Every round of the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB in 2010 will be covered by a ‘Fan with a Cam’. We want to get the sights and sounds of the season from the point of view of a fan so we are giving people the opportunity to take a Flip video camera and cover the weekend how they see it.

At Oulton Park, the lucky fan was Laurence Newland who was a guest of the Trofeo and got to experience not just the racing, but also the VIP hospitality and as a special treat got to do a lap of the track in an Abarth 500 Assetto Corse driven by Fiona Leggate.

Here are a couple of videos created from the filming that Laurence did on the day. To get the chance to become a ‘Fan with a Cam’ at later rounds, fill out the form below.

Video 1 – Race 2 including Interviews with Tony Dron and Benny Simonsen.

Video 2 – Lap of Oulton Park with Fiona Leggate.

Become a ‘Fan with Cam’

The second Trofeo Abarth 500 GB race was run today at Oulton Park, following the historic first competitive race for the new series on Saturday. Benny Simonsen, in only his second ever car race started on pole position after setting the fastest lap time in the race on Saturday.

Once again, the racing was close and exciting. Gareth Howell and Benny Simonsen raced hard for the whole race with Howell eventually coming out on top. It was the 2nd win in two races for Howell. Ben Winrow started down the field after being unclassified on Saturday, but worked his way up to 4th place at the end of lap one and later passed Charlie Butler Henderson to achieve 3rd place.

Jason Greatrex and Josh Wakefield also had a close battle for 5th.

RESULTS

Highlights from the historic, first ever race for the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB at Oulton Park. Features footage from the podium and post-race interview with race winner Gareth Howell.

Outlon Park. (3rd April, 2010). History was made today at Oulton Park with the first ever Zing Trofeo Abarth 500 GB race. The highly anticipated Trofeo series kicked off with a close, clean race with added excitment – Gareth Howell took the inaugural win having taken advantage of an unforced mistake by pole sitter Ben Winrow on lap one.

Charlie Butler-Henderson fought a close battle with James Blythe for much of the race to take second, followed by a hard charging Benny Simonsen in his first ever car race, spinning on the first corner and then coming from the back of the field to take and amazing 3rd – his first career podium. Not only a podium finish but Simonsen recorded the fastest lap of the race at a 1.57.113.

It was a 1-2 finish for Advent Racing, who also ran 4th place James Blythe and rookie 5th placed Josh Wakefield. Andrew Crighton of Advent said after the race:

“Absolutely fantastic result, we couldn’t have hoped for better really. To get first and second in the first ever Trofeo race was a remarkable result. It’s all credit to the drivers.”

Paolo Callea, who has put together this new championship was delighted with the size of the grid of 14 Abarth Asstto Corse 500 race cars for the first race and the way in which it played out. He said:

“The first race of the season was a very good. All drivers were competive, the cars looked good and the racing was clean. There were no major incidents so itt was a great success and I need to thank the Trofeo team, Abarth and and of course all the UK Abarth dealers, sponsors and partners for all their support. We knew we were on the right track with this project from the start and we look forward to growing the championship.”

This weekend’s racing will be screened on Motors TV on the 17th of April at 8:45pm.

RESULTS

The first ever Trofeo Abarth 500 GB Races will be held at Oulton Park from 3rd-5th of April. It is set to be a bumper weekend of racing this Bank Holiday weekend! The Abarth 500 Assetto Corse will provide entertainment to crowds who will also get to watch exotic supercars and future Formula One stars, lining up for the first round of the 2010 Cooper Tires British Formula 3 series.

We’ll be providing more information about the schedule as we get closer to the event, but it promises to be a weekend to remember. Previous seasons of the Trofeo Abarth 500 in Europe have provided close, spectacular action and the GB season will be no different.

The Trofeo Abarth 500 GB will race alongside British F3 and the Avon Tyres British GT championship.

British F3 has proven to be one of the most successful stepping stones for young drivers on their way to Formula One as graduates from the series include Ayrton Senna and 2009 Formula One champion Jenson Button. The Cheshire circuit saw Australian Daniel Ricciardo score his first two wins in the series on his way to the 2009 title. A number of young drivers will be eager to follow in the young Australians footsteps.

The Avon Tyres British GT championship will again be joining F3 at Oulton Park. Some of the most evocative marques in motorsport will be competing over the weekend. Expect to see Ferraris, Porsches, Dodge Vipers plus the new for 2010 Audi R8!

For tickets – go to the Official Event Website