Stephan Hodgetts from Mardi Gras Motorsport takes 2 wins from 2 races at Silverstone.

Silverstone (25rd June, 2010). The Trofeo Abarth 500 GB joined some of the world’s most historic and valuable classic race cars this weekend and showed that the Abarth motorsport tradition is alive and well. The Silverstone Classic provided thousands of race fans with an opportunity to see the Abarth brand in action over three days at the home of the British Grand Prix.

On Friday, Stephan Hodgetts began his successful weekend by qualifying 1.397 seconds quicker than the current Championship leader Ben Winrow and Benny Simonsen returning to the series after an absence of 2 races. Qualifying was followed by a special celebrity race in aid of the Bobby Moore Fund featuring personalities from the stage and screen and the Abarth 500.

In the battle of the rock-stars and television chefs, Rick Parfitt Jnr took the glory, but there was more Abarth action to come.

On Saturday, Stephan Hodgetts led from start to finish taking his Mardi Gras Motorsport car to the top spot of the podium for the 4th time in 2010. Ben Winrow, thinking about the overall championship was content with second place and Charlie Butler-Henderson closed the gap on the front runners and was rewarded with 3rd place.

12 cars lined up on the grid early on Sunday morning in what turned out to be almost an exact repeat of Saturday’s racing. Stephan Hodgetts led from start to finish in a commanding performance that showcased just how the Mardi Gras Motorsport driver has come to grips with this Abarth 500 car. Ben Winrow continued accumulating points with another 2nd and Butler-Henderson improved again to take 3rd.

Hodgetts commented on the weekend:

It’s been a great weekend and I’ve had a lot of fun out there. The cars are fantastic fun to drive – half an hour driving around a beautiful circuit like this looking at the lap boards, pushing myself every lap is great. Everything came together and with the support of BuildBase, Mardi Gras Motorsport were able to give me a great car.

Ben Winrow has his eyes on the overall championship. He said after the race:

Of course the Championship is always in the back of my mind. We did the job that we came here to do this weekend. Two 2nd place finishes and minimal points loss to Stephan and that’s important going away from Silverstone. I think we will be a lot closer at Brands Hatch.

Fans also enjoyed the weekend. One said:

There are some incredible cars here this weekend, some that I have only ever seen in books. The classic is one of my favourite events of the year and to be able to see the new Abarths and some of the historic Abarth cars all in one weekend makes it even better. It looks like the scorpion has indeed returned.

The Trofeo Abarth 500 GB will now take a break until the series joins DTM at Brands Hatch on the 4th-5th of September.

Stephan Hodgetts led from start to finish in the first race of the weekend for the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB at the 2010 Silverstone Classic. Hodgetts started from pole position after qualifying over a second quicker than his nearest rival, Ben Winrow.

After waiting in bright sunshine all day and taking advantage of some unique hospitality including massages from the Ibiza Angels, the drivers had to contend with a light sprinkle of rain several laps into the race. But a few drops of rain were not enough to stop Hodgetts who repeated his victory from April.

Charlie Butler-Henderson continued to add points to his Championship total with a solid 3rd place ahead of Josh Wakefield whose team worked through the night to rebuild his car after an incident in qualifying.

There will be more Trofeo Abarth 500 action tomorrow with race two starting early at 9am.

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

Race 4 of the 2010 Trofeo Abarth 500 GB was held at Silverstone on Sunday. The race was preceded by a spectacular aerobatic display put on by Abarth.

Here’s some action from the race, plus podium post-race interviews with Ben Winrow, Gareth Howell and Charlie Butler-Henderson.

Race 3 of the 2010 Trofeo Abarth 500 GB was held at Silverstone on Saturday. Ben Winrow started on Pole, but was passed by Stefan Hodgetts who went on to take the win in an action packed race that was interrupted by safety car periods.

Here’s some action from the race, plus podium post-race interviews with Ben and Stefan.