Yvan Muller, one of the worlds most impressive drivers has announced his retirement from the WTCC at the seasons end.

Four-time World Champion Yvan Muller, who has been an official Citroën driver since midway through 2013, has announced that this season will be his last in the FIA WTCC. Currently lying joint second in the overall standings, the driver of Citroën C-Elysée WTCC No. 68 will be looking to hold on to that position in the last two meetings of the season in Shanghai and Qatar.

Over a professional career spanning more than thirty years, Yvan Muller has built one of the most impressive records in French motor sport, with four FIA World Touring Car Championship titles in 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2013. 

He holds every WTCC record going, with 29 pole positions, 48 race wins, 125 podium finishes, 38 fastest laps and 2,826 points scored in 244 starts.

After starting out in karting (finishing as World Championship runner-up in 1985 and European Champion in 1986), he naturally progressed to single-seater racing, winning the British Formula 2 Championship in 1992. 

With no F1 openings, the man from Alsace turned to touring car racing in 1994. French Champion in 1995, he then competed in the Italian, German and British championships, picking up the BTCC title in 2003, before making the switch to the FIA WTCC in 2006.

He also made his name as the best driver on ice, with ten Andros Trophy crowns and several victories in the Chamonix 24-hour race. His wealth of experience across the world includes the 24 Hours of Le Mans, V8 Supercars in Australia, the Dakar Rally and a few rounds of the WRC.

Surprising as it may seem, Yvan Muller had never worked with a French manufacturer before he joined Citroën Racing. 

In July 2013, when the development of the Citroën C-Elysée WTCC and the organisation of the FIA WTCC team got under way, he provided the benefit of his immense experience and helped lay the foundations for the success that would later be achieved.

Yvan proved a vital member of the new set up, claiming four pole positions and four race wins in 2014, enough to secure him second place in the World Championship, behind José María López and ahead of Sébastien Loeb. He finished second in the driver standings again in 2015, with three pole positions and six race wins to his name.

Yvan has had more than his fair share of bad luck this year, but he is nevertheless currently sitting in second place in the overall standings, level on points with Tiago Monteiro. 

Having announced that his FIA WTCC career will end after this season, the holder of every record in the competition is determined to go out on a high by securing a championship one-two for Citroën Racing.

WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY

Yvan Muller: “I am not sure that age is the main factor when it comes to ending a career. It’s more a matter of desire and motivation. With all the testing, the simulator sessions, the physical training and the travel to the race venues, a season of professional motor racing requires a level of personal commitment that I am no longer prepared to put in. 

At the same time, I am at a time of my life where I want to do something else and I am happy to be able to make that decision after eleven seasons of FIA WTCC. 

I’ve had some great experiences over my career. These three seasons with Citroën Racing have been particularly special, even though I never managed to be World Champion with this team. But I will always be proud of having helped to build our racing programme and develop the Citroën C-Elysée WTCC. 

I have also met some great people who are passionate about their job and have a fierce competitive spirit. Driving has been part of my daily life for so long that I can’t see myself stopping racing entirely. 

But I am going to spend more time with my family and developing my team, Yvan Muller Racing. Before that, though, I am going to put everything I’ve got into meeting the team’s goals.”

Yves Matton, Citroën Racing Team Principal: “The whole Citroën Racing team is proud to have Yvan Muller in its ranks. Every time we get involved in a competition, we look to recruit the best drivers. 

That is why we invited Yvan to join us from the start of our involvement in FIA WTCC. We will not forget his contribution. Coming in from rally driving, we had everything to learn, and he has always been more than happy to offer the team the benefit of all his experience. 

He is a great competitor and a great guy, who has always put Citroën’s interests first. It is to Yvan’s credit that, after three seasons with us, he has decided to end his career at a point when he is still capable of winning pole positions, races and titles. 

He will always be part of the Citroën Racing family and we wish him all the best for the next stage of his life, which we will follow with interest.”

Entries are now open for the sixth annual Henry Surtees Challenge held at Buckmore Park Kart Circuit.

• Entries now open for the sixth annual Henry Surtees Challenge
• ‘All-comers’ event
• Buckmore Park Kart Circuit - Wednesday 26^th October 2016

Former F1 World Champion, John Surtees CBE is calling upon young British motorsport talent to enter the sixth annual Henry Surtees Challenge. The karting event which is now in its sixth year is taking place on Wednesday 26^th October 2016 at the newly upgraded Buckmore Park Kart Circuit, in Chatham, Kent and is open to racers aged 15 years or over.

