A LAP OF SNETTERTON

With the third round of the Texaco Havoline Ginetta Championship taking place at Snetterton this weekend, who better than Speedworks Motorsport driver Dave Jackson give a guided tour of the circuit?

“You come down the start/finish straight and build up a decent amount of speed heading into the fast right-hander at Riches,” says Jackson. “You can carry a lot of speed through there and set yourself up for an overtaking move into Sear, which is a second gear corner.

“Let the car go out wide and catch a bit of oversteer and drive it out hard, then you head down the Revett Straight – the longest in Britain – towards the Esses.

“After a quick check in your mirror see if someone’s trying to catch a tow, you head into the Esses. Down into third gear for the left-hander, then get the car straight and down another gear for the right hander. Again you catch a bit of oversteer and you head up to The Bombhole. A little lifton entry to let the car grip then it’s flat all the way through.

“Then you’re into Coram, where a little lift on turn-in allows you to stay flat all the way round. Look for your exit, and if you’re a little wide you have to lift to adjust the line. The Russell Chicane, which comes right after it, is a very technical corner although it is quite slow in second gear. There’s a lot of time to be gained and lost depending on how smooth you are.

“Then you’re back onto the start/finish straight for another lap.”

For ticket information for the meeting click here

STRAW CONTENT DESPITE MISSING TOP 10

Speedworks Motorsport’s Edd Straw declared himself happy with Team Fine Print’s 12th place finish in the 2CV 24 Hours at Snetterton. During his second two-hour stint, he climbed from 12th to ninth place, only for a rival car to force team-mate Paul Leason back into the pits with substantial damage after spinning in front of him.

“But for that piece of bad luck we would definitely have ended up well inside the top ten,” said Straw. “There’s absolutely nothing Paul could have done to avoid the accident. In fact, he did amazingly well to bring the car back under its own steam and make sure we didn’t lose anywhere near as much time as we should have done.

“We believed before the race that with a problem-free run we could take a strong finish. Unfortunately, although the car ran beautifully all race, that little bit of bad luck cost us.

Straw completed the final stint in the race, the first time he has taken the chequered flag in four attempts at the race

“Finishing was a fantastic experience,” said Straw. “The strange thing was that on the last lap in the first corner the car suddenly picked up a misfire. This team lost sixth place on the last lap a few years ago with a car problem and for a minute I was worried history might repeat itself! I back it off and we made the finish no problem.

“Without doubt this is the best run I’ve had in the race, and hopefully I’ll be back next year to get that top ten. The car and team are certainly up to it and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to have raced for Fine Print again this year.”

STRAW'S HOPES TAKE A HIT

Speedworks Motorsport driver Edd Straw's hopes for a top 10 finish in the Citroen 2CV 24 Hours at Snetterton were dealt a blow when his Team Fine Print entry suffered a lengthy delay after t-boning a spinning car.

Straw had just completed his second two-hour stint, bringing the car into the pits in ninth place to hand over to team-mate Paul Leason. However, just 20 minutes into Leason's stint he collected a spinning backmarker. The ensuing delay dropped the car down to the lower reaches of the top 20 as the front right wheel and bodywork were repaired and the transponder beacon replaced.

"It's frustrating because this kind of thing is out of our hands," said Straw. "If someone is going to spin in front of you there's not much you can do about it. On the plus side, the car was turned around fantastically quickly and we were able to refuel. With a little help from the safety car our losses were mitigated.

"I'd had a decent stint and managed to pick up a couple of positions in difficult conditions and our stated aim of a top ten finish was well within our sights. That said, we're still not that far off, and there's still about a quarter of the race to go."

With five-and-a-half hours of the race still remaining, Team Fine Print is running 13th, four laps behind the car in 10th place.

STRAW CONFIDENT FOR 24 HOURS

Speedworks Motorsport's Edd Straw is hopeful of a strong run in the 2CV 24 Hours, which starts today at Snetterton, after qualifying 17th.

Straw, who is sharing a Team Fine Print-prepared machine with 2CV race winner Paul Leason, Nurburgring veteran Said Baloui and team owner Martin Harrold, is competing in the event for the fourth consecutive year and believes that this is his best chance of a top ten finish.

