The Trofeo Abarth 500 GB is delighted to announce a partnership with the Italian Chamber of Commerce. The collaboration will bring a new level of support to the new championship from Italian companies based in UK. Organisers of the series have developed the platform in a way that promotes not just motorsport and the Abarth 500 Assetto Corse, but also the Italian way of life; food, fashion and attitude. The Italian Chamber of commerce is a very active hub for Italian products and facilitates interaction for Italian companies in the UK and UK companies who wish to develop closer ties with Italy.

As Helen Girgenti General Secretary of the chamber confirms:

“The Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is delighted to announce that “The Trofeo Abarth 500 GB” has become a corporate member. We are thrilled that with Trofeo Abarth 500 joining, our members will be able to have the opportunity to enjoy a full season of watching the iconic 500 racing at tracks across all of the UK. Already the team at Abarth Competizioni have developed a massive fan-base of people sharing a passion for Italian products and lifestyle and we are delighted to be associated with such a dynamic brand. We wish the Trofeo a successful first season of racing and I hope that some of our members can meet at the forthcoming race days”

The partnership allows the Trofeo to meet its strategic goals of creating an Italian flavour within the paddock. The idea is to provide guests with a different experience to that sometimes found in UK Motorsport. Italian food suppliers will support the championship and some famous brand should be announced soon.

Paolo Callea, championship manager added:

“We are delighted to have been welcomed so warmly by the chamber and all its members. We have attended a couple of their events and look forward to supporting more. We are working hard to create something special for our hospitality and this deal gives us all the ingredients to succeed.”

We look forward to see you at our events and enjoy a nice espresso…

Josh Wakefield Confirmed as Driver for Advent Motorsport.

London. (21st Jan, 2010). The Trofeo Abarth 500 GB topped off a successful Autosport International Show in Birmingham last week with confirmation of a new driver in the series. 17 year old Josh Wakefield will run a new Abarth 500 Assetto Corse with Advent Motorsport.

The team already has commitments to run TV personality Vicki Butler Henderson who will be supported by Glyn Hopkins of Romford, Essex and James Blyth of The Brundall Motor Company, Norwich. A fourth car and driver will be announced shortly.

Andrew Crighton of Advent Motorsport says:

“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.

Josh said:

“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.”

The Trofeo Abarth 500 GB is now gaining real momentum, with last week’s announcement of Zing Digital Media as a title sponsor of the series and former Clio Cup Champion Ben Winrow joining up to race in the event.

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.

With four cars now confirmed, Advent Motorsport is convinced that the inaugural season will be good for the team. Andrew Crighton added:

“Having spent several years in the Mini Challenge paddock we are very excited by the breath of fresh air that the Abarth 500 Trofeo GB is bringing to the UK in 2010.

The announcement of premier venues, high quality race meetings and an excellent prize fund incentive for the drivers and teams has left us in no doubt that we have to be a part of the new series.

Vicki Butler Henderson has already been a huge asset to the promotion of the series and with her fantastically professional approach to every aspect of her racing we are very privileged to have her on board.

James Blyth is a highly talented and determined racer; he showed great promise in the Mini Challenge and the rise to the feature events on the Trofeo calendar is an excellent way to showcase his abilities. In addition it provides team continuity that we believe will enable our drivers to gather knowledge and experience from one another during the season.”

AutoSport International Show. (January. 15, 2010) – The Trofeo Abarth 500 GB is proud to announce Zing Digital Media as the Title Sponsor of the 2010 series. The UK based digital signage and real-time information company signed the sponsorship agreement at the Autosport Show in Birmingham earlier today. The signing was attended by Colin Herridge of Zing Digital Media; David Lewis of SCH Distribution, Peter Robinson of Abarth UK and Championship organiser Paolo Callea.

The agreement is a significant event for the new series. It confirms that the platform developed around the Abarth 500 Asetto Corse is attractive to all stakeholders including teams, drivers and sponsors. It is also significant that the title sponsor, Zing, is a non-motoring company.

Zing Managing Director, Colin Herridge said;

“This is a very exciting time for us. We have a new brand and, the business is growing so being involved in a highly competitive and performance based series such as the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB fits well with our business. We. and our partner, SCH Distribution, are all about delivering performance products and services and motorsport is a perfect marketing platform to demonstrate this… we are proud to be partnered with such a powerful brand and we look forward to a safe and successful season.”

Denis Baddeley, head of Marketing and Sponsorship for the Trofeo said;

“This is clearly a very important development for the Trofeo Abarth and we are delighted that Zing Digital Media has joined us. This is the first time Zing Digital Media has been involved in motorsport and shows that the Trofeo Abarth 500 Gb is presenting a compelling package for brands that want to be associated with the Abarth brand. With a fresh approach, great events and the motor racing history of this iconic brand combines to offer something new to UK motorsport.”

Paolo Callea, Series Organiser added;

“This is fantastic. We welcome Zing to our Championship and thank them for their support. This is a big step forward for us and shows we are creating something special. Being able to announce a title sponsorship deal before the start of our first season will give teams and drivers increased confidence in the series. With new teams drivers and sponsors being announced, we are looking forward to a great racinng season in 2010.”

Ben Winrow, the 2008 Clio Cup Champion has announced that he will compete in the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB in 2010.

24 year old Ben, the winner of the 2008 BRDC Rising Star Award commented;

“It is good to see a new one make championship in the UK. The first year in any manufacturer supported championship is always special.I’m looking forward to getting back in the driving seat. The championship provides a great opportunity and we’ll see what we can do with it.”

Championship Organiser Paolo Callea said;

“It’s fantastic to be able to announce Ben’s entry into the first season of the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB. We have worked hard to create a series that is attractive to drivers and it is very rewarding to sign up drivers of Ben’s calibre.”

Ben’s entry also means that there is a new team on the grid. Team Pyro brings the number of teams to six. With most teams running multiple cars in the series, the grid is looking solid for 2010.

The Trofeo Abarth 500 GB will start 2010 with a presence at the Autosport International Show at the NEC, Birmingham.

Autosport International, now in its 20th year, is the largest dedicated trade motorsport exhibition in Europe. The format of the show incorporates two trade, followed by two public days, uniquely catering for the industry and motorsport fans alike. This site caters specifically for the motorsport professionals.

The Trofeo will have it’s own stand at the show featuring several Abarth 500 Assetto Corse race cars as well road-going Abarth 500 cars. Organisers are planning to make some big announcements relating to prize funding, teams and drivers.

Fans will also be able to interact with the series via various social media platforms. Prizes will be available for people who sign up to follow the Trofeo on Twitter, become a fan on the Facebook page or upload photos to the Flickr gallery. David Fuller, who manages the digital media for the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB says:

We want people to be able to continue to interact and engage with the series once they have left the stand at the show. Services like Twitter and Facebook allow fans to be part of the Trofeo Abarth 500 community and show their support for teams and drivers as well.

Trofeo Abarth 500 GB at Autosport.

• Stand 19350 – Hall 19.
• Trade Days – 14th, 15th of January
• Public Days – 16th, 17th of January
• NEC, Birmingham (MAP)
• Autosport International 2010 Official Website