Governing Motor Sports in the UK

The MSA is a member of the International karting comes to the UK Briton Tom Joyner (pictured below left) and Norwegian Dennis Olsen (below MAY 2011 right) won the KF2 and KF3 classes of the CIK-FIA North European Trophy, General News a qualifying round of the European Championship, which was held at PF National Motorsport Week International in Lincolnshire over the May bank holiday weekend. Championships Update MSA Academy Team UK Chris Walker – Kartpix.net Chris Walker – Kartpix.net Chris Walker Go Motorsport Staff profile It was the second year that the event has said Joyner, who triumphed by just over a been held at PFI. Nigel Edwards, chairman second. of organiser Trent Valley Kart Club, said: Joyner was not the only Briton from the KF2 “We capitalised on the experience gained class to secure a place in the European in 2010, and everything went as well as Find us on Facebook Championship field at Zuera, Spain in July. we could have hoped this time round. I’m Joining him will be Sam Snell, who won two delighted to report that the feedback from Follow us on heats and led the A Final, as well as Denis CIK-FIA personnel was very encouraging, Gorman, Sam Macleod and Adam Andrews. and I would like to thank all those who Please send us your news. [email protected] were involved in organising and running Meanwhile Harrison Scott led for much of Email: this highly successful and well-received the KF3 A Final but dropped to the tail end meeting.” of the field after a last-lap clash with Max Verstappen. That left as the Joyner had not sat in a kart for six months highest-placed Brit in seventh, one place prior to the event, but found himself ahead of Bradley Shaw. Darius Karbaley, disputing victory with Max Klinkby Silver George Russell, Connor Jupp, Nathan on the last lap of the A Final. “I knew the Aston, Alex Gill, Oliver Norris, Callan chassis would take a few laps to get up to O’Keeffe, Ricky Collard, Matthew Graham, speed, as our set-up was to enable us to Tom Harvey and James Dehavillande also be fast towards the end of the 28 lap-race,” booked their places in Spain. 03 CIK President visits North European Trophy CIK-FIA President Sheikh Abdulla bin Isa Al- According to Jones, the President was highly Khalifa was a surprise visitor to the CIK-FIA impressed by what he saw. “It was a real North European Trophy at PFI. The Sheikh was honour to have Sheikh Abdulla with us at PFI, welcomed by TVKC chairman Nigel Edwards and it was extremely encouraging to observe (pictured below) and MSA General Secretary the depth of his interest in – and knowledge of and Kart Committee chairman Rob Jones. – the sport. He visited every part of the event, spending time in the paddock, scrutineering 07 and a lengthy period spectating on the banking. “I have no doubt that he found his visit to be very worthwhile, and that he was impressed by the venue, the organisation and the standard Chris Walker – Kartpix.net Chris Walker of competition, which can only be good for the future of international karting in the UK.” 09 Issued on behalf of the Motor Sports Association, Motor Sports House, Riverside Park, Colnbrook, SL3 0HG. Tel: +44 (0)1753 765000 Email: [email protected] 2 TEAMNATIONAL UK MOTORSPORT WEEK MSA News - May 2011 Teams, clubs and venues pledge Q&A support for celebration of motor sport with Richard Egger With less than two months remaining before National Motorsport What are your thoughts about Week (25 June – 3 July), a large number of nationwide events and National Motorsport Week? activities are being lined up and more will be announced over the “I have always been a believer in the coming weeks. concept of National Motorsport Week but as the years went by the concept All eight UK-based teams have pledged their support, as have a seemed to lose momentum. When large number of others determined to use the prominent National Motorsport I heard that the MSA had thrown its Week platform to promote their own involvement in the sport. A full list of those full support behind the week I thought participating will be compiled on the revamped www.NationalMotorsportWeek.co.uk ‘brilliant’, even if it was in a very tight website, which also has various toolkits and guides available for download. time scale for this first year.” “With the MSA and MIA now working together on this important programme, we What are the challenges? are predicting a large number of activities to be confirmed for National Motorsport “From my experiences, club motor sport Week,” reported Jonathan Gill, who is helping to co-ordinate the project from the Go has evolved a mindset of doing its own Motorsport office. “In recent weeks we have had extremely positive meetings with all thing and often not selling itself to the the UK’s F1 teams and most of the country’s circuit owners, plus a host of other key wider public – possibly for valid reasons players from the industry and media. such as PR sensitivity or good old “We are confident that we’ll see a wide variety of events being announced – most fashioned lack of time.” of these being aimed at attracting more people into motor sport whether it’s as a competitor, fan, volunteer or employee. Motor sport is one area in which this country excels – it’s vital that we get this message out to as wide an audience as possible and use it to get more people involved.”

