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Last Archive  23 May 2006

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The Irish Dunlop Supercars were at Knockhill today (Sunday). John Whelan  won the opening encounter leading from the lights. Second, right on his tail, was Karl Leonard. The pair reversed their positions for race 2 with Leonard winning by  just under a second. Third in the opening race was Michael Leonard Jnr with Rod McGovern taking the final podium place in race 2 after he pulled off a dramatic 'BTCC style' overtaking move on Michael Leonard Jnr on lap 10 which saw the latter off onto the gravel trap before he recovered to finish in fifth.

In the Scottish Sports and Saloons Robert Pritchard new look Caterham Vauxhall cruised to a dominant victory over the Marcos of Colin Simpson. Pritchard had earlier won the opening race of the day,the Supersports but on that occasion he had had to fight Willie Hourie every inch of the way winning by just 1.353 secs. George Brewster's Caterham was a  third 20 seconds behind.

Ian Evans won the MGOC's Class A-F rae at Snetterton, Second was Nick Dunn and third Ian Deaves. In the Class B-Z race Martin Gilchrist beat Adrian Olsson by 1.667secs with Scot Tanner third.

In the Caterham Graduates races at Snetterton Andrew Smith and Andrew Outterside took the honours. In the secomd race Jonathon Vaplew was second with Outterside third while in race 1 Graeme Smith was the runner-up with Vamplew third. In the Mega Graduates Guy Halley won both races beating Martin Amison in race 2 and Mathew Gillbanks in race 2 . Gillibanks took second from third placed man Paul Hudson by 3 thousandth of a second. If you though that was close in the Super Graduates Andrew Vickers was the winner of the opening round from Charlie Hunt and Andrew Fletcher. In race two Hunt took the chequered  flag from Charlie Ennis in second. Third was Trevor Newman and fourth Jamie Bashall. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th placed drivers crossing the line 0.108, 0.109 and 0.110 secs behind the leader. Now that's close!

Historics  at Donington this weekend with an entry list that includes Jackie Oliver, Richard Attwood and Tony Dron. Other ‘classics’ on show are Lola T70s, AC Cobras, Aston Martins and Ford GT40s. On Sunday there is the 1 ¼ Hour Endurance Race for Cloth Cap pre-‘66. There’s the  Pre-War Sports Car races and the Lurani Formula Junior car and the  Sebring Salute for pre-’74 Sports GT and Touring Cars. Also on the bill is the COYS Trophy for 1950s.

Ten drivers in Renault Sport Championships were given a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of Formula One when they attended an official Renault F1 Team test at Silverstone on Thursday, 27^th April as guests of Renault UK. The drivers are the current leaders of the Formula Renault UK with Michelin, Formula Renault BARC and ELF Renault Clio Cup Championships, plus the leaders of the three Renault backed Super One Karting Championships, Renault Formula A, Renault Formula ICA and Renault Formula JICA

Ireland’s Patrick Hogan (below)set the fastest time in both sessions of the official Formula Renault UK with Michelin Championship test day at Oulton Park Island on Wednesday, 26^th April. The winner of round two at Brands Hatch Indy set a mark of 1min 19.507s (100.79mph) in the morning and then surpassed that comfortably in the afternoon with a best of 1min 18.616s (101.93mph) around the 2.23-mile Cheshire circuit

Star Mazda Series President Gary Rodrigues and Racing For Kids Executive Director J. Patrick Wright announced today that the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear will continue their relationship with Racing For Kids with the 2006 Racing For Kids Driver Performance Award Program, starting with the upcoming Houston Grand Prix weekend on May 13-14

Formula Renault UK star Jeremy Metcalfe will be looking for his first race win of 2006 at Oulton Park in two weeks time after setting second fastest time at the recent official test session at the Cheshire track. Currently third in the title race  after the opening rounds at Brands Metcalfe set a time of of 1m 18.898 seconds.  Quickest of all was his team-mate Patrick Hogan.  Will Bratt was also in the hunt for fastest time ending the day in fourth with a time of 1m 19.248 seconds.

Jamaican kart racing racer Joel Jackson(19) has been selected to participate in the 2006 Formula BMW Development Series as a part of the Gelles Racing Team. Jackson is currently the holder of the  Jamaican Rotax Max Challenge title with 11ewins from 12 starts. Jackson is currently training to compete in Formula BMW races in the US and Canada this season before moving on to Europe and Asia in 2007.

Richard Singleton won the opening round of the Formula Renault BARC Championship at Silverstone at the weekend. Rossi  led for just over half the race but finished third, losing out to Matt Shawyer who took second  on the lastl lap. 

The Northern Saloons were also at Cadwell on Saturday with Robert Pritchard once again emerging victorious in the Class AEF race. His Caterham Vauxhall winning by a massive 42 seconds from  Peter Isherwood who just managed to hold off Tim Evans by 6 tenths for second.  In the Class BCD race Tony Caig was the winner in a Ford Focus from Andrew Morrison’s MG ZR(the pair pictured at Knockhill last season) . Third was Paul Luti in a MG ZT 520.

The Northern Saloons were also at Cadwell on Saturday with Robert Pritchard once again emerging victorious in the Class AEF race. His Caterham Vauxhall winning by a massive 42 seconds from  Peter Isherwood who just managed to hold off Tim Evans by 6 tenths for second.  In the Class BCD race Tony Caig was the winner in a Ford Focus from Andrew Morrison’s MG ZR Third was Paul Luti in a MG ZT 520.

Despite five cautions and interemitent rain, the Playboy Racing Nissan 350Z of Blake Rosser and David Murry survived and took victory in Saturday's VIR 200, Round 2 of the 2006 Grand-Am Cup Series.  This in spite of being only the third car to take the chequered flag!. Penalties for the Blackforest Motorsports Ford Mustangs due to earlier incidents gave the Playboy Racing 350Z its first Grand-Am Cup Series. The incidents which relegated the first cars across the line came on Lap 38 when James Gue--in the first of the Blackforest Motorsports Ford Mustangs  passed the  BMW M3 of Bill Auberlen for the lead. Just seconds later, a stopped car along the front straight brought out the yellows. However, David Empringham and Patrick Long ‘s Porsche 997 passed the race-leader during the caution and suffered a "drive through" penalty for the mistake. At the restart however Empringham ignored the penalty and had 45 seconds was added to his final time. The second Mustang ofIan James hit Terry Borcheller’s similar machine and like Empringham ignored his penalty and also had 45 seconds added to his time putinhg him back to 15th. In the ST class, Eric Curran never relinquished the class lead en route the class win alongside co-driver Jamie Holtom in the Clearscada/GM Performance Division Chevrolet Cobalt. Finishing second in the Piper Motorsport BMW 330i were Jim Briody and Todd Burns

Chris Wehrheim won the first of the double-header Skip Barber National event at VIR in Alton Virginia. Justin Moon came from ninth on the grid to finish second with, Richard Heistand third. In the second race Alexander Rossi made a late pass on championship leader Marco Di Leo to steal the win. At just 14 Rossi is the youngest-ever winner of a professional single seat race the U.S. Heistand was again third.

Kevin Harvick was the winner of the  Nextel Cup race at the  Phoenix International Raceway plus he also won the Busch event.. Harvick took the lead with nine laps to go to win his first Nextel Cup event of the year. "It's pretty awesome for this GM Goodwrench Chevrolet," said Harvick. "We didn't ever give up. We didn't have the best car all day today but we were the best car when it counted."

At Cadwell Park on the Sunday the HSCC ran its usual series of races. The 70s Roadsports  event was won by Matthew Bannister in a Datsun 240Z beating Rory Strockbridge’s Lotus Europa by 2.666 seconds. Third went to Chris Holland in a Lotus 7 S4. In the Classic Sports Car race Simon Hadfield dominated in his Elva Mk8 winning by over 47 seconds. He was followed across the line by Phillip Nelson in a Marcos 1800GT and Jamie Boot in a TVR Griffith. The Grandstand Motor Sports Tours Historic FFord race went to Neil Fowler’s Lola T200, 5.983 seconds ahead of Nelson Rowe in a Crossle 20f, Third in a similar Crossle was Nigel Bancroft. The FJHRA Miller Oils Formula Jnr encounter saw Mark Woodhouse in a Lotus 20 come out the winner from Paul Smeeth’s Lotus 22 in second. Steve Smith was third with a Copper T59.  The HSCC/HRST Bates IT Historic Saloons saw Les Ely win in a BMW2000 just 1.9 seconds up on the Lotus Cortina of Jonathon Gomm. Tony Fielding took the final podium spot with his Anglia.  The School Garage Historic Road Sports was won by Adam Ormandy in a Lotus Elan. Second was David Randall in a Ginetta with Andy Shepherd third in a Lotus 7. The Vredestein JEC Jaguar XK race had Nigel Webb lead a trio of XK120’s across the line. In second was John Chisholm and third Brian Arculus.

