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.”

The organiser of the Zing Trofeo Abarth GB are glad to confirm a new entry for the season. Paul Smith joins the trofeo with the experienced team Mardi Gras.

Paul Smith confirms:

“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.”

Paul Hetherington, managing director of Mardi Gras 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″.

Mardi Gras Motorsport was formed in 1987 to build & maintain a Ford Fiesta for participation in the Ford Credit Fiesta Championship.The Team taking its title from an amalgamation of the names of the founding members, MARtin, DIck and GRAham. This was considered appropriate as Mardi Gras (Shrove Tuesday) is indeed a Fiesta. The Team was an immediate success winning seven races and the Championship in its first year.

From 1988 onwards the team principles, Dick Richards, Martin Sharpe and Paul Hetherington continued the teams winning trend, winning at least one championship every year to date.

Organisers of the 2010 Trofeo Abarth 500 GB are pleased to announce another winter test.

On the 17th of February at Silverstone both the demo car and teams will attend to give a chance to drivers to test the Abrth 500 AC racing cars.

If you are interested in the test please contact Paolo Callea: 07722420541, paolo@abarthcompetizioni.com

The Trofeo Abarth 500 GB is delighted to announce a partnership with the Italian Chamber of Commerce. The collaboration will bring a new level of support to the new championship from Italian companies based in UK. Organisers of the series have developed the platform in a way that promotes not just motorsport and the Abarth 500 Assetto Corse, but also the Italian way of life; food, fashion and attitude. The Italian Chamber of commerce is a very active hub for Italian products and facilitates interaction for Italian companies in the UK and UK companies who wish to develop closer ties with Italy.

As Helen Girgenti General Secretary of the chamber confirms:

“The Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is delighted to announce that “The Trofeo Abarth 500 GB” has become a corporate member. We are thrilled that with Trofeo Abarth 500 joining, our members will be able to have the opportunity to enjoy a full season of watching the iconic 500 racing at tracks across all of the UK. Already the team at Abarth Competizioni have developed a massive fan-base of people sharing a passion for Italian products and lifestyle and we are delighted to be associated with such a dynamic brand. We wish the Trofeo a successful first season of racing and I hope that some of our members can meet at the forthcoming race days”

The partnership allows the Trofeo to meet its strategic goals of creating an Italian flavour within the paddock. The idea is to provide guests with a different experience to that sometimes found in UK Motorsport. Italian food suppliers will support the championship and some famous brand should be announced soon.

Paolo Callea, championship manager added:

“We are delighted to have been welcomed so warmly by the chamber and all its members. We have attended a couple of their events and look forward to supporting more. We are working hard to create something special for our hospitality and this deal gives us all the ingredients to succeed.”

We look forward to see you at our events and enjoy a nice espresso…

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.”