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Latest Archive  25/09/2006

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Matt Rivett won the Melton Concrete Products FF1600 event at Castle Combe on Monday in his Ray GR97. Second in a Van Dieman RF91 was Bob Higgins, just 1.726secs behind while in third half a second further up the road was Ben Norton in a Swift SC92.  In the National Mobile Windscreens Saloon Car race Tony Dolley won in a Peugot 206 GTI from Mark Wyatt’s Astra. Third was the BMW M3 of Crispin Thomas . The Castle Combe GT’s event saw Thomas Richardson in a Nemesis RMW02 come out on top ahead of Lois Davidson’s Radical and the Mallock P21 of Shane Marshall in third.(pictured left earlier in the year)

The Caterham Academy was at Castle Combe on Monday with the cars split into two separate races. The first race went to Lewis Hopkins, who crossed the line with over 8 seconds to spare on second placed Peter Young with Chris Legg third. In the second race James Palmer beat Julien Draper by 5.975seconds. Charlie Stave4ley was third half a second further behind. In the Sports racing and GT Challenge Nick Taylor led a trio of Cobra’s across the line. His GD427 holding off the similar car of Clinton Dorrell . Mark Jordon completed the podium in his Ram Cobra SC.  

Australian star of the future John Martin yesterday showed the UK Formula Ford Championship regulars the way they do it Down Under, winning at a canter the 12th round of the Ford-backed series at Brands Hatch.

Graham Fennymore returned to winning ways yesterday (Sun) at Brands Hatch, claiming victory in both of the day’s Autosport Caterham Superlight Challenge events to strengthen his championship lead...

Two drama-filled Volkswagen Racing Cup events provided the Brands Hatch Bank Holiday weekend crowds with thrills aplenty on Sunday (27 Aug), Lloyd Allard stealing into the championship lead with his first-race victory at the wheel of the ATMR turbodiesel Golf and Beetle driver Tony Gilham (right)claiming his maiden win in the second of the day's events.

Charles Barter in a Datsun 240Z won the HSCC 70s Road Sports race at the Oulton park Gold Cup meeting on Saturday(26th)from Julian Barter's TVR 3000M and Adam Bagnall's E-Type, the second and third places crossing the line just 0.7secos apart. In the Classic racing Cars race Matthew Watts took his Brabham BT16 to victory ahead of the March 702 of Michael Scott with Richard Kendle  third in a BT21B. Nelson Rowe won the Historic Formula Ford encounter in his Crosle 20F, Neil Fowler was second in a Lola T200 and Gregor Canon third in a Merlyn Mk20A.  Darren McWhirter won the Jaguar XK race from Nigel Webb and John Chisholm, all three driving XK120s. In the Historic Road Sports on Saturday Bruce Stapleton took a fine win in his Morgan Plus 8 ahead of the TVR Griffiths of Laurence Bailey with David Randall coming home third in a Ginetta G4.

Carlin Motorsport's Oliver Jarvis took the top step of the podium in second of two races at Brands Hatch in the the Lloyds TSB Insurance British F3 International Series.  In a Carlin 1-2,   Maro Engel was second  with  championship leader Mike Conway  3rd. The National Class saw some fine racing with Cristiano Morgado, driving a superb opening lap from 3rd on the grid to take his first win in British F3 after finishing 2nd nine times so far this year. It was a close however as Juho Annala and Rodolfo Gonzalez were right up his gearbox at the flag.

Mike Conway  took his 8th win of the 2006 season at Brands Hatch with a cool display of race control leading from the lights to the flag from Maro Engel. The German kept Conway honest for the entire race, setting the fastest lap on lap 2, but was unable to find a way of getting on terms with the flying Conway. Yelmer Buurmanwas a distant third after pulling away from Oliver Jarvis,  Stephen Jelley   made up two places at the start as Bruno Senna  was passed by his teammate and James Jakes. The Brazilian then pressured Jakes but the young Yorkshireman held his nerve and the 6th place for the entire race. The National Class was won by Rodolfo Gonzalez, who passed Juho Annala  at the start but found that the Finn was able to keep pace for most of the race until a spinning Alberto Valerio rejoined between the two battling National Class runners.

The MGCC were at Mallory Park today(Sunday). William Smallridge took the honours in the Midget Challenge beating Edward Reeve and David Fuller. In the Total Butler events Simon Hutchison headed David Brooke and David Beresford in both races, the first by 4.2seconds and the second by 2.9secs. Alongside the MGs were the Northern Saloons and it was the exceptionally fast Lotus Elan of Mark Campbell that won the Class A-F race beating Rob Pritchard's Caterham(no slouch either!) with Phil Morris third. In the Class B-D race Steven Fergusson came out o top in his Nissan Pulsar. Andy Robertson was second in an XR2 with Paul Luti netting third. Luti further justified his long trip from Callendar in Scotland with a win in the Metro Cup. He crossed the line with 2.518 secs to spare ahead of Jon Flanigan with SImon White another 7 seconds adrift in third. In the MG trophy race Barry Benham just failed to beat Peter Felix who won by a mere 0.822secs. Paul Wallace was third,0.6 secs behind Benham. Mike Peters won the Cockshoot Cup race with Graham Jones second and Tony Crossley third.

Aussie V8 Team FPR confirmed this week that Jason Bright and Mark Winterbottom will join forces in the CAT FPR Falcon at next weekend's Sandown 500. The Ford Credit BroadIP Falcon will be driven at Sandown by 26-year-old New Zealand racer Matt Halliday making his FPR debut. He will be joined by experienced Australian V8 Supercar driver Cameron McLean, the 1997 and 1998 Australian Super Tourer Privateer .  Sportscar driver David Brabham will return to his homeland to drive with Halliday at Bathurst.

For the third year in a row the Williams-Corvette will be on pole position for the upcoming 24 Hours of Zolder. It was the promising young Belgian Maxime Soulet who in a final effort snatched the pole for the SRT team. Patrick Selleslag's team will once again be in the limelight for this 24 Hours event on Saturday afternoon. The foursome comprised of Tom Cloet / Marc Duez / David Hart / Maxime Soulet experienced a flawless run-up to the Mediagroep Van Dyck Belcar Original major event of the season.  

Ryan Lewis is in Montreal this weekend for the penultimate round of the 2006 Champ Car Atlantic Championship.  Lewis has been testing at Putnam Park in preparation for the race and is hoping to add to his tally of three podiums for the Mi-Jack Conquest Racing team. 'Finally, we are going back to a road course! Not that I have not had success on the street courses we went to, but I'm happy to be heading back to a type of track that I'm a little more comfortable with,' confessed Ryan. 'I look forward to going to Montreal, it's a great city and I think it's a track that will suit my driving style. There aren't too many races left and I would really like to be able to end the season with a couple of strong performances, the team really deserves it.'

Another Aussie V8 team, WPS Racing has announced its line up for the opening endurance race of 2006, the Betta Electrical Sandown 500. Joining regular drivers Max Wilson and Jason Bargwanna in the four driver line up is former Queensland 500 winner David Besnard and Kiwi Craig Baird. Regular driver Max Wilson will be paired with Besnard in the WPS Racing Falcon while former Bathurst Champion Jason Bargwanna will be joined by Baird, who currently leads the Wright Patton Shakespeare Carrera Cup Championship, in the second car.

The UK's best and brightest car tuning firms compete head to head  at Snetterton this weekend.with the Tuner GP.Road-legal cars  each try to set the fastest lap around  Snetterton  to be the  Tuner GP winner. There will also be timed runs on a specially prepared 1/4 mile drag strip on the circuit, the UK Drift Championship Final and a trade show.

Fortec Motorsport’s Sam Bird came out on top at today’s Formula Renault UK with Michelin Championship official test at Silverstone National circuit. Bird set a time of 54.877s (107.52mph) at the 1.64-mile circuit to finish a mere 0.001s ahead of AKA Lemac’s Jeremy Metcalfe. In the battle between the two leading title challengers at the circuit where the final two rounds will be held, AKA Lemac’s Patrick Hogan  was fourth fastest with 55.021s but Fortec’s Sebastian Hohenthal  struggled to 19^th overall with a time of 55.460s..

Hillspeed’s James Littlejohn and Coles Racing’s Richard Singleton  took one win apiece as the Formula Renault BARC Championship visited Pembrey for rounds eight and nine on 19^th/20^th August. Eurotek Motorsport’s Jordan Oakes finished second in both races but remains 18 points behind Singleton in the race for the title. Worswick Engineering’s Rossi secured his fourth podium finish of the season by taking third place in round nine..

Double win for Simon Blanckley in LMA Euro Saloons at Pembrey.

Australian Michael Patrizi will join Team Australia for the final two rounds of the Champ Car Atlantic Championship beginning this weekend in Montreal, Canada. Patrizi, 22, will join Atlantic Championship leader Simon Pagenaud in the Team Australia/Aussie Vineyards Atlantic squad at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for this weekend’s 11th round of the championship in Montreal and the final round at the classic Road America circuit in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Patrizi will pilot the #5 Team Australia/Aussie Vineyards Swift previously driven by James Davison 

Team BRM and driver Ben Clucas have once again showed the Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 championship field who's boss following yet another startling performance at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit at the weekend.Clucas won both races at the high-speed 4.46km circuit at the weekend and now has a 78 point championship margin over his nearest rival with just 88 available over the final two rounds.

