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Pickup Truck Racing is moving to a new level with a complete set of high profile race dates across the country in 2008.

By Richard Neil

Traditionally the main focus of the Pickup calendar has been the Oval race dates at Rockingham however the new season will see equal emphasis on the road course dates which will have a much higher profile and pedigree than before. To achieve this in 2008 the Pickups will race alongside the British Truck Racing Association (BTRA) Championship including the two International FIA Truck dates at Donington Park and Thruxton.

Pickup Truck Racing’s managing director Sonny Howard says that this is a big step forward. “I am always being asked how we can make the best better. Well, there’s not much we can do to improve the spectacle on the track – I firmly believe it’s as good if not better than any other racing in Europe. We’re not going to take our ‘eye off the ball’ as far as the racing is concerned but the one area I wanted to move forward on was the championships we are racing with and the paying public we race in front of. We need to continue to build our growing fan base and the dates we have in place for next season will enhance our own reputation as well as that of the formulas we are racing with.”

“This new calendar will please both the race fans and our drivers alike. Rockingham is well established as a favourite place to watch Pickups and the entertainment we have delivered there on the oval since 2003 has been second to none. No one can match us. The road course dates had to be higher profile for next year as our standard of racing and entertainment is what the paying public want to see. Being on the bill with the BTRA and FIA Trucks provides added value for the overall race programme as well as for ourselves.”

“Every year we want to offer drivers and race fans the best entertainment and value for money possible,” adds Howard. “I think we’re the only championship in the UK where the drivers don’t pay a race by race entry fee – we’ve been able to do that for our drivers once again for 2008.”

Pickup Truck racing is the only motor racing championship in Europe that encompasses the two disciplines of super speedway oval racing and traditional road course events. Each racing weekend features two races with the top seeded drivers starting at the back of the grid. Pickups are pure racing machines based around a spaceframe chassis, powered by a 2 litre, 230bhp engine.

2008 Calendar:

22nd/23rd March, Brands Hatch (with BTRA)
19th/20th April, Rockingham (Oval)
24th/25th/26th May, Rockingham (Oval)
7th/8th June, Mondello Park
12th/13th July, Rockingham (Oval)
26th/27th July, Donington Park (with BTRA and FIA Trucks)
2nd/3rd August, Thruxton, (with BTRA and FIA Trucks)
30th/31st August, to be advised
27th/28th September, Rockingham (Oval)
11th/12th October, Pembrey (with BTRA)
1st/2nd November, Brands Hatch (with BTRA)

News from Rob Compton who is racing a SCSA car in 2007 at Rockingham.

RACING TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE AIR AMBULANCE CHARITIES

WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE AN EXCITING DAY OUT AND SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL AIR AMBULANCE? YES – Then read on…

SUPPORT YOUR FAVOURITE CHARITY CAR

We have linked up with the SCSA (Stock Car Speed Association) and have a branded car racing in the V8 Trophy series to raise money for our charity. The car is the UK version of the American NASCAR as seen in the film Days Of Thunder and will be racing at the Rockingham Motor Speedway in Corby, Northamptonshire on Sunday’s April 29th , June 24th, July 22nd , August 19th and September 16th.

SCSA Oval racing features American V8 muscle cars and has a higher average speed at 150MPH than that of Formula 1 and with top speeds approaching 180MPH when these guys make a mistake on track there is no nice gravel trap to run off onto and slow down, they simply hit a solid concrete wall - with spectacular results.

SCSA Oval racing at Rockingham also has the added attraction of spectators being able to see all the action on the whole circuit from any of the 55,000 grandstand seats.

There are 2 SCSA races with another 6 supporting races on each day.

We have done a deal with the promoters so you can purchase advance tickets at a reduced price and with a percentage coming back to the charity you will not only get a days exciting entertainment but will also be helping to raise money for a good cause.

Tickets are £10 plus booking fee (£15 on the day) with under 15’s admitted free.

Tickets are available for April 29th by calling the 24 hour ticket hotline on,
0870 735 5000 and quoting the reference AIR AMBULANCE so we know that you are one of ours or online by clicking here. All monies raised are distributed to the air ambulance charity associated with the purchaser’s postcode.

