelly were also behind the wheel at Winton, sharing driving duties in Chassis PE045 to give Bargwanna maximum seat time in the team's other car. Rick Kelly said that it was great for the team to begin working with Bargwanna before the end of 2009 as Kelly Racing gets ready for next season. "It's good on a number of levels," said Rick Kelly. "Firstly, just for all the guys to get to know Bargs and to have a chat to him and experience what it's like to work with him at a track is good. It allows us to hit the ground running next year. Also, to get Jason in the car and to feel what it's like to steer one of our rockets around on a typical Winton in greasy conditions, it's been good for all of us. We've all bonded quite well and we're all pretty excited about next year. We already feel like we're a team that's worked together for a while." Kelly Racing will release details regarding its fourth driver for the 2010 V8 Supercar Championship Series at a later date.

Formula 3: Team Motopark Academy is going to contest its maiden ATS Formula 3 Cup season with an international driver line-up. The squad will be represented by Denmark's Kevin Magnussen, Brazilian Luis Derani, Swede Jimmy Eriksson and Luis Sa Silva from Angola. All the four Motopark Academy drivers will contest the 2010 season with Dallara F307 Volkswagens. "We massively rely on the new cooperation with Volkswagen," says Team Principal Timo Rumpfkeil, "Particularly as our involvement in the development will be bigger. This situation increases our chances of securing top positions and in combinationwith our line-up we should have a lot of winning potential." 17-year old Kevin Magnussen should be able to deliver this year. The son of former F1 driver Jan Magnussen, finished runner-up in the 2008 Formula Renault 2.0 NEC. He made the step from the Formula ADAC Masters up to Formula Renault at the beginning of the 2008 season and has got the experience of several kart seasons under his belt. His team-mates Jimmy Eriksson and Luis Sa Silva , both 18, will be amongst the younger ATS Formula 3 Cup drivers while 16-year old Luis Derani is one of the youngest on the 2010 grid. The involvement of Team Motopark Academy represents another boost for the ATS Formula 3 Cup. The races of the coming season are expected to be contested by an impressive grid of nearly 30 cars, with seven of the drivers competing in the ATS Formula 3 Trophy.

14-12-09

Karts: Tom Ingram went back to his karting roots in the annual, charity-based Johnny Herbert Karting Challenge recently, where he went wheel-to-wheel with ex-grand prix and Le Mans 24 Hours winners and did a pretty impressive job.         pics : Jeff Bloxham Photography

TAG Heuer Professional Timing, the timekeeping division of the renowned TAG Heuer Swiss brand, has been selected as the official timing partner for Formula Kart Stars from 2010. Formula Kart Stars prides itself in being the premier training grounds for aspiring racing car drivers. The Championship was established back in 1996 when McLaren boss Ron Dennis, Mercedes boss Norbert Haug and Martin Hines got together to create a junior karting championship which would provide a path for young drivers who wished to pursue a career in motorsport.  President and founder of Supersport David Hutchinson says that “this is the ideal opportunity for us to work with a series that not only provides an exciting and competitive season but also puts back into the industry at the ground roots level the commitment and enthusiasm to encourage and establish new talent for the future” Carolynn Hoy of Formula Kart Stars confirms that “the agreement with the Timing division of the leader in prestigious sports watches and chronographs since 1860 is an important step to maintaining the integrity and professionalism of the series”  Jean-Christophe Babin , the TAG Heuer’s CEO says : “ This partnership also represents an opportunity for TAG Heuer to demonstrate the significant similarities between the values inherent to the UK premier Karting championship those conveyed by its own corporate philosophy made of passion, precision and mental strength. Without absolute timekeeping precision to 1/1,000^th of a second the competition simply would not take place “.TAG Heuer’s partner SuperSport will supply timing and scoring services to Formula Kart Stars.

Star Mazda: Daniel Erickson isn't throwing in the towel, despite the Australian Motor Sport Foundation failing to re-appoint him as an International Rising Star for 2010 and with it financial help. Erickson, 22, received the news on Friday, less than a week after he arrived back in Australia following a highly successful debut overseas racing season in British Formula Ford. He returned home via the USA for a test with Star Mazda team Mundill at MSR Houston Raceway on December 2-3. In his first drive in a 'slicks and wings' openwheeler, he lapped within 0.1secs of Mundill's best Star Mazda time. But without the AMSF contribution to his 2010 racing budget he faces an uphill battle to contest the Star Mazda Championship, or any similar 'junior development' openwheeler series. "The AMSF decision took me by surprise, because I achieved everything that could reasonably have been expected of me this year," Erickson said. "I finished fifth overall in the British Formula Ford Championship, and was the highest ranked driver with no previous experience on British racetracks."Erickson scored one win, six podiums and three poles,better than this year's British Formula Ford Champion, James Cole, managed in his debut season. Erickson added that he had applied for financial assistance to compete in the 2010 Star Mazda Championship instead of a second British Formula Ford campaign, as the AMSF had suggested, because it would delay his graduation to motorsport's senior categories. "Three years in Formula Ford is long enough, and my Star Mazda test proved that I'm ready to move up to the next level," he said. Erickson said that he was grateful to the AMSF for contributing to his racing budget this year, and to CAMS for supporting him during 2008 and 2009, but he wasn't dwelling on their latest decision. "I've come back from adversity many times on the racetrack, and this off-track setback is no different -- it means I just have to try even harder to secure the entire budget for the next step in my journey to Formula 1.I might be down, but I'm definitely not out!"

13-12-09

Formula 2: Jolyon Palmer has set the fastest time during the final day of Formula Two winter testing in Portimao. Palmer closed out the final F2 test of 2009 with a good display in the second afternoon session with a 1:35.519s in the final 75 minute stint. He recorded a 1:35.573s just two laps after his pace-setting lap, which was also good enough to beat his rivals.  Dean Smith took second overall on the final day with a time in the morning session. The McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award winner recorded the quickest first sector during the final 'overboost enabled' session, but he unfortunately hit traffic later in the lap. A slight technical problem then scuppered his chances of improving further, but Smith has more than impressed over the two day test. Renger van der Zande improved throughout his first day and he put in a squick lap late on to end up just 0.014s behind Smith. Kevin Mirocha and Kazim Vasiliauskas were fourth and fifth as the two dipped under the 1:36s barrier in both the morning and afternoon sessions. Mirocha improved upon his earlier time while Vasiliauskas was unable to beat his flying lap from the opening hour of the day. F2 debutant Duncan Tappy proved his pace by taking sixth in the final hour, just 0.175s behind Palmer's ultimate lap. Johan Jokinen has impressed in both Valencia and Portimao - the Dane was the only other competitor to record a 1:35s lap time during both the morning and afternoon sessions. Jokinen finished up seventh, ahead of Alex Brundle who made progress during his two days of running, and he turned in a great lap at the first attempt on his final set of new tyres.  Frenchmen Benjamin Lariche and Tristan Vautier finished ninth and tenth - separated by just 0.006s. Belgian Benjamin Bailly showed considerable speed during the two days, but he dropped to eleventh at the finish ahead of Mihai Marinescu. Russian racer Ivan Samarin saved his best showing until the end as he jumped above Jonathan Summerton, Jack Clarke and Ricardo Teixeira in the final session. A delighted Jolyon Palmer said: "It is the first time that I have topped a session in Formula Two so I am really delighted. I have been making good progress recently and the Valencia test also went well last week, but it is a surprise to end up fastest. The lap was just neat and tidy, but I could have actually gone quicker a few laps later. It is about getting the best out of the new tyres and it something I have improved on during the session - it is just pleasing that it all came together this afternoon. It is a great way to finish 2009 and this will give me a real boost going into next year."

GP2: Ocean Racing Technology has signed Antonio Felix da Costa to a training program prior to his participation in the GP2 Main Series in 2011 at the wheel of the Portuguese team's Dallara. The agreement includes several programs which will all have the aim of providing the driver with complete professional training so that he can exploit his talent as well as possible. Felix da Costa will accompany Ocean Racing Technology to several race meetings and testing sessions as well as following a preparation program that will include several physical driving training courses, analysis of data and performance which will be operated by the team's engineering department, as well as a psychological structure for high level sport focusing on the pressure generated by a highly competitive sport as well as by the media. Tiago Monteiro will work closely with his young compatriot through this initial preparation for the main feeder series to Formula One.  Together with his preparation programme with Tiago Monteiro and Jose Guedes' team, Antonio Felix da Costa will take part in the Formula 3 Euro Series Championship. At just 18 years of age, he will be the first Portuguese driver to follow a specific preparation programme aimed at the highest level of motor sport.

The Skip Barber Racing School have announced a 14-race calendar for 2010. In a break from tradition, the 2010 season is tentatively planned to open at Homestead-Miami Speedway with the Rolex Sports Car Series before heading to Sebring International Raceway on the weekend of the famed 12-Hour race. By the time the championship reaches its finale weekend at Road Atlanta as part of the 12th Annual Petit Le Mans, the Skip Barber National will race at Virginia International Raceway, Lime Rock Park, New Jersey Motorsports Park, and a yet to be announced venue all in support of spectator events, many a part of the most prestigious race weekends in American road racing. The Skip Barber National is the series that launched the auto racing careers of Marco Andretti, Scott Speed, Raphael Matos and Joel Miller, plus the past two Skip Barber National Champions, Conor Daly and Connor De Phillippi, have won Walter Hayes Trophy.  

12-12-09

Karts: James Singleton has made a great start to his career in Junior Max class coming awat with second at  PF International in Lincolnshire, after coming through the pack from 25th to second in the final. Singleton described the drive as his 'best race ever!'  

