Round-Up News: BTRDA This Weekend!
This was the week FUCHS Lubricants announced its new exciting sponsorship with BTCC high-fliers Power Maxed Racing.
The agreement will see FUCHS’ logo feature on both PMR cars, in their garage and on PMR teamwear throughout the 10 BTCC events, whilst also providing further corporate and hospitality opportunities.
But that is far from the only news from the FUCHS and FUCHS Silkolene sponsorship programmes this week. Here’s the full round-up…
BTRDA rally championships head to Cumbria for Malcolm Wilson rally
The contenders in the FUCHS Lubricants BTRDA 1400 Rally Championship are trekking north this coming weekend for the Malcolm Wilson Rally, which is based at M-Sport’s headquarters in Dovenby, near Cockermouth.
The Cambrian Rally proved problematic for a number of front-running FUCHS Lubricants BTRDA® 1400 Championship contenders but, avoiding the pitfalls that befell others, Chris Powell/Jim Lewis (Talbot Sunbeam) returned home to Herefordshire as leaders of the race to claim the 2020 BTRDA Bronze Stars.
They now journey up to north-west England with the express intention of consolidating - and, hopefully, extending - their advantage. But the likes of Dave Brick/Rob Woodhouse (Nova), Aaron Rix/Rob Cook (Escort) and Richard Jordan/James Gratton-Smith (MG ZR) will have other ideas.
Class B13 is as popular as ever with the Top Four finishers on the Cambrian Rally – George Lepley/Tom Woodburn (Lancer EVOX), Russ Thompson/Andy Murphy (Lancer EVO9), Ian Joel/Graeme Wood (Escort Cosworth) and Maxx Bradshaw (Lancer EVO2) - all heading for M-Sport’s premises in Dovenby for the start of the Malcolm Wilson Rally.
Joel/Wood had to carry out major repairs to the Escort after a rear-axle shattering collision with the Great Orme granite on the Cambrian rally, but the car is now fixed and FUCHS supported Ian Joel is ready for the battle in the Lake District forests.
He said: “Hitting the rock face so hard when the back end stepped out was really difficult on the Cambrian, and we really struggled to even get to the finish. But the cars now fixed and we’re looking forward to the Wilson, where we’re usually competitive. I just hope the weather’s a bit better than it was last year!”
By finishing ahead of their main rivals Scott Faulkner/Steve Link on the first round - i.e. having fewer time-consuming problems! - Pat Naylor/Ian Lawrence (Lancer EVO9) lead the BTRDA Production Cup®. Both crews are set to resume their quest for supremacy in the Lake District and, should something untoward happen, several Fiesta STs will be lurking in the background ready to capitalise on any such misfortune.
Naylor/Lawrence are also joint-leaders of the MRF Tyres Mixed-Surface Challenge following the opening encounter, a position they currently share with Ewan Tindall/Andrew Roughead (Fiesta R2). Joel/Wood (Escort Cosworth) and Chris Powell/Jim Lewis (Talbot Sunbeam) are suitably placed to alter the look of the leaderboard before the Challenge then heads off to the first asphalt event in its eight-round calendar.
Heading the event’s entry list is the Fiesta WRC of Stephen Petch/Michael Wilkinson, who are being looked after this year by FUCHS supported CA1 Sport. The crew are hoping to repeat their success in winning the opening round of the championship in Wales.
CA1’s Martin Wilkinson said this week: “We’re hoping that young (sic) Stephen can repeat the successes his dad (Steven Petch snr) had when he won the Wilson three times. But Stephen’s a canny driver, so we’re hoping for a steady run from him and Michael.”
Further information from https://www.malcolmwilson.co.uk/
Brown heads for FIRC shakedown in Wales
The FUCHS supported Nissan Micra kit car of Steve Brown is headed for the Tour of Caerwent rally this coming weekend as a shakedown for the 2020 FIRC (Flanders International Rally Challenge) championship after a major rebuild and engine upgrade in 2019.
Speaking last week, Steve said: “It will be nice getting out in the Micra again this year, and I’m looking forward to getting on to the tarmac of the Caerwent complex to really test the car and the upgrades before we start the Belgian championship in April.”
David Bogie debuts Mk2 Escort in Ireland
Scottish driver David Bogie travelled to Ireland last weekend to start his 2020 season a newly built Ford Escort mk2. This is his choice for the 2020 season, after selling his Skoda Fabia at the end of the 2019 season.