For further information on the Air Ambulance Charities in your area, see below, or visit the website of the Association of Air Ambulance Charities : http://www.airambulancecharities.co.uk

For Cornwall Air Ambulance www.helimed181.co.uk
For Country Air Ambulance www.countryambulance.com
For DevonAir Ambulance www.daat.org
For Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance www.dorsetandsomersetairambulance.co.uk
For East Anglian Air Ambulance www.eastanglianairambulance.org.uk
For Essex Air Ambulance www.essexairambulance.co.uk
For Great North Air Ambulance www.greatnorthairambulance.co.uk
For Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance www.kentairambulance.co.uk
For London Air Ambulance www.londonsairambulance.org
For Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance www.lnaact.org.uk
For North West Air Ambulance www.northwestairambulance.co.uk
For Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance www.airambulancetvac.org
For Wales Air Ambulance www.walesairambulance.com
For Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance www.wnaa.co.uk
For Wiltshire Air Ambulance www.wiltshireairambulance.co.uk
For Yorkshire Air Ambulance www.yorkshireairambulance.org.uk
For Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance  www.hampshireandiowairambulance.org.uk

Thank you very much for supporting your local Air Ambulance, and TEAM AIR AMBULANCE

Shane Lynch to Fire up a Revolution.

Revolution Racing, Shane Lynch and The fire Service Benevolent fund are to form an inspirational package to run in the 2007 SCSA championship.

Shane has agreed to run with the SCSA 2006 team of the year, Revolution Racing, for at least 2007, running in the Fire service Colours whilst raising money for the Benevolent Fund.

Jon-Lee Richardson of the FSNBF was full of praise for the efforts already shown towards this project “this whole idea has created such a buzz within the Benevolent fund already, once released we expect as much from our 60,000 personnel and 230,000 beneficiary base”

Shane said “ this is a totally different way of going racing, not only do I get to drive a rear wheeled drive 500bhp Chevy V8 but away from the driving we get to raise money for a cause that tends to get overlooked and is so worthwhile” Shane who nearly joined the fire service himself went on “ I’m looking forward to taking my rookie test and going after the rookie title with Revolution, they won it last year with Tony hurdle so I know im in good hands, I really just want to go racing”

Revolution team principal, Duane Kidd revealed the speed at which the deal has been put together “although we had a verbal deal with Shane to drive with us, the idea of the fire service has come about from chats with the Northampton branch of the fire service at the final meeting, they were there collecting for the benevolent fund, its hard in motorsport right now and having the ability to think outside of the box is so important to be able to go racing, its taken just four weeks to put this to bed”

Duane who is also the elected SCSA team’s representative said “this is not only good for Revolution Racing, its good for SCSA that a driver such as Shane needs the V8 to get the buzz he requires from his racing. Shane’s agreement will add to the series momentum that we have seen building since the august meeting, we have new teams interested and could well see the 17 provisional cars confirmed for next year climbing to a 20 plus Grid”

Shane will join Revolution Racings Current driver line up of Tony Hurdle, Mike Luck and Lee Okeefe making Revolution a 4 car entry from the Corby based Team.

The 2007 SCSA Cup calendar is as follows:

April 28th-29th
Rockingham Thunder Sunday
++++++
May - TBC
++++++
June 23rd-24th
Rockingham Thunder Sunday
++++++
July 21st-22nd
Rockingham Thunder Sunday
++++++
Aug 18th-19th
Rockingham Thunder Sunday
++++++
Sep 15th-16th
Season Finale
Rockingham Ovalfest
Each race weekend is to have two 50 lap rounds with pitstops.
 

Seager Racing Expands to Two Pickup Team

Double Pickup Truck Racing Champion Gavin Seager is pleased to announce that he will run a two Truck team in the 2007 Championship.

“We had a look at other formulas but kept coming back to the Pickups. It’s just such a great championship. It’s cost effective, tightly policed and most importantly great fun to race in. I reckon it’s the toughest and most entertaining championship in the country. What other championships out there are won by drivers starting from the back? What other championship provides as much overtaking? There aren’t any.”

Having decided to return to Pickups again in 2007 the team have also taken the decision to run a second Pickup. “We’ve got the second Truck already. It just makes sense to offer someone new the chance to come into the championship. We’re a well drilled team and our results speak for themselves.”

Whether it’s an existing race driver or a newcomer joining us next season won’t matter,” says the team’s chief engineer, Dave Lewis. “A new driver could benefit from Gavin’s tutelage. He’s one of the consistently fastest drivers out there. On the other hand if someone comes along with any experience the two drivers can share data and ideas.”

