NEWS: David Appleby Engineering Get First Bentley Continental GT3

Lucky David Appleby Engineering has announced it will become the first Bentley Continental GT3 customer team – taking delivery of the new, glorious, 600bhp, twin turbo V8 race car in January.
The team, which will race under the Generation Bentley Racing banner, has been formed to develop young talent in motorsport for drivers, engineers and mechanics and will compete in the British GT Championship in 2014.
Drivers James Appleby (GB) and Steve Tandy (GB) will take the wheel next year in British GT and the car is available to compete in the FIA Blancpain endurance series for interested parties. The team is keen to take full advantage of the Continental GT3's eligibility for a wide spectrum of worldwide endurance racing.
James Appleby from Banbury, initially began his racing career in the SEAT Cupra Championship in 2008. James has since competed regularly in the Aston Martin GT4 at a European level as a Junior Aston Martin Racing team driver and was presented the star of the future award by Aston Martin Racing in 2010.
Steve Tandy from Gloucestershire started his career racing classic sportscars in 2006 and is very familiar with the British GT Championship having competed for the last two seasons in the GT3 class achieving two overall wins and a multitude of podium finishes.
Launched at Goodwood in July this year, the new 1300 kg Bentley Continental GT3 race car features a 4.0 litre V8 twin turbo V8 developing an unrestricted 600 bhp. The new race car is based on the road-going Continental and has received an aerodynamic package of enhancements while retaining its iconic and recognisable form.
Bentley’s Director of Motorsport, Brian Gush, comments: “I am delighted that David and his team will be competing with the Continental GT3 in our home country in 2014. The team has a wealth of experience and I'm confident that their energy and professionalism will see some very encouraging results next year. We'll be supporting them every step of the way and I wish them every success in the British GT Championship.”
David Appleby, Managing Director, David Appleby Engineering said: "Having had enormous success in GT4, we are very excited to be taking it to the next level. The Continental GT3 is a fantastic package of British design and engineering, and it's eligibility for both British GT and Blancpain makes it a perfect racecar for us."

Generation Bentley Racing will make its debut at the opening round of the British GT Championship taking place at Oulton Park on 19 April 2014.

NEWS: Porsche Carrera Cup Scholarship Launch

Porsche have launched their Porsche GB-supported Scholarship initiative to nurture next generation of GT racers – giving hot shoe young drivers aged 17-22 the chance to compete to win funding worth £80,000 per year for 2014-2015, offering an opportunity to follow in footsteps of 2012-13 Scholar, Dan Lloyd, in Porsche Carrera Cup GB (pictured). 

The 2014 Carrera Cup GB season will mark the next exciting chapter in the Carrera Cup story when the latest 460 hp ‘Type 991’ 911 GT3 Cup is introduced to the Championship. The all-new car will further raise the standard for single marque racing in the UK, and offer drivers the perfect opportunity to participate at the very start of a new era for the Carrera Cup GB.
In 2014, the Carrera Cup GB will offer competitors a sensational bonus with a support race to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A couple of hours before Porsche returns to the marathon race with a factory-entered LMP1 car, drivers in the Carrera Cup GB will race on the famous French track in a special tie-up with Carrera Cup France.
To enter the Scholarship, drivers must be aged between 17 and 22 years on 1 January 2014, already have a National A race licence and have not previously registered as a competitor in the Carrera Cup GB. They must also be able to demonstrate that they can secure the balance of the required budget for a full season of racing.
Four finalists will be selected for assessment at Silverstone, including evaluation at the Porsche Experience Centre and track tests in a 911 GT3 Cup car. The winner will be the driver who shows the best mix of natural talent, potential and presentation combined with people skills, overall drive and commitment.
Any driver wishing to apply for the 2014 Carrera Cup GB Scholarship Programme should send a CV to: carreracupgb@porsche.co.uk, along with the reasons why they think they should be selected. There is no charge to enter the Scholarship. Applications are now open and will close on 30 September 2013. The four finalists will be evaluated at Silverstone during October 2013, and the 2014 Carrera Cup GB Scholar will be announced in early November 2013.

Get involved!