At Cadwell on Saturday the MGCC ran a 100Km enduro which was won by the MGBGTV8 of Tom Stewart just 2.621 seconds ahead of Dean Clements Rover 216 GTi. In the BCV8 Championship Stewart again triumphed with Joe Parrington second and Roy McCarthy third.

The MG Metro Cup race at Cadwell was won by Andy Wilson from Jon Flanigan while the MG Trophy went to Barry Benham from Peter Felix by a mere 0.725 seconds. Third, a further 0.75 seconds down was Malcolm Gammons. Incidentally a David Coulthard came in 11th. The Total Butler event was won by David Beresford by  0.195 seconds from Simon Hutchison.

The Universal Racing Services CLassic FFord Championships were at Silverstone on Saturday. In the FF1600 event  Rory Farrell took the honours in his Crossle 45f. Second in a Van Dieman RF81 was Steve Hare while third in a similar car was Oliver Robinson. In the FF2000 race it was Mark Grant in a Van Dieman RF82 from James Ruskin in second by just 0.720secs. Third in a Reynard was Trevor Arkell.

In the Clubmans Cup at Silverstone  Alex Osborne was the winner. His Mallock MK30 beating Mike Evans Mk20 by just 0.509secs. Third was Howard Payne also in a Mallock Mk20. In the Kumho BMW Championship Rick Kerry's M3 Evo won both races from Paul Winter with Ian Hil third on both occasions.

Completing the bill at Silverstone were the Caterham Graduates who provided some very close racing. In the Graduates race Rob Draper beat Graeme Smith by just 1.475 secs with Jonathon Vamplew third a mere 0.05secs further behind. In the Mega Graduates the first 7 cars crossed the line separated by just 2.2seconds. The winner was Guy Halley with Riki Nash second, Martin Amison third and Danny Nash fourth, the leading quartet just 0.8secs apart. If that was close the Super Graduates were even closer. This time there were 8 cars within 1.8 seconds of each other as they crossed the line. Andrew Vickers won by 0.4seconds from Charlie Hunt with Carl Bennett third  a further 0.4 seconds up the raod. On fourth a further tenth back was John Parker. Eighth was Toby Briant who was only 1.7seconds behind the winner.     

At Mallory Park at the weekend(22/23 April)  ther was action from the Classic Saloon and Touring cars. In the Classic Group 1 race David Howards Jag XJ12 was the winner with the Opel Ascona  of David Hickton second and Steve Cripps Escort RS2000 third. In the Classic Thuder Gerard Faber's Camaro beat Kevin Willimas Sierra Cosworth by 1.471 seconds. Third went to the Rover SD1 of David Mepham. In the Post Historic Touring Car race Will McAteer's Scirroco was the winner beating the BMW 320i's of Tony Doe and Robert Sadler.

In the Production BMW race at Mallory Park Martin Dower in a 320 won from Nigel Innes in a similar car by 1.188seconds. Third in a 318 was Liam Crilly. The Toyo Tyres Modified saloons race was  won by Gerry cain in a over SD1 with Neil Philpotts second in a Mitsubishi Starion and Gareth Porter third in a Peugeot 205. 

At Cadwell the MGCC's Cockshoot Cup race was won by Mike Peters in his MG Midget by 11 seconds from the MGB GT of David beresford. Third , in a  MGB was Jeremy Cottingham. 

Meanwhile at Mondello Park Niall Breen was the winner of both Formula BMW races for Fortec. Second in race one was Ross Curnow in the Nexa Racing car, he picked up another podium place with third in race 2. Second in race 2 was Oliver Oakes while Michael Meadows was third in race 1.

In the Porsche Cup Damien Faulkner won the opening encounter beating Tim Harvey  and Michael Devaney. Harvey has his revenge in race two, the leading pair swapping places  with Danny Watts taking third. 

In the BTCC Matt Neal was the winner of the first two races beating Jason Plato in both. James Thompson was third in race 1 while Colin Turkington filled the position in race 2. In the final race of the day it was Mike Jordan who took the chequered flag from Turkington and Matt Neal.

Kevin Lacroix has signed with Johnny Walko Racing from Pennsylvania for the 2006 Star Mazda series. The 2005 Formula BMW USA runner-up is testing this week with his new team at BeaveRun, a facility close to Pittsburgh. Although he missed the maiden race in Sebring last month, Lacroix claims he can catch up and race for the title of this very challenging series. "I'm very happy to join JWR at this point, claims Kevin. This is the kind of team that will always give me a competitive car. Mister Walko enjoys a very high reputation in motorsports and his crew has done an outstanding job with the Mazda in the past, earning second place overall in the championship last year. I will make the most from those two days at BearveRun where I raced before. I want to get as much seat time as possible and benefit from every lap with my crew. There is a big difference between my former Bimmer at 140 horsepower and the rotary 240 HP of this quick Mazda. I want to be ready for the Grand Prix in Houston. To be able to race in Montreal and Trois-Rivieres only adds to the pleasure of entering that series."

The 84 lap 2CVparts.com Championship race at Pembrey was won by the Leith/Adnitt car by just 3.868 seconds from the McLaughlin/Myatt car. Third was Steve Panas a further second behind.

Peter Williams Radical swept all before him in the WRDA Sports /Saloon car race at Pembrey.  Williams won both events by over  a lap from teh Sierra Sapphire of Andrew Williams and Greg Woods Mallock MK32.

Beetle racer Martin Rutherford, for three seasons a Volkswagen Racing Cup bridesmaid, ended his victory drought at Oulton Park today (Monday) and assumed a slender championship lead over the day's other race victor, Paul Taylor.Taylor's Golf R32 triumphed in the slippery first race but was no match for Rutherford's Citygate Volkswagen-backed machine in the dry conditions of round two of the Hankook-backed championship.

Irelands Peter Dempsey underlined his desire to follow his countryman Charlie Donnelly into the UK Formula Ford record books, yesterday (Mon) claiming his second successive race victory in the rejuvenated Ford-backed championship.

Rupert Lewin looked set to stamp his authority on the Porsche Open series with a win in Sunday's (April 16) opening race at Norfolk's Snetterton circuit, but when mechanical failure sidelined him in Monday's event, Peter Morris stepped up to take victory. A second place on Sunday sees Morris the early leader in the race for the prize drive on offer in Class Two, while Gerry Harrison, Mike Johnson, Charles Winterhalder and Frank Cortes all took class wins. 

Ian White and Mark McAleer took first and second in the opening Porsche Club Championship race of the season at Snetterton on Sunday (April 16), then reversed the placings to make it a win each from the weekend in Monday's 20-minute race. Richard Lambert claimed both Class Two wins and third overall in both races, while Chris Berry and Chris Stewart had a win apiece in Class Three..

Scuderia Ecosse had the best result on Easter Monday at Oulton Park. In a repeat of  their win on Saturday, Chris Niarchos and Tim Mullen took the chequered flag in the second race of the  2006 British GT Championship with 6 seconds to spare. Mullen started the race from pole before handing over to  Niarchos after an easy first stint. He then held off   Kimber-Smith in the Panoz, before cruising to the flag. Team Manager Stewart Roden said, "I'm delighted that we have started this season in exactly the same way as last year! We've had a great weekend and I couldn't have asked for any more. Considering the 430 is so new it is a testament to Michelotto and guys at the factory that it has run without fault, so thanks to them!"  Chris Niarchos added, "We just had a dream weekend! We didn't know what to expect from the competition before coming here so it's a great feeling to come out on top. Tom (Kimber-Smith) and Luke (Hines) in the Panoz are great competition and I think it'll be close this year. Oulton Park suits us but there will be circuits that suit them too. There's no better way to start the season than doing the double so we have a lot to look forward to!" Tim Mullen: "It would have been fantastic to come away from Oulton Park with one win in the bag but to have two is a dream. I think Chris will surprise a lot of people this year. We are serious about winning this title; this is just the beginning." The next race for the Scuderia Ecosse  team is the opening round of the  FIA GT Championship at Silverstone on 7 May. pic Matthew Curtis

Bruno Senna was a double winner at Oulton Park today (Monday)  in the British Formula 3 Championship. The first race was  interrupted by 3 safety car periods which added to the pressure on the young Brazilian, he none-the-less kept his nerve at the restarts to record a  lights-to-flag victory.  His  teammate at Double R Racing, Stephen Jelley was second just 1.554secs behind with Oliver Jarvis third. In race two Senna again grabbed an early lead from pole man Mike Conway at Old Hall Bend, a lead he never relinquished. Second went to  Christian Bakkerud with Conway third.  T-Sports driver  Rodolfo Gonzalez won both races in the National Class.

