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

Research Garage Abarth are proud to announce their sponsorship of 24 year old Ben, winner of the 2008 Clio Cup for the 2010 season.

The family owned dealership, based in Nuneaton in the Midlands, has been in business for over 40 years and has held the Abarth brand since it’s inception in 2008.

Craig McMullen, Director of Research Garage Group said.

“We are delighted to be able to show our support to Ben and Team Pyro Motorsport for the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB 2010 championship. Ben’s already impressive race pedigree clearly shows his first class driving talent and commitment to motor sport, this along with the car’s race prep in Team Pyros expert hands is a winning combination”.

Ben Winrow commented:

‘It’s fantastic to be sponsored by the No.1 Abarth dealership in the UK. The guys at Research Garage Abarth have already proven their worth – their great knowledge and excellent engineering service has helped our testing programme enormously”.

Mark Hunt, of Leicestershire based award winning Team Pyro added:

“Working closely with Research Garage Abarth gives us a clear advantage: their technical support means we stay at the top of our game and, together with Ben’s racing skills, means it just doesn’t get any better than this”.

The dealership’s support doesn’t end there: one of its own specialist Abarth road car technicians, Matt Beebe, will also be lending his support during the championship and assisting Team Pyro with preparing Ben’s Abarth.

Everyone at Research Garage Abarth wish Ben and Team Pyro every success in the championship.

More information at www.researchabarth.co.uk

Organisers are proud to announce that Sarah Franklin will join the growing list of drivers signed up for the 2010 season. Sarah will race with Reflex Racing, adding yet another team to the Trofeo Abarth 500 grid.

Sarah took advantage of a wet test day at Silverstone to drive the Abarth 500 Asetto Corse. She said:

“After several years racing in a rear wheel drive Ginetta G20, I am really looking forward to the new challenge of racing a front wheel drive car in a single make championship. Fortunately, there will be some continuity for me as I am remaining with Derek Holden and Reflex Racing, with whom I did all of my G20 racing. I’m sure it will be a learning curve for myself and the team but we’re all ready for the hard work that is sure to be needed! From the first moment I got into the Abarth, I knew I wanted to race it! It’s such a pocket rocket and puts a very big smile on your face! I think Paolo has put together a really great calendar for the championship and I particularly can’t wait for the round at Cadwell with the British Superbikes and, of course, the last round at Monza!”

Derek Holden, Team Manager for Reflex Racing said:

“It will be a great pleasure to continue our relationship with Sarah in this exciting new series. Reflex has a very successful record in other one make series, and we look forward to bringing that expertise into the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB championship. The car seems very well built and engineered, and the series supports some great meetings. We can’t wait to go racing.”

Organisers will announce new sponsorship deals in coming weeks that underline the spirit and positioning of the new series. Championship organiser Paolo Callea said:

“We are extremely positive about where the Zing Trofeo Abarth 500 GB is headed. It’s great to be able to announce new drivers and teams with each week that passes and I think it shows that we have a package that makes good sense. Obviously it is not too late, and there are teams who are looking to run multiple cars, so there are opportunities for drivers who want to join us for 2010.”

Benny younger brother of GT ace Allan Simonsen has signed with Pulce Racing to join 2010 Trofeo Abarth 500GB championship. Benny is making his race circuit début after a very successful junior career in Scandinavian karting winning numerous championships.

Benny joins Pulce Racing – the team devolving this year with management and engineering experience from seasoned Le Mans Series protagonists jwaRacing. Pulce Racing are one of the few teams to acquire a dealer car provided by Vospers who are the largest car dealer in the south west of England.

Testing continues on a weekly basis in the UK and will include some warm weather running in southern Spain later this month.

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 (race driver) 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.”

Allan Simonsen (race driver) said

“I have always known of my brothers huge talent in Motorsport right from when he started at 10 years in karting, so to see Pulce Racing take him under their wing for the 2010 Trofeo Abarth 500GB Championship is a fantastic opportunity for him, one that I support 100%, in any way I possibly can. I am sure they can challenge for the Championship and I know that is Benny’s ultimate goal too. ”

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 Abarthisti.co.uk, the UK’s largest online community of owners.”