BLOG: Driver Focus: Pirelli World Challenge Racer, Jeff Courtney

Our very own USA correspondent, Ashley Van Dyke (pictured below) gives us an insight into Audi R8 LMS driver, Jeff Courtney, racing this year in the thrilling Pirelli World Challenge. 

Jeff Courtney entered the road racing scene at a fast pace by first enrolling in the Panoz Racing School in 2003, immediately entering into their amateur series, and winning the 2005 Panoz Winter Series Championship with multiple podium standings and two race wins. Simultaneously, Jeff was also competing in the SCCA Club division and SCCA Pro-Mazda series. Now, having had several wins under is belt, Courtney was ready for bigger and better competition.

In 2006 Courtney signed up for Touring Car and joined the Pirelli World Challenge Series, competing in an AWD Audi with STaSIS Motorsports. He was awarded Rookie of the Year honors after a very successful season where he posted four top 10 finishes, one top-five finish, and one top 10 start. The following year proved to be even more successful with the entry into World Challenge GT series. Courtney joined Woodhouse Performance in the No. 99 KendaTires/ProMPI Dodge Viper Competition Coup. It was with the No. 99 Dodge Viper that earned him four top-10 finishes, the Hard Charger Award at the Long beach Grand Prix, and was the top placing Viper in the overall championship.
Beginning in 2012, Courtney’s JCR Motorsports teamed with TruSpeed Motorsports to campaign the #99 Kenda/RecStuff.com Porsche 911 GT3. He finished the season in Sonoma showing strong 10 ten finishes throughout the year but also dealing with an onslaught of mechanical setbacks.
Now, fast forward to the 2013 season where Kenda and RecStuff.com are returning to support Courtney along with STaSIS, JG Wheels, Speed Seat Factory, Oakley and GoPro. In a last minute off-season decision, JCR Motorsports decided to switch brands from the Porsche 911 GT3 to the Audi R8 LMS and a significant amount of effort was put into preparing the car for the season opener in St. Petersburg. The Streets of St. Petersburg double-header allowed the team to get the kinks in order to prepare themselves for being competitive in the new car. Jeff Courtney could not be more enthusiastic to continue the 2013 Pirelli World Challenge Championship series and see how far the Kenda/RecStuff.com Audi R8 LMS can go with JCR Motorsports driver Jeff Courtney behind the wheel. More information on Jeff and JCR Motorsports can be found at www.jeffcourtneyracing.com and @JeffCourtney99 on Twitter.

NEWS: Donington Historic Festival An Ayrton Senna-fest

Plans to celebrate Ayrton Senna at the 2013 Donington Historic Festival (May 3rd, 4th, 5th) are well underway – with a mixture of static F3 to F1 and even odd-ball classic rally car displays in the Paddock and on-track demonstrations of cars which played a significant role in the career of the late triple World Champion already confirmed for the event.
Organisers are working on appearances of further Senna cars, along with a selection of memorabilia and Keith Sutton’s personal collection of photographs from Senna’s early career.
In addition to the F1 and F3 cars, also on display will be the 1986 JPS Lotus Renault Turbo in which Senna won the US GP at Detroit. The young Brazilian started the race in pole position, but tyre problems saw him initially fall back to eighth place, with the race lead changing hands six times between five drivers before – equipped with fresh tyres – Senna carved his way through the field to take victory.
And there will also be two unusual ‘Senna cars’ on display – an MG Metro 6R4 and the Brooklyn Motorsport Ford Sierra RS Cosworth. These were among five rally cars that Ayrton Senna test-drove in a Welsh forest in November 1986, for a feature that appeared in Car and Car Conversions magazine. At the end of the day, Senna summed up his experience of these very different type of competition cars: “I think, overall, it has been much more exciting than I expected. Much more involving. I didn’t feel the time going by. It went so fast because I was finding out, and learning more and going harder and harder. Having some moments… it was very exciting. Feeling the car in the air and then bottoming. Something I have never experienced before in a road car. In a road car you go easy, eh?” The Cosworth will form part of the live rally demonstration on the Melbourne Loop.
The Senna tribute will be one of the highlights of a spectacular weekend of historic motorsport, with over 400 race cars spanning seven decades battling it out on the track, plus live historic rally car demos on the Melbourne Loop. And Senna fans can see even more of their hero’s racing machinery if they pay a visit to the Donington Collection over the weekend, where they will find a McLaren MP4/5/B-1 that Senna drove during his World Championship-winning 1990 season.
Advance ticket prices for the Festival start at £12 for the Friday, £20 for Saturday or Sunday and just £36 for a three-day weekend ticket. On-the-gate prices will be £15 for Friday, £25 for Saturday or Sunday and £45 for the three-day weekend, with Festival tickets also giving two-for-one entry to the Donington Collection. Children aged under 16 are admitted for free.
Tickets can be bought via www.doningtonhistoric.com and through the 24-hour ticket hotline 0844 873 7355.