Callum Bowyer threatened to steal victory in only his second time in the KF2 class at PF International, Sadly he was let down by reliability issues  just as he was lining up to tackle the  race leader. Nonetheless, the 15-year-old has clearly shown that he will be a force to be reckoned with indeed for national honours in 2010.        pics  Chris Walker/www.kartpix.net,

WTCC: In Monaco, the FIA World Motor Sport Council has decided that their will be no performance balance changes to any WTCC cars after the start of the 2010 season. The same system of compensation weights that were used in 2009 will be inj force in 2010. The championship will have 12 meetings over four continents. The only changes to the calendar, compared to the provisional one in June, are the Moroccan and the Italian events that have been brought forward by two weeks and one week respectively. The WTCC Race of Morocco will be held at Marrakech on May 2nd, while the WTCC Race of Italy returns to Monza on May 23rd, after visiting Imola in 2009.   

Gabriele Tarquini and SEAT were officially named 2009 FIA World Touring Car champions at the traditional FIA prize giving gala in Monaco.  In the sumptuous setting of the Sporting d'Eté's Salle des Etoiles, the FIA honoured all its champions. In a progression from Karting to Formula One, with WTCC's prize giving taking place between the FIA GT and the World Rally Championship's. After SEAT's Yvan Muller and BMW's Augusto Farfus - second and third in the championship respectively - had received the runner up trophies, Gabriele Tarquini and SEAT Sport director Jaime Puig  were awarded their respective  World Champion's trophies. Earlier Tarquini and SEAT attended the FIA gala where Tarquini was given the prestigious Golden Helmet award from the Italian motorsport magazine Autosprint. He received the Trophy from the hands of Ferrari F1 team manager Stefano Domenicali, during a gala dinner in Bologna in which all the champions of the 2009 automobile sport season were also celebrated. The Golden Helmet for the FIA WTCC winning manufacturer was collected by SEAT Italy's new director Cyrill René Hugi.

11-12-09

Formula 3: Following an excellent two-day test at Magny-Cours in France, American Matt Lee will compete in the Italian Formula 3 series in 2010. The 20-year-old from Syosset, New York will attempt to become the first American to ever win this championship, which has produced stars such as Riccardo Patrese and Giancarlo Fisichella. Lee, who finished second in the Formula BMW USA series in 2006 before advancing to Atlantics, has signed with Alan Racing based in Cologno Monzese, Italy for 2010. The team finished third in this year's championship with Pablo Sanchez Lopez. Lee drove one of Alan Racing's Mygales at the test. "The weather wasn't the greatest, as it rained both days," he related. "I enjoyed it a lot though. I was traveling with my manager, Eric Scalvi, and my coach, Christian Boudon. Overall the test went very well. Despite not racing since an Atlantic race at Lime Rock in July, I was up to speed quickly and I felt comfortable. The engineer and I made a few changes to improve the car, but overall it was great from the beginning."

Adrian Quaife-Hobbs will contest the 2010 Formula 3 Euroseries in a Dallara VW with Motopark Academy, with whom he raced in Formula Renault this season. Eighteen year-old Quaife-Hobbs tested with several F3 and WSR teams during the close season before making the decision to stay with Timo Rumpfkeil’s outfit for a second year. Following a successful season that saw him finish fourth in both the Formula Renault Eurocup and North European Cup, the former double T-Cars Champion and FBMW racer has undergone a successful test this week at Portimao. He now heads to Estoril for 3 more days next week. “Although I tested with other teams, I was always fairly optimistic that we’d be able to do a deal to run with Motopark Academy in Euroseries F3,” said Adrian. “Obviously I raced with them last year and I think we work well together. Aside from their superb record in Formula Renault, they are already proven race winners in only their first year in F3 and were without doubt the best of the up and coming teams which shows how much the development had come on. Using Volkswagen engines will be good as they are known for offering a lot of support and providing the extra information required, which for a new team will be particularly important. When I first got the opportunity to test with them at Oschersleben, I was very impressed with the set-up and the car so I feel very confident heading into next season.” Timo Rumpfkeil was equally enthusiastic about the coming season and delighted to have BRDC Rising Star Adrian among his line-up: “By the fact that we have already worked together with Adrian we know his strengths and weaknesses very well. We can go back almost seamlessly to our work from the year before. I see a big victory potential for Adrian and Motopark Academy.” The team has won 8 titles and 95 race victories since 2001. Based at the Oschersleben circuit, Motopark Academy will leave Formula Renault to concentrate on Euroseries and German F3, following a successful debut season this year which netted a maiden win, and a second podium finish. For 2010 the team will switch from Mercedes power to Volkswagen with Matias Laine and Antonio Felix da Costa joining Adrian in the squad.

The Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear, one America’s most recognised single-seater development series and a step on the ‘Motorsport career ladder’ for young drivers, has become part of the official "Road to Indy" developmental system it was announced on Thursday by the Indy Racing League.  Along with the new Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship powered by Mazda and Firestone Indy Lights, the Road to Indy provides a clearly-defined path for career-minded young drivers to progress up through the ranks to compete in the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500 and of course, one hopes, Formula 1.

Formula Ford 2000: The Van Diemen arm of Elan Motorsports Technologies will be the primary constructor for the Cooper Tires presents the USF2000 National Championship powered by Mazda, it was announced on Thursday at the Performance Racing Industry Show in Orlando.  Van Diemen chassis will be prominent in the 12-round 2010 season, which will feature two classes at seven venues on both road and street courses as well as oval circuits. It will be sole constructor in the top-level Championship class with Van Diemen models from 2001 to the next-generation DP08 for 2010 able to compete. Van Diemen cars also are eligible for the National class, which is open to cars that conform to the current SCCA Formula Continental regulations. "When you look back at the history and tradition of F2000 in the United States, it has always been an outstanding incubator of professional drivers, developing some of the greatest American road-racing and oval drivers," said Scott Atherton, President and CEO of Panoz Motor Sports Group the Georgia-based company to which Van Diemen and Elan belong. "We are proud and honoured to be associated with yet another world-class championship like USF2000 and continuing the success Van Diemen has always had at this level of the sport. We wish Dan Andersen and his management team success and look forward to the coming season with Elan and Van Diemen playing a critical role." Van Diemen designers and constructors have been hard at work developing upgrades to the DP08, which dominated the SCCA National Runoffs two months ago with a podium sweep in the race. New for the 2010-spec DP08 is a stronger steel chassis, improved side intrusion panels and headrest / cockpit surround for driver safety, new Elan custom-built steering rack, new uprights and brakes (in cooperation with Performance Friction Corporation) and a comprehensive bodywork and wing update package for improved aerodynamic performance.

British Super Bikes: MSVR, the commercial and organisational rights holder of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli has issued a revised 2010 calendar. The major change concerns Donington Park which has not been able to be included in the 2010 calendar. The Donington circuit operating companies entered into administration last month and the track is currently in an unusable condition. Earlier this year several planned race meetings were cancelled and the BSB round was only able to be confirmed as going ahead eight days before the event, which was quite unsatisfactory. Such uncertainty is clearly unacceptable for the teams, series organisers and spectators. Donington Park had occupied September 10/11/12 on the provisional calendar. Croft is now re-instated to this date, whilst on May 21/22/23 the championship will now visit the popular Cadwell Park circuit in Lincolnshire for the first of two championship rounds.Other minor changes in the month of July see Knockhill moving to July 2/3/4 and Snetterton to July 16/17/18. MSVR Chief Executive Jonathan Palmer said; “It is very important for the teams, our broadcast and commercial partners and above all the fans that we prepare a calendar consisting of venues where there is no doubt about whether or not the event will actually take place. The prospect of a second event at Cadwell Park in May will I’m sure be great news for the many thousands of fans that already flock to the August Bank Holiday meeting.” 

10-12-09

Karts: Harry Crawley took his first victory in the Junior Max Class at PF International recently on only his third outing since moving up from Junior Max this year.  

Autosport Int: David Brabham’s Celebrity Karting Challenge on Friday 15 January will boast a brand new circuit at Autosport International, promising competitors the most challenging charity kart race yet. Hosted for the first time in the Live Action Arena in aid of Malaria No More UK, the task of installing a 402-metre specially-constructed circuit at the NEC Birmingham has required nothing short of military precision planning and help from the best experts in the industry. Apex Circuit Design, specialists in FIA and CIK approved racing facilities willingly took on the task of designing the bespoke track for Brabham. The 10-corner circuit offers the perfect balance of fast sweeping sections followed by technical sequences of corners requiring both all-out speed and delicate kart control. Each feature is named, some in honour of motorsport legends and some to recognise the event’s valued supporters. Promising to test both the experienced professional and novice public driver alike, 90 minutes of spectacular racing action is sure to unfold in front of the 5000 seat Live Action Arena grandstand.  The mission to construct the track in 1 hour, of Live Action Arena performance finishing at 2pm and the start of practice for the Karting Challenge at 3pm, will be nothing short quite a feat. That’s why the best of the best, the British Army, has volunteered to help with the task. A team of over 20 recruits from the Army Air Corps Centre, Middle Wallop, are lending their support to construct the circuit by placing some 860 metres of barriers in place. Brabham commented: “The level of support for the Celebrity Karting Challenge for Malaria No More UK is absolutely staggering. I am so grateful to each of the companies who have worked so hard to help make our first race hosted in Autosport International’s Live Action Arena an amazing event. Over 20 teams comprising four celebrity and two paying public drivers will take part in the 2010 event. Members of the public can join the action for a charity entrance fee of just £300, which includes two tickets to Autosport International on trade day.

