TEXACO HAVOLINE GINETTA CHAMPIONSHIP 2007: FROM 10 TO 9 ROUNDS

Due to scheduling factors, the Texaco Havoline Championship has been reduced from 10 rounds to 9.

The Donington Park race on 21st / 22nd April has been eliminated from the calendar as a result of logistical matters with having three races in April, and also a busy Donington Park timetable.

“It is with regret that we have had to lose Donington Park from the calendar” said LNT Automotive Managing Director, Richard Dean. “What it has meant though is that what would have been a very busy April is now more manageable.”

ROUND 2 - SPEEDWORKS GINETTA SCHOLARSHIP

Competitors in the Speedworks Ginetta Scholarship had the chance to stake their claim for a place in the semi-final of the competition this week.

The second phase of the scholarship, which will give a novice driver a completely free season in the Texaco Havoline Ginetta Championship with Speedworks Motorsport, was held at Welsh circuit Llandow. All entrants had the chance for a second personal instruction session in genuine Ginetta G20.

In addition to the on-track activities, veteran sportscar racer Neil Cunningham hosted the masterclass session. As well as a seemingly endless series of stories from his colourful career, he also gave participants the benefit of his experience in finding sponsorship.

Team LNT’s Tom Kimber-Smith was also a very welcome guest on the first day. As well as instructing, Tom shared some of his experiences of winning the GT2 class of the 2006 Le Mans 24 Hours for Panoz.

Finally, all the competitors were put through their media paces in a short interview with Autosport journalist Edd Straw.

The semi-final of the scholarship will be held on March 7 prior to the ten-driver final a week later.

SPEEDWORKS GINETTA SCHOLARSHIP ROUND 2
The second round of the Speedworks Ginetta Championship will be held on Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

Each competitor will have the chance to further develop their skills behind the wheel of genuine Ginetta G20 race cars with tuition from Speedworks Motorsport’s team of top-line instructors.

As well as the track time, the scholarship competitors will also enjoy the racing masterclass with professional sportscar racer Neil Cunningham. While Neil may not be a well-known name outside motorsport, he is one of the most respected drivers around and will offer a unique perspective into how to raise sponsorship, as well as offering some insight into race driving techniques.

Everyone at Speedworks Motorsport is looking forward to welcome the scholarship competitors to Llandow for what promises to be two action-packed days.

ROUND 1 OF THE SPEEDWORKS GINETTA SCHOLARSHIP A SUCCESS!
The first round of the Speedworks Ginetta Scholarship, which will award a novice driver a free season in the Texaco Havoline Ginetta Championship, was held at Llandow this week.

Despite the bad weather, the entrants were put through their paces behind the wheel of genuine Ginetta G20 race cars. For many drivers, it was their first experience of piloting a race car on track, and most had never had any kind of driving tuition since they passed their driving tests!

As well as the on-track activities, the competitors also learned about some of the other aspects of being a racing driver with leading British Touring Car Championship racer Gareth Howell. As well as giving the scholarship competitors the benefit of his experience during the “Masterclass” session, Howell also took one of the Ginettas for a spin around the circuit.

“It’s a great little car,” said Howell. “You can see why the championship is so popular and produces close racing.”

Although the second day of running was disrupted by the heavy snowfall, the majority of competitors were still able to make it to the circuit and despite their on-track session having to be rescheduled still had the chance to enjoy the masterclass and have a close look at the race cars.

TOM KIMBER SMITH TO SCHOLARSHIP ROUND 2
Le Mans 24 Hours class winner Tom Kimber-Smith will join special guest Neil Cunningham in the masterclass on the second round of the Speedworks Ginetta Scholarship.

Kimber-Smith will be able to draw on a wealth of experience during the masterclass after establishing himself as one of Britain's top drivers over the past five years.

In addition to his victory as part of the Team LNT crew which claimed the Panoz marque's first Le Mans victory in a decade of trying in 2006, Kimber-Smith is a former winner of the British Formula Ford Championship. He has also raced with distinction in T-Cars, the Formula 3 Euroseries and Formula Renault.

For more information about Tom and Team LNT www.teamlnt.com