NEWS: Road To Wales Rally GB Opens Up

Wales Rally GB chiefs have expanded their successful 'Road to Wales' initiative this year – offering FREE entries offered to all national rally champions, giving a great opportunity for Britain’s best to shine on the WRC stage, 13-16 November.
Introduced 12 months ago, the "innovative and far-reaching" Road to Wales scheme included a number of different programmes all of which combined to revitalise Britain’s concluding round of the FIA World Rally Championship in 2013.
Building on that success, which resulted in crowds returning to the legendary Welsh forest stages in record numbers, the top three finishers in the country’s premier 2014 MSA British Rally Championship (BRC) will again be rewarded with invitation entries into Wales Rally GB, as will the two crews that win the British Junior and RallyTwo categories within the BRC.
Adding to the incentive, both the 2014 BRC Challenge Trophy champion and winner of the BRC ‘Stars of the Future’ also will be offered free entries – this time into the three-day National Rally that runs alongside the star-studded international event and shares many of the same challenging special stages.
No cost entries into the National event will also be provided to the winner of each of the MSA English Rally Championship, the Pirelli MSA Welsh Forest Rally Championship, the ARR Craib MSA Scottish Rally Championship and McGrady Insurance MSA Northern Ireland Rally Championship as well as the BTRDA Rally Series. This swells the number of prize entries to an impressive dozen.
“Wales Rally GB is the pinnacle of rallying in the UK and we are determined to maximise its preeminence to the full benefit of all those involved in the sport,” said Andrew Coe, Chief Executive of rally organiser International Motor Sports. “Whether it’s encouraging and rewarding those competing in our top national championships or providing those aspiring to be future world champions with vital WRC experience, the provision of these prize entries was extremely well received last year. That’s why we are delighted to be expanding the scheme to 12 by including both Scottish and Northern Irish Championships for the first time in 2014.”
Underlining the success of the scheme, the top three finishers in last year’s BRC all accepted their prize drives in 2013 and took full advantage of the opportunity to shine on the world stage. The newly crowned 2013 BRC Champion, Jukka Korhonen, underlined his talent by winning the competitive WRC3 class on Wales Rally GB while BRC runners-up Osian Pryce and Tom Cave further enhanced their reputations with outstanding achievements in the challenging Welsh forests. Another beneficiary, Euan Thorburn, won the three-day National event.
Four-day World Rally Passes for the 2014 Wales Rally GB – with prices held at £99 as in 2013 – are already on sale via the official www.walesrallygb.com website. Other passes will be available later in the Spring following final confirmation of this year’s Wales Rally GB route and a full review of spectator facilities to accommodate the event’s spiraling popularity.

Read our Wales Rally GB special here.
 

NEWS: Wales Rally GB Showcase @ Cholmondeley Pagent Of Power & 20% Ticket Offer

More great news for Wales Rally GB, Cholmondeley Pagent of Power & motorsport fans! Following the announcement last week that Wales Rally GB is to have a new, compact home and town and night special stages in North Wales 14-17th November, the UK's only WRC event is set to be showcased at the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power on 14-16th June. And there's up to 20% off tickets right now too (see below)!

New and central to the awesome Cholmondeley event will be the Wales Rally GB Village where WRC stars and cars as well as cars from the Group B era will be on display and competing on Cholmondeley’s 1.2-mile sprint track. Competitors will include Elfyn Evans, 2012 FIA WRC Academy Champion, driving a Qatar M-Sport World Rally Team Ford Fiesta RS WRC, Tom Cave driving a Citroen DS3-R3 and Garry Pearson, 2012 MSA British Junior Rally Champion driving a Ford Fiesta R2.
Displays of iconic rally cars will include Colin McRae's Safari winning 1999 Ford Focus WRC, Jari-Matti Latvala's 2010 Ford Focus WRC (in which he became the youngest ever winner of Rally Finland) and Mikko Hirvonen's Monte Carlo Rally winning 2010 Ford Fiesta S2000.