How did you get involved? “Because of the shortness of time I suggested that the only way to get Special support for motor clubs some clubs engaged in setting up some While the higher profile activities being scheduled during the revamped National trial taster events was to pick up the Motorsport Week are likely to grab the headlines, it’s even more important that grass phone and do some talking. Guess roots motor sport maximises this opportunity to engage with the public and generate what; I got the job! So I have now spent more participation. some happy evenings ringing clubs the For most clubs, confirmation of this year’s date has come too late to enable length and breadth of the country.” new activity to be included in the calendar, but Richard Egger – Go Motorsport’s What kind of response have you experienced Regional Development Officer in the East Midlands – is working with a received? small selection of MSA-registered clubs to explore what can be done in a very short “It’s been very positive with just about timescale. The MSA is hopeful of announcing the 2012 date as soon as possible every club willing to have a good think and it is hoped that these ‘pilot’ activities will be used by clubs as case studies for and see what it could pull together to next year’s event. place our sport in front of potential new To date Richard has contacted more than 20 clubs and received positive feedback members. One club did state that it from all quarters. “One already had an activity planned for NMW; three have existing would have nothing to do with National events which they will now run as NMW activities and do some extra marketing to Motorsport Week until it is better attract new faces while 15 have agreed to have a look at putting something together organised – which, after all, is why I’ve even if it will be low key,” reported Egger. Other clubs keen to use the National been asked to help! Hopefully clubs will Motorsport Week platform to promote their own activities are urged to contact info@ be impressed and inspired by what we GoMotorsport.net. achieve this year and be encouraged to start planning their 2012 activities before I start calling them.”

Issued on behalf of the Motor Sports Association, Motor Sports House, Riverside Park, Colnbrook, SL3 0HG. Tel: +44 (0)1753 765000 Email: [email protected] MSA News - May 2011 General News 3

Details of UK Bribery Act unveiled Closed roads: The coalition government has revealed full details of the new Bribery Act that will a brief explanation come into force on 1 July 2011. With Parliament in recess, the The media had suggested that corporate hospitality might have been threatened government’s announced consultation by the new legislation and this had caused significant alarm within the motor sport into closed road motor sport has yet world, particularly amongst the UK-based Formula 1 and WRC companies and other to be enacted. As soon as it is, the major international teams. MSA will ensure that the motor sport community is fully aware of any action MSA Chief Executive Colin Hilton, together with FIA Deputy President Sport, required on its part to support the Graham Stoker, met with Ministry of Justice officials earlier this year to clarify the measure. situation. They received reassurances that the government fully understood the significant role that hospitality played in sponsorship and business-to-business In the meantime, the MSA has received dealings and that there was no intention within the new Act to curtail this type of a number of enquiries regarding the activity. current legislation governing road closure orders. For the sake of clarity, The guidance notes accompanying the new Act now confirm that ‘bona fide hospitality the following explanation may be useful. and promotional, or other business expenditure which seeks to improve the image Clearly, local authorities already have of a commercial organisation, better to present products and services, or establish the power to close a road temporarily; cordial relations, is recognised as an established and important part of doing business they frequently do so for road works and and it is not the intention of the act to criminalise such behaviour’. And its foreword utility services, as well as for community urges companies to ‘rest assured’ as ‘no one wants to stop firms getting to know their activities such as carnivals or fetes. clients by taking them to events like Wimbledon or the Grand Prix’. However, despite a road being closed, It endorses reasonable and proportionate hospitality and expenditure, and states the actual process only removes the that the more lavish the offering, the greater the inference that it is intended public’s right to pass and repass, or in to influence the granting of business or a business advantage in return.As an layman’s terms, to use the road. The example, it envisages that the provision of flights, airport to hotel transfers, hotel Road Traffic Act, for example, remains accommodation, and even ‘fine dining’ and tickets to an event for an official as well fully active. This affects both motor sport as their spouse is ‘unlikely to raise the necessary inference’ to engage scrutiny by and other sporting activities such as compliance officers, so long as there is a business rationale for the trip. cycle racing. The full act can be found at The more specific issue facing motor http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/23/pdfs/ukpga_20100023_en.pdf sport is that under Section 12 of the Road Traffic Act it is illegal to organise a motor race or a trial of speed on the public highway. The legislation states