Tim Lewis was the winner at Mallory yesterday (Sunday) in the Alfa Championship. His Alf Sud Sprint beat the Giullietta of Andy Page by over 14 seconds. Third was Graham Presley in an Alfa 75 Turbo. In the Club F3 race Justin Sherwood  came out on top. His Dallara F304 beating Gary Marsh’s F302 by 3.3.85secs with Keith Baldwin third a further 2 seconds behind.  In the Club MS FF1600 Championship Ed Moore had to settle for second place for once with. Lee Mumford (No 8 pictured) winning both races. In the first he beat Moore by the smallest of margins, just 0.131secs with Stuart Kestenbaum third. In race two it was Paul Mason’s Swift SC92 second with Kestenbaum third once again. Darren Dowling won the first of two Dunlop Tuscan Challenge races leading Hugh Marshall over the line with 5 seconds in hand. Third was Marc Hockin. In race two Dean Cook took the honours with Dowling second and Marshall third.

Jason Greatrex (pictured right) took another win in the Fiat Challenge just holing off Chris Dymond and Sandro Proietti. The three cars were just 0.7secsonds apart as they crossed the line. 

At Pembrey Rory Farrell won the Classic Formula Ford 1600 race in his Crossle 45f. Second in a Crossle 25f was Paul Walton with Steve Hare third only 0.828 behind the leader!   In the Classic FF2000 Championship Neil Fowler and Eddie Wilkins shared the plaudits with a win a-piece.  Second in both races  was Oliver Hancock while Julie Clark completed the podium in race 1 and Clive Wood in race 2.In the WRDA Sports Saloons races Peter Williams dominated in his Radical winning both events. Alvin Powell(Mondeo) and Mydrian Harries (Radical) completed the top three in race one while Alexis Cole(Nemisis) and Harries fill the places in race 2.  Classic Saloons were also on the bill in Wales with David Howard’s Jaguar XJ12 winning both the Group 1 and the  York Fitness Post Historic races. Second in the Group 1’s was the BMW 2002 of Roger Stanford with Jack Stanford third in a similar machine. In the Post Historics James O’Mahony in a Camaro and Mark Osborne inn a Dolomite Sprint completed the top three. Stanford also won the Classic Saloon and Touring Car Championship race in his Lotus Cortina. Second was Thomas Lailey De Vil in an Anglia and third was Jim Burrows in a Mini Cooper S. The Pre 93 race went to Tony Goram in an M3 from the BMW 320 of Martin Gower by 0.899 seconds.  

On the final day of the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races, Ricardo Zonta  and the Panasonic Toyota Racing Team F1 car continued to lower the record for the 2.238 mile Laguna Seca Raceway.  Sunday’s record-breaking time was 1:06.309 at an average speed of 121.504 mph on lap 4 of  4 flying laps.  Zonta, on slicks for the first time this weekend, laid down 4 laps for an average of 1:06.640. Zonta bested the previous track record of 1:07.722 set by Helio Castroneves at the CART Honda Grand Prix of Monterey in 2000.“This has been a very satisfying weekend,” said Zonta after the session. “This experience has brought up a lot of good memories from when I was here in ‘98 and won the FIA GT Championships. And, of course it’s  always a good feeling to come to a circuit and leave knowing you’ve set a new record..The older cars dropped oil in places on the track and I didn’t want to challenge the car because I couldn’t be certain where the oil was.  I needed to assume there was a high possibility that oil was in many  places.  It was also more windy today than before and the blowing dust made the track slippery in places.” Zonta last drove on the Laguna Seca in 1998 in the FIA GT Championship.

Ron White, of Santa Clara, California, survived a spin early in the event to roll to his maiden victory today in Round Nine of the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear at Road America...full story

Oly Mortimer and Gary Meikle(leading race 2 below) took a win each in the Scottish Auto Trader Mini Cooper Cup today(Sunday) at Knockhill.In the first race Rory Butcher and Jamie Cleland followed the 205 Champion across the line, each one a further second behind. In race 2 Meikle had an easier time after a first corner spin involving Steve Mitchell and Mark Dryden delayed the pack allowing Meikle to get clear. Mortimer, starting from near the back of the grid, courtesy of his earlier win, climbed through the field to take second with Vic Covey Jnr grabbing third.  In the Scottish XR2 race Andrew Winchester and Scott Fraser had a close fought encounter with both drivers sharing the lead at various times throughout the race. Winchester took the lead for the last time on lap 10 before an incident 2 laps later brought out the red flag handing him the win. Al Fleming won the SMRC's Classic Sports and Saloons race after the Porsche's of Adam(below) and Stan Bernard spun at Duffus Dip on the opening lap. Both rejoined to take 2nd and 3rd at the flag but not before giving Fleming a fright as they closed to within a second of his Elan in the latter stages of the race. Only a mistake by Adam Bernard late on prevent him from mounting a more serious challenge for the lead. Rob Pritchard and George Brewster shared the spoils in the two Scottish Sports Saloon races. Pritchard beating Brewster in race one by 1.3 seconds while Brester returned the compliment in race 2. Geordie Taylor took his usual dominant win in the Formula Phoenix race. --Reports to follow

On day two of the 33rd Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races, Panasonic Toyota Race Team driver Ricardo Zonta broke his 24-hour-old record, lowering it from yesterday’s record of 1:07.587 to the new record of 1:06.596.  The record-breaking time came in the fifth lap of five flying laps in the 12:45 session this afternoon.  Zonta’s lap speed around the 11-turn, 2.238 mile Laguna Seca Raceway was 120.980. “The car and tyres really performed great and breaking the record twice has been a fantastic experience,” said Zonta after the first track session.  “It’s been even more exciting because of how the people have celebrated our car.” The Panasonic Toyota F1 car had a second track session later in the
afternoon. “This afternoon I went out to enjoy myself,” Zonta said after the final session.  “The team was concerned about oil on the track due
to the historic races and we wanted to be a little careful.  Instead of speed, I thought the fans would like to see donuts, so I did them.”
Zonta last drove on the Laguna Seca track in 1998 when he won the FIA GT Championships behind the wheel of a Mercedes.

Adrian Carrio shattered the record in qualifying this morning(Saturday) to capture the pole position for Round Nine of the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear at Road America. Driving the World Speed Motorsports Rockford Fosgate Mazda, the seventeen-year old Carrio clocked a time of 2:03.849 (117.666 MPH) as the chequered flag fell to officially break the previous record of 2:04.621 set in 2004 by Daniel DiLeo..

'TheGrid' understands that Dragon Autosports owner Steve Vince, best known for establishing the Toyota MR2 series, plans to launch a new low cost  Sports Car Endurance Championship. Having recently signed a deal to import the Saker GT car into the UK he intends to launch the SAKER GT CUP to run alongside Britsports in 2007. With cars expected to cost around half  that of a typical Britsports he could be onto something big.

Driving for a new team, Ron White, from Santa Clara, California, set a new track record in practice for Round Nine of the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear. Moving this weekend to the newly formed Ross Smith Racing, White, driving the #69 Ross Smith Racing Maxwell Paper Products Mazda, lapped the 4.048-mile Road America circuit in a time of 2:04.388 (117.156 MPH) to break the previous record of 2:04.621 set in 2004 by Daniel DiLeo.

After one installation lap today on the 11-turn, 2.238 mile Laguna Seca Raceway, Panasonic Toyota F1 driver Ricardo Zonta easily set a new track record on his second flying lap with at 1:07:587 at119.206 mph. This time and speed edges the previous record of 1:07.722 set by Helio Castroneves at the CART Honda Grand Prix of Monterey in 2000. Castroneves’ speed was 118.969. “The team made some adjustments after our test laps yesterday that helped the car run smoother on the track today and I had a feeling the car  could go much quicker than yesterday,” said Zonta after the session ended early in the third lap with an electrical short.  “We had used tires on today
and planned to change to new slicks in the second session, but we never got the chance.  I am looking forward to new, slick tyres tomorrow.” The plan for today called for one installation lap, three flying laps, tyre change to new tyres, then a final three flying laps.. Zonta last drove on the Laguna Seca track in 1998 when he won the FIA GT Championships behind the wheel of a Mercedes.

Formula Renault UK driver Will Bratt is celebrating his A-level  results with A’s in History, Maths and Art. He now plans to  take up a place in Oxford University in Lincoln College where he will now go on to read History.

Steve Hartley takes the top step of the podium for the first time as he wins in the TGP at Silverstone. Joaquin Folch(pictured) Class win keeps his totle hopes alive…

Astuti Motorsport has signed New Zealander Andy Knight for the Aussie F3 Championship. He  will drive the second Renault-Sodemo Dallara F304. The chassis, similar to Michael Trimble's car, arrived in the country late last week, with the Astuti Motorsport crew working around the clock to ensure it is ready to race.  Knight makes his debut this weekend in Round 6 of the Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship at Phillip Island.