Aside from the Wales Rally GB village, the Pageant of Power features competitive motorsport around the estate track, powerboat racing, aerobatic displays and the Tri-Services helicopter competition with highlights including:

• Over 120 most valuable cars and bikes competing on track
• Aston Martin centenary celebration with track action
• Lamborghini 50th anniversary concourse
• Autocar Supercar Paddock
• Air displays including Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster Bomber
• Bolddog Lings Motorcross Stunt Display
• Marine action including wake borders and flyboarding displays

20% off tickets

Wales Rally GB has teamed up with Cholmondeley to offer a 20% discount on tickets for the three day Pageant of Power so that you can come and get a taster of the November WRC event, chat to the organisers and benefit from a ticket offer while mingling with the crews and watching them compete on track. 

Tickets to the Pageant of Power are priced from £22, terms and conditions apply. To qualify for your 20% discount, book online at www.cpop.co.uk and quote: WRGBPT (Saturday, Sunday or weekend ticket).

Happy days! 

NEWS: Donington Park Multi-million £ Investment

Great news if you, like us are big fans of Donington Park Circuit – they have just started a huge multi-million pound re-investment to reinstate, re-shape and landscape the infield spectator and outdoor exhibition areas of its world-class race track. The two-year project will see new spectator banks created on the infield overlooking the Old Hairpin, Starkeys Bridge and McLeans. When complete, this work will also greatly improve the viewing areas around Coppice, along the main Straight, and into both the Fogarty Esses (Grand Prix circuit) and the newly-named Roberts chicane on the National track layout, which format is much used by BTCC and all historic racing. Bob Adams, Donington Park Circuit Manager, commented: "This is a major project for the Park and will create a fantastic viewing area for all the fans. We’ll be shaping 250,000 tons of material with topsoil and new grass lawns, right across these 24 acres, to make sure they will work well as our new spectator banks. We are also taking the opportunity to construct new roads to improve access to the infield area, both for show cars at major events to reach display areas, but more importantly for the many manufacturer displays and the traders who enjoy the advantages of the infield."
The original Donington Park infield was excavated by contractors working for the previous operator’s ill-fated Formula 1 circuit rebuild in 2009. Now placing that whole episode firmly into the history books, the new Donington ownership and management has, following a successful council planning application this summer, now committed to transform the circuit over the next two winters.
Phase one of the infield restoration will be completed by the end of March 2013. This will see the eastern half of the infield restored. Phase two will take place during the 2013-2014 winter circuit closed period, thereby ensuring that all the new spectator banks are completed and ready for the significant growth plans for the 2014 racing season.
In 2012, Donington Park has hosted its busiest racing schedule ever, with more than 30 events of the very best in World, European and British motor sport, including the World and British Superbikes, the British Touring Car Championship, the British Truck Grand Prix, and the European Le Mans Series. In addition,Donington Park will this weekend (29th and 30th September) host the concluding round of the FIA GT1 World Championship.
Christopher Tate, Managing Director at Donington Park, added: "We’ve had an amazing year of dramatic racing and a return of the crowds, for both the two and the four wheel events at the circuit. Now, with the infield work already fully underway, Donington Park continues its rebirth as the heart and soul of British motorsport."
For further information on events at Donington Park, visit the website at www.donington-park.co.uk.

NEWS: Silverstone Motorsport UK LIve Show, Nov 3-4th

Silverstone Motorsport UK, the live motorsport show that showcases all categories of national motorsport – 3^rd& 4^th November 2012 – is shaping up to be an event not to be missed, with the show confirming several new attractions. This year’s event will allow visitors to sample the action first hand, either on the Stowe circuit with the Silverstone driving experience, which has teamed up with Silverstone Motorsport UK to offer visitors the chance to receive a discount if they pre-book. Alternatively, visitors can take part in the Go Motorsport kart challenge, where they can battle for a selection of prizes. In addition to these exciting driving elements, visitors will be able to enjoy race simulators and even compete in a series of radio control races organised by the British Radio Control Association. Martin Capenhurst comments: "This year’s event is shaping up really well, and it looks like it is not to be missed! The live elements have really made the event extremely interactive, so visitors can really get involved and have a go! The promotion for this year’s show is on schedule and I believe that we will beat our target of attracting 4,000 visitors over the two days."
Richard Phillips, Director of Silverstone Circuits comments: "We are delighted with how the inaugural Silverstone Motorsport UK event is shaping up. There is no doubt that this event is going to be a great way for enthusiasts and competitors to come together to sample the best of British motorsport."
In addition to the live elements, Silverstone Motorsport UK will host more than 100 companies from the world of motorsport. Exhibitors include some of the UK’s largest motorsport championships, key suppliers and the event will see the announcement of the first Spirit of Motorsport award winners, who will share a £10,000 prize fund, courtesy of high performance oil and lubricant manufacturer RAVENOL. In addition Silverstone Motorsport UK has recently confirmed the backing of three new media partners which now sees the event promoted by 12 key publications from the motorsport and automotive sector. Capenhurst adds: "I am delighted to have gathered so much support from our event partners and event media partners. All of our agreements are long term, as we are keen to build a foundation for the future, as Silverstone MotorSport UK is here to stay!"