Lewis’s background is as impressive as Seager’s with credentials including contributing to James Hunt’s Formula One World Championship with McLaren, before being lured to the States to develop Cosworth engines for the Indy 500. A long-time oval racing fan, Lewis remained in the States for the next 24 years, working not only with the rear-engined brigade on ovals and road courses but also making a name for himself around the dirt tracks with Sprint Cars and Midgets. While managing Mass Engines upon his return to the UK, he met Alan & Gavin Seager, and a relationship developed which know sees him as a full-time employee of the Seager Team, with responsibility for all engineering aspects of the operation.

Seager continued to re-write the Pickup Truck record books this season. He ended the season as the driver with the most race wins this year (five) and jumped to second place in the all time career points table.

Gavin Seager Pickup Truck Career Highlights:

Outright champion 2003 & 2004
Runner up 2003 & 2001
#3 in all time career points
25 Race wins
18 fastest laps (4 lap records)

2006 Pickup Truck Racing Championship

Richard Grindrod’s sixth place saw him overtake John Stant in the Rookie championship by five points whilst brother Nic took a quiet eighth place in the aftermath of the lap one problems but that was enough to ensure that the title would be his if he finished race two.

Pole sitter Andy Pyke led the field away in race two and looked very determined as he fought off the attentions of Pete Stevens in the opening laps of the last race of the season. Stevens eventually made it past on lap three although Pyke was then busy defending from Gavin Seager. Pyke’s defence kept Seager at bay and it became apparent that Willis was on a mission once again and into fourth on lap four and then second two laps later. Stevens had a decent lead although Willis, with Dance now in tow, set about cutting it back. Stevens however knows Brands Hatch very well indeed and defended vehemently before finally losing out at Mark’s second attempt around the outside of Druids. This in itself did not work but he hung on to the outside line which converted to the inside line for the left hander at Graham Hill Bend and he was through into the lead on lap 14.

Dance knew that it was his turn to battle Stevens next and Pete was certainly not losing another place without a fight. The pair were hard at it for several laps with the old Pickup adage ‘if you ain’t rubbin’, you ain’t racin’ coming very much to mind. Dance eventually got the better of the issue on the final lap – a superb end to the season as Willis took another popular win, Stevens an equally popular third – his first Pickup podium and his best result since joining Pickup Truck Racing last season.

Willis, Dance and Stevens all congratulated 2006 Champion Nic Grindrod on his title but it was clear that their performances had set out their stalls for the 2007 campaigns…

Overall Championship

Nic Grindrod retains the title. Steve Dance confirmed as runner up with Mark Willis in third from Phil White and the year’s best improver, Martin Heath. Pete Stevens slots back into the top ten after an excellent final round. The Rookie Championship also went to the wire with Richard Grindrod winning from John Stant.

Next season: Pickup Truck Racing 10^{th Anniversary – Return of the Champions}

www.pickuptruckracing.com 

Results of the SCSA Races at Rockingham on 8th October.
(Pictures to follow)

Race 1

78 Colin WHITE
75 John STEWARD
48 Shane BRERETON
66 Martin HEATH
59 Lee O'KEEFE
31 Duncan GRAY
9 Pete WILKINSON
98 Tony HURDLE
DNF
7 Mike LUCK
88 Oliver PLAYLE

Race 2

 78 Colin WHITE
59 Lee O'KEEFE
98 Tony HURDLE
75 John STEWARD
7 Mike LUCK SCSA
31 Duncan GRAY
9 Pete WILKINSON
66 Martin HEATH
DNF
48 Shane BRERETON


SCSA POSITIVE MOVES FORWARD

Following Sunday 9th July’s Rockingham race meeting at which a consortium of sponsors headed by Steward Transport with further support from various sources including US Automotive and Tor Trucks, agreed to cover all entry fees with the SCSA Teams guaranteeing a minimum of ten cars for the rest of the season.

The latest news from the SCSA teams is as follows: -

CWS Team headed by Colin White in Car No. 78 will be joined for his welcome return to SCSA by Skid Carrera in Car No. 85 after racing at the May 9th Thunder Sunday.

CWS Racing also hope to complete the preparation of a new car to race at the weekend driven by Colin’s brother Keith White thus giving the VSR Super Silhouette driver second drive in a SCSA stock car this season.

Revolution Racing’s Tony Hurdle in Car No. 98 will be doing his best to get on the podium again after his third place in July as will team mate Mike Luck in Car No. 7.

John Steward has had a complete rebuild of the engine of his No. 75 car as it was only running on seven cylinders at the last meeting in July. The Steward racing second car being driven by Pickup Truck driver Paul Poulter.