Tony Sinclair was the winner of the Savesometax.co.uk Castle Comber Special GT race today (Monday). His Jade 2 was a dominant winner over Guy Woodward's Jade Trackstar and Tony Michael's Nemesis RMW02 by over 40 seconds. In the National Mobil Windscreen Saloon car race Russell Humphrey took the honours in his Lancer Evo ahead of Gary Prebble's Rover 220 Coupe and Keith Murray's Audi A4

The Scuderia Ecosse Ferrrari 430 of Mullen and Niarchos won both the British GT races at Oulton Park today (Monday). In the opening round they crossed the line 20 seconds ahead of the second placed Panoz of Kimber-Snith and Hines. Third went to the Mosler of Caroline and Keen. Race two was a repeat performance with the top three unchanged, The Kimber-Smith/Hines car did however keep the Ecosse team honest on this occasion finishing just 6 seconds behind.

The Heritage Touring Car race at Oulton park was won by the Graham Scarborough/DavidYates Ford Mustang. Second in a Camaro was Arthur Thurtle and Roger Bennington.

At Castle Combe Shaun Lynn won the Cloth Cap Coys Trophy with his GT40. Second just 8 tenths behind was the Elva Mk8 of Clark and Hadfield with the Lotus 23B of Jolly and farthing in third. In the Oldies but Goldies Jack Sears Trophy race the Mason/Knill-Jones AC Ruddspeed came out on top  with Hackett and Sutherland second in a Jaguar XK120. Also on the bill at Castle Combe was the Groovy Baby /Gerry Marshall Tribute Trophy for 70s Saloons. Winner was the Michael/Stagg RS2000 Escort which lapped the entire field TWICE. Second was Martin West in a Capri with Ken Clarke third in a Triumph Dolomite. .

The UK Formula Ford Championship enjoyed a spectacular return to form yesterday (Sat) at Oulton Park with 25 cars tackling the Ford-backed championship's opening round. It was the first ever race for Formula Ford's exciting new 1.6-litre Duratec powerplant, and it provided abundant close action and thrilling racing as Irishman Peter Dempsey earned his place in the record books as the maiden victor of the Duratec era.

Bruno Senna has pole for the opening race of the British F3 Championship. Senna was quickets with a time of 1.30.109 at Oulton park, just 0.048secs up on Stephen Jelley in seocnd. Third on the grid is Oliver Jarvis. In race 2 pole went to Mike Conway with a 1:30.394, 0.088secs ahaed of second placed Senna.

 In the VW Cup its Martin Rutherford on pole from Lloyd Allard

Chris Yarwood in a Tiga SC87 was the winner of the SRCC Sports Pinto race at Brands Hatch on Saturday(15th April). Second was Colin Feyerbend  in a Lola T90 with Tony Maryon third. In the Formula Vee race Sam Olivera beat Jake Olivera by 0.981 seconds while third fell to Martin Galpin..

At Silverstone yesterday (Saturday 15th) Tim Lewis was the winner of the Alfa race for Classes A-D. His Alfa Sud Sprint beating Ian Stapleton's GTV6 by 4.751 secs. Third was Tony Soper. In the Class E-G race Shaun Hazleton was the winner in an Alfa 33 , 8.386 secs up on the similar machine of Mark James with Phil Donaghy third in a Alfa 145 Cloverleaf.

Also at Silverstone on Saturday was the Enterprise Group Club F3 Championship. Shane Kelly was the winner on a Dallara F397, over 24 seconds ahead of the second and third placed Dalarra's of Jon Gray and Alan Ellis. In the Formula Jedi encounter James Sothcott came out the winner ahead of Russell Small in second and Richard Gittings in third. 

In the TVR Race at Silverstone Tom Hood's Sagaris V8 took the laurels from the Tuscan of Darren Dowling by a mere 0.321secs. Dean Cook brought his Tuscan home in third.

The V Sport Racing championship had three races at SIlverstone on Saturday with Mark Jones winning race 1 in his Corrado GT. Lea Woods was second in a Tigra VXR, 2.389 seconds behind with Dave Longhurst third in a Mitsubishi COlt GTi. In race 2 Keith White took the honours his Corrado crossing the line ahead of Longhurst by 4.461seconds. Greg Wood was third in a Peugeot 206 GTi. In the third race Lea Wood's won the race in his Tigra beating White's Corrado by 2.068 secs. Steve Hall in an Audi TT was third 10 seconds off the leader.    

Caterham's international motorsport season gets underway in earnest next week in Germany, with the opening rounds of the Autosport Caterham Eurocup and the Cosworth Caterham Masters taking place at the Hockenheimring on Friday and Saturday (21/22 Apr).

Formula Renault UK driver Sam Bird  will line up opposite seven-times Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher when he plays in a charity football match for the second year in a row..

First LMA Euro Saloons win for Simon Blanckley,  Class wins for Matt Hale, Richard Buckley and Simon Jackson, Stuart Jefcoate takes early championship lead .

Andreas Wirth won the first round the Yokohama Presents the Champ Car Atlantic Championship. After establishing a new lap record on Saturday and with it pole, Wirth led all 32 laps to win the Imperial Capital Bank Atlantic race at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. In the last laps of the race Brazilian Raphael Matos gave Wirth a torrid time but had to settle for second by just 0.840secs. Canadian James Hinchcliffe, Wirth's teammate at Forsythe Championship Racing, was third

Mickel Racing saw its two car KB Automotive run team of MGZRs finish 1st and 2nd in class in the second round of the Britcar Production S1 series on the International Circuit at Oulton Park in Cheshire. Out of 22 cars, car 80 driven by Kelly-Anne Smith and Sarah Bennett-Baggs end the race  2nd in class whilst car 81 driven by Kelly’s husband Gary and Stuart Plotnek were 1st in class and 3rd overall.

Irishman Patrick Hogan leapt past pole-man James Sutton  to  win round two of the Formula Renault UK with Michelin Championship at Brands Hatch Indy circuit yesterday. The AKA Lemac driver made the most of his front row grid spot  to drive around the outside  of Sutton at Paddock Hill Bend and follow this up with a flawless race to take the chequered flag by 2.872s and move into second place in the Drivers’ Standings.   In the first race of the series, run on Saturday(8 April), James Sutton   won his first-ever race in the Championship taking an early  lead in the title race. The Fortec Motorsport driver led from pole  and was able to keep AKA Lemac duo Jeremy Metcalfe  and Patrick Hogan at bay throughout the 24-lap race to win by 0.447s.

Richard Westbrook won both Porsche Carrera Cup races at Brands Hatch  at the weekend. Westbrook, driving for Red Line racing beat Tim Harvey in race 1 by 3.3245 seconds with Damien Faulkner third, just 0.2secs  behind Harvey. In race 2 Faulkner and Harvey swapped places,, the former finishing just 5 tenths down on the leader.

MAT JACKSON was a double winner in the Blaupunkt SEAT Cupra Championship. Both races were closely fought affairs, second in race one, just 0.232secs behinds was Ben Winrow with Fulvio Musso third. In race two its was Jonathon Fildes who followed Jackson home a mere 0.358secs behind. Third was Matt Johnson

Two-time ELF Renault Clio Cup Champion Paul Rivett  scored his first win since returning to the series at Brands Hatch Indy on Sunday. The Boulevard Team Racing ace passed pole-sitter Tom Onslow-Cole (New Malden, Surrey) after a three-lap safety car period and defended his lead for the remainder of the 23-lap race at his home circuit... Tom Onslow-Cole  delivered a flawless performance to take victory in Saturday's first round of the ELF Renault Clio Cup at Brands Hatch Indy. The Total Control Racing star, now in his fourth season of the premier one-make saloon-car series, completed a lights to flag victory in a race shortened by four laps to 20 by an accident involving Seager Home Solutions with SVE’s Gavin Seager (Ipswich).

Stewary Whyte won the Mill Street Motors Ford Saloon Car Championship race at the Norfolk track. His Escort Cosworth proving too much for the opposition, crossing the line 19.854 seconds up on second placed man Chirs Doherty. Brian O'Connor came in third also in an Escort.  In the Ford Fiesta Championship Andy Neate continued on his winning ways, Brain Roper came second with Simon Cope third.

