Chris Middlehurst Testing His Formula Renault At Donington Park In Preparation For 2012

Reigning BRSCC National Formula Ford 1600 champion Chris Middlehurst has announced his graduation into the Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship for 2012.

Chris, son of former BTCC racer Andy, competed in karting for five years before moving into car racing last year in Formula Ford 1600. Middlehurst enjoyed a sensational season, winning eight races in total as he won the BRSCC National, Northern and Champion of Oulton championships, while also finishing seventh in the Kent class at the Formula Ford Festival.

For 2012, Middlehurst considered stepping up to the the main MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain, but instead made the decision to move into ‘slicks and wings’ racing in Formula Renault BARC. His family’s Middlehurst Motorsport team have acquired their own car, which they plan to run themselves with some help from an existing team at race meetings.

Middlehurst said: “We have chosen BARC Formula Renault as a progression from Formula Ford 1600. I believe that gaining experience in Formula Ford  has allowed me as a driver to earn some respect from other drivers and spectators. It has also aided me with coping with a race car in both a competitive and close racing environment whilst gaining a good mechanical understanding of set-up and diagnostics, in particular suspension, without the use of slick tyres and aero. 

“The decision of choosing BARC Formula Renault over the MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain came after speaking to numerous teams within both championships. As a team, we believed that although Formula Ford GB offered a good package, it was let down by the fact a lot of things were still undecided, such as chassis manufacturers, and gearbox and engine maintenance.

“The knowledge I have gained so far in my career, backed by my father’s experience in his 30 years of racing; in combination with the correct team choice, should as a package back me up with my aim to win the championship this season.” 

Felipe Nasr clinched the Sunoc Challenge with pole position at Donington Park in September (Photo Credit: Jakob Ebrey Photography)

Motors TV and Channel 4 are to broadcast a documentary program following Sunoco Rolex 24 at Daytona Challenge winner Felipe Nasr on his journey to the podium at Daytona International Speedway.

Brazilian Nasr won the 2011 British Formula Three International Series, also winning the Sunoco Challenge competition that offered a Daytona Prototype drive to one competitor from three British racing series using Sunoco’s race fuels.

Following the conclusion of the F3 season Felipe tested for Action Express Racing at Daytona before returning to the famous track, this time with Michael Shank Racing for the official test and the the 50th running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Nasr, along with the rest of the four man team in the no.6 entry finished the race in third overall while Michael Shank’s other entry won overall.

The Hayfisher Productions made show will also feature Aaron Steele who won another competition organised by Sunoco to complete in the Grand-Am 200 Continental Tires Series race that supported the Rolex 24.

The show will premiere on Motors TV’s European network at 3:10pm and one Motors TV UK at 3:45pm on Saturday February 11. The first showing on Channel 4 will be at 7:30am a week later (Saturday Febraury 18).

A repeat is scheduled for 2:30am on Wednesday 22 February on Channel 4. The program will enjoy regular repeats on Motors TV – both in the UK and across Europe throughout February.

Dan de Zille In Action For Fortec During The Finals Series - Photo Credit: Jakob Ebrey Photography

After a strong debut in the 2011 Protyre Formula Renault 2.0 UK Finals Series, former Formula Ford racer Dan de Zille has announced he will compete in the CERTINA Formula Renault 2.0 UK Championship this year with reigning champions Fortec Motorsport.

Jersey-based de Zille started racing in the British Formula Ford Series in 2009 and after three years in the series, has decided to make a full time switch into ‘slicks and wings’ single-seater racing for 2012.

25 year old De Zille, who has also competed in some GT racing, winning four Aston Martin GT4 races and finishing second overall in the 2011 Britcar 24 Hour race, made a positive start during the Finals Series, taking a best finish of sixth in the penultimate race at Rockingham. The 019 Racewear-backed driver is now hoping to build upon his experiences and continue to improve his results through the season.

De Zille said: “I’m very much looking forward to this season; it’s a big step up and I know I’ll be pitting myself against some serious competition both from within the team and outside. I always love pushing myself and the Finals Series was a great opportunity to get to grips with the car and hopefully we can come back even stronger for the main season. I’ll be looking to put some my wheel to wheel experience from Formula Ford to good use and hopefully surprise a few people!”

Formula Renault 2.0 UK Team Manager Alex Fleming added:  “Dan has extensive racing experience which will undoubtedly prepare him well for the season ahead, he has adapted well to the Formula Renault car and is learning with every outing so I’m confident that he can perform well this season.”

Stockinger will swap the blue and white of Atech for the green and black of Status, having tested for the latter at the end of last year - Photo Credit: Drew Gibson/GP3 Series Media Service

Marlon Stockinger will race for Status Grand Prix in the GP3 Series this year, the Silverstone-based team has confirmed.

The Filipino-Swiss driver stepped up to GP3 last season from Formula Renault UK with Atech CRS, but he failed to score any points during the year.

Stockinger tested for Status during the post-season tests in Spain, and after regularly being towards the top end of the timesheets, he has now been taken on by the team as the first of its drivers for the 2012 campaign.

“I’m glad that I will be racing with Status GP in 2012,” said Stockinger, 20. “The winter tests went very well and we were always consistently in the top five, which is crucial in such a competitive championship as GP3. I have no doubt that the team and I can put together a strong campaign, and we’ll be looking to run at the top of the field.”

Team principal Teddy Yip added: “Marlon showed well in testing, and we fully expect him to be challenging at the front of the field this year. Experience also counts in the GP3 Series, and going into his second year Marlon is consistent and knows how to get the best out of the car and tyres. We’re delighted to welcome him to the team.”

Shahaan Engineer Will Compete In Formula Renault UK In 2012 - Photo Credit: Jakob Ebrey Photography

Reigning champions Fortec Motorsport have confirmed Shahaan Engineer will join the team for the 2012 CERTINA Formula Renault 2.0 UK Championship.

16 year old Engineer made his Formula Renault debut with Fortec in the 2011 Formula Renault UK Finals Series, where he put in some encouraging performances against far more experienced racers. The Dubai-based racer has now confirmed his entry into the main UK championship for the first time and is building experience ahead of it by competing in the Toyota Racing Series in New Zealand at the moment.

Engineer said: “Its great to be working with the multiple championship winning team, and I am really looking forward to the year ahead.”

Fortec’s Formula Renault 2.0 UK Team Manager Alex Fleming added: “Shahaan’s had a successful career in Karting and his performances in the Finals Series demonstrated that he is more than capable of having a strong season with us. Although still very young, he is extremely focused and I’m sure that his hard work will pay off this season.”