“I can’t commit to a full championship season this year, as I’ve got other plans in the pipeline, so I’m doing selected rallies in the Mk2. I was pleased with our result on the Mayo in Ireland last weekend (4th overall, second in the 2WD class), it’s a great event, and the car is fantastic to drive and got lots of interest from all the spectators.”
David is using a range of FUCHS products in his car.
Junior driver Alfie Jeakins to compete in JSCC for 2020
Fifteen-year-old Alfie Jeakins is the newest addition to the FUCHS Lubricants racing roster. Alfie has been karting since he was nine, and had many successes in his various classes. In 2019 he wanted to extend his skillset, so chose the mixed-surface BTRDA rallycross championship, driving a Nissan Micra 1.2, where he won the MDA junior driver and finished second in the BTRDA junior championship, competing against drivers some two or three years older than him.
This year, Alfie is competing in the Junior Sports and Saloon Car championship
Silverstone national..21-22nd March
Oulton Park..4th April
Knockhill..9-10th May
Snetterton...27-28th June
Mondello park...11-12th July
Mallory park...31st August
Pembrey...12-13th September
Silverstone international 10-11th October
Brands Hatch..7-8th November
One of the reasons for this choice is that the regulations for JSCC are very strictly controlled and applied (as is required by Motorsport UK for junior classes). The second reason is perhaps more unusual – at the tender age of 15, Alfie is 1m.96cm tall, so cannot fit into most single seaters.
Alfie will be driving a Citroen C2 for this season, with lubricants advised and supplied by FUCHS.
Shaun’s bags fifth in UK Modifieds
Shaun Tarlton, another of our sponsored racers, kicked off his season by finishing fifth in the UK Modifieds Championship at Mildenhall Stadium.
After failing to finish heat one, Shaun managed P7 in heat two before finishing the event in the top five.
FUCHS Lubricants Classic Mini Challenge is go
The FUCHS Lubricants Classic Mini Challenge restarts with the Donington Rally on Saturday and Sunday.
FUCHS Silkolene backs Army Karting Team
FUCHS Silkolene has offered its support to The British Army Motorsport Karting Team.
The team was established in 2011 with only one kart. Today, they run five and are hoping for a strong 2020 season.
FUCHS Silkolene is supporting the team with high quality products throughout the season.
Courtney starts title defence with a flurry
Super Courtney Duncan of the FUCHS Silkolene-backed Dixon Racing Team began her title defence with overall victory in the opening round of the Women’s World Championship.
The team will now head straight to Valkenswaard for the second round of the MXGP World Motocross Championship, where Courtney will look to extend her points lead.
Testing, testing, 1.2.3
All of our motorcycle racers are testing ahead of the new season.
One with a bit of work to do is Ryan Garside who, while testing at Cadwell, had one bike blow the head gasket and the other suffer clutch issues.
He is confident of getting the issues resolved ahead of the start of the Thundersport GB season at Brands Hatch in a couple of weeks.
CV Racing, represented this season by Carl Vickers and Chris Spooner racing in the Blackbird Corporate Golden Era Supersport Championship, are also making good progress.
Quattro Plant JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s Alastair Seeley has been in Calafat, southern Spain, to climb aboard his new bike for the first time.
Freddie Housley
It has been a busy start to the 2020 season for Freddie with lots of ups and downs!
At the beginning of February the team were in Valencia for the Iame Winter Cup and, after posting the fastest times all day in Thursday practice against a strong field of 48 drivers, he was feeling on top of the world.
Qualifying the next day didn’t go to plan but he still managed 13th and also enjoyed his first live TV interview.
The first three heats didn’t go his way but he had a last chance to qualify for the Final on Sunday morning, which he started in eighth place, needing a top six finish to qualify.
He had an amazing race and crossed the line in fifth, putting him on the grid 35th for the main final, and after lots of close battles he finished P29.
The team has taken the decision to return to racing in the UK for the next few months.
He has since finished 12th out of 26 drivers at Whilton Mill and 23rd out of 50 drivers at PFI Circuit.
For 2020 he will compete in the Iame LGM national championships and also a new series called Ultimate Karting championship, which will be filmed and broadcast on SKY Sports F1 channel every month.
