[View with PicLens]

Images by Micheal Ward and David Fuller

Stephan Hodgetts from Mardi Gras Motorsport takes 2 wins from 2 races at Silverstone.

Silverstone (25rd June, 2010). The Trofeo Abarth 500 GB joined some of the world’s most historic and valuable classic race cars this weekend and showed that the Abarth motorsport tradition is alive and well. The Silverstone Classic provided thousands of race fans with an opportunity to see the Abarth brand in action over three days at the home of the British Grand Prix.

On Friday, Stephan Hodgetts began his successful weekend by qualifying 1.397 seconds quicker than the current Championship leader Ben Winrow and Benny Simonsen returning to the series after an absence of 2 races. Qualifying was followed by a special celebrity race in aid of the Bobby Moore Fund featuring personalities from the stage and screen and the Abarth 500.

In the battle of the rock-stars and television chefs, Rick Parfitt Jnr took the glory, but there was more Abarth action to come.

On Saturday, Stephan Hodgetts led from start to finish taking his Mardi Gras Motorsport car to the top spot of the podium for the 4th time in 2010. Ben Winrow, thinking about the overall championship was content with second place and Charlie Butler-Henderson closed the gap on the front runners and was rewarded with 3rd place.

12 cars lined up on the grid early on Sunday morning in what turned out to be almost an exact repeat of Saturday’s racing. Stephan Hodgetts led from start to finish in a commanding performance that showcased just how the Mardi Gras Motorsport driver has come to grips with this Abarth 500 car. Ben Winrow continued accumulating points with another 2nd and Butler-Henderson improved again to take 3rd.

Hodgetts commented on the weekend:

It’s been a great weekend and I’ve had a lot of fun out there. The cars are fantastic fun to drive – half an hour driving around a beautiful circuit like this looking at the lap boards, pushing myself every lap is great. Everything came together and with the support of BuildBase, Mardi Gras Motorsport were able to give me a great car.

Ben Winrow has his eyes on the overall championship. He said after the race:

Of course the Championship is always in the back of my mind. We did the job that we came here to do this weekend. Two 2nd place finishes and minimal points loss to Stephan and that’s important going away from Silverstone. I think we will be a lot closer at Brands Hatch.

Fans also enjoyed the weekend. One said:

There are some incredible cars here this weekend, some that I have only ever seen in books. The classic is one of my favourite events of the year and to be able to see the new Abarths and some of the historic Abarth cars all in one weekend makes it even better. It looks like the scorpion has indeed returned.

The Trofeo Abarth 500 GB will now take a break until the series joins DTM at Brands Hatch on the 4th-5th of September.

Stephan Hodgetts led from start to finish in the first race of the weekend for the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB at the 2010 Silverstone Classic. Hodgetts started from pole position after qualifying over a second quicker than his nearest rival, Ben Winrow.

After waiting in bright sunshine all day and taking advantage of some unique hospitality including massages from the Ibiza Angels, the drivers had to contend with a light sprinkle of rain several laps into the race. But a few drops of rain were not enough to stop Hodgetts who repeated his victory from April.

Charlie Butler-Henderson continued to add points to his Championship total with a solid 3rd place ahead of Josh Wakefield whose team worked through the night to rebuild his car after an incident in qualifying.

There will be more Trofeo Abarth 500 action tomorrow with race two starting early at 9am.

Classics, Celebrities and Crowds were the order of the day at the Siverstone Classic today.

Silverstone (23rd June, 2010). Stephan Hodgetts stamped his authority on the Trofeo Abarth 500 field today, qualifying on Pole Position for Saturday’s race at the Silverstone Classic.

Hodgetts, driving for Mardi Gras Motorsport was 1.397 seconds quicker than second placed qualifier Ben Winrow. Charlie Butler-Henderson qualified 3rd ahead of Benny Simonsen.

A total of 12 cars took part in qualifying in front of a huge Silverstone Classic crowd. Joining regulars like Josh Wakefield, Cassey Watson, Matt Shead and Paul Smith were Carl Bradley, Chris Smith and Marco Pullen.

Qualifying for the Trofeo Abartth 500 GB preceded a special charity race in aid of the Bobby Moore Fund. TV Chefs james Martin and Heston Blumenthal joined musicians Rick Parfitt Jnr and Neil Primrose. The race is also a tribute to the distinguished racing heritage of the Abarth Brand.

Tomorrow, there will be more Abarth action at the Silverstone Classic. Mark Jefferies will wow the crowd at lunchtime with the exhilerating and spectacular unlimited freestyle aerobatic display and the Trofeo will be on track at 17:00.

James Martin is one of two world renowned chefs who will line up on the grid for the BSM Centenary Abarth 500 Celebrity Challenge taking place at the Silverstone Classic on Friday 23rd July, but the ‘Saturday Kitchen’ host has an advantage over his culinary rival Heston Blumenthal. James is a renowned petrol head with a love of fast cars.

“I’ve actually been along to the Silverstone Classic before,” he says. “I’m into that sort of thing as I own a few classic cars so the event is right up my street. I’m planning to take one of my own cars along there next year to race it, so taking part in the celebrity race this time round is a bit of a warm up for me.”

So how does he think he’ll fare against Heston and the rest of the celebrity line-up?

“I’ve head that Heston’s been getting some sneaky practice in – which is typical of a 3* Michelin chef! If he gets his glasses on the right way round he might be OK but he’ll need to put down his test tubes and grab the gearstick if he’s going to keep up – there’s only room for one chef on that podium!” James jokes. “Seriously though, I’m just looking forward to getting out on the track. It’s set to be a great event – and it’s going to raise a bit of money for a great charity too and that’s what it’s really all about.”

More at http://www.silverstoneclassic.com/news