Ssangyong takes it 1-Tonne pick up and takes it racing, - Now this looks like fun.

Weekend of 3 & 4 June for the second round of motorsports’ newest race series 

The SsangYong Musso Pick-up Racing Challenge - UK Motorsports’ newest race series, will line-up for three races plus qualifying at the second of six meetings this year at Silverstone on Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 June.

The series launched at Snetterton over the weekend of 13/14 May, when 12 SsangYong Musso Pick-ups took to the field, and follows the highly successful format running in New Zealand. 

The single make series is based on the production SsangYong Musso 1-tonne Pick-up sold in the UK, sporting a sealed 2.2 litre turbo diesel engine and running gear. Changes to the vehicle are limited to full safety equipment in compliance with RACMSA regulations, specially developed suspension dampers by Proflex and wheels from Speedline Corse with AVON control tyres. 

The first weekend of three 15-minute races was held in mixed weather conditions, and led to some exciting close-quarter racing for competitors in this brand-new manufacturer supported series. 

After qualifying, racing got underway on a rolling start, and after three races of thrills and spills – and a long night for the mechanics to have the grid ready for day two, Lewis Grant left Snetterton leading the standings. 

Commenting on his success, Lewis Grant said: “The weekend went really well. I only sat in the car for the first time on Friday so to come away with two wins and a second place is brilliant. To drive a rear wheel drive car is a big change for me, so it took a little bit of getting used to. I am really impressed with the Musso and was surprised how well it handles, leading to some really close and competitive racing.” 

Runner-up, Harry Webb said: “I am really pleased to have won the final race of the weekend. The cars are pretty equal and produce some very close racing, so it was challenging, and very difficult to get past anyone. The SsangYong Musso is very different to anything I have driven before - it was fun.” 

Paul Williams, CEO of SsangYong Motor UK commenting on the first event said: “As a relatively new brand in the UK, we like to be different and try new initiatives. Pick-ups aren’t noted for their ability on a race track, but we had seen the success enjoyed in New Zealand, so thought we’d give it a go. 

“Despite a few inevitable teething issues from turning pick-ups into racing cars, the cars ran remarkably smoothly on their first outing at Snetterton, and with what we have learnt, bodes well for a great season. It’s a highly competitive format, and clear that drivers and supporters are already extremely enthusiastic.” 

The SsangYong Musso Pick-up Racing Challenge 2017 

Round 1	13 & 14 May	Snetterton	Double header
Round 2	3 & 4 June	Silverstone National	Double header
Round 3	8 & 9 July	Knockhill	Double header
Round 4	29 July	Oulton Park	Single header
Round 5	30 Sept	Cadwell Park	Single header
Round 6	28 & 29 Oct	Brands Hatch Indy	Double header
For the single header rounds, there are 2 races + qualifying
For the double header rounds, there are 3 races + qualifying

The Jaguar Classic Challenge returns in 2017 with two brand new events confirmed in the five-race series for pre-1966 Jaguars

• Silverstone Classic and Spa-Francorchamps added to the Jaguar Classic Challenge calendar for 2017
• Five-date race series runs from April to September
• First race commences at the Donington Historic Festival on 28 April – 30 April, and the series concludes with the Spa Six Hours from 15-17 September
• Drivers wishing to take part can register via the dedicated web page at http://www.hscc.org.uk/jaguar-classic-challenge

The Jaguar Classic Challenge returns in 2017 with two brand new events confirmed in the five-race series for pre-1966 Jaguars.

A new date for the Jaguar Classic Challenge calendar is the Silverstone Classic on 28-30 July. This special summer weekend will be the third round in the Challenge and is expected to draw a full grid of stunning classic Jaguar racing cars.

Another new addition to the series for 2017 is Spa-Francorchamps (Six Hours of Spa), taking place between 15 and 17 September at the world-famous circuit in Belgium, and set to feature over 600 cars racing in a variety of different races, one of which is the Jaguar Classic Challenge. 

The single-marque series returns to the circuit where it claimed victories in the showpiece six-hour endurance race in 1954 (Hans Davids in a C-type), 1956 (Ninian Sanderson in the Ecurie Ecosse D-type) and 1987 (Martin Brundle, Johnny Dumfries and Raul Boesel XJR-8).

