Ben Winrow, the 2008 Clio Cup Champion has announced that he will compete in the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB in 2010.

24 year old Ben, the winner of the 2008 BRDC Rising Star Award commented;

“It is good to see a new one make championship in the UK. The first year in any manufacturer supported championship is always special.I’m looking forward to getting back in the driving seat. The championship provides a great opportunity and we’ll see what we can do with it.”

Championship Organiser Paolo Callea said;

“It’s fantastic to be able to announce Ben’s entry into the first season of the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB. We have worked hard to create a series that is attractive to drivers and it is very rewarding to sign up drivers of Ben’s calibre.”

Ben’s entry also means that there is a new team on the grid. Team Pyro brings the number of teams to six. With most teams running multiple cars in the series, the grid is looking solid for 2010.

The organisers would like to thank the Abarth dealer network for the continued support shown toward the series.

It is clear that with 8 cars purchased by dealers the championship is well on the way to being a success.

The network has been very proactive toward the series and this will certainly benefit the sport. Having dealers as stakeholders in the series means that the sport can deliver value in terms of brand communication and sales.

The dealers that have bought cars and already have agreements with teams and drivers to run in 2010 are:

• PLATTS : Stoke On Trent
• THAMES : Slough
• S.G.PETCH : York
• LIPSCOMB : Aylesford
• FIAT MARYLEBONE : London
• ROCKINGHAM CARS : Corby
• GLYN HOPKIN LTD : Romford
• VOSPERS : Plymouth

As a result of the interest from dealers, the organisers are announcing that there are no more ‘dealer cars’ available. This means that teams, drivers and sponsors who wish to participate in the 2010 season will have to purchase cars directly from the championship organiser.

Rees Sport have confirmed that they will enter the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB. The team have purchased an Abarth 500 Assetto Corse car for the series. Former BTCC, Tuscan and MGF driver Matt Kelly and director of Ress Sport, confirmed that the Trofeo platform fit very well with the structure of his organization.

Rees Sport has been racing successfully in the Porsche Carrera Cup and they are now ready to expand their operation to the iconic Abarth brand.

For more information about Rees Sport or the 2010 series please contact the organizers.

The organisers would like to welcome Coastal Racing as the first team to sign-up to the series. Carl Bradley, team manager and driver, has been interested in the series for a while and now he has now committed to run a multiple car team in the 2010  Trofeo Abarth 500 GB.

Coastal Team has been racing successfully in the Mini Challenge and the Clio Cup, and they are now ready to take up on a bigger challenge with the high profile Trofeo.

For more information about Coastal Racing or the 2010 series please contact the organizers.