Neil Simmons

4th April 20171st August 2017

RX Round Up – Barcelona

The pre-season testing had finished, the public relations and interviews had been conducted and now it was time for RX Barcelona to roar into action.

World Rallycross, the most dynamic four-wheeled racing series on the planet, is back!

New partnerships, new drivers taking to the WRX stage for the first time and a new season.

Mattias Ekstrom, as defending champion, commented that every single driver now starts from ‘square one’. This statement was made, presumably, as he cast his eye down the grid when the official entry list was announced a few weeks ago. The strength in depth and talent was there to be seen and it was off to Barcelona to see how the first round of the World Rallycross Championship would unravel.

After the heats in Qualifying 3 it was new boy on the block (but not new in racing terms), Timo Scheider who topped the standings. He had a three point lead over Ekstrom who could see the likes of Kristoffersson, Heikkinen, Timmy Hansen and Solberg queuing up, waiting.

The top stories of after Q3 came in the form of three names who were regular semi-final qualifiers in the shape of Kevin ‘Round The Outside’ Eriksson, Janis Baumanis and Sebastien Loeb all sitting outside the top twelve. Independent entries, Guy Wilks and JP Dubourg were inside the top twelve, a fantastic effort so far on their part.

For those new to WRX, the top twelve drivers after four qualifying heats move through to the semi-finals. The qualifying heats are timed base, so whereas a driver would want to win their heat, it is the best possible time they can post to get them valuable qualifying points and Loeb was in a position where he could miss out on a semi-final place for the first time in his World Rallycross career. That is how competitive the grid is this season.

THE STORY OF Q4

With positions so tight in the points and places up for grabs, Q4 would see an important set of heats. Loeb would post a quick time to see him go top of the timed standings in this qualifying period. In the next heat Ken Block and Kevin Eriksson, also determined to break into the semi-final positions, battled hard and it was the American who ran straight into the back of Eriksson causing damage to both cars. Eriksson won the heat but he was not pleased with Block’s contact as he remonstrated when interviewed after the race.

Heat 3 saw Nitiss and Kristoffersson battling hard for the entire race, Kristoffersson was always looking for a way through and eventually he found it and posted a time three seconds quicker than Loeb, knocking him off the top.

Next up was Heat 4, this was just full of quality throughout the field. Solberg, Ekstrom, Scheider, Bakkerud and Timmy Hansen, a heat that would be good enough to grace a final and they did not disappoint with close racing and all the cars under a second of each other as they hurtled around the Barcelona circuit. Bakkerud took the win in his Ford Focus RS ahead of Solberg and Ekstrom. The heat was that quick that Bakkerud and Solberg slotted into the top two positions.

It was semi-final time. Eriksson, Loeb, Baumanis and Timerzyanov, names that graced semi-finals and finals last season would miss out. This was the first time Sebastien Loeb had not made a semi-final and what made it even more frustrating for the Frenchman was the fact his two team-mates, the Hansen brothers, did make it through. Wilks and Dubourg held their positions in the top twelve and remarkably made it through to the semi-finals.

The close racing and compact finishing showed that this season was not going to be a walk in the park, with non-factory teams and independent drivers mixing it with the big boys.

THE SEMI-FINAL STORY

SEMI-FINAL 1 – GRID

Scheider

Kristoffersson

Solberg

Heikkinen

Block

K. Hansen

SEMI-FINAL 2 – GRID

Ekstrom

Bakkerud

T. Hansen

Wilks

Nitiss

JP Dubourg.

In the first semi-final it was Kristoffersson pushing MJP Racing’s Timo Scheider all the way over the 6 laps, he jokered early and was able to maintain his pace. Scheider came out in front of Solberg after his joker lap but there was one casualty when Heikkinen’s car gave up the ghost. He would not be in the final. The top three were Kristoffersson, Scheider and Solberg. It has to be said that through the qualifiers, Kristoffersson and Scheider were both looking very strong.

Semi-final 2 got under way and it was Nitiss who found himself left on the line as the other five cars blasted off. Bakkerud and Timmy Hansen bustled and fired their way to the front only to see Ekstrom take the lead and skip off into the distance to take the win. He would be joined in the final by Bakkerud and Timmy Hansen who held their places.

THE STORY OF THE FINAL

GRID LINE-UP

Kristoffersson – Ekstrom

Scheider – Bakkerud

T. Hansen – Solberg

A mouth-watering final in prospect with five different makes of cars out of the six drivers, which just goes to prove that all the teams have been hard at work during the off-season to make this a very competitive series.