The Uniroyal Fun Cup was a close affair at Snetterton. After 190 laps the Coleing and Small machine crossed the line a mere 1.807 seconds up on the second placed car of Rose, Harris and Clough. 

Ed Moore  took a dominant victory in the Club Formula Ford race at the BRSCC's Snetterton meeting today(Sunday). His Van Dieman FF99-01 beating Adria Medeiros RF00 by 38 seconds. Third went to Stuart Kestenbaum in a Reynard.

In the T-Cars at Snetterton Adrain Quaife-Hobbs resumed his usual position, out front. Winning both races Quaife-Hobbs was made to work hard for his laurels. Jolyon Palmer taking second on both occasions, with only 0.686 separating the pair in the first race an 7.3 seconds in the second. Oliver Webb and Luciano Bachetta took third place in each event respectively.   In the Mighty Minis race David Berney came out the victor, beating Nigel pike to the flag by the tiniest of margins. Just 0.089secs separated the two cars as they crossed the line. Phil Hetherington was third. In the Super Mightly Minis it was Neven Kirkpatrick beating his namesake David by 2 seconds with James Young third. 

At Oulton Park the Firman and Morris Porsche 911 GTS  lapped the field in the 30 lap Britcar race. Second came the Ferrari F40 of Sebastiani and Mott with the Porsche GT3 of Cook and Pelle third. In the Production S1 race  Kevin Clarke was the winner, his BMW320i beating the Stephens/Campbell M3 by over a minute. Third, a lap down was the MG ZR of Smith and Plotnek.

Formula BMW kick-off its season in the UK  at Brands Hatch today(Sunday) with a win for Oliver Oakes in the Carlin Motorsports entry. Second was the Master Motorsports car of Michael Meadows and Euan Hankey in the Fortec run machine. Fortec however went on the take a 1-2 in the second race with Hankey taking the win from his Fortec team-mate Niall Breen. Meadows picked up third.

SEAT picked up three wins from three at the opening event of the BTCC season at Brands Hatch today(Sunday). BTCC returnee James Thompson won the first 2 races of the day in the all new SEAT with Jason Plato picking up the third.

Race Johnson,(what a great name, up there with Scott Speed) the 17 year old US  Formula BMW USA's driver was quickest at  theRoad  Atlanta tests in late March.-28. Johnson was comfortably quickest on day(over a second!) and then .253 seconds faster in the last session.

Charlie Hollings has signed up with Fortec Motorsport for the 2006 British Formula 3 Championship.  Hollings  will drive a Dallara with Mercedes power. After running in the  National class last year taking four wins and  eight poles Hollings should now be ready to step up to the next level and challenge for overall honours. 

Carlin Motorsport's Oliver Oakes set the fastest time in the recent Formula BMW UK test at Brands Hatch. Oakes will start his first season in the Formula this weekend after several years in  karts. Oakes set a time  0.183 secs quicker than  Ross Curnow .Third fastest was Michael Meadows drving for Master Motorsport who was a mere 0.009secs further back.

Freddy Nordstrom has made a strong start in his bid to win the 2006 Mini Challenge. At the opening round of the Championship this weekend, at Snetterton in Norfolk, Freddy took his first Mini pole position and secured 7th place in race one and a superb 2nd place in race two – breaking a record on the way.  Full story

The season opener for the 750 MC's Roadsports & Caterham 7's at Brands Hatch Indy ran on Saturday April 1st with Peter Ratcliff winning in style.

Dominic Lesniewski had a superb start to the 2006 season. The 2003 Global GT lights Champion took all the honours in the first round of the  inaugral Matador Powertec Radical Challenge at Snetterton (1^st April) taking pole, fastest lap and the win. 

The BRDC Historic Sports Car race at Silverstone on Saturday was won by Graeme Dodd whose Cooper Monaco beat Philip Walkers Lotus 15. In the JEC Jaguar Championship race it was James Dodd’s turn to take the honours, his D Type beating Steve Davis by 0.748secs. Third was Robin North in an XJS, although he was 38 seconds behind the leading pair. The Soilmec JEC Jaguar Saloon race went to Simon Garrad in an S Type ahead of James Shea in an XJ6 by just over a second. Third was Pete Bell also in an XJS.

The Jaguar World Monthly/Classis Spares XJS Championship event saw Derek Pearce take a dominant win in his XJRS by a clear 14 seconds over second placed David Weaver. 

The MGCC  was at Silverstone on Saturday and it was David Brooke who won the Total Butler Championship race. His MGB GT beating David Beresford’s MGB GT V8 across the line by a mere 3 tenths of a second.  Close behind the leaders in third , again just 3 tenths,  was Jeremy Cottingham. The MG Trophy race went to Paul Wallace who beat Barry Benham by 1.145 secs and Dean Clements by 3.7secs while in the Drayton manor Park MG Metro Cup Jon Flaningan’s Metro Turbo came out on top by two seconds from Simon White. 

Bruno Senna clinched a hat trick of wins in the Dodo F3 races at the 2006 Australian GP meeting in Melbourne, putting the icing on the cake by setting a new lap record in the process. Behind Senna there was a fierce battle between Tim Macrow, Michael Trimble and James Winslow. Macrow and Trimble were nose to tail for most of the race fighting over third  before Trimble hit the wall  on the penultimate lap. This left  Macrow  free to take on  Winslow who he passed with a  last gasp move on the last lap to take second  Senna  had taken his second F3 victory on Saturday after starting from pole courtesy of his Friday win.  Leading the field away in unseasonally cold weather Senna kept his head under pressure from second placed James Winslow for the second win of his career.

 Raphael Matos took two wins from two in the Indy Pro Series races at St. Petersburg Florida. The 2005 Star Mazda Champion dominated the second race ahead of early leader Jay Howard who finished second. "It's been like a dream come true," said Matos, who was never challenged once in the lead. "Everything was perfect this race. Today I had everything sorted out."  Matos had won the opening round of the series earlier in the weekend again pushing Howard into second. 

Tony Stewart jn the Joe Gibbs Racing Chevy was the winner of the latest round of the NASCAR Nextel Cup in Martinsville. In a race was punctuated by a red flag and 16 cautions Stewart raced hard with Hendrick teammates Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson before taking the 25th win of his career. Gordon looked as though h e would grab the win until the final restart with just three laps remaining when he slipped wide coming out of turn two giving Stewart the chance he needed to  slip by and take the Chequered flag"Being able to hold that 24 car off is what makes me happy today," said Stewart. "Jeff (Gordon) is so good here and especially late in the race like that. When I saw him scrubbing back and forth I thought 'he is holding something back'. What an awesome way to get this first one done."  Gordon held on to take second.  

Robert Pritchard  won the BRSCC Ace Vehicle Deliveries/Hillside of Heywood  Sports race at Oulton Park on Satruday. Second, over 20 seconds behind was Kevin Cryer with John Garnett third on the road but first in Class with his BMW E30 M3. Richard Winter took the Class F honours in his Lotus Europa. The Alfa races were split into two class groups, A-D which was won by Tim Lewis in an Alfasud Sprint from Julian Birley and Classes E-G which saw Lee Penn's Alfa 33 win from the similar machine of Shaun Hazlewood.

In the NW Club Formula Ford races at Oulton Park Ian Gough won the A-B Class race from John Hutchison. Gough's Swift SC95 beat the latter by a scant 0.878 seconds. Third was Justin Dawkins in a Ray GRS05.  The second race for the older Class C-E cars was won by Richard Ashton, again by the narrowest of margins, just 0.365secs separating the two cars. David Bailey was third. 

The Fiat Racing Challenge at Oulton went to Adrain Miller from Jason Greatrex with Sandro Proietti third while the Ford XR Challenge was won by Michael Blackburn from Mark Robinson. The two XR2's were split by only 0.178 secs.  Chris Jones in an XR3i was third 15 seconds up the road. The Porsche 924 Championship opener went to Gary Duckman. Second 4 seconds adrift was Alastair Kirkham with William Penrose just 4 tenths behind him. The final race on the programme was the TVR Challenge which was won by Darren Dowling who lapped the entire field in his Tuscan,. Second was Hugh Marshall also in a Tuscan while third in a Sagaris V8 was Tim Hood.

The HSCC were in action at Donington Park today(Sunday) and it was Mark Dwyer in a March 742 who took the glory in the Derek Bell Trophy. Second in a Lola T300 was Simon Hadfield a mere second behind while Martin Streton was third in another March, this time a 712. The 70s Road Sports event saw Matthew Bannister take the laurels in his Datson 240Z from Rory Stockbridge in a Lotus Europa. Chris Holland completed the top three with his Lotus 7 S4.