Tim Whittington Tim that it is not possible on mainland Britain to suspend the Road Traffic Act except by another Act of Parliament. Consequently, while it is currently possible for the local authority to ‘close’ a road, the Road Traffic Act would still be in force – meaning that all vehicles would have to be road-legal, taxed and insured and would have to comply with existing legislation including speed limits and road markings, thus making many competitive events impossible. Lydden hosts opening Euro round The legislation being proposed by the MSA’s campaign, will provide local Almost 14,000 spectators headed to Lydden Hill over Easter for the opening round authorities with the power to suspend of the 2011 FIA European Rallycross Championship. Reigning champion Sverre the Road Traffic Act and associated Isachsen won the event, which was hailed as a great success for the Kent venue. Rights of Way in order that properly Circuit manager Amy Doran said: “The event went superbly and the FIA is now using organised and permitted events could us as the benchmark for the remaining championship rounds. We had some hair- take place on the public highway on raising racing and a record crowd, which made the event an all-round success. The mainland Britain. organising team worked very effectively and the venue looked amazing.”

Issued on behalf of the Motor Sports Association, Motor Sports House, Riverside Park, Colnbrook, SL3 0HG. Tel: +44 (0)1753 765000 Email: [email protected] 4 General News MSA News - May 2011

TECHNICAL / REGULATIONS Advertising on glass surfaces Competitors and teams are reminded of the requirements of (Q)19.2.2 and (J)5.2.10, which concern advertising on glass surfaces on competition cars.

FIA Homologation Labels The MSA Technical Department has been made aware of forged standard labels on seats and harnesses. Competitors are urged to check standard labels vigilantly before purchasing such items; there are some seats on the market that purport to be BTRDA to run taster event for novices made by a recognised manufacturer The BTRDA will host a multi-discipline training day at Catton Park near Burton On and to be FIA homologated, but in Trent on 22 May to give novices a chance to sample four motor sport disciplines: reality are fakes. Anybody who comes Autotest; AutoSOLO; Car Trial; and Sporting Trials. across a homologation label that they suspect is not genuine is requested to Reigning and triple BTRDA/MSA British Autotest Champion Alastair Moffatt, reigning take an image of the label and send it BTRDA/MSA British Sporting Trials champion Ian Wright and reigning BTRDA Car to [email protected]. The following Trials champion Nick Pollitt will all be on hand to offer advice. images show genuine seat (l) and BTRDA Director Nick Pollitt said: harness (r) standard labels. “This initiative offers everyone a great opportunity to experience four very different disciplines of motor sport first- hand on the same day at the same location, and the backing of so many current and past BTRDA and MSA British champions is indicative of the level of support the training day has received from within the club.”