It was a nightmare start for Kristoffersson when he stalled on the line. Ekstrom took the lead into the first corner after a blistering start, which saw him gain the Super Charge Award (quickest off the line). Kristoffersson, to his credit, made up good time after the bad start and was on the back of the tightly bunched pack by the end of the first lap.

Solberg, who was sitting in 5th out of the six cars, decided to joker and he was followed by his team-mate Kristoffersson who made a late call to joker also. He had the car positioned to go round for another lap but possibly a call from his spotter in the tower advised him to follow Solberg and give him something to chase to make up time.

On the second lap it was Timmy Hansen who took the joker and he came out in front of Nitiss with Ekstrom and Scheider battling up at the front.

Bakkerud, who was sitting third, jokered on the third lap and as he came across the line he drifted his way around the outside of Solberg who had cut in from the corner to hold his position. Ekstrom and Scheider, still to joker, were way up front having a battle of their own. Two DTM drivers racing on a different type of circuit in a completely different series.

They both decided to stay out on lap four and extended their lead, it looked as though Bakkerud was holding Solberg up and the other four cars who bunched together battling for that final podium position.

It would be defending champion Ekstrom who would take the spoils here in Barcelona with Scheider, in his first World Rallycross race second and Bakkerud just holding on for third.

This was the opening round of World Rallycross and it did not disappoint. If this is what we have to look forward to for the rest of the season, with far more technical tracks and joker laps to come, then we are in for one hell of a ride this season.

Ekstrom has put his stool out and shown the rest of the grid he is determined to defend his crown, but with the emergence of Scheider, a much improved Focus RS for the Hoonigan Racing Division and two very competitive Polo’s driven by double world champion Solberg and the very talented Johan Kristoffersson , I expect there to be a lot of fireworks this year.

Take a bow WRX. Take a bow Barcelona. You delivered, as you always do.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

Ekstrom – 29

Scheider – 26

Bakkerud – 22

Kristoffersson – 21

Solberg – 19

T. Hansen – 17

Wilks – 12

Heikkinen – 11

Block – 11

Nitiss – 8

Dubourg – 7

Eriksson – 4

Loeb – 3

Baumanis – 2

Csucsu – 1

See you at the chequered flag.

Neil Simmons

Twitter: @world_racing

28th March 20171st August 2017

Quick 10 With…..Taki Inoue

Born in Kobe, Japan in 1963 he began his racing career in 1988 in the British Formula Ford Championship before moving to the All-Japan F3 Championship from 1989-1993 and then International Formula 3000 in 1994.

It was in 1995 that he moved to Formula 1, culminating in 18 entries for both Simtek and Footwork. He was involved in two very bizarre incidents. One involved his car being taken back to the pits on a recovery truck when it was hit by another car. The other was in Hungary when he was trying to assist marshals put out a fire and was struck by the medial car, which injured his leg. This was seen live on television.

He made his F1 debut at the 1994 Japanese Grand Prix, his last race was the 1995 Australian Grand Prix. He did talk with Minardi and Tyrrell for a drive the following season, but this did not come to fruition.

He made a short foray into sportscar racing, but recently he is best known for his opinions and funny comments on social media.

These are his Quick 10 and this is Taki Inoue……..

1. What is your favourite circuit and why?

None of them are my favorite circuit in the world. The reason why I don’t have any for my favourite circuit is basically, they are too dangerous.

2. Who is/was your racing idol?

Gerhard Berger and Riccardo Patrese.

3. Who would you regard as your toughest opponent?

All team mates, apparently.

4. Considering racers of all time, you are a team principal and money is no object. Which two racers would you have in your team?

Alonso and Vandoorne.

Taki Inoue, Footwork-Hart FA16 , Barcelona, Spain, 1995. (Photo by Rainer W. Schlegelmilch/Getty Images) curtsey of redbull.com

5. If you could invite four famous people to dinner (past and present), who would you invite?

Ron Dennis and Monsour Ojjeh (that’s two, but we gave Taki creative licence here).

6. Personal racing number? What is it and the reason behind it?

No.4 because No.5 is too famous number for me to use. That’s why, it is one number before 5.

7. What is the best race you have been involved in?

1995 Monza, right??

8. Is there a race or series you have not competed in, that you would like to or had wanted to?

Le Mans 24 hours.

9. How did you get into motor racing? What ignited that spark?

The photo of John Surtees 1967.

10. What is the best advice in racing you have been given?

Money talks, Bulls*** walks.

I really want to thank Taki for taking part in the Quick 10 and his continued opinions on social media which I find thoroughly entertaining.

Neil Simmons

Twitter: @world_racing

other images courtesy of Taki Inoue

26th March 20171st August 2017

FANTASY AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX

It was the first Grand Prix of the season and every team tip-toed into the first race not knowing how drivers were going to perform.

