Wednesday 14 May 2014

Gaz Bayton to make racing debut

Gaz Bayton has confirmed that he will make his racing debut this season in the 750 Motor Club run Stock Hatch Championship.

Bayton, from Chesterfield, has acquired the Andrew Tibbs car Citroen Saxo. Tibbs finished eighth in the championship last season with the car and scored a best result of second at Brands Hatch.

The 38-year-old said "I've always been into cars from a young lad and I've always to wanted to do this and now I've found the opportunity to get in to Motorsport." He will make his debut at the second meeting of the Stock Hatch season which takes place at Snetterton on the 26th of May with qualifying and two races on the Bank Holiday Monday after only a couple of trackday's experience.

Gaz Bayton would like to thank the following sponsors:
- National Windscreens
- Crossroads Garage
- M and T Transmissions
- Napit
- subarubits.com
- JB Customs
- MTS Towbars
- Beighton Breakers
- Air Accessories Ltd

Saturday 12 April 2014

Michael Barrett set to make racing debut

Michael Barrett will be making his racing debut over the weekend of the 26th and 27th of April in the 750 Motor Club Stock Hatch Championship.

Barrett will be a complete novice when he heads to Brands Hatch after just a couple of Trackdays. The 51-year-old will head to the meeting very excited as he looks to fill a lifetime ambition.

He will race the Citroen Saxo (pictured) which is owned by Bill Gregory and usually raced in the series by him and his son, Trevor. The car scored a best result of seventh last season drove by Trevor at Brands Hatch.

Barrett said  "I'm really looking to my first race. It's something I've always wanted to do and now I'm in a financial position I am able to do so. I'd like to thank Bill Gregory for giving me the opportunity to race his car in such a great championship."

Tuesday 25 March 2014

Dan Blake to make racing debut

26-year-old Dan Blake will make his racing debut in the 2014 Hyundai Coupe Cup. Blake from Trowbridge, Wiltshire has joined the ever growing Coupe Cup grid. He will be run by the newly formed family team Blake Motorsport, in a Gen 2 Hyundai Coupe.

The Hyundai Coupe Cup is run on the Track Attack Race Club programme and the first rounds next weekend at Rockingham 5th/6th April support BARC Clio's, Formula Renault and Junior Saloon Car Championship.

The car has been meticulously prepared by Jon Winter at Exit 13 and has undergone a major overhaul ready for this season. The car was last seen in the Coupe Cup in 2012 driven by Jon Walton.

This will be the first season that Dan has raced cars. The last two years has seen Dan race in the British Universities Karting Championship run by 3T Racing and Club 100. Dan raced in America for a season and a half at the age of eight, before not racing anything for fifteen years prior to BUKC.

Blake is going into this season with learning the main priority, "This year is purely a learning year for me and anything extra results wise is really a bonus. The only time that I have been on a race track at any kind of racing speed was when I was doing my ARDS test last October, so I am a complete novice. I have a lot to learn and the Hyundai Coupe Cup is the ideal place for me to learn and enjoy my racing. Most of the other competitors are also in their first racing series, it is an ideal first championship for me and I am looking forward to seeing how the season evolves for us. The grids are increasing every year so it could be something that I stick with for the foreseeable future."

It is not just Dan who will be learning either this year, "It is a brand new team that was formed about a month ago. My Mum and Dad have always been big motorsport fans and when the opportunity came along that we could possibly do the Coupe Cup, we decided to go for it. Through some contacts I have made in the last few years from working in the TOCA paddock and other events people are keen to help us along. We have had offers of help with facilities and to help me on the driving side. That is the great thing about the motorsport community, that there are people who are more than willing to help people who are new to the sport. We have had a busy few weeks organising and gathering things together and I expect it to be like that until a couple of days before Rockingham but we are enjoying it."

Blake has also had the boost as being recognised as a Power Maxed Racing backed driver for 2014, "The Power Maxed Racing backing was something I was not expecting as a novice. I applied on the off chance without seriously thinking I stood a chance. I hope that I am able to build a relationship with Power Maxed and I am very impressed already by the level of support that they have shown me. Being associated with a brand such as Power Maxed who are involved in the top levels of UK motorsport is humbling."

Wednesday 12 March 2014

Skywheels Racing join Classic Stock Hatch

Lowry will return to the championship with Skywheels Racing
Photo: Michael Barrett
Written by Joshua Barrett

Skywheels Racing will enter the 750 Motor Club Classic Stock Hatch Championship this season with Chris Jones, Gavin Johnson and Ryan Lowry on driving duties.