"The qualifying position itself isn't so important, but what is vital is that we know this is broadly our race pace," said Straw. "We haven't got a qualifying special engine and we want this one to last the distance, so we should be able to run at a consistently strong pace. There are a handful of cars at the front of the field that we know we can't compete with, but if everything goes to plan there's every chance of a top ten finish."

A total of 35 cars are entered in the race, with several high-profile drivers competing. As well as Straw, sometime Formula 1 racer Mike Wilds and British Touring Car Championship ace Gareth Howell are also running.

"It's a fantastic race to do," said Straw. "A 2CV may not sound particularly enojoyable to drive but it's a good laugh, especially when it's wet! My best finish in the race was 16th in 2005, so what I'm really looking for is improving on that. We've certainly got the car and the crew to do that, all we need now is a little luck."

The race will start at 4pm today (Sunday), running through the night before the chequered flag at 4pm Monday.

For further information click here

GINETTA COVERAGE ON SKY SPORTS

The Texaco Havoline Ginetta Championship will return to television this weekend with Sky Sports screening extensive coverage of the second round of the championship at Brands Hatch.

Among the highlights of the programme will be Speedworks Motorsport driver Christian Dick’s dramatic charges from the midfield to the front in both races of the double-header and team-mate Jonny Hyde’s strong performances.

“The Brands races were fantastic to be on track in and from what I hear from spectators they were even better to watch,” said Dick. “The Brands Grand Prix circuit configuration has some fantastic corners and great opportunities to overtake, ensuring that there wasn’t a dull moment.”


BROADCAST TIMES
Tuesday May 22 1730 Sky Sports Xtra
Tuesday May 22 2030 Sky Sports 2
Wednesday May 23 Sky Sports Xtra
Wednesday May 23 Sky Sports 3

FLASHBACK: 2006 WINTER SERIES

After several toe-in-the-water outings in the 2006 Texaco Havoline Ginetta Championship, Speedworks Motorsport had its first shot at outright honours in that year’s Winter Series. With the regulations allowing two drivers to share each entry in each of the 40-minute races, Speedworks Team Principal Christian Dick linked up with Paul Sheard for an attack on the title.

Despite Dick leading with ease in the first half of the opening round at Snetterton, Sheard was forced out of the race when Paul Rutter spun in front of him. Despite the retirement, which allowed Matt Nicoll-Jones and Toby Newton to take a clear win and ended any chance Speedworks had of taking the winter title, the duo bounced back with a dominant win in the final race on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit.

Dick took a stunning last-gasp pole position for the race, although this time it was Sheard who took the start. Again, a rival car spun – that of Newton – but Sheard just avoided being collected and the veteran completed an accomplished stint to bring the car in for the one-minute pit-stop from third place. Dick, suffering from a broken rib suffered during the driver change in the Snetterton race, took over and blazed through the order, passing the car of series winner Nathan Dod on his way to a comfortable win.

“Although Snetterton was very frustrating Brands Hatch showed what the team could do,” said Dick. “I had a little work to do when I took over, but the pace was there to win it relatively easily and all I had to do was make sure I didn’t bin it! Hopeful that victory will be the first of many for Speedworks in Ginettas.”

SIMMS PLEASED WITH PROGRESS

Speedworks Scholarship winner Gary Simms is upbeat after a promising showing in the last round of the Texaco Havoline Ginetta Championship at Brands Hatch despite crashing out of the second race.

Simms finished 22nd in the first race of the double-header before crashing at the awesomely challenging Paddock Hill Bend while fighting his way up the order in the second race.

“The car became very unsettled going into Paddock and in trying to correct it I did not make the corner,” said Simms. “As soon as the car came to a stop, I was angry with myself because I’d let my frustration get the better of me and let the team down by not bringing the car home.”

“But on the plus side I was happy with my performance in qualifying and the first race. The aim is to continue this kind of improvement at Snetterton so I should be able to finish in the top 20.”

Despite the accident, Team Principal Christian Dick was pleased with Simms’ progress.

“It’s a steep learning curve," said Dick. "Gary certainly seems to be taking a sensible approach towards what his objectives are for each race so scoring points at Snetterton is a definite possiblity.”