Two teams chose Australia as their bonus circuit, therefore doubling the points they received and so we have our first championship table of the season.

In terms of drivers, the Top performing drivers so far are:

Vettel (49pts)

Hamilton (48pts)

Raikkonen (39pts)

Bottas (33pts)

Perez (32pts)

Massa (27pts)

Verstappen (26pts)

Ocon (24pts)

Vandoorne (24pts)

The bottom five worst performing drivers:

Ricciardo (-39pts)

Stroll (-38pts)

Palmer (-17pts)

Magnussen (-15pts)

Ericsson (-13pts)

So here is the first set of standings after one Grand Prix:

**please note Ford Bird Racing and The Stig Racing both used their bonus circuit as Australia

1 – FORD BIRD RACING (352)

2 – THE STIG RACING (236)

3 – OWEN RACING (207)

4 – FROM INDY WITH LOVE (205)

5 – MONTE CARLO OR BUST (199)

6 – 24 HOURS (197)

7 – RUSTY MECHANICS (186)

8 – SPEEDSTAR RACING (183)

9 – TWO WHEELS ARE BEST (182)

10 – GREEK RACE FAN (181)

11 – BLUE BULL RACING (174)

12 – SEB’S BLUE FLAG RACING (173)

13 – BURNT MARSHMALLOW (172)

14 – DOLLY DAZZLERS (171)

15 – CJ WILSON RACING (166)

15 – MURRAY WALKER RACING (166)

17 – THE HULK’S UNDERPANTS (162)

18 – NESSA GOES RACING (160)

19 – MINDO RACING (154)

20 – SAFFA MEETS F1 (147)

21 – FARMER F1 (145)

22 – BRUM BRUM (144)

23 – TAXI F1 (137)

24 – REEDY’S RACERS (131)

24 – RHODESIAN RACERS (131)

26 – MONZA PINT-F1 (124)

27 – BUTTON’S BRAWN (116)

28 – CRAZY MOFOS (114)

29 – SARNIA SPEEDSTERS (111)

29 – TEAM WELLS (111)

30 – BUTTON’S HEROES (96)

31 – CHRIS’ CHAMPIONS (85)

32 – TEAM T-DUBYA (82)

33 – SPADJ RACING (45)

34 – GUN RACING (-58)

Neil Simmons

Twitter: @world_racing

25th March 20171st August 2017

DAVIS BACK FOR TEAM HARD

Team HARD are happy to announce that Toby Davis returns to the VW Racing Cup for 2017.

The former karter, who finished 3rd in the Junior KTM championship before moving to F250 National’s, entered Tony Gilham’s scholarship competition in 2015.

Toby won and was awarded a fully funded driver in the VW Cup last season. He took 5th place in his first race at Rockingham, coming from last on the grid after the car had a few technical issues. This showed the tenacity and determination of Toby, the same traits which awarded him the drive with Team HARD in the first instance.

He attained two pole at Donington and again showed his race craft in the final round at Brands Hatch. He did not start Race 1 due to technical issues and had to start from the back of the grid for the second race. He came through the field to finish 5th and in the finale took 3rd to round off a competitive season.

In preparation for 2017, Toby had this to say:

“The pre-season for me has been a lot of hard work, building relationships with local companies and bringing new partners on board. That said, I realised I could always be physically fitter, so I’ve joined a local football team in Cardiff, which has helped a lot in getting me ready for the new season!”

Speaking with Toby about winning the scholarship to drive for Tony Gilham, he found it overwhelming to describe his emotions.

“I can’t describe the feeling! Honestly, it was like winning the lottery. Throughout my career to date, it’s been my father and I scraping together a very small budget to go kart racing and have fun competing at a much lower level. It goes without saying that we had a great time, and I was lucky to be racing at all. But the scholarship that Tony puts on, it offers people like myself the opportunity to show what we can really do, and I honestly can’t explain how grateful I am for that opportunity. I don’t take it for granted and I try to keep my feet firmly planted on the ground!”

Like any racing driver at this time of year, Toby’s thoughts switch to the 2017 season and we asked him what his ambitions were for the forthcoming year as he builds on his first season from 2016.

“Last season was very much a learning curve for me. I had a lot of pace, we had a few mechanical issues and I made quite a few mistakes as well. To win in my second ever car race shows what might have been, and I had a couple of pole positions and some podiums to boot, which was great. I would love to compete for regular race wins and if I can sort out the mistakes, I’m hopeful we can fight for the title. Beyond the racing, the main goal is to continue to work closely with Team-HARD. to find the budget for 2018 and beyond and stay with the team as a fully-fledged car racing driver, and to earn my place as the Scholarship winner.”

