Scottish Driver, Anthony Reid to race Polish supercar in the 2017 race season.

• Scottish veteran “excited” by Hussarya GT following test drives
• Successful test sessions at UK circuits end development
• Build slots for 2017 now on sale
• Reid plans to race Poland’s new GT contender during 2017 season
• He endorses the car as a potent safe and fast option for amateur racers

Experienced racing driver Anthony Reid is fired up with enthusiasm for Arrinera Racing’s new GT following his tests in the Hussarya at Donington Park and Snetterton – and has revealed plans to race the car in 2017.

Reid is best known as a British Touring Car Championship frontrunner with Nissan and Ford during the series’ heyday in the 1990s. The Scot also finished on the podium at Le Mans in a Porsche 962 and beat future Formula 1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve to a national Formula 3 title during his successful career racing in Japan.

Now Reid, who remains as active as ever racing GTs and historics at the age of 59, has been contributing his vast experience to the test and development work of the Polish Arrinera GT, which is due to make its race debut next year.

“I’m very impressed by the project,” he said. “The personnel Arrinera have hired are the right people – very professional and of great quality. Engineer Mike Rowe I remember from way back in the 1980s and we speak the same language. He’s great to work with.

“The quality of build is also very high and the Polish team of designers behind the car are clearly highly qualified and a credit to the standard of engineering education in Poland.”

Reid is optimistic that the Hussarya can achieve Arrinera’s target of becoming established as a strong, safe and fast alternative to used premium-brand racing cars for amateur racing drivers.

“The car is very quick,” he said. “I’ve tested in the dry and in the wet, most recently at Donington and Snetterton, and it went really well. Because it is mid-engined, it has the kind of handling balance I really like. It is stable and predictable and is perfect for amateur drivers who want to jump in and go quickly straight away. Porsches and Ferraris require time and experience to drive properly, but this is much more straightforward and all for a price significantly less than a GT3 car.

The car is priced at US$229,000, with an obligatory spares package for an additional US$69,000.

“I’m very excited to be involved in the project and the plan is for me to race the car next year, although in which series and where is yet to be decided,” Reid added. “There are plenty of series for which it will be eligible including the GT Cup and Britcar in the UK, and in national series around Europe.”

The Hussarya is powered by an LS7 V8 engine pushing out 500bhp and is mated to a six-speed Hewland sequential racing gearbox operated by paddle shifts. It features a modular steel spaceframe chassis, bespoke pushrod suspension with Öhlins four-way adjustable dampers, Alcon brakes with 380mm discs and six-pot mono bloc calipers all round. Bosch racing ABS and traction control are standard equipment. The car is built to FIA GT3 specification.

Piotr R. Frankowski, Arrinera Racing's CEO, an experienced race driver and multiple Goodwood Festival of Speed participant, has also tested the car at Silverstone and Snetterton. He said: “We definitely want this car to inspire confidence, to give amateur drivers a more shallow learning curve. Simultaneously, the Arrinera will reward the superior skill of professional drivers, especially in difficult conditions where our superior balance and predictable handling will allow them to safely push the envelope.”

The Arrinera Hussarya GT made its world debut at the 2016 Autosport International Show in Birmingham and became the first Polish supercar to run at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July. The car’s body is designed by Pavlo Burkatskyy with aerodynamics by Professor Janusz Piechna of Warsaw Technical University, and the mechanicals are engineered by Krzysztof Stelmaszczuk. It is built in Cambridgeshire with many components manufactured in Poland, including the carbon fibre skin.

Beyond Arrinera’s racing ambitions, a road-legal track day version is in the pipeline and will be launched later next year.

Build slots for the GT3 race car are on sale as of now. 

Two huge accidents mar an otherwise brilliant BTCC weekend at Snetterton, with three separate winners.

• Turkington and Jackson also win on dramatic day at Snetterton

Reigning champion Gordon Shedden claimed a last-gasp victory to end a breathless day of BTCC racing at Snetterton, which also included wins for Colin Turkington and Mat Jackson.

Halfords Yuasa Racing’s Shedden had already secured Honda’s first pole position in more than three years during qualifying at the Norfolk circuit, but a race one win failed to materialise for the Scotsman.

Turkington won the opener after the Silverline Subaru BMR Racing driver eventually got the better of Shedden during a near race-long duel.

It was bumper-to-bumper action for the first half of the contest, but Turkington finally muscled his way past on lap eight of 12. Shedden couldn’t respond and Turkington went on to become the first three-time race winner of 2016.