The Challenge, which has rapidly become an essential fixture on the racing calendar for motorsport talent, provides a unique opportunity to win a spectacular range of career enhancing prizes – considered to be the best prizes ever offered at a karting event.

The highly competitive event will see the drivers, some from karting and others who have made the transition to cars returning, battling it out, using the superb Club 100 Birel Karts. The top three drivers will be awarded the prestigious Henry ‘H’ trophy title. 

The drivers then, according to finishing order, get the choice of exclusive prizes that will greatly assist their racing preparation for the 2017 season. 

Prizes will also be awarded for fastest lap, the most unlucky driver and a heavyweight prize for 80kg or above. The first three will automatically be awarded the Puma race equipment listed below.

John Surtees said “the first Henry Surtees Challenge took place in 2010, and Buckmore Park seemed the natural venue to host it; It is the circuit where Henry first sat in a kart, at the age of 8, but also where he had gained success. 

Buckmore is renowned for being a challenging circuit and a superb training ground for future British World Champions. 

During its 52 years, the track has seen the likes of World Champions Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button hone their racing skills amongst many others”.

Further John added that “I understand the difficulty youngsters are faced with in motor sport; the Henry Surtees Challenge provides a big helping hand, by rewarding such talent with the rare opportunity to win career enhancing prizes such as test drives and experiences with professional race teams to equipment worth thousands of pounds”.

Last year Piers Prior won the event, and was invited by Manor MP Motorsport to take part in the official Formula Renault 2.0 Rookie test held at Jerez, Spain.

Piers said ‘The Henry Surtees Foundation has helped me so much over the past few years, giving me the opportunity to test in MSA formula and FR2.0 where I would not otherwise have had the chance. Also, allowing me to showcase my skills against some of the country’s best young drivers in the impeccable Club 100 karts at the HSF Challenge in front of the countries motorsport media’.

A full list of 2016 prizes will be announced shortly, but already confirmed is:-

• BRDC British Formula 3 test, donated by Hillspeed        
• Formula Renault 2.0 two day test with Manor Competition at a Spanish circuit, donated by Renault UK and Manor Competition                      
• A full kit of Puma race clothing - one suit, three pairs of gloves, two pairs of racing boots, one pair of running shoes and one pair of lifestyle shoes for the winner (in addition to their chosen prize), donated by Puma SE     
• Two sets of gloves and underwear, one pair of racing shoes, one pair of running shoes and one pair lifestyle shoes for second place (in addition to their chosen prize), donated by Puma SE                      
• One set of gloves and underwear, one pair of racing shoes, one pair of running shoes and one pair of lifestyle shoes for third place (in addition to their chosen prize), donated by Puma SE           
• A tour of the Red Bull racing facility in Milton Keynes for two people, with half day simulator experience and evaluation by an F1 race engineer         
• An Arai GP-6S helmet in white finish, donated by Arai               
• Full website package and online branding, plus a three month social media package, donated by 5G Creative               
• A pair of custom-fit driver communication earpieces suitable for all racing formulas up to F1, supplied with a year’s support to ensure the wearer is fully equipped to hear vital communications for a full season of racing; A pair of custom-fit filtered noise plugs - to protect hearing; A complete hearing health check consisting of an ear examination using a video otoscope (see inside your own ears) and a comprehensive hearing test.  Advice and information on protecting your hearing to assist with a motorsport career, donated by specialist in Formula 1 equipment, Hearing Electronics Limited                       
• A two hour training session at iZone Driver Performance, donated by Andy Priaulx            
• A supply of Teng Tools to the value of £1,000, donated by Teng Tools           
• £500 worth of Air travel to cover an overseas test donated by Travel Places
• A feature in Motor Sport Magazine

Fastest Lap: HSF Teamwear

Over 80kg: HSF Teamwear

Unluckiest Driver: HSF Teamwear

Cost of entry: £500

Entrants must be aged 15 years or over on or before 26th October 2016 and hold a current MSA or ACU licence or be a current Premier Sprint Class, Clubman Sprint Class member of Club100 or a Buckmore Park Elite Class driver.