His team boss, Tony Gilham, had this to say about Toby.

“Toby is an exceptional young talent and one that we recognised as a potential future champion after winning our Team HARD scholarship last year. He went on to take a race win on his debut weekend which was an amazing achievement and just highlighted the quality of the talent that came through the scholarship programme with no less than 6 other drivers progressing to race with is in 2016.

It was very important to move into year two with Toby and continue his progression and we have been working so hard over the winter to put together a package to get him back out. He has been very good with our partners and shown that he has what it takes on and off track. Now we look forward to seeing what Toby can produce with the experience of last year under his belt.”

This seemed the perfect time to sit Toby down and ask him the Quick 10 questions:

QUICK 10 WITH…..TOBY DAVIS

1. What is your favourite circuit and why?

Snetterton – in my karting days we raced on long circuits in Superkarts and my first race win came at Snetterton. I love the flow of the new 300 layout and it’s very much about maximising the apex speed and carrying momentum forwards in the cars, something that comes naturally to me thanks to many years of karting.

2. Who is/was your racing idol?

That’s an easy one, and not always a popular choice – Jason Plato. Not just because he’s the most successful touring car driver, and has to be one of the most talented touring car drivers of all time, but also because of his ability to bring on board sponsors and partners and market himself and his team to them.

3. Who would you regard as your toughest opponent?

Your toughest opponent is always the one that has beaten you most recently. For me that’s Phil House. He has a lot of experience and makes very good racing decisions (knowing when to overtake, for example), and I suspect he never had any contact in 2016! He’s also the reigning champion, and I’ve learnt a lot from studying him both on and off track. He did a great job in 2016 – hopefully I can do a better job in 2017!

4. Considering racers of all time, you are a team principal and money is no object. Which two racers would you have in your team?

If I was team principal of a touring car team, it would be Jim Clark and Jason Plato. Jim Clark has to be one of the most rounded drivers of all time, and won in pretty much anything he drove.

5. If you could invite four famous people to dinner (past and present), who would you invite?

Richard Branson, Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates and Tony Gilham. Think of the marketing opportunities that Tony and I could offer them!

6. Personal racing number? What is it and the reason behind it?

I was always number 20 growing up and in karting because of Michael Owen’s goal against Argentina in 1998(!) Tony’s kindly loaned me #34 as a synergy with the team, which I’d love to hold onto if I end up in BTCC – that entirely depends on whether Mr Gilham wants to have a play or not at the same time…

7. What is the best race you have been involved in?

In terms of the racing, Silverstone 2016 in the MSA British Superkart Championship. Any one of about 5 drivers could have won that race and I ended up 2nd. It was incredible! (It’s on You Tube)

8. Is there a race or series you have not competed in, that you would like to or had wanted to?

Easy – BTCC. That’s the goal for me, and I’m in the right place to eventually make that happen. I’m still a massive fanboy for BTCC and I’m like a small child whenever I go to an event!

9. How did you get into motor racing? What ignited that spark?

My father always used to watch the F1 and loved his bikes. He’s entirely at fault, we’re both petrolheads! My first memory as a young child was the 1994 Japanese Grand Prix, which was won on aggregate by Hill from Schumacher due to the weather. That was pure, out and out, who could go fastest in the wet, and Hill just held on. I have watched that race back many, many times and it’s still my favourite race of all time. They did 10 laps or so at the end of pure qualifying runs, right on the limit.

10. What is the best advice in racing you have been given?

My family as a whole have always been incredibly supportive, my mother has always been at the racing, sometimes watching between her fingers! Her advice has always been never give up on your dream. My dream is to drive in the BTCC, and through the incredible generosity of Team-HARD, I have been given an opportunity to get there. What was once a dream is now a tangible possibility, and I will never give up working as hard as I can to improve all aspects of being a racing driver to achieve that.

We would like to thank Toby for taking the time out from his busy preparations to take part in the Quick 10 and for supplying the photographs. Best of luck for 2017 Toby.

Go Hard…..or…..Go Home

Toby Davis Promo video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbNoHhev59Q

Toby Davis Twitter: @TobyDavis34

http://www.team-hard.com/

Neil Simmons

Twitter: @world_racing

Images courtesy of Toby Davis

23rd March 20171st August 2017

McLaren – Lots Of Questions

Mutterings of McLaren Looking at an alternative engine supplier, a pre-season testing which saw the car breaking down on circuit and a discontented looking Fernando Alonso at the press conference for the Australian Grand Prix.