GP2: Mexican driver Sergio Perez will team up alongside Giedo Van der Garde for the Barwa Addax Team in next season's GP2 Series, thanks to the agreement reached between the Spanish team and Telmex. Perez drove in GP2 this year coming twelfth overall, highlights were a second and third places in the Europa GP at Valencia plus fastest lap at Spa. He also took two wins in 2008-2009 GP2 Asia Series.  Perez said: "I'm grateful to both Telmex and the Barwa Addax Team for giving me the opportunity to compete this season with one of the teams that will give me every chance to fight for the big prizes in the GP2 Series.”

LMS: Aston Martin Racing drivers, Jan Charouz (CZ), Tomáš Enge (CZ) and Stefan Mücke (DE) celebrated their 2009 racing achievements by receiving two prestigious awards. Charouz and Mücke travelled to Le Mans on Saturday 5 December to collect their 2009 Le Mans Series winning driver trophies at an event held at the famous 24-hour race circuit. Team-mate Enge was unable to collect his trophy in person as he was competing in a race in the Czech Republic.  In addition to the driver trophies, Team Principal George Howard-Chappell received the 2009 Le Mans Series winning teams’ award on behalf of Aston Martin Racing. On Sunday all three drivers attended the Autosport Awards in London where the Aston Martin LMP1 car featured amongst the nominees for ‘Racing Car of the Year’. Completing the weekend, on Monday 7 December the trio attended the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) Annual Awards Luncheon in London. The 007 Aston Martin drivers were honoured to receive the Silverstone-Le Mans Challenge Award for the crew achieving the highest combined results in the Silverstone LMS 1,000km and the Le Mans 24-Hour races.  The award, which is sponsored by Gulf Oil, is in recognition of the 007 crew’s fourth overall and best petrol car finish in the Le Mans 24-Hours and third in the Le Mans Series season finale at Silverstone. Team Principal George Howard Chappell said: “2009 has been a fantastic year for the team and especially the drivers of the 007 car who performed consistently well all season. These awards are fitting recognition for the hard work of every member of the team.”

09-12-09

Autsport Awards: Sarah Moore, 16, was awarded the British Club Driver of the Year award at the highly-prestigious Autosport Awards, held at the Grasvenor House Hotel, London, on 6 December 2009. Moore was in good company, as Formula One Champion Jenson Button, World Rally Championship driver Mikko Hirvonen and BTCC Champion Colin Turkington all received accolades at the event. Earlier this year, Moore secured the 2009 Ginetta Junior Championship title to become the first-ever female to win a mixed-sex motor racing championship at national level. The North Yorkshire driver raced to five victories during the Ginetta Junior season.  Moore will be kicking off the 2010 season on the Autosport Stage at Europe's largest motorsport show, Autosport International, on 14-17 January. She will visit the event to reflect on her breakthrough season and aspirations for the future, as well as giving advice to other young drivers that want to get into the sport. Also providing information to aspiring drivers will be the MSA Go Motorsport initiative, which will hold a special 'Under 17 Motorsport' exhibit at the show. The Go Motorsport stand will provide information on a range of racing disciplines that enable young drivers to take to the wheel well before they are legally allowed to drive on British roads. "I started out racing karts, which you can do from about six or seven years old," said Moore. "It's really easy to get into as you can hire karts until you get used to it and before committing to buy one. Having this sort of advice available at Autosport International will be really helpful to other young people who want to start racing."

VW Cup: Richard Styrin made a successful return to motor racing after a 10-year absence earlier this year in the Volkswagen Racing Cup,  and because he enjoyed himself so much, he has signed up for a full season in the 2010. Leeds-based company director Styrin, 39, was a front-running kart racer in the mid-1990s but gave up for financial and business reasons. He returned at Brands Hatch in September at the wheel of a Golf GTI and surprised regulars - and himself - by scoring two podium finishes. Now, thanks to his sponsor Carlyle Finance, Styrin is plotting a full year in the Volkswagen Racing Cup with Fuchs Lubricants. "It's all thanks to Carlyle," said Richard, "because it was a track day they organised last year that whetted my appetite and led me to try the Volkswagen Racing Cup. I had a great time at Brands Hatch - the car was good, I drove well, and everything went my way - though with hindsight I can't help feeling that I was awfully lucky. I'm really looking forward to putting together a whole season, but I have so much to learn compared with the championship regulars who know their cars and all the circuits, some of which I have only ever driven on a PlayStation." Styrin will race a Golf GTI liveried in the colours of Carlyle Finance and his own firm, Styrin Motors of Leeds, and prepared for the track by RacingLine. "I was very impressed by RacingLine when I raced at Brands Hatch and they were the obvious choice for the coming year, not least because I know that they will look after not only the car but also my sponsor impeccably well."  The championship kicks off at Oulton Park next Easter (3-5 Apr) and features double-header races at Snetterton, Rockingham, Donington Park and the Grand Prix circuits at Silverstone and Brands Hatch as well as its first overseas event, at Zandvoort in the Netherlands.  Pic: Jakob Ebrey Photography

Karts: Jordan King overcame a lack of practice time relative to his rivals to finish on the podium in his last outing of 2009 at PF International, this in only his second time out in the KF2 class to which he has only recently graduated.   

LMS: OAK Racing takes over as Pescarolo Sport LMP1/LMP2 constructor. OAK Racing has reached an agreement with Pescarolo Sport (Sora Group) to take over the manufacturing side of its business.  Consequently, the development and construction of the chassis, bodywork and spare parts of the Pescarolo LMP1 and LMP2 prototypes is assumed by OAK Racing, as well as all commercial activities. The technical development of the prototypes will come in collaboration with the engineering office of Pescarolo Sport. Work has already started and a programme of wind tunnel testing is planned for January to ensure that the prototypes are configured for the 2010 regulations and to continue the aerodynamic development undertaken in 2009. Jacques Nicolet, President of OAK Racing: “This agreement allows us to proceed with the development of all the existing chassis and, in particular, to continue the search for more performance. We have strong ties with the brand and the spirit behind the creation of these cars and we absolutely want to continue that. This is a new challenge for OAK Racing. We take on this task with the same dedication and efficiency that we have showed so far, and with the technical support of the men of the Pescarolo Sport design department. Pescarolos are very good cars which demonstrate their qualities every season and I am sure they have a big future ahead of them.”

During its press conference at this year's Le Mans 24 Hours in June, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest(ACO) confirmed its intention to link the various Le Mans Series, so in 2010 it will launch a cup reserved for entrants in the top endurance category, LMP1. This cup will be held on 3 continents in 3 races that are already part of the different series run under the Le Mans label. This American/European/Asian triple crown will kick off at Silverstone (13th Sept) in the LMS. The second round will be the Petit Le Mans (2nd October) in the ALMS and the final one will take place on the Asian continent in an Asian Le Mans Series event in November. A teams'/manufacturers' classification for the "2010 Le Mans Intercontinental Cup" will be established on the basis of the overall results of these races. The "2010 Le Mans Intercontinental Cup" precedes the creation of a world trophy in 2011 which will be run in compliance with the new ACO regulations: it will consist of a minimum of 6 races. A more detailed presentation of the world trophy will be made by the end of March 2010. Each competitor (team or manufacturer) must confirm its entry with the ACO before the end of February 2010 and will  be obliged to compete in all 3 races to be included in the overall classification. In addition, they must also take part in 5 races run under the Le Mans label (the 24 Hours excepted) to be eligible for the Intercontinental Cup.

Formula 2: UK Champion and recently crowned 2009 McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award winner Dean Smith will contest both days of the Formula Two test in Portimao, Portugal later this week (11/12 December). It will be Smith's maiden run in a Williams JPH1 F2 car and it follows a sensational season for the 21-year-old. He scored seven race victories and seven pole positions on his way to clinching the Formula Renault UK title earlier this year, where he stood on the podium a staggering 15 times from just 18 races.  Dean Smith said: "This is an exciting time in my career. I am delighted to have won the 2009 McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award and I am now eager to evaluate my options for next season, one of which is Formula Two. I am really looking forward to taking part in the two day F2 test in Portimao later this week."

08-12-09

Michelin Formula Renault UK Champion Dean Smith from Wolverhampton has been named the 2009 McLaren Autosport BRDC award winner collecting the prize of £50,000 together with a Formula One test with McLaren Mercedes. Twenty-one-year-old Smith, who won this year’s Formula Renault UK title with Manor Competition, is now the seventh winner to come from the one-make single-seater championship which is a prominent support race to the British Touring Car Championship.

GTs: Marcos Ambrose will race in the Dubai 24 Hour sportscar race at the Dubai Autodrome on January 14-16 early next year.  Ambrose will drive the #148 Ferrari F430 GT2 of the AF Corse team, partnered by Rob Kaufman, Michael Waltrip, Rui Aguas and Niki Cadei. AF Corse team owner Kaufman is also a co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, with which Ambrose's team JTG Daugherty Racing has a close technical alliance. Waltrip, also co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, is a two-time Daytona 500 champion and ran as Ambrose's team mate in the Sprint Cup Series this season. Ambrose has previous experience in GT and sportscar racing, entering the Grand-Am Rolex Sportscar Series event at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal earlier this year with fellow Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards. The Australian driver competed in the GT class at the 2005 Daytona 24 Hour in a Porsche GT3 Cup car with fellow Australians Paul Morris, Craig Baird and John Teulen.