Daniil Move in P1's 2011 FR 3.5 machine (Photo Credit: Renault Sport)

P1 Motorsport has confirmed its driver line-up for 2012, announcing that both Walter Grubmüller and Daniil Move continue as a pairing for a second season.

Grubmüller will embark on his third year with the British squad.

The 23-year-old Austrian endured a difficult 2011 season, in which he was ruled him out of three rounds through injuries sustained in a heavy accident at the Nurburgring.

Grubmüller said: “I’m very happy to remain with P1 Motorsport for a third consecutive season – we worked extremely hard last year on improving our results and it will be good to continue with that development.”

“I expect the competition to be tough as always, but we will certainly be aiming for the podium.”

Team mate Move is the most experienced driver in the field have featured in every campaign since 2007.

He scored two podiums en route to finishing 10^th overall in the drivers’ standings.

Looking ahead to this year, Move said: “I have developed as a driver a lot over the past few seasons – when I first arrived in the World Series by Renault I had relatively little experience compared with other drivers who had competed for years in karts and other junior formulae.”

“The FR 3.5 championship is very competitive, but we’ve made significant steps forward and with P1 in 2012, I’m definitely aiming for a top three championship position.”

P1’s Chief Engineer Mike Henderson added: “It’s great to welcome back both Walter and Daniil to the team; it’s always beneficial to have continuity from one year to the next.”

“The team has been working hard over the winter in preparation for 2012, and we’re confident of being a competitive force in this year’s title chase.”

Takuma Sato (Photo Credit: Indycar)

Ex-Formula One driver Takuma Sato has signed a deal with Rahal-Letterman Lanigan for the 2012 season.

The Japanese driver will drive the team’s no.15 Honda.

“We anticipate having a very strong season together,” said team co-owner Bobby Rahal. “While we were determined to have an experienced driver for this season, we also needed someone that knew how to get to the front and Takuma has shown that he can do that, and we expect to have a great opportunity to win races this year. He has made great strides through the last two seasons in IndyCar and I have no doubt that we can produce a strong effort with him leading the team.”

Sato joined the IndyCar series in 2010 after making 91 starts in Formula One. He made great strides in 2011 and the two-time pole winner hopes to build on this success.

“I’m very proud, motivated and excited to be chosen by Bobby to join his big project,” Sato said. “This team I feel has got huge potential. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing has got a great history and record of winning so my motivation is ever so high and I am extremely thrilled to start the new season. With a new car for everybody, I am confident that we’ll be up to speed very quickly.”

Rahal Letterman Lanigan are returning for a full campaign for the first time since 2008. The Indianapolis-based team expect to participate in the open test at Sebring in March.

The team is also looking to finalize its plans for a second car, which is set to be announced in the near future.

Rubens Barrichello (Photo Credit: Lorenzo Bellanca/LAT Photographic)

Rubens Barrichello has said he has an ‘open mind’ about his future after testing a KV Racing  Technology IndyCar at Sebring.

The Brazilian enjoyed testing the car so much he canceled prior arrangements back in his homeland to test a further half day, before handing the car over to friend Tony Kanaan who invited him to the test.

“It’s been a really good morning,” said Barrichello, who totaled 334 miles over the three days. ”I was able to do a lot of laps in Tony’s car and very happy to be in the No. 11. It’s been my favorite number all my life. My feedback I think will be very beneficial to Tony and the whole team and I am satisfied with what we have achieved. I leave Sebring now with a good taste in my mouth.”

Barrichello left Sebring with an open invitation to compete in the 2012 IndyCar season with the KV Racing Technology team, and insisted that oval racing wasn’t a deal breaker.

“I never thought I could come over to this side because I thought I would race 25 years in Formula One and I should be over and couldn’t come this way,” said Barrichello, who has made 332 F1 starts.  “I did say that. It came out of my mouth. It is a not a big issue. It is not a problem. There are so many different situations that I could run. I could run on the road tracks; I could run Indy. There are so many options available, and I’m thankful for the choices at age 39 and still going fast in the car. That’s all I could pray for when I was a kid.”

“(He and wife Silvana) I’m sure we’ll be talking about it. I’m not putting pressure on it; I have to think it through. If you go purely from joy, it wouldn’t be a problem. I still have so much passion for the speed and I’m quite young in my mind and I’m not up to my top level of fitness. I’m just getting better and better.”

“I have an open mind,” said Barrichello, who broke into F1 with the Jordan team. “I’ve been living there for 19 years and have been a fan of the Indy series for a long period as well. I’ve been to Indy, Milwaukee, Sao Paulo and many tracks. I like what I saw always; it’s a great atmosphere with great racing.”

Malaysian Jaafar will contest his 3rd British F3 season with Carlin in 2012, while Brazil’s Pietro Fantin will look to build upon his successful debut season last year. The pair brings Carlin’s entries up to only 5 after the team pruned its entries from 6 after pressure from the series organiser SRO, and rival teams. Jaafar and Fantin will drive alongside Harry Tincknell, Jack Harvey and Carlos Sainz Jr.

Having already claimed a maiden victory on his way to 8th overall in his debut season, 20 year-old Fantin has raised his expectations for his first season with a front-running outfit: “I have no other objective but to win the championship. Of course I will need luck, I will need to give my best performance and the car needs to be great. Last year was my first full season in the championship – it was OK, top 10 was what I expected – and I gained a lot of experience with the tracks. Carlin was the wisest and best choice for me for 2012, and now I know that I have the best car on the grid, and that gives me extra confidence.

“I want to be the next Brazilian champion of British Formula 3. It’s possible – it is a matter of working hard, training hard and doing the best possible job.”

Jaafar meanwhile, is still only 19 on the verge of his 3rd British F3 season, and hopes his experience will help him finally launch a championship winning campaign. “There is still a lot for me to learn and Formula 3 is an ideal route for me. I’m still only 19 and I am looking forward to the challenge. I have the experience and I know the tracks, and I see no reason why I can’t be at the front. It’s a question of getting up to speed with the new car and as soon as all that is settled I think we will be at the front.

I will take it a step at a time. I don’t want to rush into it thinking it’s all about winning because I don’t want to carry too much pressure. I just want to focus and do the job and I am sure the wins will come.”

Carlin will run 5 brand new Dallara F312 cars for first of the official pre-season tests next month, with the opening round of the Cooper Tyres British Formula 3 International Series scheduled to take place on the 6-7 April at Oulton Park.