Is this the preparation that McLaren, an eight time Constructors’ champion needs before the start of the season?

The obvious answer is ‘of course not’.

This then moves onto the second question. Is the Honda power unit the way forward for the team?

The answer to that question surfaced with rumours of McLaren sounding out Mercedes as a potential engine supplier.

With the future of Stoffel Vandoorne and a double world champion in Fernando Alonso leading the team into the new season, plus the razzamatazz and promotional work that was the unveiling of the new car, the 2017 pre-season started with hopes and dreams of past honours that hung like a ghost around the factory.

Can McLaren be competitive this season? – There is a third question.

On the face of it, no they won’t. It appears that with the problems they have faced during testing those worries are not going to go away. Eric Boullier has been bullish in his interviews and has at times played the cliché ridden, party line of saying that with any new regulations there needs to be a certain amount of time to settle in.

But how long does this become an excuse? – A fourth question.

It would be positive to think that by now the gremlins were laid to rest and the problems fixed. A book full of excuses and deflective PR has been the story of McLaren’s pre-season.

Is the Honda-McLaren partnership doomed for failure? – A fifth question.

I sat and watched Fernando Alonso in the press conference today and his demeanour repeated that of a man who infamously shouted down the radio “GP2! GP2!”

Does he have the hunger this year? – A sixth question.

We have not heard much from the future of F1, the future of McLaren. Stoffel Vandoorne has been conspicuous in his absence from making any kind of quotes about the team, the power unit and the aspirations for the forthcoming season. The new man coming in, wanting to do the right thing and a double champion, presumably coming within the last two years of his career in Formula One, not wishing to sit on the fence any longer.

Cast this thought across your mind for a moment.

A McLaren car battling at the back of the grid, not getting beyond Q1 and having major reliability problems through the course of the season.

That, as a McLaren fan, is not something I wish for but the reality is that this is something which could possibly become reality. I haven’t seen any hunger or determination in the eyes of Alonso since the tests began. At the launch of the new car it was different. He was smiling, he cracked jokes and he looked like a man who was hungry for the season ahead. That has now disappeared over recent weeks.

Will McLaren dump Honda for another engine supplier? – A seventh question.

It would not be construed as a bad move for a team who haven’t seen one of their drivers win a world championship since 2008. Run that year through your mind again. 2008 – nine years since a McLaren driver won a championship.

They are not one of the teams running at the front any longer.

Zak Brown has gone on record as saying this is not going to be a quick fix.

How long is too long? – An eighth question.

It is now as I sit here typing this article I realise there are far too many questions than answers and heading into the new season it pains me to say it, but I just don’t think McLaren are anywhere near ready for being competitive. I also believe that if these problems are not sorted in pretty quick time, Fernando Alonso will walk away. A spare seat and a man like Jenson Button waiting in the wings.

Who would want to step into this cauldron of the unknown? – A ninth question.

Can McLaren really work with Honda? – A tenth question.

This weekend we will find out how far they have pushed on, what the team have done to rectify the problems they faced in testing and what they can possibly do to make this season less painful than it already is, before it has started.

Is a Mercedes engine the answer? – An eleventh question.

Is Ferrari an alternative solution? – A twelfth question.

All these answers and more will become clear soon.

Will they be the right answers? – The final question.

Neil Simmons

Twitter: @world_racing

18th March 20171st August 2017

Neel Jani Takes Pole At Sebring

News courtesy of Rebellion Racing.

Neel JANI dominated the qualifying session for the 65th edition of the 12 Hours of Sebring with the #13 REBELLION Racing Oreca 07 Gibson powered car and secured the Pole Position with a fastest lap time of 1:48.178.

This is the Swiss Team’s and Neel Jani’s first Pole Position in the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship. REBELLION Racing and Neel Jani previously captured four Pole Positions at the time of the ALMS from 2012 to 2013.

Today’s achievement is also the first ever Pole Position for the new Oreca 07 LMP2 car and REBELLION Racing is deeply proud to provide this milestone to their constructor partner.

The #13 REBELLION Racing Oreca 07 Gibson powered car will start tomorrow’s 12 Hours of Sebring race from the first position on the grid and the whole Swiss team will aim to keep that position at the end of the race. Being quick in qualifying means a lot, but we all have seen that the race can be a different story, especially here at Sebring.

This Pole position for the 65th edition of the 12 Hours of Sebring has a high value for the team, as the they along with the drivers Neel Jani, Sebastien Buemi and Nick Heidfeld have worked really hard since the Daytona 24 race to be back strongly at the front.