DISAPPOINTMENT FOR TWYMAN AND HARRIS

Speedworks Ginetta Scholarship instructors Joe Twyman and Matt Harris endured a disappointing outing in the HGPCA Sportscars event at Donington Park on Bank Holiday Monday.

The duo, who were sharing a Lotus 11, qualified second in class and 19th overall, but failed to finish the one-hour race after suffering a differential mounting failure while Twyman was chasing down class leader John Clark’s Lola Mk1.

“I had a great start and moved my way up the field nicely, passing much faster cars and got right up behind the leader in my class,” said Twyman. “Just as I was thinking about making a move I felt as if I had been hit from behind at the chicane.

“On my return to the pits the guys checked out the car and revealed that it was actually a support arm that holds the diff in that had broken, spilling oil onto the rear brakes. I guess I was very luck this didn’t happen somewhere quicker than the chicane!”

Despite the disappointment of retiring after just 20 minutes of the race, Twyman was pleased that he was able to prove his pace after underachieving in qualifying.

“I wasn’t very happy after qualifying because I knew the pace I showed didn’t reflect the pace I had shown in testing before the event,” he said. “I was hoping it might be wet for the race, because it acts as a leveller and makes it harder for the more powerful cars. But it dried out and wasn’t to be!”

The race was won overall by the Lotus 15 of Philip Walker and Danny Wright, while Clark went on to win Class G in his Lola.

STRAW TAKES ON 24 HOURS

Speedworks Motorsport’s Edd Straw will contest his fourth Citroen 2CV 24 Hours at Snetterton on May 26-28.

The 27-year-old will drive for regular outfit Team Fine Print, with which he has raced for the past three years. Despite running as high as third in the twice round the clock event, Straw has never finished higher than 16th. He is eager to break into the top ten this year.

“The 2CV 24 Hours is a fantastic event to take part in,” says Straw. “A lot of people laugh when I say that, but it is great fun. The cars may not exactly be lightning fast, but to be quick you still have to be able to drive.

“Team Fine Print are a great bunch of people and they have prepared a very promising car for this year. It’s not going to be setting the pace because that requires singificant investment, but if we can run at top ten pace and have a clean run then with a bit of luck on our side we can have a good result.”

Straw also believes that the 2CV 24 Hours represents a fantastic way to get involved in racing.

“I’ll be racing for six hours during the race, which is probably as much track time as I’ll get in the rest of my season. Back in 2004 the 24 Hours was my second-ever race, and it was absolutely fantastic for learning the skills of racing.

“Drives in the 24 Hours are available for relatively small sums, so I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to get serious bang for their bucks in racing.”

For more information on the 2CV 24 Hours, click here

WERRELL DOING LEJOG FOR CHARITY

Speedworks Ginetta Scholarship host and leading motorsport commentator Mark Werrell will take on the challenge of completing a solo bike ride from Land's End to John O'Groats next month.

Werrell's 840-mile odyssey will raise money for the "Babies Are Born Incredibly Early Sometimes" (B.A.B.I.E.S.) charity, which supports the Lincoln County Hospital Special Care Baby Unit. Werrell became involved in the charity after his own son, who is now five, was born 10 weeks prematurely.

Werrell, who will ride the latest GT Legato 3.0 cycle supplied by Speedworks driver Neil Merry's Hot Wheels, has set a target of £4000 for his epic ride.

“The support received from family, friends and the motorsport community has been staggering, how can I possibly thank them all," said Werrell. "It helps me focus on the task in hand and I know that many people will be egging me on!

“The support received so far has been tremendous. Hot Wheels have provided a new GT Legato 3.0 with all the additional equipment I require. Neil & the team at Hot Wheels have provided exactly the bike for the task in hand.”

Werrell has been locked into a rigorious training regime, and based on his average speed in training he is confident that the 65-70 miles a day distances will not be a problem.

The route will run through Land's End, St Austell, Okehampton, Bristol, Chepstow, Hereford, Chester, Preston, Kendal, Carlisle, Dumfries, Irvine, Greenock, Dunoon, Fort William, Inverness, Thurso and John O’Groats.

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DICK BACKS JAGUAR TO WIN

Speedworks Motorsport Team Prinicpal Christian Dick believes that the Jaguar XKR GT3 has the potential to win races in the future despite missing out on making his international GT debut for the marque at Silverstone this weekend after the car was denied entry because of homologation problems.

