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

Silverstone (23rd June, 2010). Stefan 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.

The 2010 Trofeo Abarth 500 GB is the first ever season racing cars for CMS driver Matt Shead. We caught up with Matt at Snetterton to learn a bit more about his career and what he’s into. Find out more, including Matt’s surprising choice of ‘favourite car’… Matt Shead’s Driver Profile.

Winrow, Watson and Wakefield were the names of the top three drivers in the Sunday race of the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB at Snetterton.

Snetterton (27th June, 2010). The 2010 Trofeo Abarth 500 GB has seen some close racing between experienced drivers and up and coming talent. This weekend, newcomers Josh Wakefield and Cassey (KC) Watson, who have been improving with each round, finally made it into the top three.

After Stefan Hodgetts set the fastest lap in qualifying on Saturday to start Race 7 of the series on Pole Position, he was one of 3 drivers to recieve drive through penalties from race officials taking a strict line on driving standards at the Norfolk circuit. Saturdays’ race was won by Ben Winrow, with Hodgetts second. Josh Wakefield, who has been improving all year also recieved a drive through penalty, but drove a great race to finish third – his first podium for 2010.

On Sunday, Stefan Hodgetts and Ben Winrow, competing for all important championship points raced hard into the first corner with Winrow coming off best. Many of the leading drivers were caught up in the incident which gave a great opportunity to Cassey (KC) Watson and Matt Shead to show how much they have improved since the Cadwell round.

Watson and her Lunar Racing/Thames Abarth Dealer team have made significant changes to the setup of her car since Cadwell Park and she showed that she has the speed and talent to compete at the top end of the field, while Shead was pressured by Josh Wakefield, bouyed by his Saturday success. Wakefield eventually chased down and passed Shead to take his second podium of the weekend with Shead, going off to score an unlucky DNF afeter a good showing, near the end of the race.

The results of Race 8 of the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB were Ben Winrow first, Cassey Watson second and Josh Wakefield thrid.

Winrow said:

Unfortunately there was a touch at the first turn, but we were on pole and had the inside position… it’s unfortunate but that’s racing. Stefan is a great driver and there are some good drivers in the trofeo Abarth 500 GB really getting on the pace. Well done to Cassey and Josh. I’d like to thank my sponsors, MSS, Stratos Systems and Research Garage Abarth for their support and I’m looking forward to the Silverstone Classic which will be a great event.”

Watson said:

“It’s been a great weekend. It was the best race I have had so far. I was hopeful that the changes that the team made to the car would lead to an improvement, but this is much more than I was expecting, so I am really pleased. The guys at Lunar Racing have been  a great team and I really appreciate the support from Thames Abarth in Slough.”

Wakefield said:

“This is the best weekend of racing I’ve had in my career so far with two 3rd place finishes… there’s more to come from me and the car. I’m third in the championship now and I’m focussed on keeping things going in the right direction. This is real racing and I’m grateful for the support of my Mum and Dad, family and friends to make this possible!”

Sunday’s race means that Ben Winrow now leads the 2010 Trofeo Abarth 500 GB from Charlie Butler-Henderson and Josh Wakefield.

The next race will take place at the popular Siverstone Classic at Silverstone in July.

Race 8 Results – Sunday – Snetterton

1. (4)         Ben Winrow, Pyro Motorsport
2. (72)       Cassey Watson, Lunar Racing
3. (45)       Josh Wakefield, Advent MTS
4. (7)         Charlie Butler-Henderson, Advent MTS
5. (11)       Sarah Franklin, Reflex Racing GB
6. (77)       Alistair Barclay

DNF    (81)       Matt Shead, CMS

DNF      (3)         Stefan Hodgetts, Mardi Gras

Wakefield’s First Time on the Abarth 500 Podium in 2010

The Snetterton sun helped to heat up the competition in the 4th round of the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB. Race 7 of the championship gave some new faces a chance to step onto the podium after race officials held drivers to high quality driving standards and applied drive through penalties to several of the leaders.

After 30 minutes, Ben Winrow, driving for Pyro Motorsport, sponsored by Stratos Systems, stood on the top step of the podium. It was his 2nd race win for 2010.

Stefan Hodgetts, the Mardi Gras Motorsport driver sponsoered by Helix Cluches and Buidbase, who started from pole position came second after serving a penalty early in the race.

17 year old Josh Wakefield benefited from the retirement of Paul Smith and a penalty to current championship leader Charlie Butler-Henderson. Wakefield aslo served a drive-through penalty and then raced closely with a much improved Cassey (KC) Watson for his first visit to the podium this year. Cassey proved she has the pace to run with the leading pack and has adapted her driving style to get the most out of the Abarth 500 Assetto Corse.

Ben Winrow set the fastest time of the race (1:20.719) so will start on pole for tomorrow’s race at 15:00 tomorrow.

The crowds at Snetterton will also be treated to a spectacular aerobatic display from Mark Jefferies at 1pm tomorrow – always a crowd pleaser Mark will be doing a display sequence that pushes the performance of his Abarth sponsored Extra 330sc to its limits.

Provisional  Results from Race 7.

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