Steve Maxted won the opening round of the Classic F3 series at Donington Park, his Argo JM6 crossing the line 5 seconds ahead of Martyn Porter's Chevron B43 while third was Paul Smith in a Ralt RT1. The Classic racing cars went to Matthew Watts in a Brabham BT16 ahead of John Moulds BT23 and Ian Jones in a Lotus 59. The HSCC Classic Sports car  race was won by Michael Schryver from James Shryver. The pair both in Chevrons, the former a B6 and the latter a B8. Simon Hadfield's Elva Mk8 was third.    In the Classic Formula Ford race Neil Fowler in a Lola T200 just managed to hold off David Gathermole's Jamun to win by 0.538 seconds while the Formula Junior race was equally close, Michael Hibberd (Lotus 27)  winning by 0.821zsecs from Mark Woodhouse (Lotus 20). Finally the Historic Saloon race was won by  Graeme Dodd (Jag MkII) from James Dodd (Alfa Guilia Sprint) while the Road Sports went to Laurence Bailey in a TVR Griffiths.

Meanwhile at Silverston on Saturday(1 April) James Cottingham was the winner of the MGCC's Cockshoot Cup, his MGB winning by just 0.151secs from the Midget of Mike Paters. Third, 5.176 seconds bahindwas David Beresford in a MGB GT V8. The Moss Europe TR Register race went to Hugh Maund in a TR7 V8. Hard on his heels came Martyn Adams TR7only 0.327 seconds behind, while breathing down his neck was Steve Crane who finished third just 0.4seconds behind Adams.

Epson has renewed it' sponsorship deal with Jensen MotorSport in the Champcar Atlantic series in the USA. They will run Britain’s Tim Bridgman in the car for the 2006 season alongside fellow countryman Nick Jones. Bridgman who drove in the F3 last year and was Formula BMW UK champion in 2004 will drive the Epson sponsored car. In recent tests at Fontana both Bridgman and his team mate ran their all new ChampCar Atlantic Swifts with Bridgman’s car  just 7 tenths off the fastest time. Sadly Jones  had a massive shunt, rolling three times after contact with another car leaving the team with added headache of building a new chassis in time for the season opener next week. 

At the Australian  GP 22-year old Bruno Senna  nephew of the late and great Ayrton took the chequered flag for the  first time in the second of the F3 races at Melbourne today. In a mixture of of wet and dry conditions, Senna took the lead from Tim Macrow on opening lap to win his first ever car race.  

James Winslow won the first of four F3 support races at the Melbourne F1 Grand Prix. A dramatic race saw several lead changes and a last gasp victory for the British driver who was  third in the 2005 Asian F3 Championship. There are three more races over the GP weekend giving Winslow further opportunities to demonstrate his talents. The Englishman is rumoured to be making a return to the Asian Formula Three Series this year but has yet to sign any contract. 

Colin Simpson won on Sunday in the Scottish Sports and Saloons at Knockhill, once Robert Pritchard 'fell off' the track in his Caterham.

Geordie Taylor once again dominated the Formula Phoenix race.

Kurt Busch was the winner at the latest round of the NASCAR NEXTEL CUP at the Bristol Motor Speedway.  Busch bided his time and snatched the win in the closing stages of the race from Matt Kenseth nicking it in controversial circumstances. As Kenseth came up to  lap a slower runner, Busch gave him a ‘punt’ from behind allowing him to sneak by to take his fifth win at Bristol and the 15th of his career. "This is unreal," Busch said. "To have this car and the determination from the crew today, we had a flat tire early and we bounced back from that. I am so happy to have a chance to drive this car. "We had to muscle past Matt Kenseth; he's a good friend of mine. Sorry Matt, he'll be OK with it."Needles to say Kenseth wasn't as the move not only cost him victory but also second place when Kevin Harvick sneaked by as well. Kenseth clearly wasn’t amused and in his efforts to stay in the hunt after his ‘tap’  he unfortunatley removed Jeff Gordon from fourth. Kenseth tried to apologise but he was angrily rebuffed.. "The end wasn't that good, but overall it was a good day for us," said Kenseth. "I got into Gordon there in the end and I didn't mean too although everyone thinks I did.I should have known better than to go over there, I just wanted to be a man and apologize. I really didn't mean it but I don't know if he's going to believe that." The incident with Busch however was another matter and Kenseth was clearly seething,"I wouldn't have done that to him. I wouldn't have been able to be smiling in Victory Lane and take that trophy home and be able to sleep tonight."

CLIPSAL 500 The race was won by Ford driver Jamie Whincup, winner of the second race on Sunday from Holden’s Todd Kelly with Rick Kelly. It was a great weekend for  Team, Betta Electrical who also won the opening race on Saturday with Craig Lowndes winning while Whincup took third. It was Whincup’s first win race since  2002 in the Australian Formula Ford Championship.

Ryan Sharp with JAS Motorsport in the WTCC 2006. as the second driver fro the team. The 26-year old Scots will partner Pierre-Yves Corthals in the team’s second Honda Accord Euro R.  This will be Ryans first crack at touring cars after spending his career to date in single-seaters..  "I am delighted to have signed with JAS Motorsport" says Ryan" and I am really looking forward getting behind the wheel this week-end at Monza. I had numerous options available to me for the 2006 season but I preferred to take the new challenge of Touring Car Racing rather than continuing the experience with GP2 which was highly disappointing last year. I was fast but the car was absolutely not reliable and I could not really get what I feel I could deserve. The WTCC is the right alternative to become a professional driver, it's a highly competitive racing category and one of the few, together with F1, where so many car manufacturers fight to win the championship. I do believe" Ryan continues "to have taken the best choice, the Accord is very competitive and we look forward for great results".

‘TheGrid’ is sad to report the death of Paul Dana in a morning practice accident at the Homestead IRL meeting last weekend. "This is a sad day for everyone," Dan Wheldon said after the race on Sunday.  The accident happened when Ed Carpenter spun and Dana struck him at high speed, launching Dana through the air and into the wall. In tribute to Dana, the Rahal Letterman Racing Team withdrew the entries of Dana's teammates Danica Patrick and Buddy Rice. ‘The Grid’ offer their condolences to all Paul’s family and friends. 

Round 2 of the 2006 South African National Formula Vee Championship saw reigning Champion Alan Holm  win his firsr race of the year with a lights to flag victory in  heat one. In the second heat Jody Robertson took the chequered after a fierce  5 car battle early on  followed by rain late in the race. 

The Scottish Auto trader Mini Coopers also got underway with a brace of wins for Olly Mortimer. he was followed home on both occasions by Mini debutant Sandy Forrest who looks like puting in a strong challenge to Mortimer this season.

Andy Neate took his first win of 2006 in the Ford Fiestas at Mallory on Sunday. Neate led home David Abbot by 0.24 seconds while Richard Durham was third.. In the Ford Saloon Car Championship Stewart Whyte crossed the line just 0.777secs ahead of Chris Doherty’s Fiesta Cosworth. Malcolm Wise was third a further 40 seconds up the road.

In the Star of the Midlands FFord race at Mallory Park, Ed Moore  showed everyone the way home in his Van Dieman RF99-01. Second, 6.4seconds back was Lee Mumford in a Reynard while third went to Stuart Kestenbaum. 

The VSR Championship had two races on the Mallory Park programme and it was Dave Longhurst and Keith White who took the honours with a win apiece.  Lomghurst also took second to White in race 2 while third went to Steve Hall’s Audi TT after he  had taken second in the first race. 

Castle Combe started its season on Sunday  with a full prohramme including FF1600, won by Combe favourite Pat Blakeney, his Vector crossing the line nearly 8 seconds ahead of second placed Steve Jensen’s Swift SC92. Chris Acton was third in a Reynard FF89

In the Special GTs Louis Davidson came out the victor in his Radical over Guy Woodward’s Jade Trackstar by a scant 1.6secs. Mark Funnell was third 24 seconds behind the leaders in his Lotus Exige.While in the National Mobile Windscreens  Saloon car race it was Gary Prebble who took the chequered flag in his Rover 220 Turbo. Steve Turvey was second in an Impreza with David Urquhart third in a Peugeot 205 GTi. Julian Belcher was the winner of the Thermex Classic Saloon race in his Triumph Vitesse. Second was T Lailey De Ville in an Anglia and Andy Meesham third in a Mini.The Formula Vee race went to Ian Buxton while the Prodcution BMW race was won by Liam Crilly with Stepehen Markey second.