Suranovich tested for Marussia Manor at Valencia and Jerez (above) at the end of last year - Photo Credit: GP3 Media Service

Marussia Manor Racing have announced that 16-year-old Russian driver Dmitry Suranovich will race for them in the GP3 Series this season.

Suranovich tested for the team at Valencia and Jerez at the end of 2011. After success in karting he made his car racing debut last year, contesting four rounds of the Formula Abarth series. He is currently racing in the Toyota Racing Series in New Zealand, where he lies ninth in the standings having scored a podium finish at Timaru.

“I’m really happy to have secured a drive for Marussia Manor Racing, a winning team which is strongly linked to Formula One,” said Suranovich. “It’s going to be an exciting season and I can’t wait to get started. It’s going to be a challenge, but I am ready for it.

“At the winter tests last year I already felt comfortable in the car and working with the team. Now we can continue to work hard together in order to achieve the best result possible in my first season in GP3.”

Team principal Pete Sliwinski added: “We are happy to welcome Dmitry to the team. At the tests in Spain at the end of the year he already understood the category quickly and demonstrated his potential. We are confident that he will do a good job this year.”

Brundle is the first driver to be announced in Carlin's GP3 lineup for 2012 - Photo Credit: GP3 Media Service

Alex Brundle will make his GP3 Series debut this season, racing for the Carlin team.

The son of former F1 driver Martin Brundle raced in the FIA Formula Two Championship in 2011, finishing seventh overall and scoring three podiums and one pole position. He had previously raced in F2 in 2009, and competed in British F3 in 2010.

Brundle adds the GP3 programme alongside making his first steps in sportscars in 2012, contesting the European Le Mans Series in LMP2 and racing together with his father at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

“I am thrilled to be competing in the GP3 Series in 2012,” said Brundle. “I was keen to move onto the F1 stage this year and I would like to thank the Carlin team for offering me a fantastic opportunity to do that.

“The GP3 Series also fits well with my commitments to Nissan in the European Le Mans Series allowing me to continue my development in single seater racing.  I would like to thank my sponsors GAC, Richard Mille and Liberty IU for their continued support which allows me to compete at this high level in international motorsport.

“The work we have done so far has already given me an understanding of why the Carlin team are so successful and I feel very confident for the season ahead.”

Team boss Trevor Carlin added: “We’re delighted to welcome Alex to our team for the 2012 season.  GP3 is an extremely competitive series and a level playing field where driver talent can really make a difference. 

“Having seen Alex race early on in his career in British F3, I’m sure that he will be a great asset to Carlin.  Even at this early stage the team have been impressed with his maturity and work ethic and I’m sure we’ll see some great racing from him this season.”

Kral behind the wheel for Addax in testing last October - Photo Credit: Alastair Staley/LAT Photographic

Josef Kral will race for the GP2 teams’ champions Addax this season after signing for the Spanish outfit.

2012 will be Czech driver Kral’s third year in GP2. He raced for Super Nova in 2010, though an injury sustained in an airborne accident in Valencia caused him to miss half of the season. He switched to Arden for 2011, and scored podium finishes in the sprint races at Monaco and Spa.

21-year-old Kral joins Johnny Cecotto Jr at Addax, having spent a day testing for the team at Barcelona in October.

Kral shot on to the scene in Formula BMW UK in 2007 where he finished runner-up. He then spent two years in Formula Master, winning three races before making the step up to GP2. He tested for the HRT F1 team at the end of 2010.

“I am very happy that I got a chance to race in one of the most successful teams in GP2 ever,” said Kral. “It motivates me to work even harder and be on top in the end of the year. I am pleased that Barwa Addax Team believe in my capability and I am looking forward to this season. I would also like to use this opportunity to thank all the people who have helped me to make this happen.”

Team owner Alejandro Agag commented: “Josef Kral is the ideal companion for team-mate Johnny Cecotto because, despite the fact that both are young, they have had important experience of the GP2 series after having competed at this level over two full seasons, which is absolutely essential if you are going to have any aspirations to compete for the driver’s championship.

“This healthy competitiveness between both our drivers will also help us to be in the list of candidates for the team title once more and guarantee joy for the fans in the coming season. We will provide both drivers with all the resources and experience they need to fight for the most important objectives and at the same time give these young drivers the chance to demonstrate the world that they are top class drivers.”

Dan Well (Photo Credit: Jakob Ebrey Photography)

This is my first ever blog for The Checkered Flag so I should probably introduce myself! My name is Dan Wells, I am 20 years old from Salisbury and I race in Formula Renault UK.

I started racing at the age of 18 in Senior Rotax Karts, before moving into Formula Ford 1600 in 2010 where I took 5 class wins, and then stepping up to Formula Renault UK later in 2011. In the latest championship I finished as Runner Up with 3 podiums in the 6 races and would like to go one step further in this year’s Overall Championship.

Since the Winter Series it has been a very busy time for me – I have not gone to sleep before 1am since November 12th! Going into the championship we had said that if we didn’t finish in the Top 2 of the series then I would call it a day – I set out to race because I want to win. Thankfully, I did manage to finish 2nd quite comfortably and beat many more experienced drivers, which was great – but it gave me the dilemma of having to raise the budget to race in the championship this year to go for the title!

When I first sat in a kart, I was mid-way through my A Levels in Politics and Economics, and I’m glad I paid proper attention in my lessons because it has come in handy sooner than I thought! Fans of motorsport don’t always see what makes up the life of a racing driver – it was only a couple of years ago that I thought they just sat in a car twice a month! However it is very difficult to raise the budget to go racing – and it simply takes time and a lot of effort. One of my first ideas was to allow fans to get involved with me and have a website where they could support my efforts – so I set up www.gofundme.com/danwellsracing and I was humbled by the response – in just over 6 weeks I have raised over £6,000 and also spoken to hundreds of people over Twitter and Facebook who are all interested in motor racing. Offline, I have been working hard to make contacts and get sponsorship too. Since starting this, BAM Motorsport Group got in touch and we have since been working together to ensure I am on the grid this season – and I hope we can make it! On top of this I also have a part time job at Waitrose Salisbury where I work as a supermarket assistant to help with my living costs. Waitrose have been very supportive of my career choice and we will be having a promotional day with my car outside Waitrose Salisbury on February 18th – if you are local come along and say hi!