Run in partnership with the Historic Sports Car Club (HSCC), the Jaguar Classic Challenge for 2017 will continue to compete according to the FIA’s Appendix K technical regulations for cars competing in international historic racing competitions. 

The regulations pay particular consideration to a car’s period specification and are in keeping with the true spirit of historic motor racing.

Drivers participating in this year’s Jaguar Classic Challenge will now also qualify to enter many other international historic races that run this set of rules.

The full list of races for 2017 is as follows:

28-30 April: Donington Historic Festival

1-2 July: Brands Hatch Super Prix (GP Circuit)

28-30 July: Silverstone Classic

26-28 August: Oulton Park Gold Cup

15-17 September: Spa Six Hours

Tim Hannig, Director, Jaguar Land Rover Classic, said: “Now in its third season, the Jaguar Classic Challenge continues to build, and pay homage to, the brand’s rich racing history. 

To see such a diverse array of iconic cars from Jaguar’s past racing on the world’s finest circuits is a sight to behold, and we are delighted to confirm Silverstone and Spa for the 2017 calendar.”

Places are limited, and drivers wishing to take part in 2017 are encouraged to visit the dedicated web page for the new season at http://www.hscc.org.uk/jaguar-classic-challenge for full details and information on how to enter.

McLaren Automotive will be the official Safety Car partner of the SRO-run British GT Championship.

McLaren Automotive has confirmed it will be the official Safety Car partner of the SRO-run British GT Championship for the 2016 season, ahead of the opening round this weekend at the famous Brands Hatch circuit. 

The partnership will see the McLaren 570S Coupé take a lead role in safety and management of the field of GT cars which will include the 650S GT3 and, completing its development season exclusively within the Championship, the recently announced 570S GT4.

The 570S Coupé Safety Car will support each of the nine rounds over seven race weekends, tasked with heading one of the most competitive grids the Championship has ever seen, and ensuring maximum safety for all competitors at all times. Safety is at the very core of the 570S Coupé which features a lightweight, inherently strong carbon fibre chassis – as has every McLaren built for road or track since the MP4-1 Formula 1™ car which contested the 1981 season.

The 570S Coupé was the first model to be launched in the McLaren Sports Series. This third model tier joins the Super Series and Ultimate Series, and brings McLaren technology to the sports car market for the first time. 

With motorsport-derived technologies and performance figures to rival many supercars in the segment above, the 570S Coupé is at home on track as it is on road. 

Power is channelled through the rear wheels from a mid-mounted 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 engine generating 570PS (562bhp) and 600Nm (443lb ft) of torque, and this combination of light weight and performance produce a power-to-weight ratio of 434PS per tonne. 

Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) takes just 3.2 seconds, while 200km/h (124mph) is achieved in 9.5 seconds and on to a top speed on 328 km/h (204mph).

Commenting on the new partnership with the British GT Championship, Ansar Ali, Motorsport Director at McLaren Automotive, explained: ‘Motorsport is a key element to the make-up of McLaren – both in terms of our hugely successful history but also the extremely exciting future. This latest partnership with the British GT Championship underlines the common links between McLaren road-going and track-dedicated models.

‘The 570S Coupé has received universal praise from the media and customers since it was launched, equally at home on road as it is on track and so is a natural fit as the Safety Car for the Championship. It also complements a strong McLaren presence on the grid, joining the 650S GT3, which has already proven itself as hugely competitive and successful on the world stage, and the 570S GT4, which is being put through its toughest test this season during its final development phase.’

Stephane Ratel, SRO Motorsports Group Founder and CEO added: ‘We are very pleased to confirm McLaren Automotive as the official Safety Car partner for British GT in 2016. I believe it is testament to the growing stature of the championship that such an icon of British and world motorsport recognises British GT as the ideal platform to showcase its road and GT racing products. That is reinforced by the decision by McLaren to develop its all-new 570S GT4 car exclusively in British GT this season.’