The ever enthusiastic Shane Brereton will be driving the Team Tor Trucks Car No 48 with the intention of making a big push in the Championship.

Duncan Gray in the Team Networking Car No 31 hopes to be making his 2006 SCSA debut.       

And not forgetting the always competitive Oli Playle in the Team West Tech Car No. 88, the 2006 Championship leader.

VSR Super Silhouettes after some exciting racing at Rockingham on 9th July, Carole Longhurst tells us what to expect this time.

The holiday season is unfortunately going to take its toll on the number of Silhouettes making the trip to Northamptonshire for their penultimate meeting at Rockingham. The good news however is that with Dave Longhurst, Keith White and Lee Wood in attendance the racing will still be fast and furious.

The last meeting at the technical Oulton Park circuit suited the Mitsubishi Colt of Longhurst and a first and second place did no harm to his championship challenge. At Rockingham however it has to be said that Lee Wood may have the edge. Both he and Keith White seem to relish the very fast track although apparently there have been one or two alterations to the infield section for this meeting that may add a further challenge.

Ian Fewings will be absent but his place in the driving seat of the blue Tigra will be taken by Alan Fisher. Alan has not raced for most of the season but after joining in the fun at Oulton Park has decided to make a further appearance at The Rock. Stephen Barnard, Greg Wood and Chris Brockhurst will not be sorry to hear that Ian is on his holiday as there is a very hard fought battle going on for 4th to 9th positions and they all hoping to capitalize on Fewings absence.

BRSCC & WALTHAM SERVICES READY TO ROCK!

The British Racing & Sports Car Club (BRSCC) and Waltham Services Events Limited have confirmed a joint venture agreement to run the 'Thunder Sunday' events at Rockingham circuit Corby, Northamptonshire in 2006.

The SCSA Stock Cars and Pickup Trucks together with VSR Super Silhouettes will form the main feature of the events and the BRSCC will supply the support races which will include the British GT Championship, UK Formula Ford, Club F3, T-Cars, Mini Miglia & Se7ens and Uniroyal Fun Cup.

BRSCC Chairman, Bernard Cottrell, said "We're delighted to be working with Waltham Services to organise and promote Rockingham Thunder Sundays. We will be building on the success of the existing team who run SCSA Stock Cars and Pickup Trucks and I'm sure that BRSCC Racing Members will enjoy and benefit from racing at Rockingham"

Waltham Services Events Limited most prominent activity is to run the Live Action Arena and the Oval Racing Experience at Autosport International at the NEC each January. Managing Director Malcolm Forbes commented "We agree with the BRSCC that the whole Rockingham Thunder Sunday concept has a vast amount of potential. Both organisations bring different skills to the table and we look forward to working with all interested parties for the benefit of teams, sponsor and fans alike".

The scheduled 2006 dates are:

Sunday 7th May
Sunday 25th June
Sunday 9th July
Sunday 13th August
Sunday 8th October

SCSA Racing – Europe’s fastest race series
Formerly known as Days of Thunder, Europe’s fastest race series gets a new name for 2005 and beyond – SCSA Racing.
SCSA Racing first brought the spectacle of high-speed American style oval racing to the UK in 2001 and has since become Britain’s fastest-growing racing series. Using the same style of US racing cars that featured in the 1990 Tom Cruise film ‘Days of Thunder’, they lap Rockingham at an average speed in excess of 150mph, making SCSA Europe’s fastest race series.

Revolution Racing Driver Line-Up

Mike Luck

Making a move from the world of Short Oval Racing to the High Speed Oval of Rockingham Motor Speedway is 2003 Superstox World Open Champion Tony Hurdle. Tony will be driving under his usual #98 and will be using every minute of his extensive short oval experience to challenge for the 2006 SCSA Rookie Championship. The Bracknell racer has an enviable track record, with National, British, European, Supreme and World Championship, wins and top 3 finishes littering his career in UK Modified, BriSCA F2 & Superstox formulas. A further 100 race wins and podium finishes prove that he has got what it takes on the ovals, a winning record Tony is keen to continue in the 2006 SCSA Rookie Championship. Tony completed his rookie test in 2004 alongside Revolution Racing's other driver, Mike Luck, but until now has managed to put off the lure of the 450bhp V8, Chevy powered, Stock Cars. Always the competitor, Tony will be focused on mastering the new skills required on the 170mph oval at Rockingham but still have an eye on the Rookie Crown to which he knows he will only get one shot ...

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