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

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

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

Josh Wakefield Confirmed as Driver for Advent Motorsport.

London. (21st Jan, 2010). The Trofeo Abarth 500 GB topped off a successful Autosport International Show in Birmingham last week with confirmation of a new driver in the series. 17 year old Josh Wakefield will run a new Abarth 500 Assetto Corse with Advent Motorsport.

The team already has commitments to run TV personality Vicki Butler Henderson who will be supported by Glyn Hopkins of Romford, Essex and James Blyth of The Brundall Motor Company, Norwich. A fourth car and driver will be announced shortly.

Andrew Crighton of Advent Motorsport says:

“Advent Motorsport are delighted to welcome Josh Wakefield as a team-mate to Vicky Butler-Henderson and James Blyth. We feel that Josh’s youth and enthusiasm will compliment the experience Vicky has from racing and her promotional and marketing expertise. Josh will also benefit from Jame Blyth’s race-craft, derived from two seasons in the Mini Challenge.”

“We believe the combination of drivers will provide a competitive package in 2010.”

Wakefield, from Essex was awarded the Saxmax Challenge Rookie of the Year in 2009 and has been tutored by BRDC member Chris Hodgetts. Josh tested the Abarth 500 Assetto Corse at the Trofeo series launch in October and has worked hard behind the scenes to get onto the grid in 2010.

Josh said:

“I am very happy and privileged to have the opportunity to be driving in the new championship. I am excited to be working with Andrew Crighton of Advent Motorsport and Chris Hodgetts, BRDC. I am also very pleased to have Vicky Butler-Henderson and James Blyth as team mates and am looking forward to some close racing this season.”

The Trofeo Abarth 500 GB is now gaining real momentum, with last week’s announcement of Zing Digital Media as a title sponsor of the series and former Clio Cup Champion Ben Winrow joining up to race in the event.

Championship Organiser Paolo Callea said:

It’s really great that Advent Motorsport can announce a four car line-up in the championship. It shows that there are drivers out there who have the budget to go racing in this series. Andrew Crighton has been very pro-active with the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB launch and test events and Advent are reaping the rewards of that commitment.

With four cars now confirmed, Advent Motorsport is convinced that the inaugural season will be good for the team. Andrew Crighton added:

“Having spent several years in the Mini Challenge paddock we are very excited by the breath of fresh air that the Abarth 500 Trofeo GB is bringing to the UK in 2010.

The announcement of premier venues, high quality race meetings and an excellent prize fund incentive for the drivers and teams has left us in no doubt that we have to be a part of the new series.

Vicki Butler Henderson has already been a huge asset to the promotion of the series and with her fantastically professional approach to every aspect of her racing we are very privileged to have her on board.

James Blyth is a highly talented and determined racer; he showed great promise in the Mini Challenge and the rise to the feature events on the Trofeo calendar is an excellent way to showcase his abilities. In addition it provides team continuity that we believe will enable our drivers to gather knowledge and experience from one another during the season.”