Charlie Butler Henderson is New Championship Leader After Historic Weekend at Cadwell Park.

Cadwell Park (24th May, 2010). The Trofeo Abarth 500 GB joined British Superbikes this weekend at Cadwell Park for an historic weekend of 2-Wheel and 4-Wheel racing. Fans enjoying the hot British weather got to see a great display of racing which showcased the Abarth 500 AC to a large new audience.

The weekend was important for the teams, as it also marked the halfway point of the 6 rounds to be held on UK soil. While Stefan Hodgetts of Mardi Gras Racing won both races at Cadwell Park, the championship has a new leader. Chalie Butler-Henderson’s has moved him to the top of the table, passing Gareth Howell.

Butler-Henderson’s consistency and reliability have been key to his success to date in the season. He has started and finished all six races so far, standing on the podium on four occasions.

The second race of the weekend was a repeat of the first, with Stefan Hodgetts leading from pole position to win his third race from four starts in the Abarth 500 Asetto Corse. Ben Winrow finished 2nd in both races, placing him second in the Championship behind Charlie Butler-Henderson.

Trofeo Abarth 500 GB organiser Paolo Callea was pleased with the way the British Superbike paddock and fans responded to the presence of cars at a bike event. He said:

This weekend has been a great opportunity to promote the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB and the Abarth brand. Our goal is to increase awareness of Abarth in the UK, and being in front of one of the biggest crowds on the UK motorsport calendar helps us do that. I think we have been recognised this weekend by a large number of people, through the racing and the Abarth sponsored aerobatic show and hopefully they enjoyed the show we put on.

Many motorcycle fans were impressed with the spectacle of the Trofeo series. One fan said:

The cars look good on this track. I was surprised by the power and the handling around this circuit, which is narrow and complicated and more suited to bikes. It’s great to see Abarth back in motorsport too. I think there are a lot of bike fans who are aware of the racing heritage of Abarth and to see the brand back out on track is great.

Championship Points.

1. 7 Charlie Butler-Henderson Advent MTS 94
2. 4 Ben Winrow Pyro Motorsport 92
3. 9 Gareth Howell Advent MTS 90
4. 45 Josh Wakefield Advent MTS 68
5. 3 Stefan Hodgetts Mardi Gras 66
6. 2 Paul Smith Mardi Gras 56
7. 22 Benny Simonsen Pulce 52
8. 81 Matt Shead CMS 42
9. 72 Cassey Watson Lunar Racing 27
10. 77 Jason Greatrex Redline Racing 20
11. 11 Sarah Franklin Reflex Racing GB 20
12. 82 Fiona Leggate CMS 16

After a great night’s entertainment provided at the Abarth hospitality unit in the Cadwell Park paddock featuring Chris Hodgetts and ‘Rev Limit’, Stefan Hodgetts followed his race win on Saturday with another on Sunday.

Hodgetts led from start to finish in the 30 minute race that tested drivers’ fitness and stamina in hot conditions. Ben Winrow followed Hodgetts closely, but couldn’t find a way past on the narrow Cadwell Park Circuit that had hosted the British Superbikes earlier in the afternoon.

Gareth Howell lost his top spot on the Championship table after retiring from the race. Charlie Butler-Henderson took 3rd in the race and moves to the top spot on the series leaderboard.

Provisional Race 6 Results – Sunday – Cadwell Park, 17:42

1. 3. Stefan Hodgetts – Mardi Gras Motorsport / Marylebone – 30:23.271
2. 4. Ben Winrow – Pyro Motorsport / Research Garage – 30:26.826 (3.555)
3. 7. Charlie Butler-Henderson – Advent Motorsport / Glyn Hopkin – 30:43.616 (20.345)
4. 2. Paul Smith – Mardi Gras Motorsport – 30:59.754 (36.483)
5. 81. Matt Shead – CMS / SG Petch – 31:01.728 (38.457)
6. 45. Josh Wakefield – Advent Motorsport – 31:20.875 (57.604)
7. 82. Fiona Leggate – CMS / Autoworld 31:21.744 (58.473)
8. 72. Cassey Watson – Lunar Racing / Thames 31:12.863 (2 Laps)
9. 9. Gareth Howell – Lipscombe Motorsport – Not Classified (17 Laps)

Fastest Lap, Stefan Hodgetts – 1:40.434 (78.39 mph)

Photos from Trofeo Abarth 500 GB at Cadwell Park supporting British Superbikes.