Mat Jackson made the best start of the leading contenders as he blasted his Motorbase Performance Ford Focus from fifth on the grid to third off the line. While Jackson kept the lead duo honest, throughout, he also had to hold off the challenge from Adam Morgan behind. Jackson did the job, claiming a podium on the team’s 300th BTCC race.

Jackson then secured victory in a thrilling, truncated race two, with Turkington and Matt Neal completing the podium positions.

The Focus fired off the line beyond second-placed Shedden and then past pole man Turkington, before a multi-car collision sparked drama down the order. 

Aron Smith and Kelvin Fletcher had a coming together on the exit of turn one, but the major incident came later in the lap when Dan Welch and Ollie Jackson tangled as they ran on to the Bentley Straight. 

With dust filling the air the unsighted Alex Martin, Hunter Abbott and Ashley Sutton were all caught up in the accident. Stationary cars littered the track, several with heavy damage, leaving race officials with no choice but to stop the race.

Take two and Jackson produced an almost carbon copy of his earlier effort – leading Shedden off the line but waiting until Hamilton corner before disposing of Turkington. 

Jackson remained untroubled for the remainder of the shortened ten lap race, with Turkington following up his race one win with another solid showing in the second bout.

The fight for the final podium place remained undecided until the closing moments, as Neal and Rob Collard provided a spectacle of superb racing. 

Collard looked to have made a move stick after both cars ran side-by-side for much of lap eight, but triple champion Neal immediately fought back to retake the position. 

The striking Halfords-backed Honda held on to reach the rostrum, but both drivers strengthened their respective championship challenges with stellar points finishes.

Shedden then completed a sensational day of entertainment by snatching an unlikely last lap victory in the final race on the Snetterton 300 layout.

A dramatic accident brought about the second red flag of the day when contact between Mark Howard, Martin, Jackson and Abbott sent the latter’s Chevrolet Cruze into a barrel roll. Abbott’s Power Maxed Racing machine spiralled over the barrier and into a television gantry, leaving a cameraman and several drivers shaken but thankfully unharmed.

Pole-sitter and then championship leader Sam Tordoff broke down before the race could restart as the BTCC threw up yet another twist to the title race. The relentless drama was far from over, however, as Jason Plato chased his first win of the season.

Collard muscled his way past the two-time champion on lap two before Jackson and Shedden followed suit one tour later. Third became second for Shedden when Jackson’s Ford slowed with a problem on the Bentley Straight.

The Honda Civic Type R began reeling in Collard at a rate of knots and was right on his tail coming into the final lap. Shedden fired the #52 machine down the inside of the Team JCT600 with GardX BMW and the duo ran side-by-side for what seemed like an eternity. 

Collard eventually had to give up the challenge and settle for second, as Shedden stormed to an outstanding victory.

Handy Motorsport’s Rob Austin claimed a popular podium as he fended off Plato, Andrew Jordan and Turkington at the chequered flag.

Collard now leads the driver standings by three points from team-mate Sam Tordoff, with Honda’s Neal a further three points back. Unsurprisingly West Surrey Racing/Team JCT600 with GardX top the Manufacturers’ and Teams’ tables respectively. 

Andrew Jordan and his Motorbase Performance team head the Independents’ honours, whilst MG's Ashley Sutton remains in control of the Jack Sears Trophy.

Colin Turkington said: “That win was one of my most memorable races. I’ve never won around here in a rear-wheel drive car so it’s great. My pace was much better than I expected, I just tried to be patient and I made the move when the opportunity came up. 

I was in two minds; do I let him go on up the road a bit and take the pressure off myself from the Ford behind? He went wide and I forced my way through on the switchback. I won’t give up on the championship – if we can keep the momentum going then there’s every chance.”

Mat Jackson said: “It was good. To do it for a second time after the restart makes it even better – the car was on fire. I have to say it’s been absolutely awesome. Colin knew my tricks second time around but it was terrific to take the win with all the ballast on. It’s great for us and all of our sponsors. We were on the softs so we were mindful of being there at the end, managing it to a point. It was just about keeping an eye on where Colin was and keeping him at bay.”

Gordon Shedden said: “Five laps from home, it wasn’t happening. Three laps from home it wasn’t happening, but somehow we made it. What a race for us and what a move. I braked really nice and late into the hairpin and normally that’s more of a BMW move but we made it work. We were both slipping and sliding in there but I got up the inside. I’m delighted to get the result, it was a stunning one for the team and myself.”