Seven current F1 teams have agreed to attend this years Goodwood festival of Speed.

Grand Prix machines from seven current Formula 1 teams will grace the hillclimb at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in June, bringing the sights and sounds of the World Championship to West Sussex.

Leading from the front will be reigning double World Champions Mercedes-Benz, fresh from back-to-back title victories with Britain's Lewis Hamilton. Joining Mercedes on the 1.16-mile hillclimb course will be Ferrari, Force India, McLaren, Red Bull, Renault and Williams.

The Festival of Speed is the only event, other than the British Grand Prix, where British fans can see so many F1 cars in action in one place, with an unrivalled level of access to both the cars and the drivers.

Already confirmed to appear at this year's Festival are Force India's Nico Hulkenberg, who also took victory in last year's Le Mans 24 Hours with Porsche, and 2009 World Champion Jenson Button, with many more expected to be announced in the coming weeks. 

While no longer an active F1 driver, although he will be in action in an LMP3 Sportscar race ahead of this year's Le Mans 24 Hours, Sky Sports F1 commentator Martin Brundle will be taking Button's championship-winning Brawn BGP 001, not seen running since 2009, up the hill.

Lord March said, "There are more top F1 teams here than ever before and I am very pleased to hear that Jenson Button's already confirmed his appearance just before the British Grand Prix with his McLaren-Honda."

More than 100 people attended the official opening of F1 legend Nigel Mansell’s new Mitsubishi showroom.

More than 100 people attended the official opening of Formula One legend Nigel Mansell’s new Mitsubishi showroom and workshop in Jersey.

The champagne reception saw guests, including customers and suppliers, enjoy a live jazz band at the unveiling of the extension to the showroom and the new workshop. There was also the chance to look around The Nigel Mansell Museum, displaying trophies and race-winning cars.

Mansell Mitsubishi opened in 2014 with Nigel as Chairman and his son Leo as Managing Director. The dealership has been a great success, having been named Mitsubishi’s New Dealer of the Year at the brand’s annual awards in March this year.

The extended showroom now enables the dealership to have up to 40 cars on display at any one time, while the state-of-the-art new workshop includes four bays with all the latest equipment.

Leo said: ‘This is a natural progression for us, representing the growth of the business and our commitment to offering customers an excellent service. Tonight is a thank-you to customers and suppliers for their support over the past 18 months. Mitsubishi is a great fit for us, going from strength to strength with a loyal customer base and excellent product offering. The manufacturer is nice to work with, too.’

Nigel added: ‘It’s excellent working with Mitsubishi. They are a company sharing our belief in relationships. It’s a brand that has a great dynamic with a range that crosses many sectors, and it’s leading the way with its hybrid technology and is clearly going from strength to strength.

‘Customer feedback from our opening night has been amazing. People have been wowed by what we’ve done to the facility and they didn’t expect it. They’ve been very impressed and pleased with the quality presentation of the build.

‘We’re riding the crest of the wave now and we have the right product, an excellent facility and great support from the manufacturer. With all this, we certainly won’t be resting on our laurels and we can build on what we’ve achieved and continue our customer focus where we believe in no pressure and a completely transparent service. With the vision that is coming from Mitsubishi, we’re very excited about the future.’

Lance Bradley, Managing Director of Mitsubishi Motors in the UK, joined Nigel and Leo for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Lance said: ‘What Mansell Mitsubishi has achieved is extraordinary, becoming Mitsubishi’s “New Dealer of the Year” for 2015 and selling more vehicles in their first 12 months than we have sold on the island in the previous two years. When you visit the dealership, the main thing that’s obvious is the pride everyone has – you can feel how proud the whole team are in what they do and strive to achieve.

‘The workshop is amazing - Nigel wanted it to be similar to a top-flight motor sport operation. So impressive is the facility and customer service that the team are now even seeing owners of non-Mitsubishi vehicles wishing to have their cars looked after by Mansell Mitsubishi.’

Mitsubishi Motors is seeing a strong and sustained period of growth. Statistics from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show Mitsubishi Motors in the UK has been the fastest-growing mainstream car manufacturer for the past three years. The company saw sales growth in passenger cars of 44 per cent in 2015 compared with the previous year, against an overall market up by six per cent.