Senna 1980s CV

In 1982 Ayrton Senna won the British and European F2000 Championships, and was rewarded with a drive in the season-end F3 race in a Ralt RT3. He famously won the race, and that very RT3 will be demonstrated on the track at the Donington Historic Festival.
During his F3 Championship-winning season in 1983, Senna enjoyed his first-ever drive in an F1 car, testing Keke Rosberg’s Monaco GP-winning Williams-Cosworth FW08C at Donington Park. That very same FW08C (pictured) is now a star feature of the Donington Collection, and this important machine is coming out of the museum for the Festival.
As a result of his impressive F1 tests in 1983, Senna moved into Grand Prix racing full-time in 1984, and his first Formula One race car - the famous 1984 Toleman TG-184-02 Hart turbo - will also be displayed at the Festival. This is the car that Senna drove to a spectacular second place in the 1984 Monaco GP, overtaking Alain Prost for the lead but being robbed of his first Grand Prix win when heavy rain stopped the race the following lap. 

NEWS: Aston Martin 100th Anniversary Race Meet @ Brands Hatch

Astin Martin will gather the largest collection of their racing cars ever at a meet at Brands Hatch in July for a unique race series to continue the British brand’s centenary celebrations. More than a hundred of the marque’s racing cars, dating from 1922 to the present day, will gather for the two-day race series in Kent on 6th and 7th July.
2013 is the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of Aston Martin, and the event in July will recognise the company’s achievements in sports car racing during the last century. Aston Martin has recorded multiple wins at Le Mans, including outright victory in 1959, as well as the World Sportscar Championship the same year and most recently the Le Mans Series title in 2009.
The two-day event will see Aston Martin racing cars from nearly every decade compete on the Brands Hatch Indy and Grand Prix circuits. Two special centenary races are also planned, the first covering the pre-war era to the mid 1960s, and the second open to all Astons from the mid-sixties, including the latest Aston Martin GT1, GTE, GT3 and GT4 cars in a single race on the Grand Prix circuit.
Additional races will include pre-war Aston Martins, with Lagondas and Bentleys also expected to take part. Meanwhile the AMOC Intermarque Championship, ‘50s Sports Cars, Equipe GTS and HRDC Touring Greats categories will also pit cars from throughout Aston Martin’s history against contemporary rivals. The weekend will also feature two rounds of the 2013 Aston Martin GT4 Challenge of Great Britain.
Off the track there will be examples of nearly every Aston Martin racing car ever produced, plus some of its finest road machinery, while everything from pre-war Ulsters through to Nimrods and the Aston Martin AMR1 will take part in on-track demonstrations.
The marque’s connection with James Bond will also be showcased in a display to celebrate the history of 007’s Aston Martin cars from the DB5’s first appearance in Goldfinger in 1964 to its most recent appearance in Skyfall.
Meanwhile, owners of Aston Martin and Lagonda cars will be invited to take part in track parades and to display their cars around the historic venue. A concours area, dealer stands and live music will also entertain visitors, while a special celebration dinner will be held on the Saturday night in the MotorSport Vision (MSV) Centre at Brands Hatch.
David Richards, chairman of Aston Martin Lagonda, said: "Brands Hatch has played an important part in Aston Martin’s racing history so is a fitting venue for one of the key events in our year of centenary celebrations. Legendary drivers such as Graham Hill, Jack Sears and Innes Ireland all raced at Brands Hatch in Aston Martin cars and the atmospheric Kent circuit will provide a wonderful arena for our competition and road cars to participate in what I’m sure will be a superb weekend."
Jonathan Palmer, chief executive of MSV added: "Aston Martin is an incredible brand that is synonymous with quintessentially British sports cars, famous for an enviable pedigree from James Bond 007, royal patronage and Le Mans motor racing success. With a great range of ever-evolving road cars, Aston Martin makes products that are more desirable than ever and we believe a record number of its sports cars will be present at the Brands Hatch Centenary Meeting."