The first big motorsport event of the year was of course the Autosport Show where I was running around like a headless chicken on all four days! There were plenty of meetings regarding this years racing, and some sponsorship deals to be made. The longest day for me was 18 hours and I was pretty shattered by the end of it! I took part in the Ginetta sponsored Race2Recovery kart race which was hugely enjoyable, although there were a few red flags! I ended up with the 4th fastest lap against an extremely competitive field which I was pretty pleased about. I also announced my partnership with Motorsport XS (www.motorsportxs.com), a company who run a scheme for fans where they can become members and receive discounts in more than 60 different motorsport related online stores – to make motorsport more accessible. I also spoke on the F1 Racing stand for the Henry Surtees Foundation Charity Auction (where one fan picked up Heikki Kovalainen’s suit for more than £1000!) and was interviewed by Alan Hyde on the Formula Kart Stars stand. I really enjoyed the week and topped it off by going P2 on the iZone karting simulator!

In January I was also invited to join the select MSA Academy squad which gives me access to some of the best coaching from the likes of David Brabham, Dave Collins, Robert Reid and the rest of the team. The first day took place on February 1st at the Porsche Human Performance Centre at Silverstone and I am excited by what the scheme has to offer and the future development opportunities. I had a 2 hour journey home afterwards where my heater had broken so I was pretty frozen by the end of it – however it was warming to find out that I had been selected as Number 13 (lucky for me thankfully) on the Motorsport News ‘Fast 50’ list. All these things add up and I hope the momentum can continue…

I hope to be able to have some news soon to say that I will be racing in Formula Renault UK with Atech Reid GP this year – but there is a long way to go yet. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me so far – and please stay tuned…

Ovie Iroro (Left) Will Race For RPD Motorsport In Formula Renault BARC

Nigerian teenager Ovie Iroro has announced his graduation into car racing with a deal to compete in the 2012 Formula Renault BARC Championship with RPD Motorsport.

18 year old Iroro began his racing career in go-karting in Nigeria, but has since moved to the UK to study at Strathallan School in Scotland, allowing him to join the BARC series and become the first Nigerian to ever compete in the championship.

Essex-based RPD Motorsport aim to run two cars in the club-level championship, but regular driver Steven Durrant won’t be driving one of the cars. 2011 podium finisher Durrant has decided to step out of the driving seat so he can focus more on running the team, believing his experience as both a driver and a race engineer will benefit the team’s drivers in 2012.

Iroro said: “I chose Formula Renault BARC because of its mix of close competitive racing and it’s great reputation. I also think it provides the best experience and training available at this level. Ultimately I would love to aim for an F1 seat, and I felt this is the best place to start.”

Durrant added: “We are thrilled to have Ovie on board. Even in the short time we have been working together he has been fast learning, easy to work with and shows great dedication. We have no doubt he will produce great things, and think he may prove to be a title contender in 2012.”

RPD hope to announce the identity of their second driver soon.

GP2 racewinners such as Stefano Coletti will get live television coverage on Sky Sports in 2012 - Photo Credit: Glenn Dunbar/GP2 Media Service

Sky Sports have announced that they will be covering both the GP2 Series and GP3 Series live on their soon-to-launch Sky Sports F1 HD channel.

Since the dedicated Formula 1 channel had been revealed there had been hopes that it would show the popular support categories. The deal will give UK fans the chance to watch some of the most promising F1 drivers of the future, and give the drivers and their sponsors vital television exposure.

“We are delighted to be showing GP2 and GP3 live on Sky Sports F1 HD,” said Executive Producer Martin Turner. “There are six former GP2 champions in Formula 1 this season, including Lewis Hamilton and last year’s winner Romain Grosjean. The series promises nail-biting and fascinating racing and we’ll track gifted drivers through the ranks as they aim for Formula 1.”

In addition to their live coverage, Sky Sports say that their weekly magazine show will also “provide coverage, analysis and discussion of the races”.

2012 sees and extended GP2 calendar that will take in 12 rounds, starting at the Malaysian Grand Prix on 23-25 March. The GP3 Series will consist of eight rounds, and commence at the Spanish Grand Prix on 12-13 May.

In addition to watching GP2 and GP3 on Sky Sports F1 HD, you can keep up with the latest news from the two series at theCheckeredFlag.co.uk throughout 2012.

Michael Epps With His Trophies From The Recent 750 Motor Club Awards

Michael Epps received four awards during the recent 750 Motor Club Awards Evening in recognition of his sensational 2011 Formula Vee campaign.

At the awards ceremony in Stratford Upon Avon, the Hertfordshire teenager was awarded a host of trophies in front of a crowd of over 200 people, including Motorsport legends, media and fellow racers.

Epps picked up his trophy for finishing runner-up in the Vee Championship, as well as the Top Rookie award, two separate trophies as he was won the Antim Rookie award, the Fred Matthews Memorial Trophy and the Best Prepared Car award. Epps also received £250 worth of Tengtools vouchers. 

Epps said: “I’m delighted! I knew I definitely had two awards tonight but the other two I had no idea about. Someone had to help me hold all my trophies!”

The evening was a huge boost for Epps, who is currently trying to get the budget together to compete in the 2012 Formula Renault BARC Championship.

Epps added: “We have enough budget for some of it, but still need quite a bit of funding. I have every package possible available for anyone or any company who is potentially interested. I just want to get on the grid this year and try to get more wins and awards than I did last year!”

F.Renault graduate Yelloly had difficult debut season in GP3 (Photo Credit: Drew Gibson/GP3 Media Service)

Throughout my time with Nick Yelloly on a crisp Wednesday afternoon in Solihull, there is a question that has been gnawing away at me.

As we discuss the intricacies of the motor racing world away from the glitz and glamour of Formula One, I have been mindful to acknowledge a stylish polo shirt that the 21 year old has been sporting.

Now we are not talking Formula One World Champions Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton donning Hugo Boss billboards worldwide, but it is certainly eye-catching and following the conclusion of the interview, I feel compelled to ask Yelloly where this particular garment can be found.

“All Saints mate,” he replies before chuckling, “I did not expect to be asked that today!”

This may appear to be a rather meaningless anecdote or a cheap imitation of product placement but there is point here.

Despite the many tribulations of a testing 2011, Yelloly is in good spirits following the end of a rollercoaster campaign which ended on a high, something else he may not have expected in the early months of a gruelling season.

A difficult maiden year in GP3 ended with an end of season flourish in the final three rounds of Formula Renault 3.5 in World Series by Renault, which culminated in a second place finish in the finale at Barcelona.