Neel Jani – #13 REBELLION Racing Oreca 07 : “It was a good Qualifying session, we didn’t expected to be P1. We had a few issues in free practice and we had to play a lot of catch up. There is no ideal lap here at Sebring, you have to improvise as it’s so bumpy, it’s always a nice and challenging track. We saw in Daytona that we were close in qualifying, but in the race the Cadillacs were really fast. I think that tomorrow it will be an other game to translate this Pole into a win. For sure we will try to stay at the front as long as possible !”

Bart Hayden REBELLION Racing Team Manager : “Before qualifying we were not completely confident of taking the pole position, as we knew the Cadillacs had been quick since the beginning of the weekend and also because it’s always a question of finding a lap clear of traffic without mistakes. Nonetheless, the gap to the next cars is very small, so we know tomorrow’s race will be close. Congratulations to Neel for driving so well the pole winning lap and many thanks to the engineers and mechanics for working so hard to get the setup and preparation right with the car. We’re looking forward to tomorrow’s 12 Hours of Sebring race and hope that it will be an exciting one for everyone.”

Neil Simmons

Twitter: @world_racing

16th March 20171st August 2017

BTCC Entry List Announced

Today was the day the drivers and teams gathered at Donington Park for the BTCC media day. Smiling faces and an air of anticipation swept across the circuit as a 32 car grid was confirmed for what is by far the most exciting and action packed touring car series on the planet.

Gordon Shedden has again confirmed that he will not be carrying the defending champion #1 and will instead stick with his #52. He is on course to equal the record of Andy Rouse this season with four titles, but with a grid so full of experience, talent and young enthusiasm it is going to be a big ask.

BTCC is coming…….Are you ready?

Here is the full grid for the 2017 BTCC season:

Tom Chilton

Power Maxed Racing

Vauxhall Astra

Mat Jackson

Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo

Ford Focus

Colin Turkington

Team BMW

BMW 125i M-Sport

Rob Collard

Team BMW

BMW 125i M-Sport

Stephen Jelley

Racing with Maximum Motorsport

Ford Focus

#10

Ant Whorton-Eales

AMD Tuning

Audi S1

#11

Rob Austin

Handy Motorsport

Toyota Avensis

#12

Mike Epps

Autoaid/RCIB Insurance Racing

Volkswagen CC

#16

Aiden Moffat

Laser Tools Racing

Mercedes Benz A-Class

#17

Dave Newsham

BTC Norlin Racing

Chevrolet Cruze

#18

Senna Proctor

Power Maxed Racing

Vauxhall Astra

#20

James Cole

Adrian Flux BMR Racing

Subaru Levorg

#22

Chris Smiley

BTC Norin Racin

Chevrolet Cruze

#23

Daniel Lloyd

MG Racing/RCIB Insurance

MG6 GT

#24

Jake Hill

TAG Racing

Volkswagen CC

#25

Matt Neal

Halfords Yuasa Racing

Honda Civic Type R

#28

Josh Price

BMR Racing Academy

Subaru Levorg

#30

Martin Depper

Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo

Ford Focus

#31

Jack Goff

Eurotech Racing

Honda Civic Type R

#33

Adam Morgan

Ciceley Motorsport with MAC Tools

Mercedes Benz A-Class

#40

Aron Taylor-Smith

MG Racing/RCIB Insurance

MG6 GT

#48

Ollie Jackson

AMD Tuning

Audi S1

#52

Gordon Shedden

Halfords Yuasa Racing

Honda Civic Type R

#55

Jeff Smith

Eurotech Racing

Honda Civic Type R

#61

Will Burns

Autoaid/RCIB Insurance

Volkswagen CC

#66

Josh Cook

Team Parker Racing with Maximum Motorsport

Ford Focus

#77

Andrew Jordan

BMW Pirtek Racing

BMW 125i M-Sport

#80

Tom Ingram

Speedworks Motorsport

Toyota Avensis

#99

Jason Plato

Adrian Flux BMR Racing

Subaru Levorg

#116

Ashley Sutton

Adrian Flux BMR Racing

Subaru Levorg

#300

Luke Davenport

Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo

Ford Focus

#303

Matt Simpson

Simpson Racing

Honda Civic Type R

See you at the chequered flag

Neil Simmons

Twitter: @world_racing

15th March 20171st August 2017

Ben Wallace Back For Team HARD

Team HARD add another name to their growing list of drivers for 2017 as Benjamin Wallace will be racing again for Team HARD in the VW Cup and VAG Trophy this season.

The 17 year old from Merseyside and former racer for Michael Schumacher’s karting team, will be racing for Tony Gilham’s team in a VW Golf GTI-R Cup car.