For more information about entering your Aston Martin for the event please e-mail jwalters@astonmartinracing.com
Tickets for the Aston Martin Centenary Meeting are on sale now at www.brandshatch.co.uk.
And for more information contact:
MSV, Kevin Ritson on 01474 875316 or by email kevin.ritson@msv.com

NEWS: Castle Combe 2013 Car Track Day Dates & News

Our good friends at Castle Combe Circuit have announced their track day dates for cars for 2013 – with 11 great dates to pick from, at fabulous value for money. Better still, if you book any of the first three car track day dates before 28th February 2013 at full price – £170, and CCC will give you a voucher to book any remaining day during 2013 for just £100 (saving £70), on any date of your choosing. Nice!
Track day novice? Fear not! CCC will offer a few FREE sighting laps to get you settled in and on the right lines. To book you dates, go to www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk or call Emma in the Circuit Office on 01249 782417. Full dates are:

Friday 19th April/ Friday 19th July/ Friday 3rd May/ Friday 2nd August/ Friday 31st May/ Friday 30th August/ Wednesday 12th June/ Friday 6th September/ Friday 28th June/ Friday 4th October

And, have you ever wondered how to transfer from a Track Day Driver to a Race Driver? Well, CCC can help. They are running a FREE seminar at their Driver Open Day on Sunday 3rd February 2013 (in the Strawford Centre situated within the Paddock) – aimed at track day drivers considering racing.
Contact the office for details.

The 2013 racing, Action Day and show season looks busy for CCC too, opening on Easter Monday, 1st April 2013, and including events like Japfest, Rallyday, RS Combe and new this year over the weekend of 27th/28th July is the French Car Show. The first Action Day is the Spring Performance Day on 27th April 2013, with track time available at just £35 (booked in advance). Check out the website at www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk for full details of all race meets, shows and Action Days.

VIDEO: GAZOO Racing Toyota GT86 Is Go!

Sadly, I can not understand a word they are saying in this film, but that does not detract from the fact I am so looking forward to watching it race this year, especially at the Green Hell. You?
Read our rammed Toyota GT86 special here.

NEWS: Dubai 24 Nissan PlayStation® GT Academy Success

The Dubai 24 ended in success for the European and Russian GT Nissan PlayStation® Academy winners – with two of the four latest PlayStation®3 gaming experts taking the chequered flag in an exceptional second place in class, whilst the second Nissan 370Z Nismo GT4 car crossed the line in ninth position after some dramas in the night.
The No.127 Nissan 370Z Nismo, raced by Wolfgang Reip and Mark Shulzhitskiy, with their pro team-mates Lucas Ordonez and Roman Rusinov, finished the race in second position. Lucas gave them the best possible start by qualifying the car on pole position in the SP3 class and then getting the race underway before handing over to Roman. Next it was the turn of Wolfie, who beat 830,000 Gran Turismo®5 gamers to the 2012 GT Academy Europe title, to take the wheel for his first stint in an international race and true to form with endurance racing the Belgian had a baptism of fire!
"It was a great feeling to get out there on a very busy track with the best drivers and cars we have ever raced against," he said.  "I had a good, clean run and took the class lead just before the end of my stint. Unfortunately on my in lap another car lost a wheel and the first I knew about it was when I hit it at full speed. I realised exactly what had happened and hoped the damage to the front of the Nissan wasn’t too bad. I then got to witness the RJN boys at work and they repaired my car in less than an hour."
This incident put the No.127 car right back to ninth place in class and meant that for Mark’s first stint he was under pressure to make sure all was well with the car by venturing out at a slower pace and building up to full racing speed. Like Wolfie he did a great job and started the fight back that would continue through the night. By first light they were up to third place and after steadily chipping away at the leaders throughout Saturday morning it was Russian driver Mark who crossed the line in a well-deserved second place.
Across the garage in the No.147 car it was a tougher race. German winner Peter Pyzera and his mentor and Road Magazine friend, Sabine Schmitz, teamed up with US winner Steve Doherty and Nissan regular Alex Buncombe. They had a great getaway when Alex took the class lead but at the start of the night Sabine had an off when running on cold tyres straight after a ‘Code 60’ period (note: there are no safety cars at the Dubai 24 Hours, just a Code 60 where cars must slow to 60kmh). At first the rear end damage to the car looked terminal but just over one and a half hours later the RJN team got the car back on track, this time in the hands of Peter.
"This has been a really great experience and I hope it is just the first step in a long racing career for me," said Peter. "We lost a lot of time last night but we kept our focus and pushed on all the way to the flag. It was actually good for me that we lost time as I was very nervous before the race but when we lost time it made me want to get in there and fight to get it back. All we had to do today is remember everything we have been taught. It was a great experience and I want to do it again now."
Despite the setbacks the No.147 Nissan crossed the line in ninth place after 24 hours of racing with American winner Steve Doherty at the wheel.
"This has been another great event where a big group of people, both behind the scenes and in front, have pulled together to turn dreams into reality," commented Nissan’s Director of Global Motorsport, Darren Cox. "It was great to hear that Radio Le Mans listeners voted to give the ‘Spirit of Le Mans’ award to the RJN boys. They deserve that. As well as the race team we have driver coaches, media trainers, film crews and agencies who all work hard to make this happen. The level that the four new drivers have achieved in just five months is testament to all that work and the reality is that ‘you ain’t seen nothing yet’!"