TEAM BRM driver and current Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship leader Ben Clucas will make his Australian V8 Supercar driving debut next on Monday(Aug 21). Clucas will test a 600hp Ford Falcon V8 Supercar for the Factory Ford Performance Racing team at Winton Raceway in Victoria in what will be his first miles behind the wheel of a touring car since arriving in  Australia earlier this year.

Carl Skerlong streaked to his 12th win of the year in the Formula Renault 2000 cl;ass  at Thunderhill Park in California last week. The Odyssey Motorsports driver John Knudsen and Dustin Welch at the end of the 17-lap race …

This weekend (19/20 August) the unique Formula Woman Championship visits Brands Hatch for its third and penultimate meeting of 2006. The series features 16 novice female competitors, fighting for the chance to launch a career as a racing driver and follow in the footsteps of inaugural Fwoman winner Natasha Firman.Local representation comes in the form of two drivers from the same Kent town forming the affectionately dubbed "Team Tunbridge Wells". Former heptathlete Jackie Skelton proved to be one of the stars of the opening meeting of the series at a wet and wild Knockhill in Scotland, with a fifth and a second putting her firmly into championship contention. Meanwhile, team-mate Kerri Pritchard fared less well north of the border, failing to finish either race in what were truly appalling conditions. Both will be giving it their all around the Indy circuit this weekend.

The Autosport Caterham Superlight Challenge reaches the season half-way point at the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit on Sunday 27 August, with the title battle beginning to shape up into what looks like being a really keen fight

The Caterham Academy, Britain’s newest batch of racing drivers will enjoy their maiden taste of circuit racing on Bank Holiday Monday (Aug 28) when the 2006 evo Caterham Academy competitors take to the track at Castle Combe in Wiltshire

We are currently in the middle of the first ever National Motorsport Week. This MSA initiative is being staged with the aim of encouraging new participants and spectators to experience motorsport first hand - so if you have a friend or relative who hasn’t yet been bitten by the motorsport bug it’s a great opportunity to get them started!
As part of the celebrations, the BRSCC are giving away 10 pairs of ticket for our meetings at Anglesey on 19th/20th August and Mallory Park on 20th August. If you want to enter the draw for the tickets just email your name, address and which meeting you wish to attend to nmw@brscc.co.uk All entries received by 16th August will be entered into the draw and the tickets will be sent out to the winners immediately.
If you would like more information on how you can get involved with motorsport, either as a marshal, official or competitor than please contact the BRSCC Centre in the area you live http://www.brscc.co.uk/default.asp?page=brscc-centres
For more details please visit www.nationalmotorsportweek.co.uk

The BRSCC will offer all Club Formula Ford (MS) and Dunlop Tuscan Challenge competitors an additional race each for just £50 at Mallory Park on the 20th August. If you have entered already then all you need to do is email Entry@brscc.co.uk and advise us you wish to enter the second race and make arrangements to pay the extra £50. If you have not already entered and you wish to then make it clear on your entry form that you want to enter both races. Other than the Club Formula Ford & Tuscan Challenge there are races for the Alfashop Alfa Romeos, Fiat Racing Challenge and Enterprise Group Club F3 Championship.

The LMA Euro Saloon Car Championship is one of several championships looking forward to a double header at Anglesey this weekend and the race for the title is very much alive. For most of the season it looked like a two horse race between John Hammersley in the ex-John Cleland Vauxhall Cavalier Super Tourer and Stuart Jefcoate’s production spec Porsche 911. However, at the Cadwell double-header everything turned on its head. Hammersley’s clutch failed while Jefcoate was unable to attend. Jason Holmes (Rover Tomcat) took full advantage with a pair of wins to move into a 10 point lead. After this weekends double header there are just three rounds left so the points won & lost at Anglesey will go a long way to deciding the destination of the championship.

Congratulations to Gary Duckman(pictured) who became the first driver this season to claim a BRSCC Championship. Gary’s second place finish at Brands Hatch on 23rd July in the Lodge Sports Porsche 924 Championship was enough to clinch the title in front of many guests from his sponsor Beckenham Business Systems. This season was Gary’s second in the evergreen 924 championship having graduated after 10 years in various forms of karting. Next on the horizon for Gary is either Formula Palmer Audi or the Porsche Club Championship.
Sky TV’s popular science-made-fun show ‘Brainiacs Live –Test Tube Baby’ has invited a joint BRSCC & Race Power Motorsport team to enter their CO2 Wheelchair Challenge. Race Power Motorsport run by Paul Sanderson, are based next door to our Borough Green HQ and prepare cars for many different championships including the VW Cup. They have been busy modifying a wheelchair supplied by the show and the results can be seen live on Sky One this Thursday at 8pm - should make for interesting viewing! www.skyone.co.uk/ttb/

Nigel Reuben (no 3 right) won the Formula Jedi encounter at Oulton Park on Saturday(12 August). Second was Jedi stalwart Frazer Corbyn, 5.9 seconds behind with Richard Gittings third just 2 tenths behind Corbyn. In the Swinging 60s race John Muirhead took his Caterham Super 7 to victory ahead of the Marco GT of Luke Wos . Third, a long way behind, was the Sunbeam Imp of Steve Adams. Andrew Combe won the Classic Sports Club’s Tin Top race in an MGZR beating Joe Giovannini’ s Integra Type R by 3 seconds. Gary Culver won the Ferrari Formula race in a 308GTB holding off Graham Reader’s similar car by a mere 0.712secs. The DDMC’s Northern Saloons  were also on the bill at Oulton and for once Colin Simpson’s Marcos beat Rob Pritchard’s Caterham Vauxhall in the Class  A-F race. Simpson crossing the line with less than a second to spare.   Third went to Jeff Wilson in a Caterham. In the Class B-D race Steve Taylor took the honours ahead of Andrew Morrison’s MG ZR. Morrison, 8.3 seconds behind the leader had his hands full with third placed David Botterills’s Porsche 924, Morrison just holding on to second by half a second. 

At Mallory Park on Sunday(12 August) Andrew Storer won the Rawles Motorsport Austin Healey Championship race from Donald Smithies and Bill Rawles. In the Kumho BMW Championship both races ended up with the same result. Rick Kerry, Paul White and Colin Whitmore all occupying the first three podium places respectively on each occasion. David Jones won the Tiger sports car race from Stewart Fenton  while in the Toyo Tyres Prod Saloons Neil Philpotts in a Mitsubishi Starion came out on top ahead of Tim Saunders in an Intergra and Graeme Roberts in an Escort Turbo.

Mi-Jack Conquest Racing driver Graham Rahal overcame mechanical challenges, a plethora of caution flags and some fast and determined series rivals on Sunday on his way to claiming victory in the Grand Prix of Denver Atlantic.

Dominic Lesniewski  put in another superb performance on the race track to take pole position, fastest lap and the race win in the latest round of the Matador Powertec Radical Challenge. 

Z Speed Racing’s Martin Byford  wrapped up an incredible weekend at his home circuit with victory in rounds 13 & 14 of the ELF Renault Clio Cup at Snetterton on Sunday(13^th August)..

Steve Hartley(left) won the Thoroughbred Grand Prix race in his Arrows A6 at the GP Masters meeting at Silverstone. Taking the lead from the start Hartley was never headed, although Joaquim Folch kept him 'honest' throughout. The Brabham BT49 sitting on the Arrows tail for all but one lap when  Hubertus Bahlsen held second in his Arrows A4 before he spun off at Priory on lap 7.    This left the March 811 of Hanson in a safe third ahead of Richard Eyre's FW08.

 The UK Formula Ford Championship proved once again this weekend that its blend of ultra-close racing and unpredictability provides not only a great learning experience for its young competitors but also some breathtakingly exciting action for spectators.Saturday’s thrilling sprint at Rockingham brought a maiden win in the Ford-backed championship for 18-year-old Brazilian star of the future Adriano Buzaid, who became the season’s fourth different race victor and who wrote a new name in the list of Formula Ford team winners – Eau Rouge Motorsport.

AKA Lemac star Patrick Hogan drove a flawless race from pole position to win round 13 of the Formula Renault UK with Michelin Championship at Snetterton on Sunday(13^th August). Sebastian Hohenthal evened the score with his Championship rival Patrick Hogan by winning the second race, round 14 of the Championship.

Eddie Cheever overcame the elements and Eric Van de Poele to win the GP Masters race at Silverstone yesterday(Sunday). In an incident filled race Cheever took the lead after early leader Christian Danner spun off in an accident with Derek Warwick. Cheever slipped back to second after Belgium's  Van De Poele,. who had started at the back of the grid  got by at half distance. Cheever  regained the lead 6 laps from the end then whe the Belgian's tyres started to go off. Cheever crossed the line 16 seconds ahead after 26 laps. Behind  Van de Poele was the recovering Danner who had a fierce scrap with Hans Stuck who came fourth   Nigel Mansell didn't even make the grid, handling problems forced him into the pits at the end of the warm-up lap. He entered the race on the second lap but only managed one lap and numerous spins before retiring for good.

Australian Formula Ford Championship frontrunner John Martin, 22, is taking a break from the Aussie series to bring a new chassis to the British scene, the Spectrum 011, which is designed by Australia’s Borland Racing Developments. John’s campaign is backed by the Australian Motor Sport Foundation. He is hoping that UKFF success will help him fulfil his ambitions for a 2007 assault on the British F3 Championship.