Anyone wishing to attend should register their interest at www.btrda.com. Cars will be available for use on the day but visitors can receive tuition from the passenger Seat Mountings and seats of their road cars if they wish. Harness Mountings Requirements for seat and harness British Kart Championship mountings are set out in Blue Book section (K)2. To clarify, the use of to be held at PFI a vehicle manufacturer’s standard The 2011 MSA British Kart Championship mountings is acceptable in both Chris Walker, Kartpix.net Chris Walker, will take place on 1-2 October at PF MSA and FIA competition, where International and is scheduled to be the those mountings are compatible with first event to take place on the proposed the harness to be used. The MSA new circuit layout. The MSA has adopted Regulations apply to mountings that are a single-event format for this year’s not standard for the vehicle. championship, which will be contested by competitors in the KF2 class.

Issued on behalf of the Motor Sports Association, Motor Sports House, Riverside Park, Colnbrook, SL3 0HG. Tel: +44 (0)1753 765000 Email: [email protected] MSA News - May 2011 General News 5

JUDICIAL CASE No: J2011/02 – GT3 Racing This is the Appeal of GT3 Racing against the decision of the Clerk of the Course to exclude Car 21 driven by Aaron Scott from the Endurance Championship Race held at Silverstone on 26th March 2011. The Royal Automobile Club Motor Sports Association have indicated to this Court that they wish to offer no evidence and in the circumstances it is ordered that: 1. The Appeal be allowed; 2. Car 21 be reinstated in the results of the race and the results be published; First Donington Historic Festival a success 3. The Appeal fee be returned. Twelve-thousand motor sport fans flocked to over the May bank This decision was set down on holiday weekend for the inaugural Donington Historic Festival. Thursday 14th April 2011. The event featured 12 races, 300 historic cars on-track and hundreds more on display. Event organiser Duncan Wiltshire said: “This was the first time we’d run the Festival, so we couldn’t be absolutely certain how it would turn out, but it exceeded our most optimistic expectations in every way: the spectators, the weather, the revitalised circuit, but above all the racing.”

Motor sport teams urged to be vigilant According to press reports in the past week, the UK Border Agency is warning that motor sport teams may come under closer scrutiny in future. Officials gave the warning to the Daily Telegraph after reports emerged suggesting that illegal drugs and other items may have been found aboard a world superbike team transporter during routine checks.

The Motor Sports Association would like to remind all teams to be vigilant and mindful of their legal responsibilities for all team members and staff to uphold the law both in this country and abroad and also to ensure that they do not bring motor sport into disrepute.

CHAMPIONSHIPS UPDATE

SWISHER MSA English Rally Championship Darren Pinchin and Ashley Slights are tied Championship positions (provisional) after Round 3 Simon Clarke atop the championship standings following 1 Darren Pinchin – 75 points round three, the Somerset Stages Rally. = Ashley Slights – 75 3 Allan McDowall – 71

Hankook MSA Northern Ireland Stage Rally Championship

Hankook.ie Kenny McKinstry remains unbeaten in this Championship positions (provisional) after Round 3 year’s championship, having scored his 1 Kenny McKinstry – 36 points third consecutive victory on the Donnelly 2 George Robinson – 22 Group Circuit of Ireland Rally. = Derek McGarrity – 22

Issued on behalf of the Motor Sports Association, Motor Sports House, Riverside Park, Colnbrook, SL3 0HG. Tel: +44 (0)1753 765000 Email: [email protected] 6 General News MSA News - May 2011

