SPEED EuroSeries News - March 2012

Entries for the second meeting of the season, the showpiece meeting at the legendary Spa Francorchamps circuit as part of the brand new FIA World Endurance Championship, are going fast as drivers and teams seek to secure their place on what looks like being the biggest grid of CN sports prototypes in recent times.

In 2011, 25 cars arrived at the Belgium circuit to take on the challenges of Eau Rouge, La Source, the Bus Stop and the rest of the iconic track with the Team TFT Normas of Ander Vilarino/Franck Lamana and Nick Padmore/Jean Lou Rihon taking the race wins over the weekend; Padmore and Rihon will be returning to the SPEED paddock to defend their crown in 2012 with TFT running up to three chassis in the race which is promising a strong grid.

Drivers and teams are advised to submit entry forms and registrations for the Spa event as soon as possible to ensure sufficient paddock space is allocated to them in what is going to be a very busy meeting. A limited number of extra passes for the high profile event are available through SPEED. Please contact SPEED organisers now to avoid any disappointment.

Entry forms can be downloaded at the following page: www.speedeuroseries.com/downloads

The French Team TFT, past winners in the SPEED EuroSeries having claimed both race victories at Spa Francorchamps in 2011, will contest the full SPEED EuroSeries season in 2012 with their Norma M20CF chassis.

At Le Castellet, the 96 car will be driven by Anthony Gandon and Jens Petersen, theformer will then drive solo for the remainder of the season. Team TFT boss, Anthony Perreira is currently assesing drivers to run with Petersen in their second chassis at races from Spa onwards. A third chassis, driven by SPEED stalwarts Jean Lou Rihon and Nick Padmore is scheduled to compete in the SPEED races at Spa Francorchamps and the season finale at Barcelona.

Drivers interested in a berth in the second chassis should contact Team TFT at their Nogaro base:

Antony Pereira – Team TFT
Tel: 06.07.08.01.79
Mail: tftsarl@wanadoo.fr

Competitor Bulletin 21/03/12/1

Fuel Order Form

Competitors attending the Le Castellet event are reminded to contact Sunoco as soon as possible with fuel order requirements for the event.

Please download the order form here: Sunoco Fuel order form SPEED 2012

Information on the Sunoco fuel specification can be seen here: SUNOCO CF Fuel Spec Sheet

RACE ace Sarah Reader has confirmed her place as Britain’s top female racing driver with a cluster of top awards.

The 29-year-old SPEED EuroSeries driver, who began her race career as a teenager, has been handed the British Women Racing Drivers Club’s top gong at an awards ceremony at Silverstone, putting her in pole position for the coming season.

The Embassy Trophy – making Sarah the BWRDC’s overall champion of 2011 – was presented to the racing driver at a gala lunch on the back of a stunning 2011 season in the SPEED Euroseries – an international championship where she is the only woman on the grid.

And it wasn’t the only trophy Sarah, from Stratford-upon-Avon, picked up – an incredible four more followed.

Four podium finishes and fourth place overall, saw Sarah clock up more points than any other British female competing in circuit championships last year, winning her the BWRDC’s second highest honour, the Goodwin Trophy.

And Sarah’s success didn’t end there – she also won the club’s Jamieson Trophy for 2011 for notching-up the fastest average speed and the VIP Adrenalin cup for best performance in a sports racing car.

She was also one of only two drivers to be handed the BWRDC’s prestigious GoldStars Award in recognition of her continued success in international motorsport racing.

And what’s more, she’s been made patron of the BWRDC in its 50^th anniversary year.

Sarah will return to the SPEED Euroseries championship when the season starts at Paul Richard in France in April, behind the wheel of Juno sports prototype car, run by the manufacturer.

“These awards are an incredible way to get set for the coming season,” Sarah said.

“I’m honoured to be a member of the BWRDC and honoured to be recognised in this way.

“I look forward to even more success in 2012!”

Sarah has been racing since the age of 17, when she started in the Caterham Academy. In 2003 she raced to third place overall in the Caterham Eurocup Roadsport class and was third overall in the Caterham CSR Masters in 2006.

Her dream is to move up a gear in the field of sports prototype racing – to compete in the Le Mans Series.

Follow Sarah’s progress online-  www.sarahreader.com – or via Twitter – @sarahreader24.

The European Le Mans Series organisers have issued the event timetable for the Le Castellet meeting which will host the opening two rounds of the 2012 SPEED EuroSeries.

The meeting has been reorganised to feature just a two day race programme with no track running on the Friday. This means that SPEED competitors will have free practice, qualifying and Race 1 on the Saturday with Race 2 taking place on the Sunday morning.

To download the timetable click here: Timetable – Le Castellet.

Details will be updated so please check on the Events page for any changes or bulletins.

Franco-Belge outfit SPYD RACING is the latest addition to the growing SPEED EuroSeries grid with their Ibanez Racing prepared Norma M20F.

Fresh from their CN category victory at the Gulf 12 Hours of Abu Dhabi, drivers Philippe Mace and Philippe Yschard will make their SPEED EuroSeries debut at the season opening rounds at Le Castellet at the end of the month. The team will enter the ‘Classic Class’ for older chassis designs which offers an attractive entry level to drivers looking to get into the high profile SPEED EuroSeries.

SPEED EuroSeries organiser, Oli McCrudden: “We’re delighted to welcome the team to the SPEED paddock and pleased that our initiative [the classic class] is proving popular. There are so many of the older chassis out there that are still competitive, affordable and great fun to race and it’s great to know that they will be used as they were intended rather than being confined off to track days or to sit unused in workshops.”

The Ibanez Racing team will feature three cars in the SPEED EuroSeries throughout the 2012 season with two Wolf GB08 chassis running alongside the Norma.

SPEEDTV.com (USA) – Sunoco and SPEED

The Chequered Flag (UK) – Sunoco and SPEED (also here)

Coventry Telegraph (UK) – Sarah Reader award winner

Stratford Observer (UK) – Sarah Reader award winner

BBC News – Women in motorsport

MotorsTV (EU) – SPEED winners progress to ELMS

Autosport.com – Highes and Forth to ELMS

L’Union (France) – Philippe Alliot & Amandine Foulard

Motorsportblog.it (Italy) – Wolf & G-Cat Racing

If you are aware of any press reports featuring the SPEED EuroSerirs which are not featured on the site, please send the url link to media@speedeuroseries.com to keep us up to date.

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