Darren Blumson will have a busy day on Saturday 26 August – after qualifying at Brands Hatch he will be haring up to Silverstone to contest a Stock Hatch Championship race with a difference, at the wheel of ‘the most uncompetitive car I could find’. Blumson will campaign a Ford XR2 which has not seen track action for two seasons as a fund-raiser for the Breakthrough breast cancer charity. Adds Darren: ‘The idea is to see if it was really the car which won the championship last year or the driver!’ Next month he and some friends are driving a £100 banger from ‘Staples to Naples’ – Staples Corner in London to southern Italy – in aid of the same charity. He can be sponsored at www.justgiving.com/basherbrothers

Another saloon race champion is set to join the Volkswagen Racing Cup ranks later this month at Brands Hatch.

For many of the star studded line up of drivers in the GP Masters this weekend at Silverstone, there are other, more personal attractions; renewing old friendships, good humoured banter (you've never been to a Press Conference like one of ours!), and most significantly a re-connection with the 'fans' for whom the Grand Prix Masters has really rekindled their interest in Grand Prix racing. True heroes were always going to appeal to real motorsport fans, and even those who watch from a distance.

Drivers will be given the chance to race in this season’s ELF Renault Clio Cup rounds at the World Series by Renault at Donington Park for less than half the cost of a standard one-race entry. As the spectacular event, which takes place on 9^th/10^th September using the Grand Prix circuit, is held independently of the British Touring Car Championship package, the entry fee determined by Renault Sport UK is just £487.49 + Vat

Lee Chatburn was recently presented with a  trophy by Sir Jackie Stewart for his achievement in the inaugural running of the Jackie Stewart Trophy race at Knockhill on 23^rd July  where he finished third, not fourth as originally reported by 'theGrid'.(sorry Lee!) Due to a timekeeping error at the circuit the trophy was originally presented to Alan Brunton by JYS on the day, however, it was later made known that Lee Chatburn had actually beaten him to the line by the narrowest of margins.  1000^th of a second to be precise, the smallest margin possible in motorsport..

The Euroseries 3000 circus arrives at Silverstone this weekend as support to the GP Masters. The series, promoted by Coloni Motorsport, is approaching the sixth race of the season, held where Formula One started its long adventure 56 years ago. The drivers will share the paddock with all the best F.1 legends racing in the GP Masters. Nigel Mansell, Emerson Fittipaldi, Riccardo Patrese are just three of these. Alongside the British F3 Championship and the Thoroughbred GP cars they will add to the weekend’s entertainment. The F3000 Championship is a the battle between Giacomo Ricci and Marco Bonanomi, the Fisichella Motorsport team mates. Ricci kept himself trained by racing in the Maserati Trofeo Cup in Spa, while Bonanomi enjoyed the two last races of the Renault World Series V6. Vitaly Petrov will be also part of the show. After winning two manches in the last two events, he succesfully made his way in GP2, impressing in Hockeneim and Budapest, where he also reached an excellent 10th. Once again, the Euroseries 3000 showed its international level. Fully supported Lola cars, important teams, high-profile drivers: a fantastic mixture and a good base for the forthcoming show.

As the Atlantic cars arrive for this weekend's Grand Prix of Denver, the picture of success seems to be even more out of focus than normal. While several drivers remain in the thick of the chase for the series title and the unique $2 million champion's Champ Car bonus for 2007, even more competitors appear poised for positive results this weekend on the 1.657-mile street circuit around the Pepsi Center. Despite a rookie-dominated field, no fewer than 10 Atlantic racers enter the Mile-High city with experience competing on the Denver circuit. This roster includes several championship hopefuls who will be looking to make a statement at Round 10 of 12 in the last street race on the '06 series calendar and the fifth Atlantic race run in the Colorado city

Britain's Ryan Lewis will try to keep his street circuit record intact this weekend when the Atlantic series tackles the streets of Denver. The 22-year-old has finished on the podium in his first two street races this year with a 3^rd  in Toronto and 2^nd in San Jose. Despite only starting the season with the Conquest Team in Portland, round 4, Lewis is now 13th in the Championship with 89 points. "I've learned a lot about racing on street courses in Toronto and San Jose and if I stop making little mistakes I know I can be right up there with Graham in every session, it's just a matter of getting everything right," said Lewis. "I can't say enough about the team and how hard they work, I know that they will once again give me a competitive race car in Denver. Like I said, it will be up to me to get everything right on track and bring the Insport car up front."

The seventh round of the Northern European Cup Formula Renault 2.0 will be held at Anderstorp in Sweden and will be part of the Swedish Touring Car Championship weekend. The NEC Formula Renault 2.0 drivers will race together with their colleagues from the Scandinavian Formula Renault 2.0 Series which means around 30 drivers taking part . The top three in the championship are very close together with Chris van der Drift (NZL/JD Motorsport)leading with 207 points, due in part to four wins so far this year. Filipe Albuquerque (POR/Motopark Oschersleben) is three points behind in 2^nd while Xavier Maassen (NED/JD Motorsport) is 3rd on 191 points. His compatriot Mervyn Kool (AR Motorsport) is 4^th. Intermediate standings NEC Formula Renault 2.0 after 12 of 16 races:
1. Chris van der Drift (NZL) 207 points, 2. Filipe Albuquerque (POR) 203 points, 3. Xavier Maassen (NED) 191 points, Atte Mustonen (FIN) 149 points, 5. Mervyn Kool (NED) 118 points, 6. John Edwards (USA) 115 points, 7. Brendon Hartley (NZL) 102 points, 8, Duarte Felix da Costa (POR) 100 points, 9. Sergey Afanasiev (RUS) 95 points, 10. Johnny Cecotto (VEN) 92 points

Following a review of the judicial action taken following round seven at Knockhill, it has been discovered that Paul Rivett was incorrectly deducted six points in the drivers' standings. He should only have been deducted two points and this has now been rectified.

Saturday 5^th August saw Mickel Racing (below) enter its two KB Automotive run MG ZR’s into the sixth round of the Britcar - Production S1 series at Donington Park in Derbyshire.

Patrick Long and Brent Martini ascended to the top of the Grand-Am Cup Series Grand Sport class point standings with a victory Sunday in Le Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres in the Wheel Enhancement/Synergy Racing Porsche 997. Long took over for Martini during the race's first full-course caution period on Lap 6 and completed the last 85 laps en route to his first career Grand-Am Cup Series victory. The Porsche factory driver took the lead after a series of pit stops and driver changes by the lead group during a Lap 55 caution. On the ensuing restart, Long held off charges by Spencer Pumpelly in the CDOC/Marcus Motorsports Porsche 997 and later Michael McDowell in the Playboy/Palms Ford Mustang GT that finished second, 1.649 seconds behind the winning Porsche. "This is a big win and this is the first time this year that we've led a race," Long said. "Grand-Am Cup is one of the most challenging series that I've run in. This circuit plays well to the Porsche 997. It really comes down to handling and brake management and we did well with that today. I want to thank Synergy for all the hard work they do and also my co-driver Brent Martini."

Paul di Resta took the chequered flag to win the BP Ultimate Masters of Formula 3 at Zandvoort. British F3 was well represented and Carlin Motorsport's Oliver Jarvis 8th place, combined with di Resta's win, secured the Nations Cup for the United Kingdom. Bruno Senna was the highest placed British F3 regular while championship leader Mike Conway's race ended in the gravel with 20 laps to go.

The Mini Challenge at Thruxton yesterday saw Martin Depper and Arthur Forster take a win a-piece. In the first race  Depper beat Forster by half a second with Car Bradley coming home third. In race two Freddie Norstrum took the runner up spot with Bradley once again completing the podium places.In the Radical Bi-Duro Championship Guy Hodgkin won both races leading Terrence Woodward over the line in race one and Daniel Rowbottom in race two.

In the BARC Formula Renault race Richard Singleton beat Jordon Oakes by just 1.245secs with Hywel Lloyd third.

Freddy Nordstrom Takes a 2^nd and 4^th in the latest Mini Challenge Round..

Juno Racing have relocated, but remain in Lancashire, moving down the road from Preston to Leyland. Unpacking has been streamlined and quick with further orders being received allowing little time to relax!  This weekend Juno Racing were present at the Donington Park round of the Britsports series with an interesting mix of new and old, youth and experience

At Snetterton the BARC held a two day meeting with the Max5 Championship holding two races on Saturday and two on Sunday. On Saturday Jonathon Greensmith opened the scoring winning from Wayne Le Montay and Paul Sheard. In the second race Jeremy Clark took the victory laurels in a red-flag interrupted event ahead of Sheard and Martin Stevinson,On Sunday Greensmith once again won the opening encounter leading Sheard across the line with 5.4secs to spare. Jonathon Halliwell came in third. In the final race Sheard, apparently destined to be the bridesmaid and not the bride was second again, this time behind Jon Diffey. Jeremy Clark picked up his second podium of the weekend with third. In the Clubmans Cup at Snetterton Howard Payne won the first race on Saturday, his Mallock MK20 holding off Mike Evans similar machine to win by 3 seconds. On Sunday Paul Gibson too the honours with Evans second once again and Payne third. The trio crossing the line separated by less than a second.  In the Westfields races Jonathon Young won the first race by 4.696secs from Dider Prongue with Thomas Robinson third. On Sunday in what must have been the closest victory of the one day, if not season, Thomas Robinson beat Nick Flowers by 0.081 seconds!. Mathew Flowers was third a ‘massive’ 1.23 seconds behind the leader.