Like the GT Academy lot on Facebook  here. And see some more images of the race on our Facebook page. 

VIDEO: Bilstein Audi R8 Ring Racer

Fantastic film by top suspension gurus, Bilstein (a name synonymous with the Nurburgring Nordschleife) and one of the best looking, fastest, coolest race cars in the VLN Championship and ADAC 24-Hour, the Bilstein Audi R8. Love it!

VIDEO: Tsukuba Time Attack S15 In-Car

Just watch and admire how to handle Tsukuba properly. Epic awesomeness!

NEWS: Silverstone Motorsport UK Show This Weekend

It's Silverstone MotorSport UK this weekend – 3rd & 4th November – aiming to promote all categories and types of national racing, in a packed show at the prestigious Silverstone Wing exhibition complex at Silverstone Circuit, the Home of British Motor Racing. And we've helped sponsor the event, to show our support for British motorsport in these difficult times. You going to show your support?

The organisers say: "Silverstone MotorSport UK has been designed to appeal specifically to those who are looking to get involved in club motorsport and provide individuals with the chance to meet manufacturers, clubs, teams and suppliers to discuss their next racing steps. If you are new to motorsport and looking to get involved there are no shortage of places to start!"

Kart fans will be well catered for with The British Superkart Association, who run the MSA British Superkart Championship and the British Superkart Racing Club, who organise the British GP in attendance. And for those not looking to go down the karting route, some of the biggest names in specialist, sports car and kit car manufacturers will be showcasing their latest cars, including Marcos Sportscars and MCR. In the “Kit Car Pavilion,” you’ll find a host of manufacturers including DJ Sportscars and AK Sportscars and magazines Total Kit Car and Kit Car Magazine.
Clubs will be well represented too, with the 750 Motor Club, Monoposto Racing Club, Red Dragon Race & Track Club, 360 Motor Racing Club, MG Car Club, and the Hovercraft Club of Great Britain coming down. And, in addition to the racing clubs, there will be a number of championships showcasing their championships, including Classic Formula Ford, RGB Champsionship, Formula Vee, Sport Specials, Fueltopia, MR2 Cup, Subaru Cup, Nippon Challenge and BMW Compact Cup.
And there will be a large display of trade stands to pick products from too.
Silverstone MotorSport UK will also feature a ‘live’ stage presented by www.theCheckeredFlag.co.uk and Motors TV and we will be interviewing a number of 2012 champions from a range of motorsports.
On the day admission is £15 per adult ticket, or £37.50 for a family of four (two adults and two children). Concessions apply. Or save money by booking in advance at www.motorsportshow.co.uk
All Motor Racing Club members benefit from a 33% reduction on the admission charge (just £10 instead of the standard on-the-door ticket price of £15) on production of their MSA Licence or club membership. Parking for all show visitors is FREE.
Keep up with the latest show news online at www.motorsportshow.co.uk, www.twitter.com/SMUKshow and www.facebook.com/SilverstoneMotorsportUk