Autosport International: David Brabham will be reunited with his Le Mans 24 Hours winning team-mate Alex Wurz (pictured) and fellow Peugeot Sport stars Franck Montagny and Nicolas Minassian as they join the Celebrity Karting Challenge primarily in aid of Malaria No More UK at Autosport International, on Friday 15 January 

V8 Utes Racing: Coopers Pale Ale driver Jack "The Hustler" Elsegood claimed victory in the 2009 Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series –protected by Armor All while George Miedecke took out the final round at Sydney's Telstra 500 on Sunday 6 December. Former NRL star Elsegood was sitting in a good position after Race 2, 35 points ahead of Hi-Tech motorsport teammate, Grant Johnson who made it home in second position for the round and in the Series. Eight drivers came into the final round with a chance at the title, however by Race 3, it was down to a Ford Vs Holden street fight with Elsegood and Johnson. Elsegood just had to finish the race to win, however he was in the same position in 2007 when he had tyre issues half way through the final race and lost the title. "I stayed out of trouble, I just wanted to have a clean race and get the car home. It's a great feeling to finally win the title. I've been with Coopers for 6 years now and it's a great result to finally bring this home to them," said the Sydneysider.  George Miedecke took out Race 1 while Layton Crambrook finished comfortably in second, with Andrew Fisher in third. In fourth; with the Series title looming Kim Jane was all over the back of Elsegood but wasn't able to take him and settled for fifth. Gary MacDonald finished in sixth place with West Aussie Grant Johnson hot on his tail. The top 16 reverse grid for Race 2 saw Steve Hodges on pole and from race start held his ground to take the win, his first in his V8 Ute racing Series career. Charlie Kovacs was hot on his heels and had to contend with second while, Nandi Kiss did well to finish in third for the race, his best result for the season. In Race 3, Lubrimaxx racings, George Miedecke started on Pole and didn't look back, to take the win.  The series pointscore is provisional due to ongoing appeals pending with CAMS regarding Layton Crambrook and Gary Baxter

VW Scirocco Cup: More than 200 applications for the 25 planned slots in the new Volkswagen Scirocco Cup have already been received by the Wolfsburg-based automobile manufacturer. The championship will replace the ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup as the DTM partner series next year. The cup will be contested with Scirocco cars powered by bio-CNG (bio-compressed natural gas) delivering up to 270 hp in the cup version. The alternative powered engine reduces the vehicle's CO2 emissions by up to 80 per cent. The "Scirocco Cup" is a very good example of the way in which Volkswagen presents its innovative technology in motorsport with tangible products," says Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen.

2010 Dakar Rally : Volkswagen squad is on the way to South America. The "Dakar" squad embarked on its voyage to South America with 60 tons of material and 17 support vehicles. The winning team of this year's Dakar Rally aims to repeat last year's exploit from 02 to 16 January 2010 with five Race Touareg vehicles. The cargo ship Grande Brasile is taking the equipment of the automobile manufacturer from Wolfsburg, who managed winning the world's toughest motorsport event with a diesel-powered vehicle, from Le Havre, France, to Buenos Aires where the Volkswagen squad will receive the vehicles again on 28 December.

Karts: Front-running Rotax team Dan Holland Racing has signed Mini Max star Jack Barlow for the 2010 season. The Shropshire-based squad has won numerous races this year with the likes of Tom Holland, Jack Dex and Ross Wylie. Barlow will join George Williams and Sean Babington to lead DHR’s assault on the Formula Kart Stars and Rotax Euro Challenge titles. “Due to his race-winning experience, Jack will lead our efforts at home and abroad. Albeit that it is a different class, with different characteristics in the karts, engines and tyres, Jack has experience of running at the front,” said Holland.  “It will be tough,” Dan added. “Jack will be up against older and more experienced drivers, although I don’t think he’ll be bullied around the track. He won’t be intimidated easily and we want him to be in with a chance of winning trophies straight away.”  After switching to a DHR-supplied Alonso chassis, the East Sussex driver began to attract Dan’s attention with a string of impressive drives. He says, “Jack’s performance at Kart Masters was outstanding. For me, that’s where he came of age. He was aggressive, decisive, clever and very mature for his age. He’s an exceptional talent and with a little nurturing, will develop into a phenomenal driver. He is a very exciting prospect and I’m delighted to welcome him. We have high expectations – we want a title next year.” Jack said: “I’m really looking forward to working with Dan and Leon (McDonald). They have a lot of experience and this is an exciting new chapter in my career. Everyone has made me very welcome and I hope that we can have a lot of success together.” Jack will make his DHR debut in a club meeting at Buckmore Park on 20 December.

British GP: Record ticket sales as F1 fans back British Grand Prix at Silverstone - Within 24 hours of announcing that the long term future of the FIA  FORMULA 1 BRITISH GRAND PRIX had been secured  at  Silverstone,  the circuit has seen an unprecedented demand for tickets to next year’s race on 9-11 July. Richard Phillips celebrates securing two British Grands Prix at Silverstone from 2010 onwards. Just under 6,500 tickets have been sold within 24 hours of going on sale, equating to more than £1.2 million in revenue. However, while Silverstone is thrilled with the early level of demand and support from fans, Silverstone Managing Director Richard Phillips has stressed that the current wave of interest needs to be maintained if the circuit is to make up for lost time. Richard Phillips commented, “We have been overwhelmed by the early level of interest for tickets for next year’s event  -  we’re very fortunate that Silverstone and F1 enjoy fantastic support from the fans. With two World Champions, a British team and a British Grand Prix secured for the long term, there is a lot to be optimistic about. We’re committed to delivering a fantastic experience for the fans, offering real value for money, with an array of on and off-track entertainment. With MotoGP and F1 at Silverstone next year, we’re looking forward to a busy and exciting year.” Silverstone can continue to be a centre for motor sport excellence for many years to come.” Tickets for both the Formula 1 and Motorcycle British Grands Prix are now on  sale. 

The British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) celebrated motor racing achievements of 2009 in some style today (Monday 7 December), when it hosted the BRDC Annual Awards Luncheon at a star-studded event at The InterContinental Hotel in Park Lane, London. The ceremony was attended by motor racing’s finest and the Club was honoured to welcome The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, as a distinguished guest to present Jenson Button with one of his awards - the Richard Seaman Trophy. It was another successful afternoon for the recently crowned Formula 1 World Champion. Button joined Sir Stirling Moss and fellow British F1 World Champions Sir Jackie Stewart OBE and Damon Hill OBE for a brief photo call, before receiving a standing ovation as he collected no fewer than four awards - including the prestigious BRDC Gold Star, presented to him by ten-time BRDC Gold Star winner, Sir Stirling Moss OBE.   

Le Mans 24 Hours victor and American Le Mans Series Champion David Brabham was honoured for his outstanding performance in 2009 with the Fairfield Trophy at the British BRDC Awards. Brabham is currently enjoying a rare trip back to Australia to compete in the final round of the MINI Challenge at Homebush yesterday, as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations for his father, Sir Jack’s first of three Formula One titles in 1959. Although unable to attend the event in person, the audience and BRDC Members at the ceremony were treated to a special video message from David and Jack in Australia. “It is a great honour to receive the BRDC Fairfield Trophy for outstanding achievement,” said Brabham. “It’s been an unbelievable season where I was privileged to race with two fantastic teams. Winning Le Mans with Peugeot and taking the ALMS title with Patrón Highcroft Racing achieved two of my career-long goals in what was a very special year for all of the family. Half a century ago, my father won his first F1 crown and it’s fantastic to be here in Australia celebrating his remarkable achievements with the rest of the family. I am sorry I can’t be there to collect the award but the Fairfield Trophy really is a fitting end to a memorable year. It means a lot to receive this commendation from my peers.” The BRDC Fairfield Trophy is awarded for an outstanding performance by a BRDC Member in honour of Pat Fairfield, a highly-regarded driver of the pre-war era who scored many victories at home and abroad — notably in an ERA. Fairfield lost his life in an accident during the 1937 Le Mans 24-Hour race.

Karts: The Trackmagic team of Memo Gidley, Oswaldo Negri, and Ricky and Jordan Taylor were at the Granja Vianna 500 go-kart race held in Saul Paulo Brazil recently competing against a field of star drivers from all over the world. Amongst the luminaries taking part were Felippe Massa, Rubins Barichello, Tony Kanaan, Chrsitian Fittipaldi, Bruno Junquiero, Vitor Miera and Marco Andretti to name just a few.  

Formula Ford 1600: Championship winning team, Unitec Motorsport, are seeking to complete their 2010 line-up and currently have 2 drives available for the 2010 BRSCC FF1600 National Championship. So for prospective drivers, to ensure that you're at the sharp-end of such a highly regarded championship, why not take advantage of one of Unitec Motorsport's drive offers. If you are serious about your racing and feel as though FF1600 is the category for you in 2010, then this opportunity is far too good to miss. 

07-12-09

British GP: Silverstone and the BRDC announce 17 year Formula 1 British Grand Prix deal. Silverstone and the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) are pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached to secure the long term future of the FIA FORMULA 1 BRITISH GRAND PRIX. The 17 year deal will see the UK ’s most prestigious motor sport event remain at the Home of British Motor Racing in Northamptonshire. Speaking on Monday (07 December) FOM President Bernie Ecclestone, said: "I am pleased that we have reached an agreement with Silverstone for the retention of the British Grand Prix. This will ensure that Great Britain will remain on the Formula One calendar for many years to come, which is something I have personally always wanted to see happen. The team at Silverstone already knows how to organise a good event, so now everyone can look forward to next summer at Silverstone.”  Damon Hill, President of the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC), owners of Silverstone Circuit, said: "We are delighted that the long term future of the British Grand Prix has been secured and that Formula 1 will be remaining at Silverstone, its natural home in Great Britain , for at least the next 17 years. This long term contract will enable us to continue with our plans to develop Silverstone into a world class facility, bringing the venue into line with the very best sports facilities in the world for the benefit of all race goers, teams, drivers and fans.   “On a personal note, I would like to thank the team at Silverstone, our board of the BRDC, the membership of the BRDC and those in the industry who have been unwavering in their support.  “We have now secured the blue riband events in both two and four wheeled World Championships, and are looking forward to an exciting future.”  