Matt Varsha, of Atlanta, Georgia, drove to the first victory of his Star Mazda (below) career in Round Eight of the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear at the Grand Prix of Trois-Rivieres. After jumping into the lead on the opening lap Varsha would go wire-to-wire in his #45 Racers Edge Motorsports Mazda, finishing 0.196 seconds ahead of Michael Potekhen as the race finished under yellow. Championship points leader Adrian Carrio completed the podium for the thirty-six lap event …

In the Classic Formula Ford races at Snetterton yesterday(Sunday), Simon Davey won the FF1600 event in a Van Dieman RF81. Second. 0.771 secs behind was Steve Hare.also in an RF81 with Paul Walton third in a Crossle 25f, 1.8secs down on the winner.

Formula Jedi graduate Scott Temple took his first win of the season in the highly competative BARC Classic Formula Ford 2000 championship. Temple took five wins and runner the up spot in the BRSCC Formula Jedi 600  championship last year and has stamped his authority on the FF2000 championship with a win last weekend at Snetterton. Temple who is this year nominated as a BRDC
rising star took a convincing victory having claimed pole in the mornings  quallifying. The race was eventually cut short with a red flag. At the time of the red flag Temple was over 4 seconds clear of rival Ollie Hancock who was eventually awarded 3rd place due to the race being counted back two laps. Round 1 winner Mark Grant took 3rd. Temple now takes the championship lead with three times series champion Eddie Wilkin still a close 2nd but only being able to take 7th place at Snetterton.I

The deadlock between front-running Cosworth Caterham Masters teams Rob Jenkinson/Nathan Bell and Clive Richards/Richard Hay  was broken at last yesterday (Sat) at Spa-Francorchamps, with Hay and Richards notching up twin wins to take a clear series lead as their rivals faltered.

A win apiece for Ben de Zille Butler and Ted Murray at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium yesterday (Sat) ensured that their battle for overall Autosport Caterham Eurocup honours will continue to the Italian and French rounds in the autumn.

Richard Wood took his Astra to victory in the Ace Vehicle Delivers race at Oulton Park on Saturday(5 August). Second was Michael Blomfield, winner last time out, in a Sierra with Ian Hall's Darrian third.    Stacy Vickers won the Classic Group 1 race in his Mazda RX 7 by just under 5 sec onds from the Jag XJ12 of David Howard with Roger Sanford's BMW 2002 third. Vickers trhen went on to take a dominant win in the Pre-93 race, his Lotus Cortina crossing the line 16 seconds ahead after just 10 laps. Second was Tony Gorman in an M3 while third was Nigel Innes in a BMW 320.  In the Production BMW race Liam Crilly won from George Haynes and Robert Sendler. 

The Legends provided much of the entertainment at Oulton Park yesterday, Christopher Grieve, Derek Pierce and Jamie Clark all claiming a win each in the heats. The final saw Dave Newsham  take the chequered flag ahead of Clark and Jon Jon Higgins.

At Donington Park the combo of  Fkux and Riley took the honours in the Britcar race in a Mosler MT8900R. Second was the Mustill/Bennett Opel, the only other car to complete the 80 laps. In Britsports the Yamitsu S3000 of Shelton and Greensall won by just 7.9 seconds after 44 laps from the Roberts/Turvey Juno. In the Dunlop Supercars it was just like the BTCC from a few years ago with Kelvin Burt and Phil Bennett taking the honours with a win apiece. In the Production S1 the Symonds/D'Cruze M3 won while the Alfa Romeo race was won by Tim Lewis in a Sud Sprint from Andy Page in a Guilietta with Graham Pressley (below) third in a 75 Turbo.   

Driving his Northwest Autosport Mazda under sunny skies and perfect temperatures, Ryan Justice, clocked a time of 1:02.106 (86.948 MPH) in the final seconds of qualifying to capture the pole position for the Grand Prix of Trois-Rivieres and Round Eight of the Star Mazda Championship . Matt Varsha, Racers Edge Motorsports,will line up second on the grid with a time of 1:02.216, while Logan Gomez, Velocity Motorsports is third on  1:02.266

With only three races remaining on the 2006 Grand-Am Cup Series schedule--and a scant four points separating the first seven drivers in the Grand Sport class point standings--many teams will look to make statements in the championship chase as a pair of split-class races are slated this weekend in Le Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres in Canada.

The Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 launch was hosted in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane last night, with drivers, media and sporting personalities, and just about anyone else that could get a ticket to walk the red carpet turning up. Again, as was the case last year, 'the mountain is calling' anthem is being promoted on the big screen throughout Australian movie cinemas, a new campaign aimed at attracting the younger generation to what is known as 'Australia's Great Race, the Bathurst 1000.

Gough Signs Up For West-Tec F3 . Experienced UK Formula Ford hotshoe, Stuart Gough. 23  has agreed a deal to drive a Formula 3 Dallara-Spiess for Team West-Tec in the Club F3 Championship.

HELP - Today(Thursday) on the way to Snetterton to test their  GAC FVee with Martin and John Galpin, Paul and Russell Moden got a puncture on their van. Normally not a problem but sadly their spare tyre was also flat. With the help of some friends they took the wheels to the local  ATS in Mildenhall to get them fixed  leaving their now 3 wheeled van and race box trailer padlocked to the ball hitch in a lay-by beside the A11. Returning about an hour later they  found both van the trailer had gone, the broken padlock  lying on the ground. So if anyone out there is offered a  GAC FVee, a 14 foot Dastle race box fitted bench, generator, compressor, fitted lockers wheels and tyres, spares, tools etc please contact us at 'theGrid' and we will forward any information onto Paul and Russell.  The matter has been reported to the local Constabulary.

UK Formula Ford Championship leader Nathan Freke plans to capitalise on his chief title rival's enforced absence from next weekend's (12/13 August) Rockingham rounds of the Ford-backed series to extend his points advantage. .

Viewing figures for the ITV1 highlights show Motorsport UK featuring Formula Renault UK with Michelin Championship races average at more than 500,000 for the first four episodes of the 2006 season. A total of 2,026,000 people have tuned in to watch the UK’s most prestigious one-make single-seater series with more than half the season still to come. 

World Speed Motorsports and Ace Carrio are headed back to Canada for Round Eight of the Star Mazda Championship on August 4-6. Five races remain in the 2006 championship as the series becomes the featured event at the Grand Prix of Trois-Rivieres. The team is hoping to increase their championship lead, and will lean heavily on lessons learned at this track when WSM competed here in Atlantic. "The Canadians are so passionate about racing, and that gets all the teams pumped up for an event like this, said Team Manager Mark Milazzo. Having just raced here a little over a month ago, and winning in front of the F1 fans at Montreal was fantastic. A win at Trois-Rivières would definitely be another memorable day for the team." This weekend's race will be the 37th running of this world famous event. It was in 1967 that a local group of sports car devotees, members of the Club Autosport Mauricien (CAM), organized the 1st edition of the Grand-Prix de Trois-Rivières through the city streets. For many years the race in Trois-Rivières was unique in North America. It was the only organized racing on city streets at that time. "Historically, the race in Trois-Rivières has been the turning point of the season, and the race winner has, in many instances, gone on to take the drivers championship at the end of the season; this has made for some thrilling racing, where no one wants to concede even an inch," remarked the President of the Grand-Prix de Trois-Rivières.

Veteran race car driver Price Cobb joined Velocity Motorsports as the teams Director of Race Operations. Cobb, a champion racecar driver, former IRL team owner and team manager, most recently helped lead Synergy Racing to the 2005 GT driver's championship in the Rolex Sports Car Series. One of Cobb's biggest driving achievements was winning the 1990 Le Mans 24 Hour event for Jaguar. He was also the winner of the World Porsche Cup and holds records in winning the North American Porsche Cup. From Karts to Atlantics to IMSA GTP, Cobb brings a wealth of knowledge in racing to the Velocity Motorsports Team.

 Carlin Motorsport heads for the traditional summer F3 showdown at the Zandvoort circuit in Holland next weekend with a strong driver line-up. Christian Bakkerud, Oliver Jarvis, Maro Engel and new kid on the Carlin block, Brazilian Mario Moraes are Carlin's representatives for the first comparison this year between the cream of Europe's F3 teams. It's the 16th running of the Zandvoort F3 race weekend and the unofficial European F3 decider ( up until last year the event was known as the Marlboro Masters and it is now the BP Ultimate Masters) and previous winners include Takuma Sato with Carlin Motorsport in 2001, David Coulthard, Christian Klien and Jos Verstappen. The Zandvoort weekend is a show case between the best drivers and teams in Europe and the entry is by invitation only.

Dominic Lesniewski once again raced to the top of podium, taking wins in both races at the latest round of the Matador Powertec Radical Challenge held at Pembrey, Wales last weekend. 