CHAMPIONSHIPS UPDATE

Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship btcc.net has taken the championship Championship positions (provisional) after Round 3 lead following his third win of the year at 1 Matt Neal – 90 points Thruxton. Reigning champion 2 – 78 has dropped out of the top five following 3 James Nash – 75 crashes at the last two meetings. Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship David Bogie extended his championship Championship positions (provisional) after Round 3 lead with his second win of the year on 1 David Bogie – 58 points the International Rally. Team UK 2 Elfyn Evans – 51 Jakob Ebrey Photography crew Elfyn Evans and Andrew Edwards 3 Jonny Greer – 44 remain in second place overall. Cooper Tires British F3 International Series Felipe Nasr leads the championship Championship positions (provisional) after Round 2 following three victories from the 1 Felipe Nasr – 92 points opening six races of the season. Rupert 2 Lucas Foresti – 58 Jakob Ebrey Photography Svensden-Cook, Lucas Foresti and Riki 3 Jazeman Jaafar – 58 Christodoulou have also claimed victories. Avon Tyres British GT Championship David Ashburn and Championship standings (provisional) after Round 1 won the opening race of the season at 1 David Ashburn – 37 points , where Michael Lyons and = Richard Westbrook 37 Jakob Ebrey Photography Charles Bateman were also victorious. 3 Michael Lyons – 33

Dunlop MSA Championship of Great Britain dominated round two at Championship positions (provisional) after Round 2 Oulton Park, where he won all three 1 Joeoen Slaghekke – 146 points races, but a difficult first round means 2 Scott Malvern – 124 Jakob Ebrey Photography that he trails Joeoen Slaghekke in the title 3 Geoff Uhrhane – 118 race. Dunlop/WONAGO.com MSA British Historic Rally Champ’ship Rikki Proffitt has moved into the Championship positions (provisional) after Round 3 Paul Lawrence championship lead after winning Category 1 Rikki Proffitt – 90 points One on the Pirelli Historic Rally, which 2 David Stokes – 88 was won overall by Nick Elliott and Chris = Nick Elliott – 88 Brooks. SBD Motorsport MSA British Sprint Championship Stewart Robb Snr continues to lead the Championship positions (provisional) after Round 4

Steve Wilkinson way, having won three of the opening 1 Stewart Robb Snr – 38 points four rounds. The fourth was won by Colin 2 Mark Smith – 33 Calder, aided by a broken rear suspension 3 Colin Calder – 32 arm for Robb Snr. MSA British Sporting Trials Championship Ian Veale won the Jacobean trial to Championship positions (provisional) after Round 8 become the fifth different winner from 1 Ian Bell – 106 points eight events. The Jacobean was the 2 Ian Wright – 103 last event before the summer break; the 3 Roland Uglow – 83 Geoff Robinson -.2020zoom.com Geoff championship resumes on 11 September.

Issued on behalf of the Motor Sports Association, Motor Sports House, Riverside Park, Colnbrook, SL3 0HG. Tel: +44 (0)1753 765000 Email: [email protected] MSA News - May 2011 General News 7

CHAMPIONSHIPS UPDATE

MSA Scottish Rally Championship Dave Weston beat reigning champion Championship positions (provisional) after Round 3 David Bogie to victory on the CARS 1 David Bogie – 88 points LindsayPhotoSport Recovery Granite City Rally by the scant 2 Mike Faulkner – 80 margin of one second. Bogie, though, 3 Euan Thorburn – 79 remains atop the points table. Britcar MSA British Endurance Championship

Peter May Michael and Sean McInerney made a Championship positions (provisional) after Round 2 triumphant comeback at Rockingham to 1 Scott / Wilkins – 42 points take victory after starting the 150-minute 2 Barrett / Persson / Shepherd – 40 race from the pitlane. 3 Gamski / Robinson – 39

Nicholson McLaren MSA British Hill Climb Championship Scott Moran won the opening rounds of Championship positions (provisional) after round 2 Eddie Walder the 2011 championship but was pushed 1 Scott Moran – 20 points all the way by Lee Adams, who delivered 2 Lee Adams – 18 his best ever performance to take the 3 Trevor Willis – 16 1.6-litre class record on both runs. MSA British Championship Roger Moore holds the lead after taking Championship positions (provisional) after Round 1