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Photos by David Fuller, Mike Herring and Micheal Ward

It was a long hot day at Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire today, and the finale was a long hot race for drivers in the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB. Fans of British Superbikes were treated to some great close battles which have become a feature of the Trofeo in its inaugural year.

Stefan Hodgetts made the most of pole position, getting a great start to lead Ben Winrow into the first corner. Though Winrow tried hard throughout the 30 minute race, Hodgetts led from start to finish to take his 2nd for the season.

The race for the third place on the podium was even closer, with Gareth Howell and Charlie Butler-Henderson swapping places several times on the narrow circuit with Butler-Henderson finally taking 3rd place.

One motorcyle fan said after watching the race:

Abarth wouldn’t be what it is today without motorcycles. Karl Abarth on two wheels and 80 years later the Abarth name shares the same track with the world’s best bike racers. A little bit of history was made today.

Over 30,000 fans are expected to watch the action tomorrow, which will include the Abarth sponsored aerobatic display, piloted by multiple aerobatic champion Mark Jefferies. The display of unlimited freestyle flying will take place at Midday tomorrow.

The second race of the weekend for the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB will take place tomorrow. Stefan Hodgetts will start from pole position again, having set the fastest lap time during race 1. Live commentary will be streamed on BSB radio.

Race 5 Results – Cadwell Park, 18:23

1. 3. Stefan Hodgetts – Mardi Gras Motorsport / Marylebone – 30:14.665
2. 4. Ben Winrow – Pyro Motorsport / Research Garage – 30:17.816 (3.151)
3. 7. Charlie Butler-Henderson – Advent Motorsport / Glyn Hopkin 30:35.980 (21.315)
4. 9. Gareth Howell – Lipscombe Motorsport 30:36.740 (22.075)
5. 2. Paul Smith – Mardi Gras Motorsport 30:48.000 (33.335)
6. 45. Josh Wakefield – Advent Motorsport 30.48.715 (34.050)
7. 81. Matt Shead – CMS / SG Petch 31:04764 (50.099)
8. 82. Fiona Leggate – CMS / Autoworld 31:20.863 (1:06.198)
9. 72. Cassey Watson – Lunar Racing / Thames 31:46.284 (3 Laps)

The Trofeo Abarth 500 GB is at Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire this weekend where the Abarth 500 Assetto Corse cars are sharing the programme with the British Superbikes.

Crowds enjoying a British ‘heatwave’ and used to seeing 2-wheel racing watched Stefan Hodgetts set a time of 1:39.354 to take pole position for the 5th race of the championship ahead of Ben Winrow (1:40.110).

The first race will take place at 18:00 Saturday and you can follow the race live. Live commentary will be streamed on the internet.

Listen to the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB  at Cadwell Park.

Qualifying Results

1. 3. Stefan Hodgetts – Mardi Gras Motorsport / Marylebone – 1:390.354
2. 4. Ben Winrow – Pyro Motorsport / Research Garage – 1:40.110 (0.756)
3. 7. Charlie Butler-Henderson – Advent Motorsport / Glyn Hopkin 1:40.666 (1.312)
4. 9. Gareth Howell – Lipscombe Motorsport 1:40.907 (1.553)
5. 45. Josh Wakefield – Advent Motorsport 1:41.942 (2.588)
6. 2. Paul Smith – Mardi Gras Motorsport 1:41.988 (2.634)
7. 72. Cassey Watson – Lunar Racing / Thames 1:42.455 (3.101)
8. 81. Matt Shead – CMS / SG Petch 1.42.958 (3.604)
9. 82. Fiona Leggate – CMS / Autoworld 1:44.409 (5.055)