The 500 Motor Club provided an 8 race programme at a wet Kirkistown on Saturday(29 July) which ran to schedule despite various incidents and red flags.The  Formula Vee  B race had a full grid of 26 cars, a red flag and several downpours. The red flag came out after 6 laps whe4n Robert Casey slid off at the exit of the hairpin in one of the aforementioned ‘showers’. The restart handed victory to Trevor Delaney with Ken Elliot second and Brian Kelly third. The ‘A‘ race also saw red  on the penultimate lap when the leading pair of Paul Sammin and Ray Moore came together between Debtors Dip and Colonial. With the race almost run the result was based on the previous lap handing the win to Sammin with Moore second. A small Libre field saw early leader James Davidson out brake himself at Colonial dropping him back to 4^th. He then put in a spirited fight back to climb back to second at the flag behind the Radical of winner James Patterson.                                                                There were two second Stryker races with Damien Roddy winning the first from Des Bruton, Roddy setting fastest lap in the process. In the second Tristin Quinn took the honours ahead of Alan Watkins and Mark Willis. However it had looked as if Sonya Fildes would take the chequered after a great start from the 4^th row of the grid when she picked her way past spinning and sliding cars at Colonial into the lead.a Sadly she was unable to maintain her advantage and slipped back to fourth at the flag.  Rory Farrell won the Pre-90 FF1600 race from Jamesy Hagan (pictured right) and Jimmy Dougan while Morgan Dempsey  won the Open FF1600 race ahead of Ivor McCullough.  In the Sports car race Jim Hutchison claimed the laurels in his Jade Holden   

Tim Bridgman fought his way to fourth at Champ Car Atlantic Championship's San Jose round at the weekend, climbing from 13th to fourth, just missing out on a podium finish. Tim Bridgman: "We have had a great weekend here in San Jose. Right up to second qualifying we were running strongly in the top 10 although unfortunately some bad luck with traffic in qualifying two around this tight 50-second lap meant we had to start the race from P13. We ran full fuel tanks in Sunday morning`s warm up so we could tune the car for the race which paid off as we had a very driveable car this afternoon. I got a good standing start and managed to avoid the traffic jam at turn one to gain a few places. From then on it was just going to be a case of keeping my nose clean and putting the laps in. To be quick round here you literally have to be running on the walls, so it was important to keep 100 percent concentration through the whole race and ensure no mistakes were made.

Paul Rivett  took his fourth ELF Renault Clio Cup victory of the season with a commanding drive at Donington Park National on Sunday, 30^th July. The Boulevard Team Racing ace finished 3.292s ahead of Z Speed Racing’s Martin Byford who made a return to the podium in just his second race after a three-year absence from the series. Total Control Racing’s James Williams came third to become the youngest Clio Cup podium finisher aged 16 years and 197 days.

Formula Renault BARC team Muzz Race has signed two drivers to compete in the Club Class category at Oulton Park on Saturday, 5^th August. Adrian Dixon and Sarah Lambert will join experienced Formula Renault BARC campaigners Simon Keast and Steve Hanselman with the pair hoping to compete in the six remaining races. Dixon, 41, gets his first taste of UK single-seater racing having competed in open wheel racing in the USA in recent seasons. Staying in America for his work as a city financier, Dixon won the 2005 Skip Barber Eastern Sportsman title, a ‘slicks and wings’ category run by the famous race school. Prior to his Championship-winning season, Dixon was a regular at UK circuits, typically piloting a Porsche. Among his list of achievements are the runners-up spot in the 1999 924 Championship, top six places in the 2000 Porsche Cup and class wins in the 2001 Porsche Open in a Carrera 964 RS. Most recently he has gained class podiums in a 944 in the Open, including fastest lap in last weekend's one-hour race at Brands Hatch. During a recent visit to Silverstone, Dixon tested the Mygale 99 he will race at Oulton Park with his lap times convincing Muzz Race he should be competing for a Club Class podium position right away, with the Cheshire venue among his favourite tracks. Lambert has experience in the MG Owners Club racing series, winning the 2005 Novice Cup driving an 1800vvc. She will be driving a Tatuus RC97 this weekend as she makes her Formula Renault BARC debut.  

Fortec Motorsport’s Sebastian Hohenthal (pictured below at Knockhill) completed a perfect weekend at Donington Park National circuit by winning round 12 of the Formula Renault UK with Michelin Championship on Sunday, 30^th July. Hohenthal is now just two points behind Championship leader Patrick Hogan who once again had to settle for second place, but who claimed a potentially crucial two bonus points for setting the Fastest Lap of the race with a mark of 1min 07.245s (104.78mph).

Nick Leventis was the winner of the Roy Salvadori Trophy(sponsored appropriately by Scalextric) for Aston Martins at Silverstone. His DBR1 winning comfortably from the similar car of David Clark.  In the Innes Ireland Trophy for Gentlemen Drivers(and there were lots of them , 40+) the Clark/Diffey E Type came out on top after 28 laps to win y just 4 seconds from the Phillips/Williams AC Cobra.  There were two races in the Derek Bell Trophy series with Simon Hadfield winning both in his Lola T300. In the first race he beat Steve Maxted’s Lola T360 while race two saw Peter Dunn’s March 73A take second place.

In the James Hunt Trophy races Peter Wuensch took a win and a second in his Wolf WR1. The principal opposition came from Manfredo Rossi  in a BT42. Rossi taking second in race one over 16 seconds behind the ex-Jody Scheckter machine. However in race two the positions were reversed, Rossi taking the Chequered flag by just 0.383 seconds from Wuensch.  John Crowson was third in race 1 in an Ensign MN177 while Peter Dunn in a March 761 completed the podium in race two.    The Shaw/Oliver pairing took the honours in the Classic Saloon Car race on Sunday in their BMW 1800 with Robert Hartley in a Mustang taking second, 5.7seconds down on the winners. In the Pre-66 GP Tony Brookes Trophy  events Michael Schryver won both races, his Lotus 18  just managing to hold off the Cooper Maserati of Barrie Williams in the first race, with 0.9secs to spare.  John Harper took third in a BT4. He improved in race two taking second to Schryver  with Williams back in third. Jonathon Baker won the Denny Hulme Trophy race for World Sports cars in a Lola T70.

Mark Gilles won the Colin Chapman Trophy for Formula Jnrs at the Silverstone Classic, drving appropriately a Lotus 20/22. Second, also in one of Chapman’s machines was Michael Hibberd with Simon Diffey, again in a Lotus, third.

At Pembrey, Lucy Redding won the Formula Woman race by a mere 0.131 seconds from Jackie Skelton. Third was Kirsty Jeffrey with Nikki Welsby fourth and Vicky Lloyd fifth. The top five crossing the line as one, with fifth placed Lloyd just 1 second behind the winner! In the Kumho Tyres Championship races Richard Mallinson won Saturday’s race from Rick Kerry with Paul Winter third. Kerry went one better on Sunday winning by 2.4 seconds from Colin Whitmore while third went to Ian Munns. In the Classic Clubmans race on Saturday Peter Harper in a Mallock Mk20 beat Antony Denham’s Doris CKM by 1.2 secs with Gavin Childs third in a Gryphon.

Danny Watts won both of the Porsche Carrera Cup races at Donington driving fro Red-Line racing.

Raphael Matos took his first win in the US Atlantic series with a lights-to-flag victory in San Jose

The Ace Vehicle Deliveries Saloons car race at Oulton Park yesterday(Saturday) was won by Michael Blomfield in a Sierra with Rob Pritchard's Caterham Vauxhall second. Mark Primett was third in a Europa. In the NW Formula Ford, Class A-B Race Mark Chadwick's Van DIeman RF04 beat Chris Chisnall's RF00K by 0.818secs. Third went to the RF96 of James Ebrell 2.5 seconds behind the winner. In the Class C-D race Tom Bradshaw won in a Van Dieman RF89 from David Franklin in a similar car. Third was David Bailey.(below)

In the XR Challenge race at Oulton Park Mark Robinson's Fiesta held off Michael Blackburn's similar machine to take the chequered flag by just 0.4secsonds with Chris Jones third 3.5 seconds further behind.  The MG Midget race was won by William Smallridge from Richard Perry and Edward Reeve while in the Cockshoot Cup Mike Peters MG Midget overcame Andrew Storer's Austiin Healey Sprite to take the win. IN the T-Cars Liciano Bacheta bagged a brace of victories, the first after only completing three laps after the red flag came out. Alex Brundle was second and Max Chilton third. In race two Alex MacDowall was second to Bacheta with Brundle once again on the podium , this time in third.                    Dave Longhurst was the winner of  the first  VSR Championship race, his Colt GTI beating Steve Hall's Audi TT while in the second race Ian Fewings took the honours in his Tigra VXR ahead of Longhurst.

At the Silverstone Classic meeting David Mercer won the Group C/GTP race on Saturday and Sunday. His Spice SE90C  a convincing winner over the Nissan NP1 of Chris Randall and the ADA Cosworth of Gary Pearson on Sunday, while on Saturday Justin Law was second in a Jaguar XJR12 with Randall third.  In the BRDC Sportcars race Simon Hadfield was the winner in a Cooper Monaco dominated event, the first three places falling to the car. Behind Hadfield was Graeme Dodd(below left)  with John Harper third.