Matt Neal said: “It’s a good job I’m not a betting man because I’d have put money on Rob Collard taking the race two podium with three laps to go. To start with I got my head down and was trying to be as aggressive as I could, looking forward to Colin Turkington. I saw Rob’s BMW in the mirrors and my attentions had to turn from attacking to defending because he was flying. He was charging but the Type R held on!”

Rob Collard said: “After qualifying yesterday I wasn’t expecting anything. Race one didn’t go to plan either and I thought the day was over. To come back from that and be leading the championship is just absolutely amazing. Congratulations to my team, they keep driving me on and back me. I’m here to please the crowd too and us guys are nothing without them. What a crowd it was, so thanks to all of them.”

Rob Austin said: “That was great. It’s the best result for Handy Motorsport, so it’s fantastic. Thanks to the fans and everyone at the team. You’re always concerned when Jason Plato is behind you! I started to lose the rear tyres but I was quicker in the right places under braking, so I knew it’d be hard from him to get past me. Fortunately he couldn’t get close enough and I held my own. It’s been a tough start to the year but we turned a corner at the test day.”

2016 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Round 16 – Snetterton:

1 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Silverline Subaru BMR Racing 23:46.178

2 Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +2.771s

3 Mat JACKSON (GBR) Motorbase Performance +4.042s

4 Adam MORGAN (GBR) WIX Racing +5.400s

5 Jason PLATO (GBR) Silverline Subaru BMR Racing +6.880s

6 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +8.994s

7 Sam TORDOFF (GBR) Team JCT600 Racing with GardX +9.607s

8 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +10.172s

9 Warren SCOTT (GBR) Silverline Subaru BMR Racing +11.160s

10 James COLE (GBR) Silverline Subaru BMR Racing +12.647s

2016 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Round 17 – Snetterton:

1 Mat JACKSON (GBR) Motorbase Performance 19m48.288s

2 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Silverline Subaru BMR Racing +1.190s

3 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +1.950s

4 Robert COLLARD (GBR) Team JCT600 Racing with GardX +2.140s

5 Adam MORGAN (GBR) WIX Racing +7.255s

6 Jason PLATO (GBR) Silverline Subaru BMR Racing +7.687s

7 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +8.421s

8 Sam TORDOFF (GBR) Team JCT600 Racing with GardX +9.935s

9 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) Handy Motorsport +11.649s

10 Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +11.989s

2016 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Round 18 – Snetterton:

1 Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing 19m56.310s

2 Robert COLLARD (GBR) Team JCT600 Racing with GardX +0.525s

3 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) Handy Motorsport +3.738s

4 Jason PLATO (GBR) Silverline Subaru BMR Racing +4.306s

5 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) Motorbase Performance +4.406s

6 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Silverline Subaru BMR Racing +5.278s

7 Adam MORGAN (GBR) WIX Racing +6.288s

8 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +6.434s

9 Josh COOK (GBR) MG Racing RCIB Insurance +6.621s

10 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +7.219s

Sam Watkins to continue with 20TEN Racing Team in the 2016 Renault UK Clio Cup.

The 20Ten Racing team has announced Sam Watkins (Swansea) as the first of its driver signings for the 2016 Renault UK Clio Cup season.

The 17-year-old joined the UK Clio Cup grid with the Derby-based squad for the final two events of 2015 – at Silverstone and Brands Hatch – and quickly started showing flashes of speed.

20Ten has enjoyed a number of race wins and other podium results in the UK Clio Cup these past two years and Team Principal Simon Hunt clearly believes Watkins is an exciting prospect. He commented: “Silverstone and Brands Hatch were all about Sam getting a taste for what the UK Clio Cup is about and he adapted well.

“As his experience of both the car and the touring car-type racing in the UK Clio Cup builds I can see him emerging as a real front-runner as the 2016 season progresses. Certainly I’m very happy to have been able to hang on to him as we look to build on our positive results.”

Watkins, who has previously raced in Ford Fiesta Juniors, said: “I learnt a huge amount at Silverstone and Brands Hatch. This is all about racing on the big stage alongside the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) so now I know what to expect in 2016.

“The biggest thing is being confident in a racing situation – the UK Clio Cup is where drivers come to show what they are made of before the step up to international touring car, sportscar or GT competition so inevitably things get very competitive. But having now tested the water I feel ready for what lies ahead and am really looking forward to getting back on track with some pre-season testing.”