They say you are only as good as your last race, and Yelloly is only too quick to relive that glorious October weekend in Catalunya.

“I think that was probably my best weekend ever,” he says, recalling the adulation.

“I’ve won races in the Formula Renault UK series before but that topped it really because you really are knocking on the door of Formula One. Myself and Albert Costa, who was leading, were quite far ahead so it was a really good and competitive race.”

The mere mention of Formula One is significant and looking into Yelloly’s eyes you catch a glimpse of a steely determination, one that has engulfed him ever since his early karting days.

“I started racing really late. My first go karting party I went to was when I was around 12 years old and I was fast straight away. They said to come back for a junior day so I did and I won.

“I started outdoor karting a few weeks before my 15^th Birthday and I won all my novice races and began starting karting properly afterwards, which was very late compared to other drivers. I spent two and a half years karting competitively and then moved straight into cars.

“When I first got involved in motor racing, I always wanted to win. Once you start improving and see people who were a few years ahead of you and have now moved onto cars, you automatically think ‘well I could do that’. I think the turning point is when you get into cars and you realise ‘I can actually do this’ and you take it more seriously.

“Obviously the parents do not like that because it means they have to find more money for sponsorship, but the time when you first jump into cars is when you start dreaming about F1.”

As Yelloly has discovered though, the complexities that threaten his long term goal of a seat in Formula One are persistent.

Financial restrictions, compounded by a global economic recession, have ensured that talent alone may not be enough to catch the eyes of the F1 fraternity.

Although the tone of voice has remained constant, his facial expressions indicate the frustration of a man whose career could be settled by matters off the racetrack.

“Not many people realise what goes into raising the sponsorship and interest in yourself. As well as that, you have also got to find a team that will take you for that season on a certain budget. Racing in GP2 now can cost up to €2.5m and what normal person can raise €2.5m?

“If you win the Formula Renault 3.5 series, you get an F1 test which is great, but if you cannot make a proper step into a competitive team in GP2 then you’re finished really.”

A year of growth may be best to describe Yelloly’s 2011, an exigent campaign where he was only able to display his skills behind the wheel occasionally.

Yelloly signed for GP3 newcomers Atech CRS in November 2010, the team he had raced for in Formula Renault UK.

However, the team struggled in their debut campaign in the category and Yelloly was only able to pick up seven points, six of those coming in his only podium of the season at Silverstone.

“GP3 was interesting and very challenging, especially mentally as the results did not go our way.

“I think our main problem was getting the new Pirelli tyre to work as best as it could. Obviously, having three rookies in the team did not help because we were not sure what direction to go in at the start of the season. In the last few races I started to get the hang of it and set fastest lap in Monza and qualified fifth in Spa, along with the podium at Silverstone.”

With Yelloly’s GP3 campaign proving an unsuccessful venture, a light appeared at the end of the tunnel in the form of Formula Renault 3.5 outfit Pons Racing in August.

He was offered a seat with the team for the World Series by Renault event at Silverstone, where he had scored a podium just the previous month.

For Yelloly, a spell in a different category was worth the gamble.

“They said I was a good option. We came to an agreement and I turned up on the Thursday, got my seat fitted, and then got into the car on the following day for the first time.

“When I jumped into the World Series car, I just felt at home straight away. Beginning on a circuit that I knew well helped because I was on the pace straight away. For me, driving a more powerful car is definitely much easier. The GP3 car is quite fiddly and with the turbo power you need quite a unique driving style, whereas as soon as I jumped into the World Series car I was much more comfortable and able to be really competitive.

“To be disqualified in the first race was frustrating, but I think we showed our true pace with fourth in our first ever practice session together and finishing second quickest later that day. From then, the weekend just did not really go our way despite qualifying seventh for race one.

“Then we went onto Paul Ricard and showed our pace straight away on a track configuration that I had not driven on before (Yelloly was fifth in race two). In the final round in Barcelona, where I had driven before, we were extremely competitive all weekend.”

Such has been Yelloly’s form in the final six races of the year he is likely to continue in the category in 2012.

Maintaining his end of season form is going to be crucial as Yelloly looks to progress up the motor racing ladder, especially with fierce competition from his fellow countrymen.

“Over the winter, I have got keep really fit and I will be doing some karting in the gearbox formulas to keep myself sharp. I will also have decide which team I am going to be driving for, and there are a number of options, and then I have got to be at the workshop as much as I can to understand everything about the car, especially the new engine from Zytek and the DRS.”

“There are three or four British drivers that are seriously knocking on the door of F1, in my view. So all you have to do is to go out and be the best, just to get the coverage and to get the sponsors.

“This is obviously my aim for next year.”

With that mentality, he may be donning Hugo Boss billboards after all, as a successful progression up the motor racing chain beckons.

Robin Frijns (Photo Credit: Renault Sport)

Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup Champion Robin Frijns will join Fortec for the 2012 Formula Renault 3.5 campaign.

The Dutchman will be paired alongside Carlos Huertas to complete Fortec’s driver line up.

The 20-year-old tested with the team, who were second in the Team’s Championship in 2011, at Motorland in November.

Frijns enjoyed a fantastic 2011 with Josef Kaufmann Racing, taking five wins en route to the Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup title and demonstrated excellent consistency by finishing inside the top five at every race.

He comfortably secured the title with a round to spare, winning the championship ahead of highly rated Carlos Sainz Jr. by 45 points.

That title came a year after he victorious in Formula BMW Europe, which also came with Josef Kaufmann Racing.

Fortec’s Formula Renault 3.5 Team Manager Jamie Dye said: “Robin has always been one to watch – his consistency throughout the 2011 season was phenomenal and he’s proven himself to be the complete package.

“We’re absolutely delighted to have him with us for 2012 and he has shown that he thoroughly deserves a place in the Formula Renault 3.5 series.

“We’re very much looking forward to working with Robin this year and we’re confident that both he and Carlos will be strong contenders next season.”

Renault Sport Sporting Manager Emmanuel Esnault also expressed his pleasure that Robin is moving up to Formula Renault 3.5 with Fortec.

He said: “We are all happy to see Robin joining Fortec Motorsport for his maiden season in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series and are proud to observe that the prize money of €500.000 offered to the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 Winner is allowing him to make concrete the step forward in our unique stairway to F1.

“We wish him all the best.”

The first race of the Formula Renault 3.5 season takes place at Motorland, Aragon in Spain on May 5th-6th.