Three winners, three different teams and three different cars, thats the first three rounds of the BTCC

Tom Ingram, Gordon Shedden and Adam Morgan share the spoils at Brands Hatch

The 2016 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship commenced in fine style at Brands Hatch with a trio of different drivers celebrating victory from the three fast and furious races.

Tom Ingram, Gordon Shedden and Adam Morgan all tasted champagne on the top step of the podium, but it was Matt Neal who left the Kent circuit with the championship lead.

Ingram set a scorching lap record during qualifying on Saturday, taking a maiden pole position in the process, and the 22-year-old duly backed up his pace with an impressive lights-to-flag victory in the season opener.

Reigning champion Shedden inherited the lead and ultimately the win in the second contest, after contact between Ingram and West Surrey Racing’s Rob Collard sent them both spiralling out of contention.

Race three produced another lead change when pole-sitter Sam Tordoff had to give up top spot to the hard charging Morgan. Tordoff and WSR team-mate Jack Goff kept Morgan’s Mercedes honest throughout, but the WIX Racing star held on for his third career victory.

The day kicked off under glorious spring sunshine as tens of thousands of fans flocked to the world famous motor sport venue. The spectators were immediately entertained as Ingram and Speedworks Motorsport’s first ever BTCC victory received rapturous applause from the huge crowd.

While the race was frenetic further down the order, the top three contenders in Ingram, Honda’s Shedden and his team-mate Neal remained steady throughout. A slowing backmarker and a mid-race safety car spell proved to be the only issues for Ingram, but the young charger dealt with both interruptions with consummate ease.

MG’s young duo continued to belie their relative inexperience by finishing fourth and fifth, with debutant Ashley Sutton getting the better of Josh Cook.

The Halfords Yuasa Racing boys improved further in the second bout by scoring Honda’s first one-two of the season, as Shedden headed Neal.

Ingram’s Toyota had maintained the lead off the line while Collard’s BMW blitzed from sixth on the grid into second before the 32 cars reached Paddock Hill Bend for the first time.

Collard immediately set about attacking Ingram and the duo touched at Paddock on the second tour before more forceful contact at Druids sent the BMW into a spin. Ingram continued for half a lap but then slowed with damage, which was caused as a result of the earlier incident.

Honda inherited the top two positions and never looked back while Aron Smith completed the podium order in his VW – the first rostrum for new squad BKR.

Morgan celebrated victory in race three around the 1.2-mile Indy circuit after holding off a near race-long threat from the WSR duo of Tordoff and Goff.

WIX Racing’s Morgan slotted in behind pole-sitter Tordoff and the soft Dunlop SportMaxx tyre-shod Mercedes crawled all over the back of the BMW on the opening lap. Morgan eyed his opportunity on lap two and darted past Tordoff on the run down to Paddock Hill Bend.

The closing stages were tense as Tordoff and Goff hauled their BMWs back towards Morgan's Mercedes. The Lancashireman kept his powder dry, however, and saw off several attacks to take the win.

Three-time champion Neal may not have won any of the three opening rounds but used all his experience and guile to bag more points than his rivals with strong second, third and fifth-place finishes.

He currently leads the standings from stablemate Shedden, while race three winner Morgan lies third, just six points off the championship summit. Aron Smith and Andrew Jordan enjoyed solid outings and line up in joint fourth.

Honda leads the Manufacturers/Constructors’ table from WSR and MG respectively, whilst debutants Subaru are fourth. The Japanese marque produced a hugely impressive effort just to ready its four Levorgs in time for the meeting, and the Team BMR-run squad was rewarded as Jason Plato and Colin Turkington scored points in races two and three respectively.

Halfords Yuasa Racing top the Teams’ standings, while Aron Smith and BKR lead both Independents’ tables. Impressive debutant Ashley Sutton heads the Jack Sears Trophy.

Rounds 4, 5 and 6 of the 2016 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship will take place at Donington Park on 16/17 April.

Tom Ingram said: "This is what all the hard work over the winter was for. With the way we finished last season, we knew we had a good package underneath us, and Speedworks Motorsport are such a fantastic bunch of guys – this result is for all of them. When I saw the team celebrating as I climbed out of the car afterwards, it brought a tear to my eye, and the emotion just goes to show how much this first victory means to us. It’s unbelievable."