Apex Motorsport, one of Britain's leading race teams with an illustrious history including taking Audi to the British Touring Car Championship title and Bentley back to Le Mans, has developed the car on a short timescale and had hoped to give it a competitive debut in the opening round of the FIA European GT3 Championship at Silverstone. Unfortunately, the team has not been able to complete the homolgation papers - a technical document which sets the specification in which cars are allowed to compete in international events - in time.

Dick, who had been selected to make his international debut after excelling at national level over the past decade, believes that this is just a minor setback for the team.

"Obviously it's frustrating for everyone not to be able to get out at Silverstone, but from what I've seen the project has enormous potential," said Dick, who was due to share the team's lead car with Speedworks Ginetta Scholarship instructor James Littlejohn. "The team has been up against it in terms of time since the project was given the go-ahead, and if they continue to progress at the current rate it won't take long for the car to be a race winner.

"The amount of work that has to go into developing this kind of car cannot be underestimated. To even be in a position to think about competing at Silverstone, let alone ready to race, is testament to the amount of work Apex have put in over the past six months. Having spent the last few days with them I can see why they've had so much success over the years and am in no doubt that this is just a temporary setback for them."

Apex Motorsport team boss Richard Lloyd paid tribute to the efforts made by his team to prepare the car for Silverstone.

"The cars look fabulous and I’m pleased to say they both passed safety scrutineering with flying colours," said Lloyd. "I feel desperately disappointed for the fans who now won’t be able to see the Jaguars race on their home soil and for our guys who have worked several ‘all-nighters’ during the past week.”

For further information on Apex Motorsport click here

DICK GETS JAGUAR GT CALL-UP

Speedworks Motorsport Team Principal Christian Dick has landed a factory Jaguar drive for the opening round of the European FIA GT3 Championship at Silverstone this weekend.

The 31-year-old will be part of the driver line-up for the two-car entry for what marks Jaguar's return to international sportscar racing for the first time in 16 years. He will share a Jaguar XKR with Speedworks Ginetta Scholarship instructor James Littlejohn. The car has been developed and prepared by Apex Motorsport, which is best-known for running the Bentley Le Mans programme and taking Audi to the British Touring Car Championship title in 1996.

"The chance came completely out of the blue," said Dick. "It's a fantastic opportunity to race for a marque with as much history as Jaguar and for a team like Apex. It's going to be a case of in at the deep end, because I won't have the chance to test the car before the weekend, but even so it's a massive compliment to be chosen to represent Jaguar. It's only a one-off drive, but I'm going to enjoy every minute of it!"

Although the Jaguar is, by Apex Motorsport boss Richard Lloyd's own admission, still in need of significant development mileage, Dick is looking forward to the challenge.

"The car is very new and short of mileage, so the important thing is to get as many miles on it as possible and continue to improve it," said Dick. "For me, one of the most enjoyable things about driving is working on the setup and making the car quicker, so this is the perfect chance to harness those skills."

Apex boss Lloyd is in no doubt as to the challenges that lie ahead at Silverstone.

“To say that the last few months have been fraught is probably something of an understatement," said Lloyd. "We didn’t get the first complete road car from Jaguar until the end of September and we’ve been up against it as far as testing and preparation is concerned ever since. The major problem has been that we underestimated the complexities of going racing with a supercharged engine and that has seriously restricted the amount of track time we’ve been able to achieve."

Free practice will be held today (Friday) with qualifying on Saturday and two race on the Sunday.

For an in-depth feature on the Jaguar GT3 project, pick up the latest copy of Autosport Magazine (May 3) or click here

HANCOCK SALVAGES FIFTH

Speedworks Ginetta Scholarship Chief Instructor Olly Hancock made a disappointing start to his Formula Renault BARC campaign at Donington Park on Sunday, but still came away with a fifth place finish.

Hancock, who is one of the favourites for the title, could manage only fourth in qualifying after suffering with traffic. Had he matched his testing pace, he would have comfortably started second on the grid.

“I came out in qualifying slap bang in the middle of a load of Class B cars,” said Hancock. “Then I hit a lot of yellow flags and traffic during the session. I found myself some space, got a beautiful exit from the last corner and was ready to set a quick one when the chequered flag came out!