SRO And Renault Sport Are Hopeful Of Larger Formula Renault UK Grids in 2012 - Photo Credit: Jakob Ebrey Photography

After a poor turnout last season, the organisers of the Formula Renault 2.0 UK Championship, SRO and Renault Sport, have come out saying they’re expecting larger grids this campaign.

2011 saw the Renault UK championship suffer from low turnout throughout the year, with grid numbers ranging from just twelve to fourteen. The series organisers are confident of increased entries for this season, with them believing new teams are set to join some series regulars and returning old teams.

General Manager Lisa Crampton commented: “After discussions with several teams and drivers during the Autosport International Show in Birmingham, we can expect larger grids for the season ahead.  

“With the inclusion of the Formula Renault Junior class we expect to see a strengthened field, especially with the likes of Fortec, MGR, RPD and Antel all looking to bring Junior cars to the BTCC package; our target of 5 cars in the class is looking very healthy. We’ve worked through a lot of feedback from the teams concerned to ensure that this class is successful and brings to the table what drivers want and need.

“The Formula Renault 2.0 class has a lot of buzz surrounding it. Mark Burdett Motorsport has numerous driver speaking with them, Scorpio are preparing their cars for a return, plus there’s new team GP1 Engineering (ex P1 Motorsport) based out of Hethel looking to join for the season ahead. Series regulars Fortec Motorsport & Competition and Atech Reid GP will be running at least three cars each, and there will also be the regular additions of Eurocup cars throughout the season. The return of teams and the influx of new teams running in both classes will undoubtedly add to the grid, and we look set for an even better year of racing than 2011 provided, which in itself is a significant accomplishment.”

This optimism follows the announcement that Mark Burdett Motorsport have signed 16 year old Gabriel Casegrande for one of their seats, with the team holding high hopes for the Brazilian driver who has won multiple championships in recent years.

It’s unclear as to whether all the entrants the organisers are hoping for will materialise though. In the Junior class, many young drivers are turning their attention towards the successful Formula Renault BARC Championship, a cheaper alternative for drivers making their first step into racing, which saw grids numbers over twenty last season. Antel Motorsport and RPD Motorsport have recently confirmed four and two car assaults on the club-level series respectively, while Fortec Motorsport are expected to continue their strong presence in the series.

In the main UK class, the loss of Manor Competition, who ran three cars throughout 2011 and have been stalwarts in the series for many years, will be a huge blow to the series.  Few drivers have confirmed their entry to the championship so far and with many struggling to raise the large budget required for the series, entry numbers could be in the low teens once again in 2012.

Manor Competition Are Leaving Formula Renault UK After A Poor 2011 Season - Photo Credit: Jakob Ebrey Photography

Multiple championship winning team Manor Competition have left the Formula Renault 2.0 UK Championship to focus on European racing.

Established in 1990, Manor have become the most successful team in the UK championship’s history, winning the drivers’ championship on multiple occasions, including with Dean Smith (2009), Oliver Jarvis (2005), Lewis Hamilton (2003), Kimi Raikkonen (2000) and Antonio Pizzonia (1999). The team have also produced five winners of the prestigious McLaren Autosprot BRDC Award, the latest being Lewis Williamson in 2010.

Last season saw the team endure its worst season for many years. The team’s driver line up of Josh Hill, Alice Powell and Jordan King picked up just one podium finish between them through the season, meaning it was the first time since 2006 that a Manor driver has not won a race in a UK Renault season.

The team are now moving to compete in the Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup championship, launching a partnership with MP Motorsport. The cars will continue to run in Manor’s distinctive black and red livery, showcasing their continued partnership with the Marussia F1 team, with King set to drive one of three cars next season. The MP/Manor team are also set to run up to six cars in the Formula Renault Northern European Cup.

Plenty Of Changes Are Being Made Ahead Of The 2012 Formula Renault UK Season - Photo Credit: Jakob Ebrey Photography

A host of changes are being introduced in an attempt to spice up the Formula Renault UK Championship in 2012. The single-seater series suffered a disappointing year in 2011, but series organisers SRO are mixing things up for this year to try and boost interest in the series and raise grid numbers.

Top of the changes is the introduction of a Junior ‘B’ class. The class will use the older (Pre 2010) Formula Renault Tatuus chassis, as used in the Formula Renault BARC Championship. The series is aiming to attract young drivers with a reduced entry fee, a later test ban date and equal billing on track to the Formula Renault 2.0 cars in the main class.

The championship will have a new event format this season, which will now see the single-seater racers enjoy three races each weekend. The opening encounter will be a 15 minute sprint race, with the final two races taking place over 30 minutes. The championship will once again supporting the British Touring Car Championship for the majority of its rounds, but it will also have two special guest events, supporting the British F3/GT series’ at Silverstone, before heading abroad for the Masters of F3 event at Zandvoort.

Qualifying is also being changed for 2012. The driver’s fastest times in qualifying will set the grid for race three, with their second fastest times setting the grid for race two. The opening race will feature a reverse grid, with a random draw picking a number between six and ten, with those places from the fastest times being reversed.

One final change for 2012 championship will see the Graduate Cup, for drivers under 19 years of age who have yet to complete a season in the Formula Renault 2.0 cars, renamed as the Rookie Trophy.

Oliver Sirrell Testing a Formula Renault UK Car In 2011

Oliver Sirrell has become the latest driver to announce his participation in the 2012 Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship.

After starting his career in bike racing, taking podiums and wins on a Honda RS 125, Sirrell moved into car racing in an ex-Dan Wheldon Van Diemen. Last season was his most successful to date, Sirrell winning the 750 MCC Formula 4 Class Championship. 

As well as this, he also drove a club F3 Dallara at Spa-Francorchamps, standing in for his future father-in-law. Sirrell overcame a lack of experience of the car and track to finish a credible 14th, ahead of higher spec MSV F3 and Austrian F3 cars.

At the end of 2011, Sirrell tested a Formula Renault UK car with Manor Motorsport at Snetterton. Now, with backing from LM Installations Ltd and ACS Ltd, Sirrell is moving into Renault BARC and will be running his own car.

Sirrell said: “I have decided to make the move to BARC Formula Renault following my test with Manor. I always like to be challenged in all aspects of what I do and now feel it’s time to move to the highly competitive series of BARC Renault, as that’s as far as I can reach with funds available.

“My aims for this season are of course to win but realistically I aim to be on the podium before the season finishes, maybe a tall order for the first year but I won’t know how it will go until my first test day in the car on the 9^th February at Snetterton.” 