 Formula Renault BARC Championship Set For Huge Grid Increase. Formula Renault BARC Championship now has 23 registrations for the series which looks set to have one of the biggest high profile single-seater fields in UK Motorsport. With more than a month before the first race of the season at Silverstone on Saturday, April 22nd, the entry list could exceed 25 for the second season since Renault UK began its association with the series.

Kasey Kahne took the plaudits in the rain delayed Golden Corral 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Monday, wining comfortably after taking the lead on lap 247 to take his second  NASCAR Nextel Cup series win.  "This is unbelievable," said Kahne. "These guys did a great job all day long. To win at Atlanta which is won of my favorite race tracks is really cool. This has been working so well, so far. Everyone is doing a great job; we have a lot of momentum." Mark Martin attempted a late race move for the lead but couldn't make it stick and settled for second.  Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was third with Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart fourth and fifth respectively.

Team Scandal today announced that Sponsorship Agents and Marketing specialists, Karbon Racing have been appointed as official partners for the 2006 British GT campaign. Charged with developing a strong sponsorship campaign and enhancing the teams perception amongst the paddock and wider motor sports industry Karbon Racing’s Managing Director Joe Birkedale commented; “We are overjoyed to have been appointed official Sponsorship and Marketing Agents for Team Scandal and very much look forward to developing a successful and rewarding package for attracting potential sponsors to the Team”

Tom Kristensen, Allan McNish and Rinaldo Capello took the chequered flag for the first victory for the Audi R10 TDI in the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.. In what was termed the "test race" for the newest sportscar prototype developed by Audi, the test ended up making history with the diesel powered engine.  "Today, Audi had the courage to bring out the car in what is a very young project," said Kristensen. "To conquer Sebring in our test for our big race which is Le Mans, that is what makes the headline today. I am just happy to be part of it."  The LMP2 class was won by Intersport Racing with Jon Field, Liz Halliday and Clint Field. The team’s Lola B05/40 AER crossed the finish line not only first in class but second overall. Jan Magnussen Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta took the GT1 class in their Corvette C6-R while GT2 went to Multimatic Motorsports Team Panoz Sebastien Bourdais, Scott Maxwell, David Brabham .

Britcar’s all girl team Kelly Smith (formerly Mercer) and Sarah Bennett-Baggs return for their second series in the Britcar Production S1 series in their MG-ZR which kicks off this weekend at Silverstone International circuit on 25th March. This year they have been joined by MG-ZR Club Champion Gary Smith (now Kelly’s Husband since Dec05) and fellow MG-ZR racer Stuart Plotnek. The boys will run in an identical MG-ZR. Both cars being prepared and run by experienced MG team KB Automotive headed up by team manager Kevin Bull. Kevin says “It will be interesting to see how the two cars compare in the race, not just because husband and wife will be out racing against each other in an identical car but the boys are quick but also agressive and may make mistakes, the girls could still win just by because they are consistent, smooth and keep out of trouble.” Both cars will run in class 3 of the series but competition will be tough as there are 21 entries in class 3 alone and as many as 44 registered for the grid. Testing starts this Friday and the 1st race of 110 minutes is at 11.05am on Saturday.

Gerardo Bonilla drove to victory in his Skip Barber Racing/Carmela Sausage Mazda in Round One of the Star Mazda Championship at Sebring last weekend. Daniel Herrington was second while  Adrian Carrio was third. Said Bonilla. "It's my first race in the series, and to win it feels amazing. It's the result of a lot of hard work from the Andersen Racing Team, as they did an engine change right before qualifying and we qualified fifth, and then they went right back to work." The race, originally a 20 lapper was shortened to three quarters of an hour after caution periods held things up early in the race.

Peter Challis took a double victory in the Open Saloons at MSV’s opening event of the season at Brands hatch yesterday. Challis, driving a Nissan Primera took  the flag 15 seconds clear of his nearest rival, Leo Matchitsky in both races. Matchitskys, in a Honda Civic beat Paul Taylor’s Golf by 28 seconds in the first race and Nigel Craig in an Escort by 17 seconds in the second.  

Oliver Webb took a brace of wins in the T-Car races at Brands Hatch beating 2005 Champion Adrian Quaife-Hobbs in both events. IN the first race he led the Champion across the line with a 2.51 seconds to spare, although in the second race Quaife-Hobbs was a mere 0.363 seconds behind.  Max Chilton took third on both occasions. Joylon Palmer took a respectable fourth in his first race in the class and followed this up with a fifth in race two behind Alex MacDowall.

Team Scandal confirms British GT Entry. Team Scandal have  confirmed they will be racing in the 2006 Avon British GT Series. Having won the final round of the 2005 Britcar season and citing British GT as the pinnacle of British endurance racing, team Director Simon Scuffham  confirmed the teams had left Britcar where they had raced a Lotus Elise for the past 6 years. “British GT is what we have been working towards for the past few seasons. Britcar enabled us to develop the lotus to within an inch of perfection and served as a major enhancement not only to the team’s perception but also in how we approach a race weekend. British GT is a natural evolution from that point and we look forward to mixing it at the top end of the grid for 2006”.The Aylesbury based team have also confirmed that they will contest the series in the newly acquired Prosport LM 3000 that so dominated the final round of the Britcar series in 2005.

The Baxter Auto Parts Portland Historic Races have stated that the Children's Cancer Association will be the beneficiary of its annual event on July 7-9 at Portland International Raceway.  The Charity(CCA) is a not-for-profit organization based in Portland that helps with  the care and quality of life for seriously ill children  in  the US. 

PKV Racing has signed Oriol Servia as its second driver for the team in this year’s Champ Car World Series. Servia, who has started  98 races in the series will bring the necessary experience to the team which recently annouced the signing of rookie Katherine Legge. 

At the latest Atlantic test session in the US, Norbert Siedler from Austria has been confirmed as the second driver for Brooks Associates Racing  in the forthcoming 2006  the Champ Car Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda. With previous experience in  F3000 and tests in both F1 and Champ cars he certainly knows his way around the quicker end of single seat racing.  Siedler will partner Venezuelan Luis Schiavo in the team.

Today Triple Eight Race Engineering has announced its line up for the Team Betta Electrical's 2006 Aussie V8 Endurance races. Drivers Richard Lyons and Allan Simonsen   signed after an impressive showing at the Queensland Raceway with the V8 Supercar team.  Roland Dane , the team manger said ‘Richard and Allan were both impressive during evaluation with both drivers getting up to pace very quickly, In particular, we were impressed by Richard's commitment to adapting to the gearbox of our car given that he has only raced with paddle shifters for many years. ‘

Formula Renault UK were testing at Snetterton recently with Jeremy Metcalfe setting the pace early on with the Team Lemac AKA-run car. As one of the faster drivers in pre-season testing he consistently ran in the top 10 in the wet morning session, setting a  time of 1m 16.286 secs (92.11mph) before an engine blew during the afternoon.  This left him with a tenth quickest time overall 1m 08.934 seconds (101.94mphRussell Racing driver  Matt Russell set a time of 1m 18.538 secs in the wet(12^th)  and  1m 11.892 seconds in the drier afternoon session (97.74mph), 15^th overall, although this latter time was set on wet tyres.  Russell Racing’s Rob Croot said,  "Matt drove well today and he's certainly worked hard during this test. We sat nicely inside the top 10, and even the top six, for most of the day so I'm very happy with our progress”. "A lot of the other runners chose to use slicks towards the end of the afternoon when the track was at its driest but we didn't so I think we can be positive about our overall pace and now we're looking forward to Brands Hatch next week. It'd be nice to get some genuine dry running so we'll keep our fingers crossed for better weather." Will Bratt consider one of the better wet weather specialists didn’t have such a good time. His fastest time in the wet was1m 19.129 seconds (88.80mph) which he failed to improve on in the afternoon.

New Zealander Dominic Storey has signed up for with BMW Motorsport for the Formula BMW Asia series this season. Storey, still only 16, was one of only three drivers to get a coveted $US50,000 scholarships for the 19 race series.

John Walko Racing has signed up  Casey Neal, a 2005 Red Bull Drivers Search Finalist, for his team  for this year’s STAR Mazda Championship.

The first round of the 2006 Cooper Tires Formula Ford 2000  champ contenders were testing at Road Atlanta recently with  J.R. Hildebrand driving for  Cape Motorsports setting the fastest lap in every single session , his best time a 1m23.506s, 0/5secs faster Jay Howard’s pole last season.  Charlie  Donnelly was second fastest on a 1:23.902. The championship begins at Road Atlanta on May 11-13.