Ferrari Gives "V12 LAF" number plate to The Henry Surtee's Foundation, to auction to raise funds.

Perfect private plate for LaFerrari

Ferrari North Europe is pleased to announce a very special auction to benefit the Henry Surtees Foundation, with the unique personalised registration “V12 LAF” going to the highest sealed bid submitted before the end of November. 

The personalised registration is obviously the perfect number plate for a LaFerrari, the Prancing Horse’s ultimate hypercar with a 963hp hybrid drivetrain which includes an 800hp V12 engine and an additional 163hp KERS hybrid system.

The Henry Surtees Foundation was named in honour of the son of 1964 Ferrari F1 World Champion, John Surtees OBE. Inspired by Henry, his experience, and in celebration of his life, the Foundation’s primary aim is to assist people with brain or physical injuries caused by accident to return to community living by the provision of support for equipment and facilities.

“We are truly honoured that Ferrari has chosen to donate the proceeds of this auction  to the Henry Surtees Foundation. The work we are doing is absolutely critical to help save the lives and provide emergency support for those who sustain serious head injuries and I know that Henry would have been very proud to hear of Ferrari’s continued association with the Surtees family name, more than 50 years after I drove for Il Commendatore,” commented John Surtees OBE.

Interested parties should submit a sealed bid in an envelope marked as follows:

“HSF Charity Auction”

Ferrari North Europe

275 Leigh Road

Slough SL1 4HF

Closing date for bids is Monday 30 November 2015.

The Henry Surtees Foundation was named in honour of the son of 1964 Ferrari F1 World Champion, John Surtees OBE. Inspired by Henry, his experience, and in celebration of his life; HSF aims to:

• assist people with brain or physical injuries caused by accident to return to community living by the provision of support for equipment and facilities;
• provide education and training associated with motorsport-related programmes in technology,  engineering, and road safety instruction for two and four wheels;
• act as a resource for young people up to the age of 18 by providing advice and assistance and organising programmes of physical, educational and other activities in order to:- advance young people in life by helping them to develop their skills, capacities and capabilities so that they can participate in society as independent, mature and responsible individuals;
• advance their  education; and
• relieve unemployment.

Special Events to commemorate the achievements of the late and definitely great Colin McRae.

• 20^th anniversary of McRae’s crowning moment
• Super Scot became Britain’s first WRC champion in 1995
• Special displays and cavalcades at Wales Rally GB
• Jimmy McRae to contest Network Q WRGB National Rally 

The 20^th anniversary of Colin McRae being crowned as Britain’s first ever World Rally Champion driver is being celebrated at this year’s Wales Rally GB (12-15 November).

It will be exactly two decades previously that on Wednesday 22 November the legendary Scot won Britain’s concluding round of the 1995 FIA World Rally Championship – then the Network Q RAC Rally – to make motor sport history. It’s an historic milestone that will be honoured with a number of special displays and parades at the 2015 event.

Sadly Colin lost his life in a tragic helicopter accident in 2007, but his father Jimmy McRae – himself a five time British Rally Champion – will be part of the celebrations. Not only will Jimmy be providing the title-winning Subaru Impreza 555 from the family’s personal collection for public display at the Wales Rally GB Service Park in Deeside but he also will be rolling back the years by contesting the Network Q WRGB National Rally that shadows the main WRC event.

Back in 1995, Colin arrived in Chester – where that year’s event was based just over the border from Deeside – locked in a titanic two-way title battle with team-mate Carlos Sainz knowing whoever won the rally would take the World Championship. Sainz had the experience of winning two previous titles but, ultimately it was the swashbuckling Scot’s hunger and better knowledge of British stages which won the day by 36 seconds after four days of nail-biting competition at record speeds.

“That week down in Chester is still one of the highlights of our lives,” recalls father Jimmy from his home Lanarkshire. “It was such a proud moment for us all. What could possibly be better than Colin winning the World Championship on home soil? It’s now hard to imagine that 20 years has passed since that amazing day but it’s very thoughtful that Wales Rally GB will be marking Colin’s greatest moment later this year. I competed on last year’s National Rally and was absolutely amazed by the crowds – it really was like what I think of as the good old days. For all the obvious reasons I’m sure this year’s event will be even more special.”