The Caterham logo is set to be seen in FR3.5 this year - Photo Credit: Drew Gibson/GP2 Series Media Service

theCheckeredFlag.co.uk have discovered that Caterham and junior racing team Arden Motorsport are set to join forces.

The Caterham F1 Team have stated on their website, under their Driver Development Program section, that Alexander Rossi will contest a second season of the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, driving for the Arden Caterham Motorsport team. The American, who finished third in FR3.5 in 2011, had been expected to race for Caterham’s GP2 squad this year.

An internet search for ‘Arden Caterham Motorsport’ reveals that Arden Motorsport Limited were renamed Arden Caterham Motorsport Limited in November 2011.

Arden are a new entry into Formula Renault 3.5 for 2012, after success in Formula 3000 and later GP2. The team was formed by current Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner when he was trying to forge a racing career of his own in the 1990s.

While they do seem set to collaborate in FR3.5, it remains to be seen whether Arden and Caterham will continue to run their own teams in GP2 or merge them. Arden’s GP2 operation has slumped towards the back of the grid in recent seasons, finishing 11^th of the 12 teams in the championship in 2011.

The news comes after reports that Arden’s long-term F3000/GP2 rivals Super Nova Racing are at risk of closing down after hitting serious financial problems.

Dale Coyne Racing's no.19 during the 2011 season (Photo Credit: Indycar)

Dale Coyne Racing announced today that its two-car effort will be powered by Honda engines in 2012.

Under the terms of the agreement, Honda Performance Development (HPD) will provide all Dale Coyne Racing entries with its 2.2l Honda Indy V6 for the entire 2012 IZOD IndyCar campaign and Indianapolis 500.

“Dale Coyne Racing has been one of IndyCar’s most durable teams, with a history that extends for nearly 30 years.” said Erik Berkman, president of Honda Performance Development and vice president, corporate planning and logistics, for American Honda. “It’s great to have them racing with us in 2012. Dale’s team has made great strides in recent seasons, and he has made moves this off-season to further improve. We’re looking forward to continuing our association with him in 2012.”

Dale Coyne Racing joins Chip Ganassi Racing, A.J. Foyt Racing, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and Sam Schmidt Motorsports as the Honda-powered teams in 2012.

“We have felt a part of the Honda family from their first days in CART back in the early 1990s till today,” commented DCR team owner Dale Coyne. “We are very pleased to enter this next stage of IndyCar history with a company so dedicated to winning and rich in successful motorsports heritage like Honda. Together we hope to accomplish great things in 2012.”

GP3 chiefs have managed to find somewhere in Monaco to locate their paddock, presumably without having to float it in the harbour - Photo Credit: Alastair Staley/GP2 Media Service

GP3 Series organisers have confirmed that the championship will race on the streets of Monte Carlo for the first time in 2012.

The series had been looking to join its big brother GP2 in supporting the Monaco Grand Prix since its inception in 2010, but had been unable to find a suitable place to locate the paddock for their 30 cars in the tightly-packed Principality.

The announcement means that GP3 will now race at all European Grands Prix. The season will consist of eight rounds, as per the previous two years prior to the loss of the Istanbul round from the calendar. Monaco will form the second round of the 2012 season, two weeks after the season opener in Barcelona.

“I am delighted to announce that Monaco has been confirmed on the 2012 GP3 Series calendar,” said Series CEO Bruno Michel. “It was quite a task to study all logistic options to fit our paddock in an already busy environment.

“Thanks to Automobile Club de Monaco and Formula One Management it’s all come together fine.  This is a fantastic exposure opportunity for the Series and for the drivers to showcase their talent around the challenging streets of Monaco and to provide, as usual, a great show”

Laine previously tested for MW Arden in late 2010 - Photo Credit: Drew Gibson/GP3 Media Service

GP3 Series racer Matias Laine has signed for the MW Arden team for his second year in the category, and says his target is to win the championship.

The 21-year-old Finn raced for Marussia Manor Racing in 2011, and despite only managing a best result of 14^th from the 16 races last year he thinks he can be in contention for the title this season. This comes after being amongst the pacesetters at all three post-season tests in Spain with the Manor team.

“I am very happy to join MW Arden,” said Laine. “I am really looking forward to start the work with the team at the simulator and I can’t wait to get in the car.

“My target for this season is to win the championship and I think MW Arden is the best team for me to battle for the championship. I did a couple of test days with the team end of 2010 and I felt very comfortable working with the people at MW Arden.”

The signing of Laine completes MW Arden’s driver lineup for the coming season, with rookie David Fumanelli and sophomore Mitch Evans already confirmed.

“I am delighted to have Matias a part of the team in 2012,” said MW Arden’s Julian Rouse. “He tested with us just over a year ago, he performed very well and was great to work with. Now with the experience of a full season in GP3 already, I have no doubt he will be right at the front and challenging for race wins and ultimately the Drivers Championship.

“Matias’ development as a driver during 2011 was evident in the post season tests where he was one of the most competitive drivers across the 3 events. We will be working as hard as we can to help him to continue that development here at MW Arden.”

Rubens Barrichello (Photo Credit: Lorenzo Bellanca/LAT Photographic)

Former Formula One racer Rubens Barrichello is set to test an IndyCar next week, according to The Associated Press.

Rumours started when IndyCar driver Tony Kanaan tweeted a picture of a bare KV Racing car to Rubens Barrichello a week ago saying, ‘It’s ready for you my friend. Come on in.@rubarrichello‘

Although saying in the past that he promised his wife he would not take part in the IndyCar series sources close to The Association Press believe Barrichello will arrive in Sebring on Monday for a two day test with the KV Racing team.

Reigning IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti later tweeted that the 39-year-old “would be a welcome addition to the series”.

The eleven-time F1 race winner is believed to have no plans beyond the test itself.

Dallara DW12 in testing (Photo Credit: Walt Kuhn)

INDYCAR vice president Will Phillips believes the Dallara DW12 is up to task on ovals after a two-day wind tunnel test last week.

Questions about the chassis arose during a November test session at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, when it only achieved an average lap speed of 215.6mph on the 2.5mile oval. A Target Chip Ganassi Racing IR11 chassis in qualification trim recorded an average 227.34mph in May.

This caused a hastily arranged rolling test by INDYCAR and Dallara in North Carolina to see what more could be done to increase aerodynamic performance.