McLaren Autosport BRDC Award : Dean Smith capped off 2009 in perfect style in London last night, Sunday, 6th December, by winning the 21st McLaren Autosport BRDC Award and, with it, a prize Formula One test drive with the McLaren Mercedes F1 team.  The 21-year-old, from Wombourne, near Wolverhampton, was named one of six finalists for the prestigious award for the second time in three years after becoming Formula Renault UK Champion with seven victories. “Winning this award is the culmination of an incredible year”, said Dean, “To be nominated for a second time was a great feeling but to actually win such a prestigious accolade is unbelievable. Adding my name to the list of former winners is very special and, obviously, I can’t wait to be able to test the F1 car - that really will be a dream come true.” Dean was presented with his award in front of a star-studded motorsport audience at Sunday evening’s annual Autosport Awards ceremony by the last three British F1 World Champions - Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton and Damon Hill (President of the British Racing Drivers’ Club). His rivals for the prize were Formula Renault UK runner-up James Calado, UK Formula Ford Champion James Cole, Formula Ford Festival winner Chrissy Palmer, Star Mazda Champion Adam Christodoulou and European F3 Open front-runner Callum MacLeod. In addition to the headline prize of a Formula One test with Button and Hamilton’s McLaren F1 team, Dean also receives £50,000 towards his 2010 racing budget, a TW Steel wristwatch, the use of free Puma racewear for a year and full membership of the British Racing Drivers’ Club. He added: “It really has been an amazing year for me, everyone at Manor Competition worked so hard during the season to give me a fantastic car with which to fight for the championship - a massive thank you goes out to Tony (Shaw), Sarah (Shaw) and the rest of the team as, without them, I wouldn’t have been in a position to win the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award.“We knew it would be an incredibly tough challenge to win the Formula Renault title after missing the first two races, and without any testing either, but we all had the belief in our ability to get the job done. Now I’m looking forward to hopefully making the step up to the new GP3 Series although we do have a number of options to consider in Formula 3 too so we’ll have to see what happens.” pic Autosport/LAT

Carrera Cup Asia: Macau’s Rodolfo Avila ended his 2009 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia season on Sunday at Sepang by finishing the last two races of the year in third place, It was a good  end to his first year in the series where he took six podium places including two wins.   

Formula 3: Fresh from stealing the show at the Formula 1 'rookie tests' at Jerez in Spain, the 2009 Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series Champion, Daniel Ricciardo, raced back to England on Friday (4 Dec) to collect his victory silverware.  The 20-year-old Carlin driver received the champion's trophy at the annual SRO Motorsports Group awards, held in West Sussex. On Thursday Ricciardo blitzed the field on the third and final day of F1's official young driver test session, the Australian's Red Bull Racing machine lapping Jerez with a time 1.3s clear of his nearest rival. Said Daniel: "It was a great day and it puts a big, proud smile on my face. I think the team were quite satisfied - I think they got some good data for next year." Ricciardo is bidding to follow 2008 British F3 Champion Jaime Alguersuari into a regular Formula 1 seat, further reinforcing British F3's international reputation as the leading motorsport academy for the Grand Prix star of the future.  Walter Grubmuller and Renger van der Zande - second and third overall in the British F3 international class - collected their trophies on Friday also, and there were awards for National Class Champion Daniel McKenzie, top rookie Riki Christodoulou and Mirror.co.uk Challenge Cup victor Max Chilton.Pic Jakob Ebrey Photography

Other News: RaceFanRadio.com and PitFit Training invite fans to vote for this year’s “2010 Tony Renna Scholarship” recipient(s).  Simply log on to RaceFanRadio.com, locate the “Scholarship Voting” link and select as many candidates that you would like to see win this year.  The program was developed and introduced in 2005 as a way of giving deserving young drivers the opportunity to bring their racing fitness to optimal levels.  Past winners include Alexander Rossi, Joel Miller, Jeff Oleen, Miranda Throckmorton, and dozens more.
Winners will be announced this weekend at the P.R.I. Show in Orlando during RaceFanRadio and GoRacingTV’s exclusive live coverage with scholarship rewards beginning January 1, 2010.  The selection criterion has been stringent with a varied focus on race performance, community service, academics, and ability to maintain a focus on fitness.  Applicants submitted an application which includes two essay questions on current topics of interest from today’s news.  Those in consideration for the scholarship are between 12 and 20 years of age and have completed at least one year of racing competition.  They must also show proof of a confirmed racing schedule for the 2010 season.  For the first time, fans may vote and help determine the winner(s) so go to RaceFanRadio.com for full details and cast your vote(s) before the deadline, Midnight, Wednesday, December 9th.  For complete information, go to: www.RaceFanRadio.com, or www.PitFit.com

06-12-09

British GT: With three months to go before the 2010 Avon Tyres British GT Championship blasts off, the touchpaper has been lit by the new United Autosports team and its plans to field a brace of factory assisted Audi R8 LMS racers in Easter Monday's opening rounds of the series, as well as extra events during the season. The Anglo-American team's news has been revealed by United Autosports' co-owner and managing director, Richard Dean, who believes the Oulton Park rounds of the sports car series will provide an ideal testbed for his new team and its German cars.  "Our plans for 2010 centre on the FIA GT3 European Championship, and Oulton Park will be an ideal warm-up event for us," says Dean. "The competition in British GT is always fierce and Oulton is the sort of demanding circuit that will provide the ideal test for United Autosports' maiden outing. Hopefully we will be able to slot further British GT meetings into our schedule over the course of the year."  Driving for the team will be co-owner Zak Brown, 37, an experienced sports car hand and chief executive of the world's largest motorsport marketing agency, Just Marketing International. Another of the team's four seats will be filled by Argentine Pablo Perez Companc, a former South American F3 Champion and Ferrari sports car racer.  The Audi R8 LMS was a star of FIA GT3 in 2009, Phoenix Racing drivers Christopher Haase and Christopher Mies clinching the drivers championship with three victories. "The Audi proved itself as a major contender in Europe last season and we have every reason to believe that it will be a race winner again in 2010," says Dean. "United Autosports may have a very American flavour but the team is Yorkshire based and it will be great for a British-based team to give the Audi its maiden outing in the British GT Championship."  Among the opposition planning to line up at Oulton will be the race-winning MTECH team with its Duncan Cameron/Matt Griffin Ferrari 430 Scuderia, and two Ferrari 430 Scuderias from Chad Racing. Other teams are planning post-Christmas announcements of their plans for the coming season. "British GT, with GT3, GTC and GT4/Supersport, is looking very healthy for 2010," says the new Avon Tyres British GT Championship manager Benjamin Franasovicci, "and Oulton Park is going to be all the more exciting for the arrival on the grid of the United Autosports Audis." Championship promoter SRO has announced an eight-date, 14-race calendar for 2010, including a season-closing 'into the night' race at Donington Park and a two-hour endurance round on the Grand Prix circuit at Silverstone.

The 2009 Avon Tyres British GT Champions, David and Godfrey Jones, collected their impressive matching silver trophies on Friday (4 Dec) at the annual SRO Motorsports Group awards dinner in West Sussex. The twin brothers and their Team Preci-Spark Ascari collected three race wins - at Knockhill, Snetterton and Brands Hatch - on their way to a one-point championship victory over Ferrari pilot Hector Lester.    Pics Jakob Ebrey Photography

05-12-09

Karts: Spaces are filling up fast for a place on the 2010 Formula Kart Stars grid with more than 20 drivers already entered for the MSA British Cadet Championship qualifying rounds and very few spaces remaining in Mini Max, Junior Max and KF3. Thanks to an overwhelming response at Kartmania, all Cadets who haven’t yet entered the 2010 championship will now have to race their way into the series at one of the two qualifying events at Buckmore Park on December 20th or at Larkhall on January 17th.  “We have received some very positive feedback from new and returning customers,” says series director Carolynn Hoy. “It was fantastic to meet so many drivers at Kartmania and hear their views about the new season. Registrations are up compared to this time last year and I’m confident that 2010 will be a year to remember for all the right reasons.”  There are only 56 places available for Cadets with Mini Max, Junior Max and KF3 being restricted to 30 spaces. Of the 59 Cadets currently registered for the MSA British Championship, 33 have automatically been entered for 2010 having competed in the series last year leaving 23 places up for grabs. The top 11 drivers finishing in the A-final at Buckmore Park will gain entry to the MSA British championship, with the remaining 12 places to be decided at Larkhall.

04-12-09

WTCC: The FIA World Touring Car Championship is facing a winter break that will last little more than three months. In only 93 days the series that ended on November 22nd in Macau, will resume in Brazil for its sixth season. The Autódromo Internacional de Curitiba will host the opening event. The first two of the 24 races that will award the 2010 World titles will be held on March 7th, but the season will begin two days earlier, with the usual 30-minute test session on Friday afternoon. This will mark the fifth visit paid by WTCC to the 3.7km racetrack that has become a traditional stop since 2006. Actually the season will start much earlier for the teams and the championship's organisation, as cars and parts will be shipped to Brazil in the early days of February. 