Renaultsport’s UK Motorsport Championship Manager Will Fewkes added: “It’s great to see Sam returning for a full season in the UK Clio Cup after showing some very promising form in his first two events. 20Ten also have a sound reputation for bringing on new talent and this is a driver-team combination that could just spring a surprise or two in 2016. It will be interesting to see how they progress together during the course of a full season…”

All of the Renault UK Clio Cup’s races will again take place at the BTCC’s high-profile events in 2016 meaning huge trackside crowds plus live free-to-air television coverage on the ITV4 channel for its teams, drivers and sponsors.

RACE DATES: 2016 RENAULT UK CLIO CUP

Sat 2/Sun 3 April	Rounds 1 & 2	Brands Hatch Indy, Kent
Sat 16/Sun 17 April	Rounds 3 & 4	Donington Park, Leics
Sat 7/Sun 8 May	Rounds 5 & 6	Thruxton, Hants
Sat 4/Sun 5 June	Rounds 7 & 8	Oulton Park Island, Cheshire
Sat 18/Sun 19 June	Rounds 9 & 10	Croft, North Yorkshire
Sat 30/Sun 31 July	Rounds 11 & 12	Snetterton, Norfolk
Sat 27/Sun 28 August	Rounds 13 & 14	Rockingham, Northants
Sat 17/Sun 18 September	Rounds 15 & 16	Silverstone National, Northants
Sat 1/Sun 2 October	Rounds 17 & 18	Brands Hatch Grand Prix, Kent

Kellett has storming return weekend at Snetterton with a 1st and 2nd.

After the long break from, all racing, on the BTCC calendar, the return at Snetterton was, well and truly required, and awaited, with baited breath, the long break usually means that the teams have significant time, to update the cars, with new tech and upgrades.

But this time, with the Ginetta Juniors, the weekend began in a similar way it finished all those weeks ago, with our man James Kellett winning yet again, a thrilling qualifying saw Lando Norris take pole with James just a sniff behind, to take 2nd place.

As the flag dropped a storming James shot straight into first place, and there he stayed, with Lando training behind for the rest of the race, a fastest lap was also taken by James.

This win makes two wins out of the last three races, however a championship win might just be out of James' grasp  with Jack Mitchell 86 points ahead, after Snetterton race one, this might be too many points, but James will definitely not let that hinder him, into racing for each and every point remaining this season.

Race two at Snetterton saw James on 2nd place grid spot behind Lando again, and with the temperatures soaring, with a massive crowd watching from all area's of the track, the flag was dropped, and James pulled forward to shoot straight into first place yet again, and by the first corner had already made a gap back to 2nd, further back Johnny hadfield had a shunt, but eventually carried on.

The perfect start was made by James, and as the corners past the gap got bigger,  now the first three had pulled a large gap onto 4th place, as the gap between 1st and 2nd shrunk as they came over the start finish line to go into lap two, by the time they got half way around lap two the gap had gotten smaller, with the top three cars only separated by the smallest of margins,, further back a great battle between the Hadfield' was developing.

the spacing back to fourth was getting bigger as the 2nd lap was drawing to a close, with James still in command of the second Snetterton Ginetta Juniors race, the third lap development meant that James dropped back to third in the space of two corners, but grabbed one straight back, a small gap developed between Lando and James, but James has not given up the opportunity of stealing back the lead position.

Lap four begins with James right on the tail of Lando, and Zelos on James' bumper, but none of them are giving anything away to the others, further back Chadwick booted of Sedgewick, and Ryan Hadfield has developed a fault to lose out on a decent finish, as lap five comes to an end, the same three are at the front, with James trying to get past, Mitchel has now joined the leading three, and will push for all his worth to get as many points to continue his significant lead in the championship.

With only a couple of laps left, the braking is being taken later, and more chances are being attempted, James is just not quite close enough to get past as they start the final lap, but James is now pushing, James and his team mate at HHC are tyring to both take first place, Zelos, too has not given up the possibility of taking a higher podium, but as the final lap is now drawing to a close, the top two are still fighting it out to get that 1st place, , James enters the Bomb hole right on his bumper, James slides, and the final corner passes with lando in first over the line with James a brilliant second and Zelos rounding out the podium places.

Although James took a first and second at Snetterton, the gap between him and championship leader Mitchell only dropped by 7 points from 86 gap to 79 gap, although we dont wish anyone any sort of incident, it looks like a couple of DNF's for Mitchell could be James Kellett' only hope of getting to the top of the table, personly i hope that James can achieve this, and wish him and his team HHC more stunning results.

Knockhill is the next round on the 23rd and 24th August.