“I ended up fourth, but I’ve learned that I need to find myself some space and quickly if I am to qualifying well. When I was in Formula Ford 2000 people generally got out of my way, but Formula Renault is very different.”

Hancock then survived a mid-race spin at the chicane while on course for a podium finish.

“I was off line and there’s a big bump which I hit,” said Hancock. “Fortunately I had enough space to sixth not to lose any more places.

“It’s a disappointing start, but the main thing is that I know there’s race winning pace there. I just have to make sure I get qualifying right!”

The next round of the championship will be held at Croft on May 19-20.


Race results (14 laps)
1 Hywel Lloyd (CF Racing), 16m38.582s
2 Aaron Steele (Double M Racing), +1.596s
3 Felix Fisher (Privateer), +5.202s
4 Dean Stoneman (Alpine Racing), +9.250s
5 Ollie Hancock (Mark Burdett Motorsport), +13.387s
6 Ross “Rossi” Worswick (Worswick Motorsport), +18.386s

CAKEBREAD TO MAKE RACE RETURN

Former Speedworks Scholarship winner Andy Cakebread will make his Texaco Havoline Ginetta Championship debut in the next round of the series at Snetterton on June 2-3.

The 2001 MGBCV8 champion, who currently works as a mechanic for the team, has not raced since finishing fourth in the MaX5 Championship for Mazda MX-5s in 2005, but will take over Speedworks driver Edd Straw’s car for the Snetterton round.

“It’s fantastic to get back out there,” said Cakebread, who did not race in 2006 as he was getting married. “Long-term I’m hoping for a full season next year, so this is the ideal opportunity to get out there and see what Ginettas are all about.”

Cakebread is set to test at Snetterton a week before his race debut, and is looking forward to getting out in one of the 1.8-litre Zetec-engined machines after spending so much time working on them.

“The cars look great to drive,” said Cakebread. “I’ve had a couple of laps in one before, but this will really give me the chance to find out what it’s all about. I won’t have raced for almost two years when I sit on the grid at Snetterton. I can’t wait!”

Straw is not able to race at Snetterton because of his work commitments covering the World Touring Car Championship, but is confident that Cakebread is the perfect replacement.

“There aren’t many people I’d let out in my car, but I’ve got every confidence in Andy,” said Straw. “He’s a very fast and very consistent driver. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the best results that car gets all season are with Andy at the wheel!”

STRAW AND MERRY FIGHT IT OUT

Speedworks Motorsport duo Neil Merry and Edd Straw had a couple of close-calls during last weekend’s second round of the Texaco Havoline Ginetta Championship, with each coming close to taking the other out!

The first clash happened in race one, when Straw was coming through from the back of the field and closed on Merry.

“Neil had spun at Surtees so I closed in on him around the back of the grand prix loop,” said Straw. “He defended into Stirlings and I was able to go around the outside.

“The strange thing was he seemed to vanish completely. I suspected he’d spun again, but was careful not to make any sudden movements. Then, at Druids, three corners later, I was turning in and there he was!

“Because of the problem I had at the start when I couldn’t get the car fired up I’d taken off the belts, and when I had the guys in the pits do them back up again I was in a strange position and couldn’t see my mirrors!”

Both drivers ended up retiring from the race with mechanical problems. Merry joining Straw trackside at the exit of Hawthorns.

“I had the starter motor problem and had to pull over,” said Merry. “I saw Edd there so thought I’d join him!”

The duo again had a moment in race two. Merry closed in on Straw, who was embroiled in a battle with Stuart Pearson and Richard Sykes, as they approached Druids.

“I saw Edd being barged out out of the way at Druids and thought ‘right, I’m coming past you Richard’ as we were coming down the hill,” said Merry. “Then at Graham Hill Bend I ended up going up the inside of Edd and losing the back end in the corner!”

Straw was forced onto the grass to avoid the sliding Merry, but rejoined the track directly behind him.

“I could see Neil was struggling, so thought I’d better give him a bit of extra room,” said Straw. “It’s a shame the race ended early, because I wanted to get ahead again! We've had some great battles over the last couple of years - I always enjoy them!"

Straw went on to finish ahead of Merry on countback after the race was stopped prematurely.