David DJ Jones his maiden Pro Modified victory. Moore 1 Roger Moore – 96 points was the class of the field, setting new 2 Graham Ellis – 57 career-best elapsed times and terminal 3 Jean Dulamon – 35 speeds en route to the trophy. MSA British Cadet Kart Championship leads the standings Championship positions (provisional) after Round 1 following the first round at Rowrah, where 1 Jamie Caroline – 381 points he and Daniel Ticktum shared the spoils 2 – 366 Chris Walker - Kartpix.net Chris Walker of the two Finals. 3 Dean MacDonald – 344

MSA British Car Trial Championship Reigning champion Duncan Stephens Championship positions (provisional) after Round 4 shares the championship lead with Barrie 1 Duncan Stephens – 19points Parker, who won the Dennis Wells trial by = Barrie Parker – 19 more than 40 points following a dominant 3 John Moffatt – 11points performance. MSA British Long Circuit Kart Championship

Nick Purdie Louis Wall delivered a statement of intent Championship positions (provisional) after Round 1 by winning both of the season-opening 1 Louis Wall – 80 points races on the new Snetterton 300 circuit. 2 Toby Davis – 64 Reigning champion Jason Dredge is third 3 Jason Dredge – 61 overall. Britpart MSA British Cross Country Championship Reigning champion Tim Dilworth got his Championship positions (provisional) after Round 1

Tim Whittington Tim 2011 season off to a fine start by winning 1 Tim Dilworth – 86 points the opening round of the season at 2 Richard Kershaw – 80 Myherin. 3 Justin Birchall – 74

Issued on behalf of the Motor Sports Association, Motor Sports House, Riverside Park, Colnbrook, SL3 0HG. Tel: +44 (0)1753 765000 Email: [email protected] 8 MSA ACADEMY / TEAM UK MSA News - May 2011

The MSA Academy Expert coaching for national squad roadshow The Team UK national squad convened at Silverstone’s Performance MSA Academy coaches Greg Symes Centre last month for a series of training workshops. and James Wozencroft delivered Nic Olson from AP Brakes and William Hewland of Hewland Engineering were Performance Master Classes at a on hand to discuss braking systems, gearboxes and differentials. Andy Mellor, Scottish Motor Racing Club meeting at Technical Advisor from the FIA Institute, then delivered a presentation on safety over the May bank holiday in motor sport, before FIA Medical Commission member Dr Paul Trafford covered weekend. The pair were supported extraction and CPR training. by Team UK and GP3 driver Lewis Motor Sports Council chairman and former FIA Chief Steward Tony Scott Andrews Williamson, and MSA Advanced capped the event with a discussion of judicial procedures and driver behaviour. Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence student David Wagner. Team UK and 3.5 driver Oli Webb said: “It was good to find out The next stop for the MSA coaches is about the level of resources, time and effort that go into making motor sport as safe the Dunlop InterSteps Championship as possible, which round at Snetterton this weekend (7-8 is something that May). The coaches will also deliver I now think about introductory sessions on the Academy more than ever as at the Super One meeting at Shenington I broke my hand on 6 May and the Formula Kart Stars recently while racing. event at Three Sisters on 21 May. It was also good to spend time with AP Wozencroft and Team UK graduate and Hewland again; Adam Gould will cap the month by you learn something delivering Master Classes and the new every time, all MSA anti-doping workshop to Formula of which is essential 1000 Rally Championship competitors knowledge for modern at the Ranges Motorsport Centre in competition drivers.” Trawsfynydd on 30 May.

TEAM UK PERFORMANCE UPDATE

Jakob Ebrey Photography Jakob Ebrey Photography

Elfyn Evans and Andrew holds second place Will Buller secured pole Formula Renault UK champion Edwards lie second overall in in the Formula Renault UK position for the opening round recorded a the Dulux Trade MSA British points table, having won five of the Cooper Tires British pole position and a podium Rally Championship after of the first six rounds of the F3 International Series at finish on his ATS Formula 3 scoring a win and two second season. “It feels really sweet Monza. However, a pre-race Cup debut at Oschersleben. places in the opening three and now we’ve just got to keep communication issue left him “It has been a good opening rounds. our heads down,” he said. starting from the pitlane and weekend. Honestly, I think denied him a chance of victory. we could have topped every timesheet,” he said.