Current exhibitors include TrackDriver magazine, Go Motorsport, 360 Motor Racing Club, Motors TV, RAVENOL, British Radio Control Association and Racelogic. For further information on Silverstone MotorSport UK visit www.motorsportshow.co.uk. See Team Road – event sponsors – there too... 

NEWS: One-make Atom Cup UK is Go!

Ariel Motor Company has announced exciting plans for its one-make Atom Cup UK race series in 2013 – featuring a 245bhp, 510Kg, 'Cup' spec Atom, with a roll cage, two-litre i-VTEC engine with six-speed gearbox, Alcon brakes (adjustable bias), Yokohama A048 tyres, Ohlins adjustable suspension, Race Technology dash and safety gear. The new series – which will bring first rate hospitality with professional levels of catering and entertainment, be highly social and make it the sort of place you can bring your family too happily – will run alongside other motorsport, as part of the MSVR package run by Motorsportvision. It will take place at eight premier UK tracks: Brands Indy & GP, Cadwell Park, Oulton Park, Donington Park and Silverstone GP and National. There will be three packages available – Bronze (car, entry fees & hospitality) at £53,195 + VAT, Silver (as Bronze, plus tyres & fuel and track assist) at £59,995 + VAT and Gold (as silver, plus transportation and storage), at £69,652 + VAT. The new Cup Atom will be capable of 145mph, thanks to its 480bhp per ton power to weight figure, and the racing should be dead close. But there's enough adjustability left in the car to make set-up all important, as well as driver skill. It looks bloody ace! Like everything Ariel do. Bravo to them for pulling it off. Can't wait to report on the first race next year. Find out more on Facebook: www.facebook.com/atomcupuk and @atomcup on Twitter.