Skywheels Racing was created when Johnson decided he want to switch to car racing after racing in Formula TKM Karts where he won the Novice Gold Cup in his second weekend. He never had the budget previously to race cars, however decided that he wanted to switch to car racing this season.

Johnson got in touch with many members of the Classic Stock Hatch family such as Mervyn Beckett, Damian Cottrell, Phil Wilson, Ben Ward and Ryan Lowry who all helped to point him in the right direction to get into the driving seat for this season.

When looking for sponsorship Johnson met up with his friend Chris Jones, an ex-racer, who is a director of the Skywheels group. Jones wanted to support the team with his brand and wanted to get involved himself, originally with the plan of himself and Johnson sharing a car.

However, after further discussions Jones has decided he also wants to race a car by himself. Therefore, to start off the season the pair will share their Ford Fiesta XR2i before running their own cars later in the season.

The pair also met Ryan Lowry who has been racing in Classic Stock Hatch since 2012 and he will join up with Johnson and Jones at the team. 

The Skywheels group plan to use their apprentice mechanics to work on the cars this season and that is all part of the whole idea of the team - to create opportunity for the youngsters to move up their careers and to get involved.

Jones wants to start of with Classic Stock Hatch with the plan to learn the art of racing with the possibility of progressing. Although, everybody at the team know that it will be a steep learning curve.

Jones said "The Skywheels group are known for their commitment to quality and attention to detail, I hope we can impart this business ethic into the team and continuously develop through the year. The 750 Motor Club is great club to be part of and Classic Stock Hatch which looks very competitive."

Johnson added "My season hopes are to learn about racing in a competitive class, achieve some solid finishes and gain confidence to move Skywheels Racing forward as a team."

Lowry said "I'm delighted to be involved with Chris and Gavin and to be part of the team this year with Skywheels racing. I've been a regular front runner and I'm hoping to build on that with some podiums and also help the new drivers along. The support of Skywheels group is much appreciated, I'm looking forward to meeting the apprentices and helping them along with the cars."

You can follow the team on Facebook and on Twitter, @skywheelsracing

Friday 7 March 2014

Dowie returns to Classic Stock Hatch in 2014

Dowie will be hoping for more action this year
Photo: Michael Barrett
Written by Joshua Barrett

Greg Dowie will return to the 750 Motor Club Classic Stock Hatch Championship this season with the Cargo Automotive Racing Team.

Last season Dowie competed in two meetings of the season scoring a best result of eleventh at Snetterton. However, he looks to compete in the full season this year with backing from Cargo Motor Factors, D-Signs and Colour Works.

He added "Although Fivetowns have stepped down, new title sponsor Cargo Motor Factors have come in as the title sponsor with sponsorship also from D-signs and Colour Works. We are aiming for top six finishes this season."

Sunday 23 February 2014

Plant and Bryant join In2 Racing for GT Cup

Plant was a winner in the Morgan Challenge last year
Photo: Michael Barrett
Written by Joshua Barrett

William Plant and Oliver Bryant will join In2 Racing to race in the GT Cup Championship this season behind the wheel of a Porsche 997.

Bryant is a multiple race winner in historic Motorsport but has also raced in British GT where he claimed seven class victories throughout the years. In 2012, he ran with Ecurie Ecosse where he challenged for the GT3 title before injury ended his hunt for the title. Bryant will coach Plant throughout the season and will join him in the 45 minute, two driver races.

Plant is another multiple race winner in historic Motorsport racing Morgan's and a MGB. He said "I'm looking forward to the championship enormously; with a full grid of GT cars the competition is going to be stiff, but with some sufficient testing in the Porsche and with the help of Oliver Bryant and the team In2 Racing; who have vast experience with Porsche's I should be prepared for the season opener at Donington."

He continued "I think the pressure will be fairly great as I believe I may be the youngest driver in the whole field. I'm not expecting to go out and win straight away, however this will be my aim and I am working extremely hard with the team and Olly to make it possible. I know there will be people with far more experience than me, but I'm going to absorb as much information as I can to aim for the championship."

Monday 3 February 2014

Nick Zapolski ready for Ginetta GT5 Challenge with Buddy Racing

Photo: Jakob Ebrey Photography
Nick Zapolski is set to make the step up to the Ginetta G40 class for 2014 as he returns to the Ginetta GT5 Challenge with his own, newly established team, Buddy Racing.