The former Ginetta racer joined the Team HARD scholarship at the end of 2015 and impressed team boss Tony Gilham so much he was asked to take part in the junior programme.

Benjamin was balancing test sessions alongside his GCSE exams at the time.

His first race came at Spa, he finished inside the top ten after first free practice showing that he was well within the pace of the top cars and then managed to qualify 6th on the grid. He progressed to achieve pole at Oulton Park in August last year and was battling for a podium position at Castle Combe when technical problems struck. This showed the true character of the young driver and proved Team HARD’s decision to include him within their program of developing young, dedicated and ambitious drivers for the future.

He returns this season with high hopes that the experience he gained last year will stand him in good stead for the 2017 and possibly a chance of challenging for a championship.

His team boss Tony Gilham had this to say about the youngster:

“Ben is an outstanding young talent and continues with us this year on our young driver programme. Ben joined us last year following a very promising display on the Team HARD scholarship programme and went on to show some amazing pace at times in 2016, a pole position at Oulton Park being one of the highlights. If we can improve on his starts and consistency now, with his race craft development, we will have the complete driver and without doubt be challenging for the championship.”

We took Benjamin to one side and asked him to take the Quick 10 interview feature so we could get to know more about this young man who will be hurtling round a race circuit near you soon.

1. What is your favourite circuit and why?

Spa, very technical & Brands Hatch GP

2. Who is/was your racing idol?

Michael Schumacher being part of his Kart Team in Germany and Ayrton Senna

3. Who would you regard as your toughest opponent?

Half the grid in VW Racing Cup

4. Considering racers of all time, you are a team principal and money is no object. Which two racers would you have in your team?

Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel

5. If you could invite four famous people to dinner (past and present), who would you invite?

Tony Gilham, Ben Kattenhorn, Paul O’Neill, Danny Buxton, and Chris Hodgetts (that’s 5 but we cut Ben some slack on this one.)

6. Personal racing number? What is it and the reason behind it?

#88 got it since Karting and won a lot of races with it

7. What is the best race you have been involved in?

Brands Hatch GP 2016 and Spa 2016

8. Is there a race or series you have not competed in, that you would like to or had wanted to?

British GT and BTCC

9. How did you get into motor racing? What ignited that spark?

Karting, won my first kart race in 2005, 6 years old in Spain Alevin class

10. What is the best advice in racing you have been given?

Lots, where shall I start. Michael Schumacher ” Never give up” and Tony Gilham ” Go Hard or Go Home”

We want to wish Ben the very best for the forthcoming season.

Neil Simmons (in association with Team HARD)

Twitter: @world_racing

Team HARD Twitter: @TeamhardRacing

Ben Wallace Twitter: @BenWallace88

13th March 20171st August 2017

OD Racing Enter Blancpain GT Series Asia

Malaysian squad OD Racing will enter an Audi R8 LMS GT3 in this season’s inaugural Blancpain GT Series Asia campaign, with Mitch Gilbert confirmed as its first driver.

Founded in 2014, the team has previously contested the Asian Le Mans Series and GT Asia categories with McLaren and Lamborghini machinery. However, that all changes this year thanks to Blancpain GT Series Asia’s partnership with the Audi R8 LMS Cup, which allows teams to run the same car in both championships at the same venue a matter of weeks apart.

Indeed, such favourable logistics and opportunities to gather additional data using the same car and Pirelli tyres played a major role in OD Racing’s decision to join the championship with Audi.

Gilbert, meanwhile, previously competed in European F3 and the Formula 1-supporting GP3 Series before successfully switching to GT racing at the start of 2016. The Malaysian-born Australian finished third in last season’s Porsche Carrera Cup Asia standings and also claimed a class podium at December’s Motul Sepang 12 Hours.

The 22-year-old will contest both the 2017 Audi R8 LMS Cup and Blancpain GT Series Asia campaigns with OD Racing, who will announce Gilbert’s co-driver for the latter championship in due course.

OD Racing director Cornelius Ee views this season as a fresh start for the team after a tough 2016.

“We hoped to finish 2016 with a better result than what we ultimately achieved, but that is racing and it was a steep learning curve for us,” he said. “For 2017, however, we have secured what we hope to be a race-winning car with the Audi R8 LMS GT3, and we have a talented line-up of drivers who I’m sure can deliver results for our team. The whole team is feeling re-energised and we are all committed to bring home great results this year for ourselves and our partners.”

OD Racing becomes the second Audi team confirmed for this season’s inaugural Blancpain GT Series Asia campaign after Phoenix Racing Asia announced its two-car programme in January. They’re joined on the GT3 grid by the likes of Ferrari, Mercedes-AMG, McLaren, Aston Martin and Lamborghini.