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: Toyota GT86 Podium @ Britcar 24-Hour

Our Road Magazine race ace, Travis drummer, Neil Primrose took the brand new Toyota GT86 to a podium finish in this weekend's Britcar 24Hr at Sikverstone. Go Neil! Team Toyota GB scored a dream result at the 2012 Britcar 24 endurance race, celebrating a podium finish with the GT86 sports car in what is considered Britain’s toughest motorsport event. The near standard GT86 impressed all those who drove it. After starting on the 13th row of the grid, the car claimed eighth place overall and finished third in its class. Brilliant stuff! The GT86 ran faultlessly throughout its 512 laps, completing an impressive 1,874 miles around the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit.
The four-man driving team was led by veteran racer Chris Hodgetts, Toyota’s double BTCC champion of the 1980s. Hodgetts was joined by his son, Stefan, some aging car hack called Richard Meaden and Travis drummer and Road Magazine staff writer, Neil Primrose.
"It is an absolutely fantastic result,” said Gary Blackham, whose GPRM team prepared the car. "We harboured ambitions of finishing in the top 10 and we are more than delighted with eighth overall. Given the difference in horsepower between our car and the more modified racing cars in the division, third in class is a great result also. The GT86 ran faultlessly throughout. I think the only work we had to do was to add about half a litre of oil during the whole race. All the pit stops went smoothly, the technicians – a mixture of seasoned GPRM regulars and staff from Toyota GB’s head office – worked very well together and the drivers were fantastic; they did everything they needed to and everything that was asked of them."
The drivers took three-hour turns at the wheel and each put in two stints. Stefan Hodgetts started the race and set the Toyota’s fastest lap towards the end of his first stint, and his 61-year-old father enjoyed the honour of taking the chequered flag. Said Chris: "We drove the wheels off it for 24 hours. We literally ragged the poor little car throughout, and as you would expect from a Toyota it responded with fantastic reliability." The Britcar Toyota GT86 was powered by the standard 16-valve double overhead cam horizontally opposed ‘boxer’ engine of the road-going model, delivering 197bhp. GPRM now plans to develop a more powerful version for customers looking to buy track Toyotas of their own.

Read a full report from Neil here soon... 

VIDEO: Time Attack @ Anglesey 2012

If you've not seen the UK Time Attack Series, then you should do – now attracting drivers from various race series, alongside the modified car clubman racers. The series now allows slick tyres, pushing the expanding modified sprint series on no end. Here's Rounds 4 & 5 from the awesome Anglesey circuit. Find out more at: http://timeattack.co.uk.

VIDEO: Neil Cole's The Grid Episode VI

Here's our Road Mazagine columnist, Neil Cole in action on his Sports Tonight Live TV Show, The Grid, Episode VI. On this weeks show, Tancredi Palmeri talks about what Alonso's win in Malaysia means to Ferrari and Vettel's stroppy rebellion in the Malaysian GP, plus rally news and more ace irreverence from the world of motorsport. Check it out... it's fabulous stuff for petrol heads. We love it!