SKIP BARBER COMES TO THE UK. An exciting transatlantic alliance was announced today, uniting one of the UK’s top racing driver scholarships and the world’s best-known racing school, the Skip Barber Racing  School, to create the ultimate prize for aspiring racing drivers..

Denny Hamlin survived series of late race cautions to win his first race  in the NASCAR Busch series. Hamlin led 40 of the 80 lap race on only his second race on a  road course in Mexico City. "I can't say enough about this entire crew," said Hamlin of his Joe Gibbs Chevy team. "Everyone knows how good Joe Gibbs stuff is on road courses all I had to do is turn the wheel.I knew if I could just get away we'd be in good shape. The problem was getting away, but we were strong on restarts."

CDW Corporation (NASDAQ: CDWC) a leading provider of technology products to business, government and education, will sponsor Justin Wilson’s RuSPORT car in the 2006  Champ Car World Series.

NASCAR Nextel Cup Series driver Ken Schrader will race   the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and dirt Late Model Series races at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend. Schrader, who recently took second at a similar event  in Texas, will be in Vegas for the  Sam's Town 300 on Saturday and the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 on Sunday both at the Superspeedway.  

DIG Motorsports has entered a two-car team into the  SPEED World Challenge Touring Car series in the USA. World Challenge driver Jon Prall will drive one of the  BMW 325Ci’s and 2005 SCCA Pro Mazdaspeed Miata Cup Pacific Champion and World Challenge debutant Justin Hall will drive the second. DIG Motorsports team principle Jon Prall is looking forward to the opening round at Sebring on March 17. "We have the drivers, we have the cars, and we have the crew to take the fight to the podium steps in SPEED World Challenge Touring Car this year," he  said. The series runs with the IMSA American Le Mans series for 7 rounds before completing the year IRL, ChampCar, and NASCAR Nextel Cup events.  

Katie Croucher and her partner Ben Elliot (below) have brought a Citroen Saxo race car, as used in the 750 MC's Saxmax Championship. Elliot plans to use the car for training days for 14-17 year olds where they will get one-to-one instruction all day. The car is also available to rent on a race per race basis and for presents , etc from parents for anyone in the age group who wants to try out a racing car.
If people are interested they can call 01243 670467 or 07739632250.

FENNYMORE & PAYNE TO LEAD HYPERION'S SUPERLIGHT SQUAD. Reigning Caterham R400 team champions Hyperion Motorsport today (Mon) announce a four-car line-up to contest this year's Autosport Caterham Superlight Challenge. The squad will be led by reigning Caterham Roadsport and former Formula Ford 1600 and Formula 2000 champion Graham Fennymore (pictured right), together with last year's R400 third place man Nick Payne. In addition, two race winners from the 2005 Roadsport grid, Bill Addison and Andrew Beaumont, are joining the team.Said Hyperion boss Steve Hindle: "We are delighted that Graham and his crew have decided to race with us this year. We ran him jointly with his own 'Ambitions Team' in an R400 at Silverstone last year, where he took a maiden win after he had already clinched his Roadsport crown. We also worked together in supporting our Eurocup and Cosworth Masters cars, so we know each other well and believe that both parties can only benefit from the arrangement." With backing from Taylor Made Joinery and Sherlock Interiors, Fennymore has secured a new Cosworth-powered C400 chassis and should be a strong contender for honours. Payne is also moving up to Cosworth power and, with the benefit of a season in R400s behind him, is hoping to better his championship third. Hindle warns that newcomers Addison and Beaumont should not be discounted from a title push, either. "Bill and Andrew were very strong last year in what was a tough grid. They're both incredibly determined and gutsy drivers so it's going to make for some exceptional racing."

John Hill took the honours in the second round of the Xtreme Karting 2006 Cadet Championship last weekend(26 Feb) at Larbert, near Falkirk. The youngster (pictured on the podium) dominated the event winning the majority of the heats on is way to his first  victory. Second was Heatrher Laurie while Hayden Walker took the final podium place. Hill now has a 12 point lead in the championship ahead of Laurie.

Manor Motorsport has confirmed three drivers for the 2006 championship.. Chinese driver Cheng Congfu will lead the team’s assault this season  Alongside him will be Formula Renault UK debutant Franck Mailleux, the 20 year old Frenchman previously raced in the class in 2005 in France winning one race. The third driver is Portuguese driver Joao Vasconcelos who did the  2005 Formula Renault UK Winter series with Manor.  Manor Motorsport team manager Tony Shaw said: "I'm absolutely delighted we've been able to agree deals with Franky(Cheng), Joao and Franck and as a team we're really looking forward to the season. The winter championship proved Franky has the capability to not only run at the front, but to also win against the toughest competition out there. "Franck had a successful season in the French Formula Renault Championship last year and in testing he has shown excellent pace so we're confident he'll become a consistent front-runner and perhaps the surprise package of the year. Joao has gone well during the pre-season too and we're very much looking forward to working with him again. He impressed us with his application and willingness to learn during the winter series and we're confident he'll have a good year."  

Former Formula BMW UK Championship driver Stian Sørlie has signed for Mark Burdett Motorsport for the Formula Renault UK Championship.. Team Principal Mark Burdett said "Stian impressed us with his performances last season so we are delighted he has chosen to race with us this year. Our first test last week went well and Stian has gelled with the team very quickly."  

Charlie Kimball, has moved into the Formula 3 Euroseries Championship for 2006. The American will drive for the French Signature team.. Kimball who was always in the fray last year finished the season with 5 wins and  6 poles.  

Knockhill launches Classic SpeedFair. One of the most significant launches at the 3rd International Historic Motorsport Show over the weekend (25/26 February) was the Classic SpeedFair, which is set to become a major celebration of historic motorsport and sporting heritage at Knockhill circuit in Fife. To run on Sunday 23 July, the Classic SpeedFair has been created to grow into an annual celebration of motorsport history, with as diverse range of on-and off-track activities to excite and entertain the whole family.Historic racing festivals such as those at Goodwood, Silverstone and Oulton Park have all grown into must-do events in the motorsport calendar. Now, the Classic SpeedFair will offer enthusiasts the chance to see some of the leading classic cars and drivers in action but with a Scottish theme. But this event has been created to be much more than simply a classic race meeting. The whole of the extensive Knockhill venue will be used to host a glorious array of displays, demonstrations and activities to really involve visitors, no matter what their particular interest."Knockhill's Classic SpeedFair is a brand new annual event celebrating and demonstrating in an interactive, live-action format, all that is wonderful about historic motorsport," says event creator Stuart Gray from Knockhill Racing Circuit.Each year, the mid-summer event will celebrate major sporting achievements by leading Scottish teams and drivers on two, three and four wheels.Marque clubs, military vehicles, commercial vehicles and airborne displays will all feature in an event that is being designed to cater for 'grandfathers to grandsons'!...Full details

Classic SpeedFair to celebrate 50 years of Jim Clark and Ecurie Ecosse  full details

F1 MAN PLANS CATERHAM CHAMPIONSHIP BID. Williams Formula 1 engineer Paul Jepson will swap his tools for a race suit and helmet this season when he goes behind the wheel of a Caterham R400..

Paul Moban has signed with Rob Austin Racing to compete in the 2006 Ginetta sports car race series in 2006.   “I had a phone call from Rob to see if I would like to test a Ginetta at Snetterton with a view to do the series with him” said Paul, “ I went for the test with an open mind because I was pretty sure I was doing Fomula Vee or BARC FRenault. But Rob was suitably impressed to offer me a deal that I just could not refuse. I have mixed feelings about leaving Vee because it is such a good class to learn how to drive race cars with the racing so close, but you have to move on when an oppertunitie comes along, the Ginettas support the F3/GT race calendar and get really good TV coverage which is good to attract sponsers .I am looking forward to racing the Ginetta and I hope I can get some good results to repay Robs faith in me”

VOLKSWAGEN TO COMPETE IN 2007 DAKAR RALLY. The Volkswagen factory team, which finished a historic second with Giniel de Villiers  and Tina Thorner on the 2006 Dakar Rally, will contest the event again in 2007, it is announced today (Monday)

Juno Racing Launch French Version of their Website.  In light of growing international interest in their cars, Juno Racing (Preston, Lancashire) have launched a French version of their team website, www.junoracing.co.uk, with plans for additional translations in the pipeline

Testing for GP2 series resumed  recently at the  Circuit Paul Ricard in France with ART Grand Prix's driver Lewis Hamilton setting fastest time followed by Super Nova`s José María López with Durango’s Lucas Di Grassi  third quickest. On a dry track Hamilton lapped at 1m12.838  in the Dallara-Renault a time 3 secs up on last year. López did at 1m12.957  while Di Grassi was just 0.7seconds further back.