Renault Sport UK received a total of 30 deposits for its New Clio Cup racer after a hugely successful launch in the Renault Race Centre at Donington Park on Saturday, 29^th July. The car, which will be raced in the ELF Renault Clio Cup from the start of the 2007 series, replaces the current Clio Renaultsport 182 after seven glorious seasons.

Formula Renault UK Championship contender Jeremy Metcalfe ended Thursday's official test session at Donington Park delighted with his pace and consistency ahead of this weekend's races. He set the second fastest time during this morning's session and although concluding the day fifth overall with his lap of 1m 06.634 seconds (105.74mph) from the afternoon period. Having traded fastest laps with championship rival Sam Bird throughout the second of today's 65-minute sessions, Jeremy lost some ground towards the end of the test having been balked by Richard Keen on what would have been his fastest lap of the day.

Ricardo Vassmer will race for Canadian team Jensen Motor Sport in the  remaining 4 races of the Champ Car Atlantic Series this year. He will dovetail these with his Cooper Tires Zetec Series commitments where he races for JDC Motor Sports. His first appearance at the Atlantic Series will be at San Jose, California on Sunday(July 30). At such a short notice, there is no time for a private test day, so his first contact  with the new Atlantic car will practice today(Friday July.28,).

Ryan Lewis will be looking for better things this weekend in the Atlantic race at San Jose in California. After crashing out of the race in Edmonton, he would like to pay back his team for all their hard work. This will be Lewis' second race on a street circuit. He finished third in his first one in Toronto a few weeks ago. In only five races with the team this season, the former F3 driver has two podium finishes and sits fifteenth in the Championship. "Obviously I've never raced in San Jose before and it is once again a street course, something rather new to me. I learned a lot in Toronto in that kind of race environment and I plan on putting it to good use in San Jose. I must put in a good performance this weekend because last weekend didn't go as well as I wanted it to. The team has worked so hard that they deserve more than what I have given them this season."

Danny Watts will race at Donington Park this weekend looking to add another two wins to his tally of four so far this year, with Team Irwin Industrial Tools/Red Line Racing, in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB. It will be Watts final outing of the year with the team, as regular driver and current Porsche Supercup Championship leader Richard Westbrook will take over for the remainder of the year.

The 2006 Yokohama Presents the Champ Car Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda, enters its final quarter of the season this weekend with the Canary Foundation Grand Prix of San Jose Presented by Taylor Woodrow. With only 47 points separating the top four in the title chase with four races remaining, the driver that plays it smart and exhibits a street-racing acumen over the next pair of events in San Jose and Denver will gain a huge advantage in the pursuit of the championship crown and the $2 million champion's Champ Car bonus for 2007. Classic long road circuits at Montreal and Road America host the final two rounds of the series so title hopefuls will also need to rely on their versatility  to claim the ultimate prize this year.

John Knudsen celebrated his first win of the season in Formula TR Pro Series 2000 last Saturday as he claimed the chequered flag at Portland in the US Series. Second was his team-mate and two- time winner Dominic Scheer. Knudsen's Round 13 success came from pole position and he capped an outstanding day of racing on the support bill to the American Le Mans Series with a complete sweep of the points by capturing fastest lap of the race as well. Knudsen capitalized on the absence of series-leader Carl Skerlong, who was competing in the Star Mazda race at Portland that day, to close the gap to his teenage rival while finally taking a win following seven runner-up finishes this season. Scheer, who qualified third, came home in second place as the race ended under yellows with front-row starter Bret MacDonald returning to the podium for the first time since Round 8 in May. On Sunday in Round 14 of the series Carl Skerlong returned to action and while he was beaten to pole position by eight hundredths of a second by  Knudsen, he stormed to a dominant win in the afternoon, his eleventh victory of the season.  His absence from Round 13 had allowed Knudsen to close the gap in their points battle at the head of the championship standings and as the pair took the start of Sunday's race it looked like another thrilling exchange would follow as they sprinted around Portland International Raceway fighting for the lead. It was to prove short-lived however as an off- course excursion at Turn 5 by Knudsen, caused by a rear suspension failure, ended his weekend prematurely. Bret MacDonald assumed second place but with Carl streaking off into the distance there was little he could do to prevent the reigning Formula TR 1600 Champion from taking the win. Welch Racing's Derek DeBoer ensured MacDonald had enough to keep himself busy with as he shadowed in third, eventually scoring his first podium of the season - a welcome rewarded having missed the two previous rounds 

The Formula TR 1600 Series welcomed a new winner to the top-spot of the podium at Portland International Raceway as Kimball Racing's Luis Martinez Jr. triumphed in Round 13 ahead of series-leader Parker Kligerman and his Paladin Motorsports team-mate Liam Kenney. Martinez Jr. battled race long with Kligerman, winner of nine races this season, and despite initially losing the lead to Parker, Luis made sure he was there to pass when the right opportunity presented itself. He briefly led on lap 10 only for Kligerman to fight back but Martinez Jr. moved ahead once again and with the race ending earlier than planned and under the yellows for a spin involving Kerstin Smutny, Martinez Jr. celebrated the win. Kenney's third place effort marked his first time back in the top-three since Round 8 and his sixth podium in 2006. Billy Goshen delivered a solid run to fourth ahead of pole-sitter Alexander Rossi who lost out to Martinez Jr. and Kligerman at the start before dropping back further following an off-track excursion which broke a shock and ended his run at the top.

On Sunday Gavin Wills won the Club F3 race, his Dallara F398 crossing the line 19 seconds up on second placed Ken Finneran, also in a Dallara.  Wills put in a dominant display at Brands Hatch to win round 6 of The Enterprise Group Club Formula 3 Championship. The Team WestTec driver scored maximum points with a hat-trick of Pole, win and Fastest Lap. .

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The misfortune of one driver turned into the benefit for another, as Simon Pagenaud scored his breakthrough win in the Champ Car Atlantic series event at Edmonton. Pagenaud started 2nd and ran there for a majority of the race, but capitalized when runaway leader Raphael Matos had a lapse of concentration and hit the concrete barrier exiting turn 12. With the win, Pagenaud has stretched his gap in the championship to 18 points over Andreas Wirth.

Scott Fraser won the Scottish XR2 race after a close race with Andrew Winchester on Saturday at Knockhill. Ross Malcolm takes second after John Findlay has a dramatic late race crash..

Ryan Lewis was hoping for a trouble-free race at Edmonton but it ended up being anything but that. The young Brit tagged the turn three wall and, although he managed to get back to the pits, his suspension was broken and his race was over. Ryan had qualified 11th and was expecting a tough 36-lap race in the 100-degree heat of Edmonton. He got away well and was running in the top ten before he went off on lap six. The Canadian trip has given Ryan a podium finish and a non-finish so it's a mixed bag for the Brit. "It wasn't really a good weekend for us in Edmonton," said Ryan. "I really wanted to do well, especially for my engineer Lee (Dykstra) who couldn't be here this weekend, but once again I made a mistake. I made the guys work late Friday and I would have liked to make it up to them but we will try again in San Jose next weekend."

Steven Fergusson in a Nissan Pulsar dominated the two DDMC Northern Sports/Saloons races(Classes B, C & D) at Knockhill. Winning the first race by 14 secs from Andrew Morrison’s MG ZR snd the second by 24 secs ahead of David Botterill’s Porsche. Star of the show was Phil Dryburgh in a Lotus 340R. In his first ever race Dryburgh brought his car home in a very respectable fourth place. He then went one better in the second event taking third. In the Class A, E, F& G races Robert Pritchard once again dominated in his Caterham winning both events. Second on each occasion was Arthur Robinson in a Westfield SE and Phil Morris in a Caterham 7.Pritchard’s mantel of invincibility slipped in the Scottish Sports and Saloons race however. Andrew Gallacher winning from George Brewster with Pritchard only managing third after a rare mistake and a minor off 3 laps from the end. Gallacher had already sewn the race up by this time, both he and his team mate Chris Doherty heading for a one-two until the latter was black-flagged for cutting the corners.

At Brands Hatch on Sunday in the Fiat Racing Challenge Jason Greatrex once again took the honours leading Chris Dymond over the line with just 0.382secs to spare. Third was Jon Gray a further 2.5secs behind. Graham Heard took his second win in a row in the Porsche 924 Championship with Gary Duckman second and Lee McNamara third. Ed Moore continued his winning ways in the BRSCC Club FFord 1600 series beating Lee Mumford by 2.211 seconds with Kris Loane third just 4 tenths behind.

Neil Tofts and Michel Florie won a race each in the Club FFord Zetec races at Brands Hatch. Tofts taking the laurels on Saturday from David Mayes and following Florrie home on Sunday. In the Monposto 1200 races Adrian Wright took his Gem AW2 to victory on Saturday ahead of Colin Stone’s Jedi while on Sunday it was the turn of John Carding in a Spead RM02 to take the honours. In the 2000 race Mark Harrison won both races his Dallra 398 proving to quick for second placed Jeremy Timms Van Dieman and Saturday and Neil Harrison on Sunday.