Stefano D'Aste made up for the disappointment of missing the WTCC final round in Macau by winning the GT category in the Monza International Rally last Sunday. D'Aste, who was sidelined at Macau after James Thompson crashed into his stationary car during the qualifying session, took part in the rally having his sister Linda as co-driver. The pair dominated their opponents at the wheel of a Lotus Exige 260 Cup and obtained an outstanding tenth position overall. D'Aste was especially competitive in the wet and clocked an impressive fifth fastest time in the last stage of the event, amid WRC cars.

Triple world touring car champion, Andy Priaulx, and Isle of Man TT superstar, John McGuinness, can usually be found in Macau watching each others' races. Therefore this year they decided it was time for their mutual admiration to go one step further and before leaving China swapped racing helmets. Guernsey's Priaulx and Morecambe Bay's McGuinness have both won on the notorious street track, and have become firm friends over the years. This year it was the 12th time Honda rider McGuinness had raced there, while for BMW Team UK's Priaulx it was his sixth touring car appearance, but prior to that he had raced there in Formula 3. After the swap Priaulx said: "I have the utmost respect for the bikers round this track. I know how dangerous it is in a car, so can only imagine what it is like on a 1000cc bike. John and myself have become friends over the years and so it just seemed natural that we should swap our helmets - I think this is more sensible than our racing machines!  I am delighted to now own one of his helmets and this will have pride of place in my Guernsey home."

FBMW: Buller wins season final in Macau. The journey to Macau (CN) for the season finale of the Formula BMW Pacific series was worth the effort for William Buller (GB): sharing the bill with the 56th Macau Grand Prix, the 17-year-old celebrated his maiden victory in Formula BMW at the "Guia Circuit". Buller, who raced for the Eurointernational team in the former Portuguese colony, finished ahead of his team-mate, Jim Pla (FR), and Rio Haryanto (ID) from Questnet Team Qi-Meritus, who finished second and third respectively. Going into the 15th race of the season, Haryanto had already secured the Formula BMW Pacific title, while Gary Thompson (IR, E-Rain Racing) could relax knowing that nobody would deny him the Rookie title. Buller had laid the foundations for his triumph by claiming pole position on Saturday. He said: "After the start I kind of knew the safety-car would come out, so I just made sure I got a good restart. My best corners were the last two and every lap I would get a good gap between Jim Pla and myself going down the straight." A spectacular crash in the Mandarin corner resulted in several drivers retiring at the very beginning of the race, some with minor injuries.

Seven former Formula BMW drivers breathe F1 air. The Formula One teams had their final testing opportunity of the season in Jerez de la Frontera (ES) - and seven former Formula BMW drivers were involved in the so-called "Young Driver Days" in early December. Alexander Rossi (US) and Esteban Gutierrez (MX) gained their first valuable Formula One experience at the final appearance of the BMW Sauber F1 Team. Rossi completed 82 laps of the 4.428-kilometre circuit on Monday. "I very much enjoyed this test," he said. "It is impressive what the car does, how predictable and precise its reactions are, and how high the overall grip level is."  Gutierrez, who won last year's Formula BMW Europe, took over from the 2008 Formula BMW Americas champion on Tuesday. He was equally thrilled after completing 68 laps. "The main idea was to live that experience, to enjoy the day and to learn," he said. "I really thank the team for this much appreciated opportunity. In the end my neck was a bit stiff, and it was good to evaluate my own physical condition. The extra training I did paid off." Alongside Rossi and Gutierrez, WilliamsF1 driver Nicolas Huelkenberg (DE), Marcus Ericsson, Daniel Ricciardo, Oliver Turvey (GB) and Ho-Pin Tung (CN) were also in action, having all taken their first steps in single-seater racing in the Formula BMW series.

Star Mazda: Daniel Erickson made an encouraging start to his rain-delayed test with the Mundill USA Star Mazda team at MSR Houston Raceway in Texas this week.  With Tuesday's planned first day all but washed out, the young Australian worked down to respectable lap times during almost 80 laps around the 3.38km road circuit in Mundill's 2009-spec chassis. In chilly but dry conditions on the unfamiliar circuit, his best lap on a set of used Goodyear tyres was within a second of Mundill's unofficial testing record, with "plenty more to come".  The test is Daniel's first experience of a 'wings and slicks' openwheeler after three successful seasons in Formula Ford. Consequently he spent much of the day acclimatising to the rotary-engined Star Mazda's extra power, gears and traction. The biggest challenge, according to Daniel, was exploring the limits of adhesion in a car equipped with aerodynamic aids. Unlike a Formula Ford, which relies purely on mechanical (ie. tyre) grip that decreases with cornering speed, the Star Mazda's inverted wings increase the traction as cornering speeds increase. This was apparent on MSR Houston's faster corners, like the daunting 195-degree Carousel and the flat-in-sixth gear righthand sweeper at the end of the back straight.

Formula 2: Denmark's Johan Jokinen topped the timesheets after the first official Formula Two test day in Valencia this week, setting a searing pace in the final session of the day to finish as the only driver to dip under the 1m27s bracket. 19-year-old Jokinen, who drove for the Kolles and Heinz team in F3 Euro Series this year, rarely featured outside the top four all day and backed up an impressive early showing in the morning session by finishing fastest in the afternoon, ending the day just under 0.3 seconds clear of the rest of the field. Jolyon Palmer continued his own impressive form to record the second fastest time, having finished inside the top three in every previous session. 2009 FIA Formula Two Champion Andy Soucek - who was helping to develop the car in readiness for the 2010 season - set the third fastest time, with Jack Clarke and ex-A1GP driver Dan Clarke only fractions behind.

03-12-09

Formula Ford stars from last season and those hoping to follow in their tracks next year came together yesterday) at Rockingham on Wednesday for the Ford-backed championship's annual 'sampler day'. It was an opportunity for the teams to meet drivers planning on joining the Dunlop MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain in 2010 and for the young stars of tomorrow to try the many different chassis on offer. Rockingham was the venue also for the 2009 Champion, James Cole, and his runner-up, Josef Newgarden, to claim their prize drives - test sessions in a National Class British Formula 3 car fielded by top team T-Sport. The day was a superb advertisement for Formula Ford, says Sam Roach, of championship promoter RacingLine. "We were very encouraged by the calibre of the drivers attending, and the teams made some useful contacts. The prospects for the coming season are looking very bright." Among the young hopefuls trying a Formula Ford for the first time was 16-year-old Sarah Moore, who made history this year with her outright title victory in the Ginetta Junior Championship. She and her younger brother David sampled the DW Racing UK team's Ray chassis. "It's been a great experience," said Sarah, "because the car is totally different to those I am used to driving." Another recently crowned champion racer, David Ellesley, was in action also, trying the Mygale chassis of the JTR and Enigma teams and also Harkesport and Myerscough College Van Diemens. The 23-year-old, who won the Ford Fiesta ST Championship in 2009, is seriously considering a Formula Ford career. "To jump straight from a saloon into a Formula Ford was a real culture shock, but an immensely satisfying one," he said. "Combined with the damp track it was a steep learning curve. Formula Ford would be a great opportunity for me and I am working hard to put a deal together for 2010."  Luke Williams - an occasional competitor in 2009 - was in the ex-Chrissy Palmer Juno chassis he has bought in preparation for a full campaign next year. A new works Juno was being given its first outing, National FF1600 title-winner Scott Malvern at the wheel, while MSA 'Kartmasters' British Grand Prix podium finisher Max Goff drove one of the race-winning works Van Diemens prepared by Fluid Motorsport. Other drivers present included Jake Cook and Formula Vee champion Sam Oliveira. The teams taking part were Fluid Motorsport, JTR, Juno, Kevin Mills Racing, Enigma Motorsport, Getem Racing, Harkesport, Wrensport, DW Racing, Myserscough and Raysport.  The day was a big draw for junior karters also, with cadets from the Trent Valley Kart Club attending to get a feel for Formula Ford and long-circuit racing. They were given track rides by Formula Ford racewinner Chrissy Palmer and allowed a look behind the scenes in race control.  pic: Jakob Ebrey Photography

Eight rounds, including the Formula One Australian Grand Prix and its first visit to the new Townsville street track, make up the 2010 Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship calendar. The 2010 Championship will kick off at the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in March and finish eight months later, also in Melbourne, at Sandown, the historical home of Formula Ford. New for 2010 will be a round at Townsville in July, the first time open-wheeled racing cars have appeared at the tropical street circuit, which debuted on the V8 Supercar series calendar in 2009. "Townsville is an exciting opportunity for Formula Ford," Category Manager Margaret Hardy said. "As the first open-wheeled category to go there we think there will be a lot of interest, and I know everyone in the category is looking forward to the challenge of a new circuit. "Our 2010 calendar is a real mix of 'street' and traditional tracks, which is what modern motor racing is all about, and that creates a great training ground for our young drivers, which is what our category is all about." The 2010 Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship will be televised throughout the season, as part of the V8 Supercar Championship series coverage

Formula 3: James Cole and Josef Newgarden enjoyed their time at the wheel of T-Sport's Honda-powered Dallara F3 chassis, and team boss Russell Eacott was delighted by their performances: "They both showed a lot of maturity and level-headedness. They are both clearly very talented drivers, as you would expect coming out of Formula Ford." Cole had had prior experience of F3 power, but for American Newgarden it was a leap into the unknown: "It's all completely different and new to me," said Josef, "but all good! I thoroughly enjoyed the test." Both Cole and Newgarden are looking to follow the example of 2008 Formula Ford Champion Wayne Boyd and graduate to British F3 in the coming season. pic: Jakob Ebrey Photography

