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.”
