RevolutionOctober 2019 The official magazine of MOTORSPORT UK RELOCATES TO MOTORSPORT VALLEY WHY MOTORSPORT UK HAS CHOSEN BICESTER MOTION AS ITS NEW HOME LATEST NEWS FLYING SOLO PLACE NOTES MOTORSPORT UK THE PERFECT THE SILVERSTONE ANNOUNCES NEW INTRODUCTION EXPERIENCE BOARD TO COMPETITIVE DRIVING PLUS + CLUB CORNER+ WHAT’S ON + NEWS + RESULTS CEO’s MESSAGE Over the past thirty years this has been the home of motorsport’s governing body, responsible for the management of the sport’s rules and regulations, keeping everything safe and fair. The motorsport community has become familiar with the trek to Motorsport House, whether for the myriad of committees and meetings, or for the unfortunate, to be hauled in front of the National Court. But although the A bright future building and location served its purpose, it has become increasingly inadequate to at Bicester for deliver as the focal point for our sport. So last autumn we began a study of what Motorsport UK we should aspire to, on behalf of our members, and we listened to what they had 1988: Ayrton Senna won the British GP to tell us. It was clear that we needed to and that year would go on to win the first be somewhere that was more accessible, of his three world championships, while that had adequate parking, would be in an Markku Alen won the RAC Rally in a Lancia environment that gave better facilities to Integrale and in the BTCC Frank Sytner took employees and visitors as well as being the title in a Prodrive BMW M3. Also, that based somewhere of more relevance to year, The RAC Motor Sports Association our members. We engaged CBRE, a highly moved from Belgrave Square in London, to professional property firm to advise us, and a new building in Colnbrook near Slough. embarked on an exhaustive search. Other than being a stone’s throw from the One positive aspect of the existing building original (by then vacated) McLaren race is that we own it as a freehold property, team HQ, there was little connection to the and over the past 30 years, it has accrued world of UK motorsport. in value. Also, the evolution of Heathrow Revolution - October 2019 3 THE REVOLUTION “The sheer breadth of opportunity that comes with the move to Bicester is very exciting. For the first time ever, we can contemplate the creation of events where our community can gather and engage at our own home” has meant that warehousing has become challenges in the coming years, and we a premium commodity, so with a potential need to be on the front foot, showcasing change of use through planning we can the strengths that we have. The sheer release a 50% uplift in value. That gives breadth of opportunity that comes with us great options moving forwards. In fact, the move to Bicester is very exciting. For one of the stipulations set by the board the first time ever, we can contemplate the was that we would need to own the new creation of events where our community building, to avoid the legacy of annual rent. can gather and engage at our own home; On that basis we narrowed the choice to a where we can build centres of excellence handful of locations, which were assessed in education and training, and attract new in exacting detail. talent drawn from the heart of motorsport valley. As the site develops with the As you are now aware, we are moving to planned 300 bed hotel and conference Bicester in the summer of 2020. Bicester centre, and a new Motorsport UK approved is perhaps best known for its retail park, track, this will only strengthen the which has over 7m visitors annually. But proposition. the fast-emerging story is on the other side of town, in the form of the 444 acre As a first step we will move into a new Bicester Heritage site; which although leasehold building on the New Technical only a few years into its reincarnation, has Site; and then after the sale of Colnbrook, grabbed the attention of the automotive we will construct the long-term home for world. The initial focus was very much Motorsport UK, hopefully by 2023. From on heritage, with an influx of classic car our new home we will work hard to secure related businesses, but as the site has the sustainable future of motorsport in the matured the ambition runs much wider and UK. is encapsulate in the new name of Bicester Motion. The vision that the Bicester Motion Best wishes, team have for the site marries perfectly Hugh Chambers with ours. Motorsport faces some tough CEO, Motorsport UK Revolution - October 2019 4 CONTENTS This month we announce Motorsport UK’s move to the automotive hub of Bicester Heritage, Dan Prosser competes in his first Place Notes AutoSolo, plus we preview the brand new Silverstone Experience. 