NEWS: Silverstone Motorsport UK 2012

Road Magazine & Blog have tied up as media partners with the Motorsport UK show – now re-located to "the home of Britsh motorsport," Silverstone and renamed Silverstone Motorsport UK. The show, which launched last year aims to promote all categories of national motorsport and has signed a long term agreement with Silverstone Circuits Limited to become the new venue for its events. the 2012 event is set to take place on the 3rd & 4th November at the Northamptonshire circuit. The Silverstone Motorsport UK 2012 event will feature:
* The Silverstone LIVE experience – allowing visitors to sample the Silverstone Stowe circuit with a trained instructor.
* The Kit Car Pavilion in association with Kit Car Magazine and Total Kit Car magazine which will showcase some of the UK’s top kit car and specialist car manufacturers.
* The Track Driver Hot Laps experience – providing visitors the opportunity to experience “Hot Laps” whilst been test driven round the Stowe Circuit in exhibitors’ cars that they are interested in purchasing or joining their team.
* The Go Motorsport - Motorsport UK Kart Challenge - allowing visitors the opportunity to race against friends and other visitors in a series of rounds for the title of the Go Motorsport - Motorsport UK crown and a selection of prizes.
* The Checkered Flag fans forum & Motors TV main stage hosted by TV presenter & Road Magazine writer, Gemma Scott – who will be interviewing drivers, race team bosses and key figures from the industry on their top tips in getting into Motorsport.
* The Motorsport UK Main Arena – a 5,000sq.ft exhibition hall with more than 100 exhibitors from the national Motorsport arena – including car manufacturers, national racing series, racing clubs, suppliers and industry associations.
Richard Phillips, Managing Director of Silverstone Circuits Limited, said: "We are delighted to welcome Motorsport UK and Kart Mania to Silverstone. We have been extremely impressed with the two events and we look forward to working with partners in making these events a success and a not-to-miss fixture on the UK Motorsport calendar."
Martin Capenhurst organiser of Motorsport UK said: "We are thrilled to be teaming up with Silverstone and there is no doubt that the Silverstone Motorsport UK 2012 is going to be a very special event, and will certainly be something for all of the family. For youngsters and adults looking to make a start into motorsport we have a number of new live elements providing visitors with the chance to get behind the wheel of one of SIlvertsone’s cars and learn the ropes with a qualified instructor, to the Go Motorsport kart challenge providing visitors the chance to compete and win sponsorship for their 2012 season to individuals having the chance to sample hot laps of cars that they are looking to purchase on the Silverstone Stowe circuit."
Adult tickets are £15.00 or £35.00 for a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children), 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 Silverstone Motorsport UK visit www.motorsportshow.co.uk. And you can hear all about the show via Road Magazine & Blog.

VIDEO: Neil Cole's 'The Grid' Motorsport Show, Episode VI

The wonderfully funny, chatty, relaxed, original and informative Sports Tonight show, The Grid, with our Road Magazine columnist, Neil Cole, episode VI here – 45 minutes of pure motorsport banter. Ace! This week, Neil and Kevin Shepherd chat to none other than Petter Solberg, on the eve of Rally Portugal, with the return of night stages and the new-for-2012 qualifying to decide road position for the 'sweepers' or gravel 'cleaning.' Petter also chats to his pal Neil about disco dancing, facial furniture, shaving all your body hair off and more, brilliant! It is pure class, as is the new segment at the end of the show, Neil's motorsport weather forecast. Hilarious, and very well informed and presented (of course... it's 'our' Neil Cole!). Also on the show is lots of F1 news, including Sebastian Vettel's strop in Malaysia, NASCAR news from the states and lots more, from Skype contributors. Big thanks also for bigging up humble Road Magazine and blog. Cheers Neil. More... more... more!!!

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

VIDEO: Neil Cole's 'The Grid' Motorsport Show, Episode V

Our man Neil Cole (Road Magazine columnist, see at http://www.issuu.com/roadonlinemagazine) on his fabulous new motorsport show on Sports Tonight Live, The Grid. This week's episode is an hour long, discussing the start of the F1 season, with Kevin Shepherd, Tancredi Palmeri and Tom Webb of the Caterham F1 Team from Malaysia with news of sweaty pit garages and new updates for the team for Sepang. Also, the fabulous Becca Williams rounds up IRC and WRC, while Ben Constanduros reviews Sebring and the Endurance season. The relaxed, well informed, bang up to date show is growing nicely and, if you have not seen it yet... do so, and follow them on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/#!/STL_TheGrid

VIDEO: Neil Cole's "The Grid" Episode IV

The forth issue of The Grid on SportsTonight Live, with ur Road Magazine columnist, Neil Cole  (www.neilcole.org) in the hosting chair. This week, they are discussing the forthcoming 2012 F1 season opener at Australia, all the latest news from world motorsport and much more... in their usual relaxed, informed, funny manner. We love it... have you see it yet? If not... sort it...! And do like their new Facebook page too at http://www.facebook.com/STLTheGrid. Finally, if you've not read Neil's Road Magazine 'Cole Position' columns yet... DO IT! They are amazing: http://www.issuu.com/roadonlinemagazine, issue's 22, 23 & 24.