Issued on behalf of the Motor Sports Association, Motor Sports House, Riverside Park, Colnbrook, SL3 0HG. Tel: +44 (0)1753 765000 Email: [email protected] MSA News - May 2011 Go Motorsport 9

Join the Go Motorsport campaign Widening participation and raising awareness of motor sport There are many ways for you to play your around the country, particularly among young people part in encouraging more newcomers into all areas of motor sport: BBC’s Kravitz swaps mic for flags at Thruxton • Direct anyone interested in competing, volunteering or visiting a live motor sport Formula One pitlane reporter Ted Kravitz donned orange overalls at Thruxton’s event to the ‘Go Drive’, ‘Go Help’ and recent Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship round, as part of an ‘Go See’ sections of the Go Motorsport ongoing series – organised with the help of Go Motorsport – aimed at showing website, www.GoMotorsport.net BBC viewers just how to become actively involved in motor sport. • Help us to set up a visit to your local school by emailing the relevant contact details to [email protected] • Promote the initiative by running Go Motorsport decals on your competition car. A selection of free decals is available from [email protected] • Include Go Motorsport advertisements in your event programmes. Artwork is available from the ‘downloads’ section of Two years ago, when it secured the F1 broadcasting www.GoMotorsport.net returned to his karting roots with a group rights at the start of 2009. “What I didn’t • Establish web links to the Go Motorsport of teenagers at Rye House, before the realise when I presented the BTCC website where relevant or possible. BBC cameras followed Coulthard’s show is that you are really only a small fellow presenter Jake Humphrey as part of everything that makes the overall • Distribute Go Motorsport and Let’s Go first he passed his ARDS test and then event all happen,” he said. “Without the Karting promotional materials. Flyers, pencils, DVDs and other materials are made his race debut in the Lotus on marshals nothing goes ahead – we are available from [email protected] Track Elise Trophy at Silverstone. Last so reliant on them. year, the intrepid Humphrey switched “My first post was at the chicane where his attentions to , taking to the I witnessed close up Jason Plato having fearsome forests of North Wales as Tony a crash. He was furious when he got out “I never realised just how close as a Jardine’s co-driver on the Cambrian of the car. We’ve all seen on TV drivers volunteer you get to the cars, nor the Rally. getting out of cars but today I really saw sense of camaraderie among marshals,” Now Kravitz has taken up the baton up close raw emotion. To feel that from Kravitz continued. “I can now see why to become a volunteer marshal for the such close quarters is an incredible they brave the wind, rain, hail and a bit day at Thruxton’s BTCC meeting earlier experience.There were a couple of of sunburn to do this. You feel you’re this month. Once again his exploits further incidents throughout the day at helping to make the event run smoothly. were followed by a BBC film crew and the chicane and, on the startline, plus “I’d encourage anyone who’s an will be screened in the build up to a a fuel leak on the track – I had to help armchair enthusiast to get out of that forthcoming grand prix. mop up – and that was on my debut as armchair, go to the GoMotorsport.net “What I’ve learnt is there’s an incredible marshal! website and to get involved. Okay, so depth in expertise, talent and bravery “In fact, I’ve probably had two of the you have to pay your own expenses among these marshals,” he said. “We most exhilarating experiences at a and you don’t get paid – it’s a voluntary all hear how British marshals are the race meeting. I waved the green flag role – but you have the best seat in the best in the business but I’ve seen how at the back of the grid to signal to the house and you get such a great feeling well they organise themselves and how starter that the Formula Renault field from actually being involved in what’s willing they are to put themselves on was in position and it was safe for the going on.” the front line so these events can go race to start. Then I was taken out to a As well as being screened by the BBC, ahead.” different marshals’ post on the far side Kravitz’s exploits will also be featured Kravitz is no stranger to touring cars, of Thruxton barely a few feet away from on the BBC’s website and in Autosport having presented ITV’s coverage of the cars flashing magazine. the BTCC before switching to the BBC past at 150mph.

