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

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

Outlon Park. (3rd April, 2010). Ben Winrow has qualified on pole position for the first ever Zing Trofeo Abarth 500 GB race at Oulton Park. The former Clio Cup Champion will start the season on the front row of the grid after setting a time of 1.56.394.

Winrow will start ahead of Gareth Howell who qualified in second place and Benny Simonsen who set the 3rd fastest time.

Ben commented

“It’s great to be on pole for the first race of the season and the first race of the championship. The times are now on the board and hopefully we can make the most of our position to get a race win.”

Ivan Gibson, Head of Brand, Abarth UK said after qualifying;

“I am delighted with the strength of the field for our first meeting. There are some very encouraging qualifying times and we are set for a close run season.”

Thirteen drivers have qualified for Race 1 of the Zing Trofeo Abarth 500 GB, which will take place later today at 3pm. The second race of the series will be contested on Monday.

Qualifying results – 3 April, 2010

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…

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.”