London. (26th Feb, 2010). The Zing Trofeo Abarth 500 GB will join Motorsport Vision’s media day at Cadwell Park, showcasing the new UK series alongside the MCE British Superbike Championship.

The press event will take place on the 24th of March at the Lincolnshire circuit that will host the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB as a support race for the British Superbikes Championship on the 22nd and 23rd of May.

The Trofeo Abarth 500 GB has worked hard to create a 2010 calendar that presents the Abarth 500 Asetto Corse to a diverse motorsport audience and running with the MCE British Superbikes is a key component of that strategy.

As well as mixing 2 wheels and 4 at the same event, the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB is planning to mix drivers and riders at the event. Organisers are in negotiations with several potential well known motorcycle racers who will take the wheel of the VIP Abarth 500 Asetto Corse, racing against championship contenders.

Denis Baddeley, Head of Marketing for the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB says:

“We’ll be making history at this event. Karl Abarth started as a motorcycle tuner and racer before moving into 4 wheels, so there is a real connection with the spirit of the Abarth brand and the motorcycle community. It is a fantastic opportunity to link with arguably the most popular motorsport championship in the UK and to race in front of such a loyal and enthusiastic group of fans. To have the chance to put a bike racer up against the car racers should mix things up a bit.”

Paolo Callea, Organiser of the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB says:

“It is great to be invited to the prestigious BSB media day to celebrate the first year of the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB. This is a great opportunity to present our new UK championship to the world. With this media day announcement, the 2010 Zing Trofeo Abarth 500 GB Championship is well and truly here. We look forward to a great year of racing, starting at Oulton Park on the Easter weekend.”

More Press and Media Information about the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB here…

Research Garage Abarth are proud to announce their sponsorship of 24 year old Ben, winner of the 2008 Clio Cup for the 2010 season.

The family owned dealership, based in Nuneaton in the Midlands, has been in business for over 40 years and has held the Abarth brand since it’s inception in 2008.

Craig McMullen, Director of Research Garage Group said.

“We are delighted to be able to show our support to Ben and Team Pyro Motorsport for the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB 2010 championship. Ben’s already impressive race pedigree clearly shows his first class driving talent and commitment to motor sport, this along with the car’s race prep in Team Pyros expert hands is a winning combination”.

Ben Winrow commented:

‘It’s fantastic to be sponsored by the No.1 Abarth dealership in the UK. The guys at Research Garage Abarth have already proven their worth – their great knowledge and excellent engineering service has helped our testing programme enormously”.

Mark Hunt, of Leicestershire based award winning Team Pyro added:

“Working closely with Research Garage Abarth gives us a clear advantage: their technical support means we stay at the top of our game and, together with Ben’s racing skills, means it just doesn’t get any better than this”.

The dealership’s support doesn’t end there: one of its own specialist Abarth road car technicians, Matt Beebe, will also be lending his support during the championship and assisting Team Pyro with preparing Ben’s Abarth.

Everyone at Research Garage Abarth wish Ben and Team Pyro every success in the championship.

More information at www.researchabarth.co.uk

Organisers are proud to announce that Sarah Franklin will join the growing list of drivers signed up for the 2010 season. Sarah will race with Reflex Racing, adding yet another team to the Trofeo Abarth 500 grid.

Sarah took advantage of a wet test day at Silverstone to drive the Abarth 500 Asetto Corse. She said:

“After several years racing in a rear wheel drive Ginetta G20, I am really looking forward to the new challenge of racing a front wheel drive car in a single make championship. Fortunately, there will be some continuity for me as I am remaining with Derek Holden and Reflex Racing, with whom I did all of my G20 racing. I’m sure it will be a learning curve for myself and the team but we’re all ready for the hard work that is sure to be needed! From the first moment I got into the Abarth, I knew I wanted to race it! It’s such a pocket rocket and puts a very big smile on your face! I think Paolo has put together a really great calendar for the championship and I particularly can’t wait for the round at Cadwell with the British Superbikes and, of course, the last round at Monza!”

Derek Holden, Team Manager for Reflex Racing said:

“It will be a great pleasure to continue our relationship with Sarah in this exciting new series. Reflex has a very successful record in other one make series, and we look forward to bringing that expertise into the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB championship. The car seems very well built and engineered, and the series supports some great meetings. We can’t wait to go racing.”