Michael Potekhen, of Tempe, Arizona, narrowly avoided a first corner incident to drive on to victory in Round Seven of the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear at Portland International Raceway. Driving the #53 Apex Racing Avenue Communities Mazda, Potekhen led every lap to beat Kevin Lacroix in his #74 John Walko Racing Uni-Select Auto Parts Mazda to the stripe by 2.289 seconds to earn his second victory of the season. Hometown hero Ryan Justice would complete the podium in his #38 Northwest Autosport J&M Body Shops Mazda..

A new venue for the Cosworth Caterham Masters in the shape of the Estoril circuit in Portugal made little difference to the continuing rivalry between Nathan Bell/Rob Jenkinson and Clive Richards/Richard Hay...

The Autosport Caterham Eurocup’s first-ever foray to the Portuguese Grand Prix circuit of Estoril provided not only some thrilling racing yesterday (Sun) but also the makings of what promises to be a tense championship battle, with points leader Ben de Zille Butler winning one of the races and his closest title challenger Ted Murray the other. It was Team Parker Racing driver Murray’s first-ever win and brings him to within five points of de Zille Butler.

Nick Tandy and Nathan Freke took a UK Formula Ford Championship win apiece at Brands Hatch over the weekend, Freke extending his championship lead over Peter Dempsey, who claimed a second place on Saturday but failed to finish Sunday’s race two....

Andy Purdie and Mark Sumpter claimed victory in the annual Bill Taylor Memorial race at Brands Hatch on Saturday, the 28-car Porsche Open field for the 2006 race keeping up the high-standards expected for the event. Peter Chambers fought race long with Peter Morris to take second, the latter third and first in Class Two. Class Three was one by John Allam and Graham Hellier, while Frank Cortes won Class Four in the hour long race.  

Class One rivals Mark McAleer and Ian White took a win each at Brands Hatch this weekend, with series returnee Kevin Harrison getting on the podium on both days in a one-off return to the Porsche Club Championship. James Hilliard took his first Class Two win on Saturday, while reigning champion Tom Segrue came through to win on Sunday, as Chris Berry took a Class Three double to keep his class points lead....

Geordie Taylor won the Jackie Stewart Trophy at the Classic Speedfair at Knockhill today(Sunday), his Reynard 84FFthe class of the field. Leading from flag to flag Taylor led the field into SEAT(Duffus Dip) on the opening lap and ran away with the race. Second was David Bailey who had come under pressure from David Leslie early on before Leslie's car, smoking on and off from as early as lap 5, was forced to retire before it blew. Third was Alan Brunton who drove a storming race carving through the field to take the final podium spot by just 0.016 seconds from Lee Chatburn.  Earlier on in the day JYS demonstrated his Tyrrell 001 to the delight of the crowd who enjoy and fine day in sunny conditions at the Fife circuit.

Mark Dryden wins his first Scottish Autotrader Mini Cooper race at Knockhill despite the advances of Steve Mitchell, Paul Wilson and 2005 Champ Oly Mortimer.

In the Scottish Supersports Colin Noble takes the honours from Mike MacPherson while Robert Pritchard continues to dominate the DDMC's Sports/Saloons(Class A-G) winning both races. Steven Fergusson wins both the Class B,C and D clashes comfortably, while racing newcomer Phil Dryburgh impressed in his first ever car races to take third and fourth. The Scottish Sports/Saloons race was won by  Andrew Gallagher from George Brewster after Chris Doherty was black flagged and Rob Pritchard  made and unforced error before slipping to third.

After waiting until the final seconds of qualifying at Miller Motorsports Park to capture the pole position one week ago Adrian Carrio came out swinging early at Portland International Raceway, posting the pole winning lap early in today's qualifying for Round Seven of the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear. Driving the #14 World Speed Motorsports Rockford Fosgate Mazda, the Monument, Colorado native lapped the 1.944-mile circuit in a time of 1:08.988 (102.487 MPH) to secure his second consecutive pole and third pole position this season. Joining Carrio on the front row for the second consecutive race will be Michael Potekhen who clocked a fast time of 1:09.045 (102.453 MPH).

Formula Renault UK Championship management has confirmed a four-round programme for the 2006 Formula Renault UK with Michelin Winter Series. The series, which gives drivers looking to progress into the 2007 Championship a taste of the FR2.0 car in race conditions, will begin at Brands Hatch Indy on 4th/5th November with rounds three and four at Croft on Saturday 11th November

Coming home was sweet for Portland native Ryan Justice as he set the fastest time of the day in Thursday's unofficial practice for Round Seven of the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear at Portland International Raceway. Driving the #38 Northwest Autosports J&M Body Shops Mazda, Justice lapped the 1.946-mile circuit in a time of 1:09.431 (101.833 MPH) to lead the field of 32 drivers entered in this weekend's event

Jeremy Ellis   made a superb start to the second half of the Motorsport News Caterham Roadsport Challenge season over the weekend (15/16 July), winning both his races at Cadwell Park to edge further into the championship lead…

RACE DRIVERS, TEAMS, RACE FANS AND CYCLISTS TO TAKE TO THEIR BIKES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER. While professional cyclists prepare to take on the Alps in the Tour de France, a mix of stateside cyclists are preparing to take on the hills and twists of the Road America road racing circuit in east-central Wisconsin on August 19 in the Tour de Road America. Participants in the fundraiser can sign up to ride distances of up to 40 miles on the track by making a donation to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Drivers from the American Le Mans, Speed World Challenge, Star Mazda, Skip Barber National GT, and IMSA GT3 Club Challenge will participate in this year's Tour de Road America at 6:15 P.M., following Saturday's auto racing activities. Volunteers for the Lance Armstrong Foundation organize the event and are on track to exceed $20,000 raised in 2005. Delta Dental of Wisconsin, Bella's Custom Design of Kiel, WI, Kumho Tire, and Giordana Cycling Apparel are among the organizations supporting the Tour de Road America. Registration for the Tour de Road America is open at www.pelotonride.org. Pre- registered participants will receive a T-shirt, and Cytomax Sport Energy Drink. A reception is scheduled before and after the event with various other fundraising activities being held throughout the race weekend. For further information on the Tour de Road America, please visit www.pelotonride.org

Champ Car Atlantic team Gelles Racing have signed Colin Fleming, one of America's rising stars  for  the remaining events on the 2006 calendar. Fleming will join up with Robbie recent winner of the Atlantic round in Toronto earlier this month. "It is so exciting to be racing again in America with Gelles Racing," said Fleming. "It's a culture shock after three years in Europe, but I think I can use the experience and hard-driving style in my favour. I have heard only good things about the new Swift car, the championship and the high level of racing this year. Gelles Racing has become one of the best teams in the series and I know we're going to be competitive fairly quickly. I've known the Pecorari family from my karting years and teaming up with Robbie, who just won the last round in Toronto, will make it all the more exciting." Fleming, 22, from California, will compete at this weekend's Round in the West Edmonton Mall Grand Prix in Canada.

Grand American Road Racing Association announced recently that the Grand-Am Cup Series season finale at Virginia International Raceway--originally schedule to be a 12-hour event on October 8--has been changed to two six-hour, split-class races that will decide the Grand Sport (GS) and Street Tuner (ST) championships.  At the  opening round at Daytone there was a record 88-car field and 83 machines competing in the series' first visit to Virginia International Speedway in April. "With as many cars as we've had throughout the Grand-Am Cup season, it only makes sense to split our season finale into two six-hour races, while still delivering the 12 hours of racing that we and our partners at VIR have promised to the fans," said Grand American President Roger Edmondson. "This will ensure that our fans and competitors will get the kind of close and exciting competition befitting of a season finale. We expect an action-packed weekend as our Grand-Am Cup championships are decided at VIR." The Grand-Am Cup finale for the GS class will be held on Saturday, October 7, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET, while the ST class will decide its championships on the following day, October 8, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET. Ticket information is available at www.virclub.com.

Brands Hatch hosts the second one-hour race of the 2006 season for the Porsche Open racers this coming weekend - the event the famous Bill Taylor Memorial race that has been a feature of Porsche competition for many years. The tight Brands Hatch Indy circuit layout ensures the race - featuring a compulsory pit-stop, will be a tight and action-packed affair with the quicker cars having to pick their way through the other classes.

Brands Hatch is the venue for latest two round of the competitive Porsche Club Championship, the famous Kent circuit always providing tight racing and this weekend, July 22^nd and 23^rd, will be no exception. Ian White has been the man on form for most of the season, but in the most recent races at Cadwell Park two weekends ago he could only manage a pair of thirds with title rival Mark McAleer outscoring him as James Neal took a brace of wins

Championship leader John Hammersley scored no points in the LMA  Euro Saloons at Cadwell Park handing Jason Holmes the championship lead with Jim Mepham second just ahead of Hammersley plus the first ever non-Class A LMA outright win for Peter Felix. ..Full report 

Tom Onslow-Cole  won two races in a weekend for the first time this season as he dominated round 10 of the ELF Renault Clio Cup at Croft on Sunday, 16^th July. After winning round nine on Saturday, the Total Control Racing man eased past team-mate Nick Adcock  in the early stages and was never seriously threatened as he extended his already commanding Championship lead….full report