Issued on behalf of the Motor Sports Association, Motor Sports House, Riverside Park, Colnbrook, SL3 0HG. Tel: +44 (0)1753 765000 Email: [email protected] 10 Go Motorsport MSA News - May 2011 MEET… MSA Technical Administrator Joe Hickerton This month the MSA’s bespectacled technical prodigy discusses motor sport engineering degrees, regulations, and life on two wheels without even an engine...

Have you always been interested in Do you think that motor motor sport? sport is over-regulated? I’ve been a fan for as long as I can As with most things, it’s remember, thanks mainly to my dad. a fine balance. I look at We’d watch the grands prix avidly, and it from a technical and a as a family we would often go to British health & safety point of Touring Car Championship races, view; the MSA’s role is although I’m sure my mum and sisters to provide a level playing weren’t interested! One of my earliest field for all competitors memories is of Nigel Mansell hitting the and at the same wall at Donington Park in 1993; I was only time take reasonable about 30 metres away when it happened. measures to manage the When did you decide you wanted to risks that are inherent in become an engineer? motor sport. In the main, I think that we get the I suppose it was during my later years my mind until an agency tipped me balance about right. at secondary school when I started off about there being a vacancy in the What’s the most challenging part of to make some decisions about my Technical Department. I applied, was your job? future. I realised that the subjects I was interviewed and then offered the job. strongest at and enjoyed the most were Working with John Ryan! What does your job involve? mathematics and science. It then seemed And the most enjoyable? I was brought in initially to assist with logical to mix one of my biggest passions, I love getting out on events, because track safety and to work with John Symes motor sport, with my strongest skills, during the week you’re just a voice on on track licensing. My role has evolved so I went to Brunel University to study the end of a phone and it’s good to meet from that; for example I now edit the Kart Motorsport Engineering. with competitors and officials. I find that Race Yearbook and I’m heavily involved face-to-face conversations are often What can prospective students expect in roll-cage certification. I also help to more productive than email or phone from a motor sport engineering orgainse the annual training seminars conversations. And obviously as a lifelong course? for our 700 scrutineers, and often motor sport fan it’s fantastic that going to In most cases the core of the degree deliver presentations at the seminars events is actually part of my job. is mechanical engineering, with some themselves. Rescue and Recovery motor sport-specific modules on top of licensing is something else that takes up What are your interests outside motor that, such as race car aerodynamics. a lot of my time; I approve new trainees sport? Most such degrees also give you the and unit upgrades. Then I’m secretariat I’ve always loved cycling; I started opportunity to take part in Formula to the Kart Technical Sub Committee, competing in off-road racing when I was Student, a competition that involves Safety Advisory Panel, Vehicle Safety about 10 years old and continued to do designing and building cars, as part of Working Group and Rescue Panel, and so until university took over. I rode 1000 your major project. You can certainly I’ve performed the same role for the FIA miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats expect to be exposed to a motor sport Single Seater Technical Working Group. last year in support of a charity called environment on a regular basis. Then of course I answer technical or SADS UK – SADS being Sudden Adult How did you get your job at the MSA? regulatory queries from competitors, Death Syndrome – because I lost my I was determined to work in motor sport teams and manufacturers. In some ways sister, Ria, to an undiagnosed heart after leaving university in 2006, and that’s the most challenging aspect of the condition 10 years ago. If anybody wants imagined that I’d end up working for a job because you never know what the to donate to the charity, they can do so team on car design. The idea of working next query is going to be, so it keeps you through www.sadsuk.org. I am also a for the governing body didn’t really cross on your toes. long-suffering Wolves fan.

Issued on behalf of the Motor Sports Association, Motor Sports House, Riverside Park, Colnbrook, SL3 0HG. Tel: +44 (0)1753 765000 Email: [email protected]