NEWS: Manby Motorplex: Ace Motorsport Venue For Sale

One of our favourite shoot locations and motorsport venues, Manby Motorplex near Louth in Lincolnshire (http://www.manbymotorplex.com), is up for sale, for offers over £3.5 million. This is a unique opportunity to purchase a successful motorsport and driver experience venue with prime agricultural land – and save a great motorsport venue, brimming with potential. The stunning, huge, multifaceted and incredibly well-equipped 440 acre site currently operates as a successful motorsport venue and driver experience/training centre offering skid pan, rally and 4x4 school, artic HGV experiences, tank driving days etc. to both private and corporate clients. Offers have been received for the site for agricultural use, but the seller is keen to maintain Manby as a motorsport venue. Manby Motorplex was developed over decades from farmland by MD James Tointon, who has a passion for motorsport and driver training and has taught the likes of WRC and gymkhana star, Ken Block and various top clubman rally drivers over the years at Manby.
James told us: "It’s incredibly sad to be selling Manby Motorplex. It has a high agricultural value, but we have split the site into lots, so the motorsport side could be purchased separately. I’d be very happy to see it run as a motorsport venue, having worked so hard to keep it as a motorsport and motoring venue for all these years. In an ideal world, I’d like to see someone buy the site, develop its massive potential and keep running the popular events, school activities and all we already do here, and keep on the excellent staff. It’s a truly special, unique place and it would be a shame to see a great motorsport venue lost to be developed as housing or turned back to all agriculture, after years of hard work and investment."
The stunning, incredibly versatile site in the valleys just south of the busy market town of Louth in Lincolnshire has been used for motorsport since the 1980s, including: Car rallies, 4x4 trials and challenges, competition safaris, hill rallies, rallycross, supermoto, moto x, motorcycle enduros, grasstrack and quad racing. And this motorsport activity is in addition to the skid pan/rally/4x4/HGV school and fun/corporate driver experience days like double decker buses, tanks, diggers, bulldozers, army vehicles and more for companies like Red Letter Days and Virgin Incentives, as well as to Manby’s own extensive database of clients. Manby has also been used as a test venue for the development of major manufacturer vehicles, rally cars, road cars, 4x4 off-roaders and more over the past three decades. And it’s a very popular venue for film and TV crews including both Top Gear TV and D-Motor and Turbo TV in Germany as well as members of the media as a location, like us at Road Magazine and Mr Ken of the Block.
The site is being sold for personal reasons, to settle a divorce and James Tointon, Manby MD says: "It is with great sadness that we are selling the site and business. I’ve developed the off-road area, rally stages and motorsport and motoring activities from scratch over the years more as a hobby, than a business and people love it here. I’ve lost count of the 1,000’s of incredibly positive comments we’ve had for our unique courses and for the venue – including from World Rally driving star, Ken Block.
"People are amazed how much they learn with us here at Manby. We may not have the shiny cars people like their picture taken with, but people come here to get value for money, to learn and to chuck a car about properly and test it to its limits. That’s a rare and popular formula we’ve found. Our courses are challenging and we love teaching people… and there’s so much we can do with people here at Manby, with its unique, different, challenging venues.
"We are really hoping whoever buys Manby will preserve this venue for motorsport use. There’s a great business here already and so, so much potential left in the site to develop. The five miles of loose rally stages we have require minimal maintenance and are great stages. The limitation is they can’t be used in the wet. But we’ve had interest from the Minicross Drivers Association to develop extra tarmac and gravel stages on site – at their own cost – which would make Manby a leading rally and rallycross venue.
"Manby is already a leading off-road motorsport and hobbyist venue, with acres of some of the most challenging and difficult 4x4 routes in the UK, offering all types of off road challenges, in one compact, diverse area. And the many activities we offer on site for corporate, stag and hen parties and members of the public are a huge success. Manby attracts 1,000’s of clients year on year, many of whom come back, again and again, thanks to its unique charms and the quality of the courses, instructors, staff and facilities on offer here, not to mention the picturesque location."

Manby Motorplex is for sale for offers over £3.5 million via Brown & Co. Brigg office: http://www.brown-co.com
To make an enquiry, contact James Walton at Brown & Co. Agents:
Landline: +44(0)1652-654833
Mobile: +44(0)7920-496350
Email: James.walton@brown-co.com

NEWS: KartMania Moves To Silverstone For 2012

KartMania, the UK’s leading kart show, has announced a partnership with Silverstone and sponsors, Karting Magazine, moving the event to Silverstone for 2012. The show will take place on the 17th & 18th November in the prestigious Silverstone Wing exhibition complex. A KartMania spokesman said: "This promises not only a great new venue but new ideas and a new layout as the coveted show celebrates its 6th anniversary in 2012! Last year’s KartMania event attracted more than 3,500 visitors and this exciting move will see KartMania become a regular fixture at the Home of British Motor Racing." The new move will also see a number of new show developments, including the launch of four distinct zones for the 2012 event: The KartMania main Exhibition Hall, the Rotax LIVE Karting experience, the KartBoot section and the learning zone – offering the latest gear on display, kart driving opportunities, the chance to purchase second hand components, parts and memorabilia and a learning zone with workshops from universities and industry experts, respectively. Richard Phillips, Managing Director of Silverstone Circuits Limited, said: "We are very pleased to be welcoming KartMania to Silverstone in November. The show will add to the diverse range of events being held in the building this year and we hope that it remains on our calendar for many years to come." Martin Capenhurst, organiser of KartMania, added: "We are delighted to have secured Silverstone as the new venue for KartMania. This move provides us with an opportunity to substantially increase the size of the show, have four specific areas, which includes a live area for visitors to try and test karts, and of course the opportunity to take part in in the inaugural Rotax Kart Mania kart challenge." Adult tickets are available at £15.00, which includes free parking and free event programme. Under 16’s and concessions are just £7.50 and MSA license holders are £10.00 if tickets are purchased in advanced. For more information on KartMania visit www.kartmania.co.uk