Gordon Shedden said: "It’s been a good weekend, with a couple of podiums for me including a win, a big points haul and Matt and myself sitting first and second in the Drivers’ classification. The Honda Civic Type R is clearly very fast, and there’s still more to come from it as we are learning all the time. We didn’t take any risks in race one and perhaps went a little bit too soft on the set-up. I think my car was actually slightly better with the ballast on-board in race two, which wasn’t at all what we had expected, and I got bullied a little bit in the early part of race three and then picked up the puncture. Still, no complaints – it’s been a very strong weekend for us."

Adam Morgan said: "It’s been an unbelievable finish to the weekend. Our pace was reasonable in races one and two, and then obviously the reverse grid played out in our favour. I was certain I was going to be down in third by the first corner with two BMWs around me, but I got probably the best start of my life and managed to hold off Jack [Goff]. I knew I needed to get past Sam [Tordoff] as soon as possible because the rear-wheel drive cars take a bit longer to warm up their tyres, and after that it was a case of managing the gap. The whole team has done a superb job – the new engineers and all the mechanics have been brilliant. To leave Brands Hatch third in the points is a great way to start the season."

Matt Neal said: "It’s been a fantastic weekend and a cracking day today for the team. What a way to welcome Halfords back to the grid and to repay Yuasa’s loyal support. I’m over-the-moon – dead chuffed. We probably went a bit too safe with the car due to the conditions in race one, and race two got a bit sketchy at times; ‘Flash’ and I were settled in third and fourth when it all kicked off ahead of us between the two leaders, and then there was oil down on the track at Graham Hill Bend later on. We scored more solid points in race three, and to come away from Brands leading the championship is just the perfect start."

Aron Smith said: "I’m over the moon with the way this weekend has gone. Three weeks ago, these cars were sat in a shed not going racing. The work that both BKR and Team BMR have put in to get us to this point has just been phenomenal, and I really can’t thank everyone enough – particularly Warren Scott. It’s no exaggeration to say that without him, we would not be here. He’s done an amazing job. Everybody at BKR is so enthusiastic, and that excitement is infectious."

2016 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Brands Hatch Indy

Race 1

1. Tom INGRAM (Speedworks Motorsport): 27 Laps
2. Gordon SHEDDEN (Halfords Yuasa Racing): +2.284s
3. Matt NEAL (Halfords Yuasa Racing): +3.925s
4. Ashley SUTTON (MG Racing RCIB Insurance): +6.070s
5. Josh COOK (MG Racing RCIB Insurance): +6.423s
6. Robert COLLARD (Team JCT600 with GardX): +7.908s

Race 2

1. Gordon SHEDDEN (Halfords Yuasa Racing): 26 Laps
2. Matt NEAL (Halfords Yuasa Racing): +0.848s
3. Aron SMITH (BKR): +3.132s
4. Andrew JORDAN (Motorbase Performance): +4.165s
5. Mat JACKSON (Motorbase Performance): +7.176s
6. Ashley SUTTON (MG Racing RCIB Insurance): +8.647s

Race 3

1. Adam MORGAN (WIX Racing): 27 Laps
2. Sam TORDOFF (Team JCT600 with GardX): +0.136s
3. Jack GOFF (Team IHG Rewards Club): +0.449s
4. Andrew JORDAN (Motorbase Performance): +3.832s
5. Matt NEAL (Halfords Yuasa Racing): +3.869s
6. Robert COLLARD (Team JCT600 with GardX): +4.192s

Click here for the final classification from the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship races at Brands Hatch.

Penalties

Race one:

Ollie Jackson received an official reprimand and two penalty points on his licence for an incident involving Hunter Abbott

Race two:

Alex Martin received a £500 fine and three penalty points on his licence for an incident involving Mark Howard

Race three: 

Tom Ingram received a £500 fine and three penalty points on his licence for an incident involving Jake Hill

Ashely Sutton received an official reprimand and two penalty points on his licence for an incident involving Rob Austin

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