Organisers will announce new sponsorship deals in coming weeks that underline the spirit and positioning of the new series. Championship organiser Paolo Callea said:

“We are extremely positive about where the Zing Trofeo Abarth 500 GB is headed. It’s great to be able to announce new drivers and teams with each week that passes and I think it shows that we have a package that makes good sense. Obviously it is not too late, and there are teams who are looking to run multiple cars, so there are opportunities for drivers who want to join us for 2010.”

Benny younger brother of GT ace Allan Simonsen has signed with Pulce Racing to join 2010 Trofeo Abarth 500GB championship. Benny is making his race circuit début after a very successful junior career in Scandinavian karting winning numerous championships.

Benny joins Pulce Racing – the team devolving this year with management and engineering experience from seasoned Le Mans Series protagonists jwaRacing. Pulce Racing are one of the few teams to acquire a dealer car provided by Vospers who are the largest car dealer in the south west of England.

Testing continues on a weekly basis in the UK and will include some warm weather running in southern Spain later this month.

Denise Watt MD of Pulce Racing said

“Pulce Racing are really excited to be on the Trofeo Abarth grid with a driver of the calibre and speed of Benny. ”

Benny Simonsen (race driver) said

“I cant wait for that first race to start, and I’m really pleased to have signed with such a professional team as Pulce Racing. I’m sure we’re going to be up the front fighting for the race wins and the Championship.”

Allan Simonsen (race driver) said

“I have always known of my brothers huge talent in Motorsport right from when he started at 10 years in karting, so to see Pulce Racing take him under their wing for the 2010 Trofeo Abarth 500GB Championship is a fantastic opportunity for him, one that I support 100%, in any way I possibly can. I am sure they can challenge for the Championship and I know that is Benny’s ultimate goal too. ”

John Hutchinson – Brand Manager for Abarth Vospers said

“Vospers are proud to be a part of the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB. Abarth is already very appealing to those who remember the brand’s golden age during the ’50s and ’60s, and the race series will help attract a whole new generation of enthusiasts. Vospers are thrilled to be supported Abarthisti.co.uk, the UK’s largest online community of owners.”

London. (12th Feb, 2010). Following the confirmation last week of the 2010 calendar, the Zing Trofeo Abarth 500 GB is proud to announce that two more teams, Mardi Gras Motorsport and Pulce Racing will join the series in the innaugural year. The Mardi Gras Motorsport Abarth 500 Assetto Corse will be driven by Paul Smith competing against Benny Simonsen who will drive for Pulce Racing.

Championship Organiser Paolo Callea said today:

“I’m happy to be able to announce more teams and more drivers for the championship. We are showing that the package is an attractive one for both drivers and teams and I am confident that in the next couple of weeks we will be able to announce even more entries. “

Mardi Gras Motorsport Team Manager, Paul Hetherington said:

“Mardi Gras Motorsport have a long and successful history in one make championships and we are always excited to get involved in something new. The car looks well engineered and the series is supporting some very exciting meetings. We are really looking forward to this years Trofeo Abarth 500″.

Paul Smith said about competing in the championship:

“From my own perspective I would like to say how excited I am about being part of the Trofeo Abarth 2010 Championship, looking forward to some very close action at some of the best events in 2010, and privileged to be associated with Mardi Gras Motorsport, one of the most successful teams in one make racing.”

Denise Watt MD of Pulce Racing said:

“Pulce Racing are really excited to be on the Trofeo Abarth grid with a driver of the calibre and speed of Benny. ”

Benny Simonsen said:

“I cant wait for that first race to start, and I’m really pleased to have signed with such a professional team as Pulce Racing. I’m sure we’re going to be up the front fighting for the race wins and the Championship.”

The Pulce Racing car will be backed by Abarth dealer Vospers. John Hutchinson – Brand Manager for Abarth Vospers said:

“Vospers are proud to be a part of the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB. Abarth is already very appealing to those who remember the brand’s golden age during the ’50s and ’60s, and the race series will help attract a whole new generation of enthusiasts. Vospers are thrilled to be supported by Abarthisti.co.uk, the UK’s largest online community of owners.”