The 31 year old from Alderly Edge, Cheshire joined the Ginetta GT5 Challenge in 2013 in a Ginetta G20 with Reflex Racing, where he enjoyed no less than 11 top five finishes, including six podiums, narrowly missing out on a race win at Spa and Donington Park.

With a goal of finishing inside the championship top five over the coming season, BuddyLoans.com owner Zapolski said; “I am very much looking forward to returning to the Ginetta GT5 Challenge and also to stepping up into the G40. It will be a different challenge running under my own team banner, but it is one I am excited to begin.”

Attracted to the Ginetta GT5 Challenge by the competitive racing the championship provides, Zapolski is looking forward to graduating into the G40 racer and recently had laser eye surgery in order to improve his vision during races.

Ginetta Championships Manager Ashley Gallagher added; “We are thrilled that Nick is going to be joining us again in 2014 and it’s great to see him making the switch to the premier Ginetta GT5 class behind the wheel of a G40.”

With an ambition to be on the podium at Le Mans over the coming years, Nick’s move into the G40 class will certainly aid him on his journey.

Monday 27 January 2014

BMR announce Menu and Smith to join Scott

Scott will be back this season
Photo: LBMSport
Written by Joshua Barrett

Team BMR announced that Alain Menu and Aron Smith will be joining Warren Scott at the team in the British Touring Car Championship alongside Jack Goff who will be running under the RCIB Insurance Racing banner. The three drivers were announced for the first time in the BTCC history using an exclusive online video.

Menu is a BTCC legend after being crowned champion in both 1997 and 2000. He won the championship for the first time with Williams Renault and then became a double champion with Ford. Menu went on to compete in the DTM and World Touring Car Championship. Menu finished second in the WTCC with Chevrolet in 2012. Menu will drive a VW Passat at Team BMR.

Aron Smith will be moving to the team from Motorbase Performance. Smith won his first BTCC race in their Ford Focus in 2012 at Brands Hatch. Smith finished ninth in the championship last season and will drive the second Passat this season. Scott will be back driving with the team this season after finishing thirty-second in the championship last year, he will switch to a Vauxhall Insignia this season.

Monday 16 December 2013

BMW Compact Cup attracts new headline sponsor for 2014

Now entering its fourth season, the BMW Compact Cup is set to welcome on board Safety Devices as a title sponsor of the hotly contested club Championship, joining previous sponsor Gaz Shocks.

Widely regarded as the market leader in automotive rollover and safety products for automotive use, Safety Devices also produce and supply the B034 multi-point bolt-in roll cage that is a requirement for new competitors in the Compact Cup.
With direct involvement as a mandatory supplier and decades of expertise in motorsport from club to professional level, the arrangement with UK-based Safety Devices is welcomed on both sides of the partnership.

Aeron Lloyd, Chief Designer and General Manager at Safety Devices said of the recent agreement: “The partnership between Safety Devices and the BMW Compact Cup is one that is exciting on all levels. It offers close and affordable wheel-to-wheel racing, and along with my colleague Chris Platt I’m also pleased to have the opportunity to compete in the occasional race. As a company we strive to engineer high quality products, so look forward to supporting some fantastic track action with our roll cage inside every car on the grid.”

The Safety Devices | Gaz Shocks Compact Cup continues to gather pace going into 2014, as organisers The 750 Motor Club expect grids to swell for the first race of the season at Donington Park on March 30th. The 2013 season saw a total of 55 Championship registered drivers, and the 2014 format remains largely unchanged to focus on close and affordable racing.

Paul McErlean, Compact Cup Championship Director said: “We are absolutely delighted that Safety Devices have made such a commitment to support the Compact Cup for 2014, it’s a great testament to the Championship and for everybody involved on both sides.”

Davenport graduates to Supercup

Davenport raced the G40 last season
Photo: Joshua Barrett
United Autosports have confirmed they will be entering the Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup in 2014.

The Ginetta GT Supercup is another new challenge for United Autosports, having already announced their two-car entry into the British Touring Car Championship and their usual slot in the British GT Championship with the Audi R8 LMS ultra. United Autosports are hoping to create a GT ‘feeder team’ with the addition of the GT4 championship in 2014. United have also welcomed former Ginetta Championships Manager, Max Gregory to the team to co-ordinate the feeder GT programme.