The team will test its new Audi at Sepang International Circuit on March 13/14 ahead of Blancpain GT Series Asia’s opening round of the season there on April 8/9.

2017 Blancpain GT Series Asia Schedule

April 8/9 Sepang, Malaysia
May 20/21 Chang International Circuit, Thailand
June 24/25 Suzuka, Japan
August 19/20 Fuji Speedway, Japan
September 23/24 Shanghai, China
October 21/22 Zhejiang, China

See you at the chequered flag.

Neil Simmons

Twitter: @world_racing

Images courtesy of SRO Motorsports (c)

13th March 20171st August 2017

Guerrieri Back In WTCC

GUERRIERI Esteban (arg) Chevrolet Cruze RML team Campos racing ambiance portrait during the 2016 FIA WTCC World Touring Car Race of Argentina at Termas de Rio Hondo, Argentina on August 6 to 7 – Photo Jean Michel Le Meur / DPPI

*Top South American talent back with Campos Racing for 2017 campaign
*Rookie of the year’s schedule includes home event at Termas de Río Hondo
*Guerrieri: “We can achieve big things”

Esteban Guerrieri’s dream of returning to the FIA World Touring Car Championship has come true with confirmation of a minimum five-event programme with Campos Racing.

86 GUERRIERI Esteban (arg) Chevrolet Cruze team Campos racing action during the 2016 FIA WTCC World Touring Car Race of Argentina at Termas de Rio Hondo, Argentina on August 6 to 7 – Photo Francois Flamand / DPPI.

The Barcelona-based squad, a mainstay of the WTCC since 2005, has entered its Chevrolet RML Cruze TC1 on a full-season basis and signed Guerrieri for the races in Morocco, Italy, Hungary, Germany and Argentina with efforts ongoing for the 32-year-old to complete the entire 10-weekend schedule.

Guerrieri, who excelled in single-seater racing against current F1 stars Lewis Hamilton, Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel, was the fastest driver of all during the WTCC Race of Argentina weekend last August on what at the time was a one-off appearance with Campos. Since then, the Buenos Aires resident has been working behind the scenes to make his mark on a more regular basis, while also being voted by a selection of WTCC journalists as their rookie of the year.

“After my debut last year I always hoped to come back racing in the WTCC so this means a lot,” said Guerrieri. “I really like the high competition level, the cars are awesome to drive and we’re running on the best circuits around the world so it will definitely be good fun. I already know the guys at Campos Racing, I know what they are made of and this is a great opportunity for all of us as a team. The potential is there I have no doubt and if we get it right we can achieve big things.”

Guerrieri, who will go up against fellow Argentine Néstor Girolami during this season’s world championship, will combine his WTCC campaign with an assault on the Argentine Súper TC2000 series with Citroën, a challenge he’s relishing. “There are no clashes on the calendar but many consecutive racing weekends so an organised agenda and to rest properly will be crucial to face the long flights. But my body is still young enough to cope! The lack of pre-season testing will be the biggest problem. But of course we will try to face that with the right preparation and attention to detail in order to absorb quickly as much information as possible.”

François Ribeiro, Head of Eurosport Events, the WTCC promoter, said: “Esteban did great at Termas last year and it could have been so much better for him without the clutch problem affecting his races. He adapted super quickly to the WTCC, the Chevrolet TC1 World Touring Car and Yokohama tyres. He deserves this chance to race in the WTCC and I am happy he can show his talent on other tracks, just like Néstor Girolami will do.”

Ruben Espin, Campos Racing General Manager, said: “We are excited to have Esteban with us in the team. Our role in the last few years has been developing young drivers. Since 2010/2011 when Gabriele [Tarquini], Tiago [Monteiro] and Jordi [Gené] raced for us we were not able to fight for the title. But we are back to show Esteban’s skills and convince sponsors to support us in the second half of the season.”

86 GUERRIERI Esteban (arg) Chevrolet Cruze RML team Campos racing action during the 2016 FIA WTCC World Touring Car Race of Argentina at Termas de Rio Hondo, Argentina on August 6 to 7 – Photo Jean Michel Le Meur / DPPI

FOX Sports will follow Guerrieri and Girolami with extensive live television coverage in 50 countries including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela and Uruguay.

The 2017 WTCC season begins at Marrakech, Morocco, from 7-9 April. WTCC Race of Argentina takes place at Circuito Termas de Río Hondo in the Santiago del Estero region from 14-16 July.

See you at the chequered flag.

Neil Simmons

Twitter: @world_racing

Images courtesy of FIA WTCC (c)