Reigning champion team Carlin has announced the identity of the third driver signed to join its squad for the 2010 Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series. He is 19-year-old Rupert Svendsen-Cook, who brings to the team single-seater experience gained in the Formula BMW Europe series. Svendsen-Cook will join fellow Briton James Calado, who is backed by the Racing Steps Foundation, and Red Bull racer Jean-Eric Vergne on the Carlin driving strength as the team bids to secure a third successive British F3 championship title. "I'm delighted to be with Carlin for 2010," said Svendsen-Cook, who finished sixth overall in Formula BMW this season. "Carlin has the best record of any team in British F3, and most importantly I already feel comfortable in the team. The F3 car is a fairly big step up from Formula BMW and is amazing to drive, with so much more grip than I am used to. Testing has gone really well so far and I cannot wait for the season and the racing to get underway." ,"  Carlin race director Trevor Carlin said  "We've been very impressed by Rupert's performances in testing and by the way he has gelled with the team. Our British F3 team is really starting to take shape now and it is exciting to think what they may be able to achieve together in 2010." Carlin confirmed the signing of Red Bull Junior Vergne, 19, last week. The Frenchman was Formula Renault Eurocup runner-up this season, taking four race wins. Calado's signing to Carlin marks the third year of the team's relationship with the Racing Steps Foundation, a benevolent foundation established to sponsor and support young British racing talent. James follows in the tracks of Racing Steps Foundation driver Oliver Turvey, who finished second in the 2008 British F3 championship with Carlin before going on to race with the team in Formula Renault 3.5. Calado enjoyed a stunning season in Formula Renault 2.0 UK this year, taking 12 podium finishes including eight race wins to seal second in the championship in one of the most competitive seasons in recent years.      pic: Jakob Ebrey Photography

Karts: Harry Crawley , who finished second in Britain in Mini Max class earlier this year, claimed a podium in only his second foray in the more powerful Junior Max class recently at PF International. 

LMS: In the past two seasons, 2008 and 2009,  the association between Speedy Racing and Sebah Racing in their partnership as Speedy Racing Team Sebah has grown and evolved from the GT ranks into LMP2 and LMP1.  With strong results on the track and in both reputation and image, the prestigious watch making brand REBELLION has decided to increase it’s involvement with the Swiss team. For 2010, "Speedy-Sebah" will become Rebellion Racing, thus providing the ideal platform to allow its main partner to further accelerate its global development with maximised exposure. The 2010 race program will focus on the Le Mans Series and 24 Hours of Le Mans, where Rebellion Racing hopes that its two LMP1 will be selected. Other races under the "Le Mans" banner will be considered by the Swiss team depending on the final schedule of the Le Mans Series. Having proven in 2008 the potential of the LMP2 Lola Coupe and having stepped up to the LMP1 in 2009, the team has decided to focus its resources on a programme in 2010 in the premier class of endurance. For the coming season, Rebellion Racing will campaign two Lola LMP1 coupes. Both cars will be powered by V10 Rebellion engines. The V10 is a technological partnership between Rebellion Timepieces and Judd Engine Developments Ltd. Both Lola-Rebellion will arrive in 2010 with reworked aerodynamics. Both cars will run on Michelin tyres. To date the team has signed three drivers for the 2010 season. Andrea Belicchi, Neel Jani and Nicolas Prost will spearhead the Rebellion Racing attack. A fourth driver for the Le Mans Series and the additional drivers for the 24 Hours will be announced at a later date.

F1 Debut: Alexander Rossi had his foirst taste of Formula 1 as he took part in Day 1 of the official FIA Formula One test at Jerez in Spain this week. Driving for  the BMW / Sauber F1 Team, Rossi put in  82 laps in the BMWF1 / 09 to end the day 7^th fastest.

Carrera Cup GB:  Michael Meadows, one of the two 2010 Porsche Carrera Cup GB Scholarship winners, has signed to race for Red Line Racing next season. Meadows will be a key member of a four or five-car squad from the Cleveland-based team.  "We always aimed for a place with Red Line Racing when we started in the Scholarship," said Meadows. "Red Line was the team that appealed the most; they have got so much experience with these cars and it will be a great place for me to learn. I've already had a test with them and felt really welcome within the team. I want to have a good testing campaign and go to some of the tracks I've not driven for a couple of years." Meadows (21) was one of the two drivers to win a £50,000 Scholarship award for the 2010 Carrera Cup GB. The Banbury-based racer has already started a training programme with the Porsche Human Performance Centre at Silverstone ahead of a testing programme before the opening races of the season in early April.  Red Line is one of standard setting teams in the Carrera Cup GB, having won the overall drivers' title with Richard Westbrook (2004), James Sutton (2007) and Tim Harvey (2008), as well as the teams' championship three times. "We're really excited about signing Michael," said Red Line boss, Simon Leonard. "He's very disciplined and a quick learner; he's got massive potential and is going to be a great asset for the team. We're really looking forward to running him in 2010."  pic by Dawn Rossi, Team Rossi Motorsports, LLC

02-12-09

Formula Renault: Organisers of the Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship have restructured the 2010 race meeting calendar in a bid to help reduce competitor costs. Next year will see 12 rounds run over six double headers as opposed to the 13 rounds and seven different circuits visited in 2009. The move, which still gives teams and drivers almost the same amount of overall track time, is designed to help boost savings for competitors during the current economic climate.  After a pre-season test on 8th April at Silverstone National, the 2010 Protyre series kicks-off at Kent’s Brands Hatch Indy circuit on 17th/18th April before heading to Silverstone (8th/9th May), Croft (3rd/4th July), Snetterton (31st July/1st August) and Rockingham (11th/12 September) with the final meeting at Hampshire’s Thruxton circuit on 17th October. The 2010 season also sees the introduction of the latest Tatuus-built car from the UK series joining with the existing BARC cars. Although the two versions have slightly different bodywork, they will run side-by-side and compete in a one-class championship together with a privateer cup for independently-run entries. Protyre Formula Renault BARC Promoter Simon North said: “BARC and Renault Sport UK expect that by reducing the number of circuits visited in 2010 we can limit the costs incurred by teams and thus ensure that the Championship remains true to its low-cost roots.” He added: “With the outgoing Formula Renault UK car eligible to run in the BARC series next year we’re expecting a great deal of interest which is why we’ve put together a calendar which is both cost-effective yet doesn’t compromise on track time.”

V de V: David Loger and Eric Mouez who took the V de V Challenge Endurance GT/Tourisme title in their Porsche 997 Cup S of Nourry Compétition tat a wet Estoril on 22 November, to the immense pleasure of Michel Nourry who was acting as third driver for the duo on the day.  

Carrera Cup Asia: Macau’s Rodolfo Avila has his final race of 2009 this weekend in Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (PCCA) series season finale at Sepang, Malaysia. Despite the technical problems which cost him a podium at Shanghai, Avila iwill be aiming for a strong finish in Malaysia as he knows the track well and is after a top-3 championship finish.  Commenting on the weekend Avila said: “I hope this weekend that everything will come together and we will solve the problem we had in Shanghai. If we can run a solid race I am sure we can get into the podium, which has to be the aim in Malaysia. I want to close it off with a good result. Everyone involved in the team deserves a great season finale especially The Venetian Macao who came on board right on time to save my season.”  Asia Racing Team’s race engineer Duarte Alves, add: “It was a real shame that the problems we had in Shanghai meant we couldn't show our full potential. We are going to try different solutions to solve the problem and luckily we have two more free practice sessions than usual. It will be crucial to make the most of free practice and then do well in qualifying, as that is a key factor in PCCA. I am confident we might have the competitive car Rodolfo needs to get back to the podium positions. I am looking forward to getting some good result on the board." The two 20-laps races will be held on Sunday.

Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge:  Australian driver David Reynolds celebrated his return to New Zealand's Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge championship in style at Christchurch's Powerbuilt Tools Raceway at Ruapuna Park on Sunday completing an impressive round clean sweep with a runaway victory in the rain-shortened reverse top six grid final.

Other News: RaceFanRadio.com and GoRacingTV.com are teaming up for live video coverage at the 22nd Annual Performance Racing Industry Trade Show running Thursday through Saturday, December 10-12, 2009 in Orlando,Florida. Live content will originate from the MOPAR Stage where numerous motorsports personalities will be interviewed by “RaceFanRadio’s” Charlie Brown and “GoRacingTV’s” Mike Collins and Peter Keane. This year’s broadcast is presented by “RFR Cars U.S.”, the founder and driving force behind Van Diemen Racing's success as the global leader of volume race car manufacturing for 3 decades until its sale in 1999.  RFR Cars Owner Ralph Firman, set up the new manufacturer early in 2008 to cater to the club racing enthusiast and the same volume car market which he dominated throughout the 1970s, 80s and 90s. There will be segments planned every thirty minutes on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am – 5pm Eastern with the latest guest schedule posted on-line as they are confirmed. 

01-12-09

Formula Renault & Clio Cup: Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship and the ELF Renault Clio Cup with Michelin are to make a welcome return to Knockhill next year. The one-make single-seater and saloon-car series are to race at the Dunfermline track on 4th/5th September in support of the BTCC after an absence of four years. Both series last took to the demanding, 1.3-mile circuit in 2006 when Sebastian Hohenthal and Sam Bird secured the Formula Renault UK honours while Paul Rivett and Tom Onslow-Cole shared the spoils in the Clio Cup. Race meeting calendar clashes in previous years have meant the two series were not able to compete at Knockhill, instead racing as part of the World Series by Renault event. 2002 Clio Cup runner-up Andrew Kirkaldy who now runs Formula Renault UK team CRS Racing, commented: “It’s good to be returning to the circuit after so long as it’s a great track and is always well attended by the fans which adds to the atmosphere. The circuit has changed a bit since I last raced there in the Clio Cup meaning you can get a good view of the action from virtually anywhere.” Renault Sport Championship Promoter Simon North commented: “It will have been four years since we were last at Knockhill so we’re very much looking forward to once again racing at the circuit. In the past, Formula Renault UK and Clio Cup have always proved very popular with the Scottish crowds and we hope our return next year will encourage even more fans to come and support the action-packed championships.”