The start of the 2006 outdoor sprint season kicks off this weekend in the Eastern US with the Mid-Atlantic region running at Lincoln Speedway near Hanover, Pensylvania  on Saturday, February 25 with the Icebreaker 30 for the powerful 410 sprint cars, has a top prize of  $3,500 for the winner. The re are also the  Thundercars running for the Spring Thaw 20.  The next day the cars run at the Williams Grove Speedway a half-mile speedway in Mechanicsburg.  

Gelles Racing has announced its drivers for the 2006 Formula BMW USA Championship with Canadians Ryan Campbell, Adrien Herberts, Maxime Pelletier, Columbian  Sebastian Saavedra and Jamaican Joel Jackson all joining the team in their hunt for wins in 2006. "We have an outstanding cast of drivers this year”, agreed team owner Bob Gelles. “We have every reason to believe our team will be the strongest in 2006 when we consider the amount of talent the young men bring to our team. They will work under the supervision of our Motorsports Director Christal Waddy and our Engineers lead by Senior Engineer Jurgen Schmitt. With the conclusion and success of our pre-season testing, we can ascertain they will win races”  The first official tests for the series starts in five weeks at Road Atlanta.  

SMITH RETURNS FOR 2006 RACING CUP Former saloon racing champion Andrew Smith is to return to the Volkswagen Racing Cup this season after a year's lay. Cheshire-based Smith, 39, will drive the Golf VR6 he last campaigned in 2004, a season in which the car proved rapid if unreliable.'We've done a lot of work over the last 12 months to try to gain some reliability,' said Smith, who was the XR3i race champion in 1993. 'The suspension has been completely overhauled and I'm hopeful that we can give it a good go this year.'
Smith is the second Golf VR6 runner to declare - Leicestershire driver Tony Harberman is to return at the wheel of one of the Mk III Golfs.
Meanwhile, the all-new Golf GTI of Racing Cup regular Michael Kurton(left) has broken cover. The car, resplendent in the livery of pipe manufacturer Uponor, was completed this week at the Gloucestershire workshops of Allard Turner Motor Racing. A sister GTI for Steve Wood is nearing completion.

Jose Maria Lopez has been confirmed as lead driver for the Super Nova International team in GP2 this year. The Argentinean is up for the challenge and has his sights on the championship, "I know it is a big opportunity, and proof that they have confidence In me. I learned a lot last year in GP2, and I want to be fighting for the title this year",. His team mate at Super Nova will be Malaysian A1 driver Fairuz Fauzy . Fauzy who raced in GP2 in 2005 with Dams clearly pleased to be with a top team again,  "I am thrilled I have signed with SuperNova Racing" he said "2005 was a year where everything was new to me, the series, the team and the circuits. Obviously, I learned a lot and would like to thank Dams for their hard work. I am expecting this year to be completely different". The first 2006 GP2 testing will take place on 22nd-23rd February 2006 at Paul Ricard. 

South Texas Speedway a 1/4 semi-banked clay track in Corpus Christi has re-opened this tyear thanks to Owen Pittman and Gary Perry who have leased the track with an option to buy. The opening date will be this Saturday, Feb. 18th. The last time the track was used was back in 2003 when it was known as Saratoga Speedway.

The Renault Driver Development scheme has selected 4 drivers for 2006. Jose Maria Lopez from the Argentine and Brazilian Lucas DiGrassi in GP2,  Romain Grosjean from France in Euroseries F3 Championship and Britain’s Ben Hanley in the World Series by Renault championship. Created in 2002 by the Renault F1 Team, RDD aims to support promising young drivers of tomorrow.  RDD allows the drivers to develop for a year within the Renault F1 Team environment, and in the most appropriate championship, while completing rigorous sporting and physical training. The drivers are ambassadors for Renault, and evaluated both on their on-track performances, but also away from the circuit.

Robbie Pecorari and Stephen Simpson have been signed up for the Champ Car Atlantic Championship series this season. The duo will join up at Gelles Racing  for the 2006 championship driving  new Swifts with Cosworth power.  Pecorari who raced in the Star Mazda championship last year, with Andersen Walko Racing driver did showed well in the e final races: taking a pole and a race win at Road Atlanta and at Laguna Seca respectively. South African Simpson, originally from in Dorset enjoyed a karting career as a youngster, before winning the SA Formula Ford championship at the age of 16. In 2005, he was one of the three drivers for Team South Africa in the debut season of A1 Grand Prix scoring points for the team in the season opener at Brands Hatch.  He recently took part in the rst A1GP at Durban.

Katherine Legge  who a year ago won at Long Beach in the Champ Car Atlantic Championship series. has signed up to race Champ Car for this season  for PKV. "This is a great honor to be chosen by PKV," smiled Legge. "It is a big surprise for me, as I thought I would still be in Atlantic (series). It is awesome to be with the team, I hope I as successful in the Champ Car as I was in Atlantic."

nglesey will feature a non-championship triple header MaX 5 event at its meeting on 26 March with testing available on Saturday 25th. 

Reigning UK Formula Ford scholarship champion Steve Roberts has confirmed his plan to move up to the UKFF championship class this season at the wheel of a new Duratec-powered Van Diemen

Kelly Janes Welles (pictured left car no 21)will drive for Simon Carr Racing in this season’s Pickup truck Championship.  Welles will have Stevie Hodgson, the SCSA 2004  Champ as her team manger and Rally Champion Barbara Armstrong as team co-ordinator. Completing the line up of racing ladies will be Susie Stoddart, the ex-F3 racer will be acting as a spotter this year.

Robertshaw Racing has confirmed it will run cars in both Formula Renault UK  and the ELF Renault Clio Cup Championships. Team owner  Gary Robertshaw will drive in the ELF Renault Clio Cup while Scottish Mini Cooper racer Alex Williams will take part in the Formula Renault UK Championship.. Commenting on their debut in both series Roberrtshaw said  “It will be a challenge, but I love a challenge. “We’ll have slightly more manpower on the Formula Renault side because that is more of an unknown to us. We have experience with Mini Coopers and although Clio Cup is a step up from that, it should be a smoother transition.” It is not just the team that has to face up to a difficult debut, Alex Williams, 17, will be making his first appearance in a single seater. “I probably am a bit behind in terms of experience because most drivers start in karts between 10 and 14 years old, but some people stay in karts for too long and I was keen to move on. I’ve spoken to people about Formula Renault and I know it’s very tough and close racing, but that’s what I like.  Williams will be eligible for the Graduate Cup and plans to use this year as a learning period while he adapts to  wings and slicks

British Formula 3 Team, T-Sport has signed Venezuelan  Rodolfo Gonzales to drive alongside Dutchman Dennis Retera, both 19, in this year’s British F3  Championship.

Hearn Motorsports signs Ryan Phinny for Formula BMW USA. Richie Hearn has signed karting star and 2005 Red Bull Driver Search Finalist Ryan Phinny to drive for his Formula BMW USA Series team in 2006.. Phinny will be partnered at the team by Jules Duc in the team’s first season in Formula BMW USA Series

The Classic Saloon and Touring Car Club have secured two additional races at the SUNBAC season opener on the Sunday 26th March at Silverstone. These will feature a Classic Thunder double header. The race will be added to the existing calendar. This of course gives Pre-93 cars a  race that weekend plus it gives the Group 1 runners an opportunity for a second and  3rd race. We believe the event will be filmed by
Silverstone for later televised broadcast

David Hodgson, the reigning Formula Jedi 1000cc Champion is planning to move into Formula Renault this year. The move came about after Hodgson tested with Motaworld recently. ‘Renault is the target if we can find the budget’, he said, ‘ We hired the car from Motaworld for the test and it went really well. Hopefully we’ll be able to do the UK series if we can find the money’, he added.

Dan Wheldon, Scott Dixon and Casey Mears were the winners in the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona, Florida last weekend. Their Lexus Riley finished the American endurance race one lap ahead of its nearest rival the second place Lexus Riley of Champ Car's RuSport teammates Justin Wilson and A.J. Allmendinger and Oswaldo Negri and Mark Patterson. They looked on for an outright win early on but slipped backone lap behind the Chip Ganassi run car.Third went to the Porsche Crawford of Lucas Luhr, Mike Rochenfeller and Patrick Long.

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