17-year-old Josh Wakefield has become the latest driver to be signed up for the brand new Trofeo Abarth 500 GB series launching this year.
Advent Motorsport announced in October that they would be running TV personality Vicki Butler Henderson in the team with support from James Blyth plus a fourth driver to be announced soon.
Team boss Andrew Crighton was more than happy with his latest signing: “Advent Motorsport are delighted to welcome Josh Wakefield as a team-mate to Vicky Butler-Henderson and James Blyth. We feel that Josh's youth and enthusiasm will compliment the experience Vicky has from racing and her promotional and marketing expertise. Josh will also benefit from Jame Blyth's race-craft, derived from two seasons in the Mini Challenge.”
“We believe the combination of drivers will provide a competitive package in 2010.”
Wakefield, from Essex was awarded the Saxmax Challenge Rookie of the Year in 2009 and has been tutored by BRDC member Chris Hodgetts. Josh tested the Abarth 500 Assetto Corse at the Trofeo series launch in October and has worked hard behind the scenes to get onto the grid in 2010.
Wakefield added: “I am very happy and privileged to have the opportunity to be driving in the new championship. I am excited to be working with Andrew Crighton of Advent Motorsport and Chris Hodgetts, BRDC. I am also very pleased to have Vicky Butler-Henderson and James Blyth as team mates and am looking forward to some close racing this season.”
With the announcement of Zing Digital Media as the title sponsor of the series last week the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB is gaining momentum.
Championship Organiser Paolo Callea said “It's really great that Advent Motorsport can announce a four car line-up in the championship. It shows that there are drivers out there who have the budget to go racing in this series. Andrew Crighton has been very pro-active with the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB launch and test events and Advent are reaping the rewards of that commitment.”
The series gets underway at Oulton Park on 3-5 April supporting the British Formula 3 & GT championship round.