The Leeds-based team will be running a Ginetta G55 with driver Luke Davenport, who is no stranger to Ginetta. Luke competed in the Ginetta GT5 Challenge, a support race to the British GT Championship, coming fourth in the championship in 2013, taking multiple podiums and a race win along the way. Luke will be taking a step up to the BTCC-supporting G55 category next year as he aims to progress his racing career.

Davenport said “It is a big privilege for me to be competing with United Autosports next year. They are a team I have aspired to join for a long time and I feel they provide me with the best opportunity to further my learning in the sport. It is great to hear that the Ginetta Supercup looks set to be such a tightly fought championship in 2014. I expect the high calibre of competition to be a great test of my prior experience in the Ginetta Challenge. I would like to thank Henderson Insurance, my family and Frimstone Ltd for their continued support for next year.”

Friday 13 December 2013

2013 season review: Mike Comber

The 2012 750MC Locost Champion surprised a few people when having won the title he promptly sold his car. His original plans for 2013 were to build a second car and have a stab at retaining his title, but having competed in the Birkett Relay at Silverstone at the end of the season, he decided that he needed more power.  Option were the rapidly expanding BMW Compact Cup, or to move into Bike-Sports.  Having evaluated both options, out of the blue came a phone call with an offer to race in MX5’s.

Mike decided that as his ex-karting team mate Luke Herbert had made a name for himself along with Rob Boston in the Mk3 and won KX funding, that might be the carrot he needed for 2013. MA5DA seemed to be the organising group and a car previously run as the series celebrity car was purchased from the organiser.

For the benefit of those who don’t know, the BRSCC  took over the running or the MX5 series to the ultimate demise of the MA5DA organisation, but were slow in setting up  schedule for the MX5 Mk3 drivers. A gap had appeared in the Caterham weekends when the R600 failed to materialise on time, so at the first race at Castle Combe at the beginning of April had just a handful of drivers attend.  Mike in his first run in the car gained two podiums, managing to keep previous race winners Andy Clarkson and Matt Davis honest in both 20 minute races. Initial impressions compared to the Locost was obviously the lack of numbers, but the car felt fantastic, with 70bhp more than the Locost, yet still predictable handling.

Snetterton 300 followed just 3 weeks later and enjoyed a doubling of the grid. Some drivers had joined the MAX5 series unsure of where there would be Mk3 racing in 2013, so this was encouraging, with Chrissy Palmer and Paul Sheard making their entrance to the SuperCup. Mike was down on power all weekend, and in round 4 had to pull the car up as it was running on 3 cylinders. This was certainly going to be a learning season, as we discovered that the loom is a Mk3 weakness and would cause two more DNF’s before the end of the season.  Mike had also started to run the car in the Roadsport series organised by the 750MC. His first 45 minute race would have been a victory, but for a certain Josh Barrett interviewing Mike in the pits for 30 seconds longer than his pit-stop window!! The car went well against Toyota MR2’s and Porsche Boxters but Mike was only 20 seconds behind at the flag.

Anglesey was next on the calendar and a good number arrived for a wet and windy three rounds on the coastal circuit. Once again Mike was down on power and changed his manifold for one with a new catalytic converter, but still off the pace by a second a lap. Fortunately Mike's wet driving skills allowed him to keep with the podium pack as he gained a fifth and two third places. We had to find a solution to his problems, so we took the car to a local rolling road and found it was generating 135bhp instead of 160 and that was down to the lack of the VVT working. Option I would have been to find a head, but for speed we purchased a replacement 65,000 mile engine. Mike was still in third place in the championship just 30 points off the leader.

The next BRSCC was in June at Cadwell Park, a circuit Mike has won at in previous years, so with a replacement engine, how would he fare? Despite the red flags and wet weather, Mike managed two third places and a second. This together with success in the Roadsport events at Donington, were showing that he was starting to get the hang of the car.

A month later in July and with the car now running well and on his home track, Mike hoped for a victory and was rewarded with two and just missed the lap record by 2/100ths and was now seoond in the championship with his eyes on getting the top slot after the next two Brands Hatch rounds. 

Brands Hatch was the first weekend in August and the grids were back to 16, with new drivers bringing their cars out of their garages.  Mike qualified quite well, but in race one a front row spinner at the first bend gave Mike no option but a T-bone. The front crumpled and ripped the battery off its mounting in the boot, but Mike regained his composure and was making it back through the pack when the engine gave way. On subsequent inspection, the impact had squashed the big end bearing caps. A DNF in Round 13, and no car for round 14. That lost Mike a potential 200 points.