“We then compared the 2012 car as it was run at its fastest during the (November) testing at the Speedway,” Phillips said. “We showed that aerodynamically the car was limited to 218.4 mph, so the (drivers/teams) did a good job of reaching its potential. We then compared the production car, which is slightly different from the prototype in terms of different mirrors, different rear wheel fairings, subtle differences in chassis construction and better integration of the Zylon (side intrusion) panels.

“Basically, the production car is more slippery (moves the air better) than the prototype. That lifted the speed as the car was run. We then looked at how could we improve the aerodynamic force of the car. Basically, by optimizing the aero set-up, re-balancing the car and then putting on some aero development parts, it showed that using a nominal assumed horsepower of 575 the car is capable of 225 mph.”

Fifteen IZOD IndyCar Series teams picked up their first DW12 chassis in December, with a further seventeen teams having theirs delivered earlier this month. Engine manufactures Chevrolet, Honda and Lotus tested their DW12′s at Sebring a week ago as they continue developing the car before the season opener in St. Petersburg in March.

“Same test at same venue using an ‘11 car and ‘12 car, and that’s the only data we’re using to compare,” Phillips said. “It’s about as clean as we can make it for a two-day test.”

With the introduction of multiple ‘aero kits’ in 2013, the potential of higher speeds will be an item for INDYCAR officials to address.

“As we look at aero kits for 2013, the car could be exceeding expectations as they reduce drag further,” Phillips said. “But it’s not always about aerodynamics. You have to mechanically set the car up to drive it, so it’s always a balance. Aerodynamically, we’ve proven that it can happen but we haven’t proven mechanically that we can set the car up to go that speed yet.”

Danica Patrick (Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Danica Patrick has announced that she will add the Coca Cola 600 to her Cup schedule in NASCAR, meaning that she will not participate in the 96^th Indianapolis 500, which runs on the same day, May 27^th.  Patrick, 29, made the decision last year to turn her back on the Indycar series, which she has competed in since 2005, in light of the diminishing number of ovals on the calendar, and will compete in NASCAR full time this year.  However Danica, who became the first woman ever to lead at Indy in 2005 en route to a fourth place finish, and has a best result of third – attained in 2009, did not rule out a return in future.

“I’m not going to do the Indy 500,” she confirmed on Monday. “I hope to do it in the future. Maybe it’ll be a double [the Indy 500 and Coke 600 on the same day].

“But at this point in time, after a lot of conversations, it’s just going to be the Coke 600. It’s going to be a big challenge.”

Danica’s Cup series owner Tony Stewart, who also made the switch to NASCAR from Indycar racing, praised Patrick’s decision making, and believes that not dividing her attentions between the two races will help her get up to speed in NASCAR much quicker.

“We didn’t tell her she couldn’t run the 500. It was left up to her,” Stewart said.

“Obviously, she’s running the Nationwide car full time, and it’s a good weekend to get a lot of laps in the car. I don’t think about [Indy] anymore. It’s been so long since I’ve done it. You just focus. It shows how dedicated she is to making this transition.”

Only Stewart, Robby Gordon and John Andretti have ever managed to compete all 1100 miles in the same day. Stewart came closest to taking the double, finishing ninth at Indy and fourth at Charlotte in 1999, and in his most recent attempt in 2001, taking sixth at Indy and third at Charlotte. He has since given up on his boyhood dream of taking Victory Lane in the 500, but has won the Brickyard 400 twice, in 2005 and 2007.

“The hard part for me was you make that decision when you sign up to do it,” Stewart said. “The decision you make, you have to come to peace with yourself with saying ‘I’m not going to do this.’ That was my childhood dream anyway. It may be a different scenario and feeling for her. But it was hard knowing when I signed that [NASCAR] contract that I was writing off the opportunity to go race at [the 500].

“It’s figuring out at the end of the day what do you really want to do. I guess that’s the part that even though it was hard to watch opening day of practice at Indianapolis, I’m enjoying what I’m doing, too, and this is what I want to do at the end of the day,” he continued. “It makes you want 30-hour days and 400-day years and we always want to do more than what we’re capable of doing, but the reality is you have to pick at some point and choose your career path. This is what I’ve done and what she’s doing now.”

Stewart echoed the sentiment of Jeff Gordon, a four-time winner of the Brickyard 400, who said back in 2010 that doing the double was no longer viable in the modern era.

“To me, they could offer $100 million to run both of those races or win both of those races and it wouldn’t affect my decision because I’m only going to go there [to Indy] if I feel like I can be competitive. To be competitive, I would need to be in those cars all of the time,” he said.

“I just don’t think you can do both Indy and the 600 and do them both really well, or good enough to win.”

A Formula Kart Stars Racer Could Follow In The Footsteps Of Hillspeed's Seb Morris, The 2011 Ginetta Junior Champion - Photo Credit: Chris Gurton Photography

A new partnership between the popular Formula Kart Stars series and front-running British team Hillspeed has produced a new scholarship award in 2012.

The Formula One Management-backed championship will nominate one driver in each of the 12 rounds of the 2012 championship. The nominated drivers will then attend an exclusive shootout with Hillspeed at the end of the season.

The winner of the shootout will receive free entry into the 2013 Ginetta Junior Championship or Formula Renault BARC Championship courtesy of Hillspeed.

Derbyshire-based Hillspeed have had success in both championships, winning the 2010 and 2011 Ginetta Junior titles, as well as the 2010 Formula Renault BARC crown.

Hillspeed Team Principal Richard Ollerenshaw said: “Hillspeed is very excited about the partnership with FKS and the opportunity to work with drivers seeking a long term future in Motorsport. It is clearly apparent that FKS is a vital proving ground and stepping stone for aspiring karters. We want to become involved and offer them the chance to sample entry-level car racing within the professional environment that Hillspeed provides.

“We have worked with a number of young drivers with karting backgrounds and have been exceptionally successful in their development and career progression. Our Ginetta Junior programme has provided our drivers the opportunity to graduate from karting to cars while keeping a high profile with all of the races supporting the British Touring Car Championship.”

Formula Kart Stars Championship director Carolynn Hoy said: “Hillspeed are in a unique position in that they can offer our drivers two different routes into the world of car racing through either the single seater or closed cockpit environment.

“Their work with drivers like Tom [Ingram] and Alice [Powell] proves that they believe in giving young drivers their first big opportunity and that is one of the core aims of Formula Kart Stars as well. I know that whoever is eventually selected for the prize will be in the best environment possible with Hillspeed.”