Formula Renault: Ollie Millroy continued to impress in Formula Renault UK after testing at Brands Hatch and Snetterton for front running teams Manor Competition, CRS and Fortec. After getting to grips with the car over the last two weeks he produced some quick times and praise. "Ollie was absolutely sensational. He impressed us with his pace and we would love to run him" said Manor boss Tony Shaw. "I'm testing with some of the front running teams to see who I work best with," said the 19-year old. "We're looking at Formula Renault because I would really like to come back to the UK and race for a while, having been away in Europe for a few years with Formula BMW and international karting. There's a completely new-generation chassis next year and this really appeals to me because the car looks great and it will create a level playing field. I would be entering the championship with one aim and that's to win it so it would be particularly important that I was with a team who can help me do this. It's likely I'll be doing more testing both here and in Europe over the winter until we decide what I'm doing and who I'm doing it with. I'm getting a lot of interest from teams in Europe and America, which we are looking at but I would be more than happy doing FRenault UK if we can secure the right deal."

The Hitech Junior Team will be renamed next year following a partnership with CRS Racing. The David Hayle-led outfit, which won the Superleague Formula by Sonangol Championship and finished runner-up in the Michelin Formula Renault UK Winter Cup, will be renamed ATECH Grand Prix.  Hitech Junior Team’s already confirmed entry in the new FIA GP3 Championship will now run under the ATECH CRS banner while its entry in the Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship will take on the ATECH Grand Prix name.  This partnership follows a season in which the two teams worked together in Formula Renault. There will be no major changes in the day-to-day running of the team, with Hayle remaining at the helm.  “In order to remain in contention for winning races and championships you need to prepare well and invest well, just as we did in Superleague this season,” said Hayle.  “This will apply especially in GP3 for 2010. I had been in discussions with Chris (Niarchos) for some time regarding this project as he is someone whom I have long-admired in sports car racing, and he was able to offer exactly what was needed. Nothing will change except for the name in both our entry into the FIA GP3 Championship and Formula Renault UK. We will remain at our Silverstone workshops, and all team personnel will stay.”  Niarchos was equally enthusiastic: “David and I spoke some time ago about the prospect of working together. When he called to say he had a GP3 entry I put the proposition to him to combine forces.  It is the perfect fit commercially, technically and in so many different ways.  I’m hugely excited about the new partnership.” CRS Team Director, Andrew Kirkaldy added: “We have always wanted to add a rung to our single-seater ladder and GP3 is the perfect choice for CRS. We are an ambitious team and we plan to continue to grow our single-seater and sports car programmes.”The new team has a number of other projects currently under consideration for 2010 which it hopes to announce in the coming weeks.

Formula 3: Reigning Cooper Tires British Formula 3 Champion Daniel Ricciardo led a six-strong squad of British F3 graduates into the F1 young driver tests at Jerez today (Tuesday). Ricciardo was being rewarded for his F3 successes by his sponsor Red Bull, the Australian going behind the wheel of one of Red Bull Racing's Renault-powered chassis and providing vital feedback to the team at one of the very rare out-of-season test sessions. Meanwhile Toro Rosso, the team which elevated Jaime Alguersuari to F1, was continuing its policy of promoting young talent with a test session for Kiwi racer Brendon Hartley, who won five races on his way to third place overall in British F3 in 2008. The driver who beat Hartley to the British F3 runner-up spot that season, Oliver Turvey, is also in action at Jerez with McLaren. Turvey, collecting his F1 prize drive for winning the McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver Award in '06, is sharing driving duties with Gary Paffett, the British F3 Scholarship class winner from 2000. Champion team Brawn/Mercedes is testing two ex-British F3 men at Jerez: Mike Conway, the 2006 champion, and Swede Marcus Ericsson, who placed fifth overall in 2008 before returning to the championship in 2009 to win two races.Frenchman Jules Bianchi, who in addition to winning the F3 Euro Series title in 2009 was a double overall race victor in the British championship's Portugal races, is among four drivers being tested by Ferrari. British F3 teams spokesman Peter Briggs said: "To see so many former British F3 drivers selected by Grand Prix teams is not only heartening but also a massive endorsement of the championship as the best training ground for the future F1 star. I'm sure it won't be long before some of this current crop get their chance to follow Jaime Alguersuari into a regular seat with a Grand Prix team."

Carrera Cup GB : Tim Bridgman, Glynn Geddie and Simon Leonard all picked up the keys for new road-going Porsche 911s during the championship's annual awards dinner for the 2009 Porsche Carrera Cup GB at the Forest of Arden Hotel on Saturday evening (28 November). Along with cheques for over £60,000 in end-of-season prize money, the keys for brand new 911s were presented to overall champion Bridgman, pro-am1 winner Geddie and Leonard of Red Line Racing, winner of the teams' championship. Each of the three key awards winners now has the use of the 911 for a year.  Bridgman, James Sutton and Tim Harvey collected cheques for £15,000, £10,000 and £6000 respectively for finishing one-two-three overall in the championship. "This is definitely my best championship win to date," said Bridgman. "I love the cars and the championship." Both Sutton and Harvey sportingly acknowledged that the best man won the title. "Tim is a worthy champion," said Sutton. "Even though I didn't win it, this was the most enjoyable season of racing I've ever had."  Geddie stepped up to collect the pro-am1 title and was also presented with the award for the 'most improved driver of the year'. He then underlined his ambitions for the 2010 season. "The last races at Brands Hatch showed where we are going to be starting next year," he said, after claiming two overall podium places at Brands in October. Robert Lawson and Ollie Jackson took second and third places in pro-am1 and a share of the £13,000 end of season pro-am1 prize fund. In pro-am2, Glenn McMenamin, Paul Hogarth and Robin Clark shared £9000 in prize money. "I couldn’t have dreamt of a better first season in racing," said McMenamin.  In the teams' championship, Red Line Racing won the top award, with Team Parker Racing in second and Motorbase Performance in third. The THB Clowes Mechanics' Award of £3200 went to the crew at Red Line Racing. Finally, the BARC Marshals' Fund benefited by over £2300 from the raffle organised during the evening.

GP2: Reigning GP2 Champions ART Grand Prix have completed their 2010 line-up by signing Sam Bird to partner Jules Bianchi. Following some impressive performances with the French team during his maiden GP2 event in Abu Dhabi and a podium for ART at the Macau Grand Prix last week, Bird was given the nod to participate in the entire GP2 Asia and GP2 Main Series championships. Sam Bird: "I'm obviously very pleased to be joining ART Grand Prix. Their success speaks for itself and having spent quite a bit of time with the team over the past couple of months, I can say that they are a brilliant group of people. Driving for ART is a dream for any single-seater driver and I would like to thank Frederic Vasseur, in particular, for handing me this opportunity."  Frederic Vasseur (CEO, ART Grand Prix): "I am delighted that Sam is joining us for the entire GP2 season. I have followed him closely for several years and always felt that circumstances had not always enabled him to express what I believe is a great talent. When we gave him the chance to prove himself in Abu Dhabi, he took the opportunity and impressed us. At the Paul Ricard test, with our Main Series car, again, he was consistently quick and remained a front-runner with other teams in the subsequent days. I think that Jules and Sam make a very competitive and exciting line-up."

Other News: To get you in the festive spirit, MSV has launched a special interactive advent calendar featuring exclusive competitions, special offers, interviews and activities. Kicking off the Christmas countdown is a rather addictive M3 Master Challenge computer game, where you can race a BMW M3 around a mini Brands Hatch circuit. The top 20 scores go into a draw to win an M3 Master voucher, plus we’ll soon be adding the ability to create a mini league so you can challenge your friends and work colleagues! .

Karts: Factory Trackmagic Kart driver Memo Gidley was at the  SuperNationals recently with stars like Michael Schumacher, Buddy Rice, Dan Weldon to name a few.

Jack Hawksworth is looking forward to a fresh start in 2010 as he returns to the team for whom he originally competed two years ago.  After joining Italian outfit Energy Corse for 2009, Jack endured a season of two halves, a great start saw him triumph on the Florida Winter Tour in Miami, win the prestigious Trofeo Margutti in Italy and finish a close second in the opening meeting on the WSK International Series schedule at Sarno. Sadly his challenge then faded due to a mixture of reliability, errors and bad luck.  Jack is now looking ahead and after the option arose to rejoin PDB Racing – with whom he successfully competed on the European scene in 2008 – he needed little convincing. An extremely positive first test followed at Genk in Belgium with a Maddox chassis and all-new IAME engine the Dutch-based operation will run next year in KZ1 in the CIK-FIA World Cup, CIK-FIA European Championship, WSK and DKM German Championship. “I went over to visit the factory a few times, and it just seemed like a really good opportunity to work with them again,” explained the former Junior Max European Champion, Junior Max World Vice-Champion and British ICC Vice-Champion of his return to familiar surroundings. “It’s good to be going back, and I’m looking forward to working with everyone again and rebuilding a strong relationship with the team. The test went really well. The kart felt really good, and it seems to suit my driving style.It only took me a couple of sessions to get used to the Maddox, and I was soon really comfortable on it”.

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