The final couple of rounds were at Oulton Park and Mike was now down to fifth in the standings. He qualified well, getting pole, but ended up in the gravel. He didn't realise, but his exhaust had suffered terminal damage, and despite his best efforts he slipped down the pack and eventually clipped a tyre bale and retired. The championship was now down to round 16 with Andy Clarkson and Paul Sheard  just 1 point apart. Mike stared last, but fought through the field until the race was red flagged and we assumed that Paul had won. With just 5 minutes before the curfew the race started again and mike was in third, not wishing to upset the front battle. In the end, they both slid off to let Mike pass for another win – that was until the race was awarded to Abbie Eaton. It meant another new winner for 2014, and in the end Mike was just 30 points of winning the championship.

The season finale was the Autumn Challenge, which supported the British GT final round. With the car now fully run in and with the benefit of being able to try out some of the 2014 modifications, Mike won both rounds to end another successful campaign. For 2014, the cars will have potentially 20bhp more gained from the use of a Pipercross cold-air feed and a Racing Beat manifold and Jetex race catalytic converter. The final modification was to in traduce the Eibach fully adjustable sway bars front and rear. Mike thinks that at some circuits the cars will be a second faster and possibly two seconds quicker on tracks such as Silverstone International.

Driver numbers will probably start at around the 20-25 grids, but we know of 10 additional cars being built or upgraded.  Some old specification cars can be purchased from £8000, but a race winner like Mikes will cost close to £12,000. It’s double the cost of a race Locost, but with twice the power and the luxury of driving a current production car.  Race costs are very similar to his experience in Locost at about £1000 a weekend as an independent. Excluding damage and breakages, but £15,000 would easily cover a season including travel and basic hotel.

For anyone considering racing in 2014 with a rough budget of £100 a month, this is attainable with the MX5 NC SuperCup. The driving standards have been excellent and the pit ambiance is one where all participant will assist any driver to get their car our for the next practice/race session. Mike will be offering in expensive taster sessions over the closed season in his race winning car. Contact him on info@michaelcomberracing.com for further details.

Tuesday 12 November 2013

2013 season review: Luke Davenport

Photo: Jakob Ebrey Photography
Ginetta Challenge racer, Luke Davenport talks through his 2013 season and looks forward to next season.

"My second year in motorsport has been a fantastic progression from the first. I feel I have continued to punch above my weight and hopefully this will be reflected in the plans I hope to announce in the coming weeks. 

"I have taken my first win and pole position in a year regarded as the most competitive ever for the Ginetta Challenge. The only thing I look back on with a slight pang of regret is Spa, where we sadly lost the championship. However, I have learned from these errors and hopefully this will stand me in good stead for next season. 

"Henderson Insurance will continue to sponsor me in 2014 which is great. They have helped boost my profile massively this year and I am really thankful for that."

You can also watch a lap with Luke around Spa - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0bZMMkD-xE

Sunday 20 October 2013

2013 season review: Mervyn Beckett

We caught up with Mervyn Beckett who raced in the 750 Motor Club Classic Hatch series. 

Beckett races the lone Nova in the series
Photo: Michael Barrett
"I had a very good start to the season and was already in front of my goal because as I lead the novice championship in Classic Stock Hatch. I spent all my time from Christmas until one week before Mallory Park building the only Vauxhall Nova in the championship up to top condition.

"At Mallory Park, which was the first round of Championship, I was hoping to just finish my first race but sadly I hit engine trouble two laps from the end, so I had to retire. In the second race the engine trouble was out of the way and I went for it and got a strong seventh and I was over the moon.

"The second meeting of the year was at Brands Hatch, I had a good qualifying session and qualified seventh and eighth for the two races. Race one sadly didn't go well due to rain on the out lap and as I was still using the qualifying tyres, I didn't have much grip and fell down to sixteenth out of twenty-four cars. The second race was in dry and I  had great start and managed to stay out of trouble, I pushed my hardiest and managed to overtake a couple of cars and finished a fantastic fourth and to me it felt like I won it.

"The mid season for me has had its ups and downs. We headed to Snetterton in May, Round 5 at Snetterton
There were some close battles at Snetterton
Photo: Michael Barrett
was a fantastic race for me starting near the front of the grid and getting my first podium finish in 3rd place. Round 6 was looking close to another podium but sadly due to a leakage I had to settle for 7th. 