43 27 34 41 What’s On 47 Wheels Flying Solo in Motion Highlight Latest News - page 7+ Championship Results Latest results across the 07 different types of motorsport 53 goverened by Motorsport UK Forthcoming Events + National Court + + Member Directory + Club Corner … Revolution - October 2019 5 UP TO SPEED LATEST NEWS MOTORSPORT UK ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD Motorsport UK is pleased to announce the formation of its new Board, as a result of the wholescale change in the sport’s governance in March 2019. The final elements have been confirmed by the Motorsport UK Council meeting of 22 October 2019. Four new independent Board members worked in financial services including David Lapworth have been appointed: as CEO for ESN Group and Brunswick Helen Bashford-Malkie Capital. Roger is a highly regarded Nicky Moffitt Catherine Bond Muir, who is currently competitor in classic car racing. Peter Read CEO of the women-only race series, Richard Norbury W Series. Catherine comes from a Additionally, three former Motorsport Roger Wills distinguished legal career in sport and UK Board members return to the Board corporate organisations. having been elected by the newly Motorsport UK would like to express its constituted Council: David Lapworth gratitude to outgoing Board members: Chris Cooper, Founder and MD of (Chair of the Technical Committee), Challenge Consulting and previously Christine Gaskell MBE Richard Norbury (Chair of the Judicial Chair of the Board at UK Management Danesh Gangahar Committee), and Nicky Moffitt (Chair of Consultancies Association, with prior Ian Watson the Rally Committee). roles at Deloitte, BDO and Sybase. Chris Mike Broad is an active competitor in GT racing. The full Board will therefore comprise: Tim Jackson Helen Bashford-Malkie, currently David Richards CBE – Chairman Chairman of ProtoEV and working as an Tom Purves – Chairman of Council automotive consultant; formerly CEO of Hugh Chambers – CEO For more information on the Chevron Racing Cars Group for 37 years. Ben Cussons Motorsport UK’s governance Roger Wills, currently holding various Catherine Bond Muir structure click HERE. Board Directorships, having previously Chris Cooper Revolution - October 2019 7 LATESTNEWS TEAM UK PREPARES FOR FIA MOTORSPORT GAMES Team UK fly to Italy this week for the inaugural FIA Motorsport Games held at Vallelunga Circuit (31 October – 3 November). Team UK are led by Team Captain 2019 British Touring Car Independent compete for Gold, Silver and Bronze and 2018 British GT Champion Flick Drivers Champion Rory Butcher will medals across the four categories, with Haigh who will join Chris Froggatt to drive an MG6 Xpower TCR in the Touring every medal contributing towards an represent the UK in the GT Cup. Car Cup, while 14-year-old Jessica overall medal table. Edgar and Samuel Shaw will team up to 2019 eRace of Champions winner, James The FIA Motorsport Games will be represent the UK in the Karting Slalom. Baldwin, is representing the UK in the streamed live across the weekend. Digital Cup and will attend the Games The Games begin on Thursday with Follow Team UK throughout the straight from competing in ‘World’s the opening ceremony in Rome before competition on Motorsport UK’s social Fastest Gamer’ in the USA. practice for the Digital, GT and Touring media channels. Car Cups begins on Friday. Team UK will Revolution - October 2019 8 LATESTNEWS INGRAM FIGHTS FOR EUROPEAN GLORY Motorsport UK Team UK member Chris Ingram and Motorsport UK co-driver Academy graduate Ross Whittock face their toughest event yet – Rally Hungary (8-10 November). The British pairing lead the standings in the European Rally Last time out in Cyprus the pairing finished in second, playing Championship – 19 points clear of nearest rival Lukasz Habaj. a tactical event to move them closer to their dreams. The The Skoda Fabia R5 crew go into the final round of the series, English duo are set to carry the number one on the doors but searching for European glory – the first time in over 50 years there are several hurdles to overcome to get themselves to the title would be brought to British shores. the ERC decider. In 2017, Ingram clinched the Junior under 27 and front- “It’s a big push to try to get the funding for the last one,” said wheel-drive titles, and now has his sights set on the big Ingram who will drive for the Turkish Toksport WRT line-up. one. However, Ingram has battled financial uncertainty all “I’ve got a few leads and potential sponsors and hopefully the season and has now started a crowdfunding campaign to get result in Cyprus will show I mean business and together with Whittock and himself to the start line of the season finale in the British motorsport community we can do it.” Hungary.