GP Weekend set to provide festival of racing

11/09/2012 - Several MSVR Championships including a special appearance from British Touring Car driver Paul O'Neill will feature at Brands Hatch on (15/16 September) at the MSVR GP Weekend.

There are just seven MINI Challenge races left this season, three of which will be fought out on the famous Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit. Henry Gilbert heads Jono Brown by 22 points in the overall standings, the Club Class drivers holding an advantage over third-placed Lee Allen, who leads the John Cooper Works Class for the faster machines. However, the big story this weekend is a wild card entry for BTCC hero Paul O'Neill, who will join up with the Excelr8 squad. Former BTCC race winner O'Neill will be hoping to challenge for a podium finish.

Mark Abbott leads the Radical Clubman's Cup standings heading into the penultimate round of the season. Bradley Smith and Matt Bell are the only drivers with a realistic chance of overhauling him and they both made inroads into his lead at the last round at Cadwell Park two weeks ago. Smith picked up a second place finish, while Bell claimed an impressive double victory.

Meanwhile there are two further meetings for the Radical UK Cup, making Gary Kane's position far less secure, particularly considering that his advantage over Zac Chapman is just a solitary point. Ross Kaiser, Colin Noble and Terrence Woodward are tied on points in third place, just five behind the leader.

For the penultimate round of the MK2 Golf GTi Championship, Jamie Martin's closest challenger Alex Harris will be aiming to close the gap even further, whilst there's further Volkswagen interest in the VAG Trophy.

The Quaife Motorsport News saloon car championship will feature a large number of local drivers all hoping to win the West Kingsdown trophy. 

Colin Tester, from Meopham, won last month on the GP circuit, and Rod Birley from West Kingsdown is a prolific winner. Add in Graham Heard from Bexley, Ian Butler and Chris Whiteman from Crayford, plus another West Kingsdown resident Graham Richardson. Then there is Borough Green fireman Vince Proto along with Terry Searles from Ash. Dartford is represented by Alan Phillips, Steve Rothery and Brett Lidsey.

There will also be action from the 360 Motor Racing Club with a two hour endurance race on Sunday for cars of all shapes and sizes.

Tickets for the MSVR Club Car Championships at Brands Hatch on 15/16 September are available from £10, with free entry for children aged 12 and under. For more information call 0843 453 9000 or click here.