"For rounds 7 and 8, we headed to Pembrey in Wales. Round 7 was another good result a solid 6th place, that was good as on turn 3 on lap 1 I was last due to a spin. Round 8 was a very wet race and was pleased to finish 6th. 


"In Round 9 at rockingham I finished 8th, a good recovery after a poor qualifing in 11th. In Round 10, I was doing well until I sadly had a rear brake problem making me a second a lap slower dropping me down the field to 11th. In the championship I'm now sitting 7th overall and leading the novice championship. My target for last 4 rounds is to stay 1st in novice and get into top 6 of the championship.

"After the Rockingham problems, I had to sort out with the race car. Due to so many changes I entered the Allcomers race at Silverstone and again I felt happy with the nova it felt on pace again. To me it was just a test season. 

"Rounds 11 and 12 were at Donington Park I qualified fourth for race one and pole for race two. I was well over the moon with that and it being my first pole was great. Race one for me not much happened just kept at the front and finished fourth and with that result I took the Novice Championship. In race two I went for it battling for the lead for almost the whole race, I was second most of it but sadly Lee Scott and Martin Cayzer passed me on the run to the the line so finished fourth but overall it was a fantastic weekend. 
Beckett had a sideways Nova at Cadwell
Photo: Michael Barrett

"The final two rounds were at Cadwell Park and it was a very wet weekend. In race one I managed ninth and race two eighth. I found it very hard to keep nova straight in the wet, not knowing until after the race I had a rear wheel sticking but it did make so nice photos. 

"After a fantastic first season winning the Novice Championship and fjfth overall, I'm keen for the top step next year. Classic Stock Hatch is looking a strong grid for next year with a few new and ex champions coming back so I cant wait for an even stronger season next year."

Friday 13 September 2013

Dowie lives racing dream through Classic Hatch

Dowie is ready to get his 2013 campaign underway
Photo: Phil Dowie
Greg Dowie has taken the first steps towards achieving his childhood dream of being a driver in the BTCC. Since he was a schoolboy, all he has ever wanted to do was drive, or more specifically, race. After seeing the BTCC as a child Greg knew that was wanted to do. His first introduction to the real world of racing was when he helped out Lea Wood, he was then completely bitten by the racing bug.

Pre-Season
On the run up to taking his ARDS test Greg was given some tuition from Tom Onslow-Cole and first started showing he has some real talent for racing. After a first half season in the Classic Stock Hatch racing for the Dowie Motorsport / Five Towns Racing Team, where he had a few mechanical reliability problems, Greg is now ready to start making a proper impression and building a reputation for himself.

Snetterton
Although he was unable to attend the first couple of meetings, Greg was raring to go and eagerly waiting for the meeting at Snetterton which took place on the 26th of May. Dowie started eighteenth on the grid for the first race of the day and managed to work his way up to ninth position before a  red flag stopped the race when Thomas Langford rolled his Peugeot 205. Annoyingly for Dowie he had alternator failure on the grid and was unable to take up his position on the restart. After repairing the car for the second race, he started in seventeenth and moved up to eleventh place as the race went on. Throughout the majority of the he was locked in battle with fellow Fiesta racer Ben Ward.

Donington Park
After missing Pembrey and Rockingham, Greg will be going onto BBC Stoke Radio before heading to Donington Park to talk about how he got into racing and about Donington Park and his aim of getting into the top ten.

Friday 30 August 2013

BSB Champion to race Golf

Hill was a multiple winner for Swan Yamaha last season
Photo: Bryant Photography
The 2011 British Superbike Champion Tommy Hill will make his car racing debut at Donington Park in the VW Cup.

The 28-year-old from Kent will make his debut driving a JWB Motorsport VW Golf GTi. Hill will be helping raise awareness of the CJ Riders Fund which provides safety equipment at British Superbike events and supports injured riders. The fund was set up by Lucy Jones who's brother was killed in a British 125cc race in 1990. Lucy is engaged to VW Cup racer Chris Levett.

Hill said I'm really looking forward to it. It’s something different for me and I want to go and enjoy it. Running at the top of my game on bikes week in, week out adds a lot of pressure and a lot of the enjoyment goes out of the sport. I'm keen to give it a good shot. I've never raced a car but have always liked racing karts, which gives me a lot more of an adrenalin buzz than I get from racing a bike - I've been on bikes since I was six and it’s the norm for me. I'm pretty excited about it.”


Written by Joshua Barrett