Although Colin never claimed a second World Championship, his spectacular, flambouyant and totally committed driving style won the hearts of millions of fans all over the world. 

He did finish runner-up in the championship in both of the two following seasons and in doing so helped Subaru to a hat-trick of manufacturers’ titles. To this day he remains the sport’s youngest ever World Champion and his tally of 25 wins makes him Britain’s most successful rally driver. Indeed his final Safari Rally victory in 2002 was the last by a British driver right up until the moment his protégé Kris Meeke won in Argentina earlier in the current campaign.

“Colin McRae will forever be a true hero and not just to rally fans here in Britain,” remarked Ben Taylor, Managing Director of Wales Rally GB. “While obviously deeply saddened that Colin can’t be with us to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of his crowning success, we are honoured that Jimmy will be with us to mark his son’s remarkable achievements. British rallying owes a tremendous debt to the whole McRae family and hopefully we can repay a little of that come Wales Rally GB in November.”      

While the championship winning Subaru will be on show in the Service Park throughout the event, owners of ex-Colin McRae rally cars are being invited to join special parades at venues such as Chirk Castle and the Great Orme. 

Fans wanting to experience these tributes can gain free access to the Service Park or take advantage of discounted Special Stage tickets by purchasing in advance.

The four-day World Rally Pass is the all-inclusive ticket for fans. It provides access to all the individual Special Stages as well as Thursday’s pre-event Shakedown. It is priced at £99 for adults (or just £1 for accompanied children aged 9-15) and comes with a desirable hard card and lanyard plus an event programme valued at £9.

Forest Passes offer a similar level of flexibility as the World Rally Pass but just for an individual day of the event. Again they include an official programme and can be purchased in advance for just £25 – a considerable saving on Single Stage tickets which will cost £30 on the gate. Tickets for the family friendly RallyFest at Chirk Castle again are available now for £25 with an even greater discount being offer to families. Full ticket information can be found on the WalesRallyGB.com website.

BIT OF FUN - RED BULL free runner let loose at Red Bull's Milton Keynes F1 facility.....

Red Bull's world champion free runner, Ryan Doyle, defied gravity at Infiniti Red Bull Racing's F1 factory in Milton Keynes on a recent visit. Sit back and check out how the factory becomes the ultimate free running F1 playground. 

Ryan's creative free running style and strength, combined with his background in martial arts and a philosophy of not living in fear and making mistakes, take his art to the next level.

Former World Rally Champion Hannu Mikkola to race Audi quattro in the McRae Rally Challenge.

Former World Rally Champion Hannu Mikkola together with a number of rare and exotic Audi quattro rally cars are heading to Knockhill next month (16-17 May) - Group B machines that changed the sport in the 1980s for ever.

The “Flying Finn” and long standing co-driver Arne Hertz will be in attendance with the four-wheel-drive “supercars” that are part of demonstrations and displays at the McRae Rally Challenge, a special two-day rally event celebrating the 20^th anniversary of Colin McRae’s World Rally Championship win.

Mikkola, who celebrates his 73^rd birthday next month, was active in rallying between 1973-93 and two years after joining Audi, won the 1983 Driver’s World title achieving four wins and three second places in the revolutionary Audi quattro with Hertz.

Hannu commented: “It’s always nice to get back behind the wheel of an Audi quattro rally car and never fails to bring back special memories for me. Scotland has always been a favourite place of mine to rally in the UK, and I have been fortunate enough to do really well there too. It’s also great to support this event and celebrate a fantastic achievement in British motorsports and remember what Colin accomplished in the sport.”

Mikkola won the 1981 and ‘82 RAC Rallies, that swept through Scotland, and also claimed victory, with Phil Short, on the 1982 Scottish International Rally in an Audi A2 quattro. He missed out on the “world” crown to fellow Audi driver Stig Blomqvist that year – the Swede also claiming the British Open Championship title in 1983.

Various derivatives of the Audi quattro were also victorious in Scotland in the hands of Blomqvist (1983), Malcolm Wilson (1985) and David Llewellin (1987).

The original Audi quattro rallycar debuted in 1980 while the Audi Sport quattro S1 E2 that Mikkola drives at the Colin McRae Anniversary event was rallied in 1985. Between 1981-85, quattros won 23 WRC events and netted two WRC Manufacturers’ titles (1982/84).