Dunlop SportMaxx news

[Thorney]

Yeeha, we're on the new Dunlop Direza (think Toyo R888/Yokoham AO48) track day tyres for next year!

This will make a massive difference next season, no more tyre squeal, no more tyre buffing, no more excessive wear - the SportMaxx is a pretty good road tyre but it just wasn't really suitable for racing.

The Direza is pretty stunning, in testing our Astra VXR was 4 secs faster round Silverstone national circuit - thats huge for a 1min lap circuit and Leyton put in a 54sec lap at Brands indy at race car live, not bad.

Series rumours all sound good, two more teams with miltiple cars and we know of at least one more Astra VXR being built as well as a couple of Fords.

We have three people interested in driving our Astra VXR but the driver has dropped out of the Corsa due to his sponsor bailing out so that means we have the Championship winning car available for next year!

http://www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk/t...0__Medium_.jpg

With new regs for brakes (bigger) and new wheels (lighter, race versions) the Corsa will be a stunning little car again, handling was sublime this year so will be a hoot on the new tyres and seeing as we subsidise drives through our corporate sponsors it might not be as bad as you think.

[kelvin88]

Sounds wonderful, how much?

[Thorney]

Hi, drop me an email if you are genuinely interested, happy to go through the details if you like.

[EdLeake]

Excellent news, I just hope my sponsors can pull something out of the bag for me because we don't even have the car yet!

When do the 2009 regs get released?

Are BARC still keeping cars on stock engines to keep costs down?

I think the tyre choice is a very positive move.

[Gusty]

If you want the regs contact Nicola Bush at BARC and get registered so you get copied in on all the updates. Draft copies have been issued already.
I've heard of a few further entries for next year. It's really starting to gather pace.
Is Leyton in The Astra next year John? Any idea what Mr Shaw's doing?

[Thorney]

All a bit TBC at the moment mate. Got three people all wanting the Astra, a couple looking at the Corsa, all down to budgets as usual.

[DriversKnow]

New Dunlop Race Academy Format Revealed - Full season in Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup for the top driver!

Motorsport’s version of the ‘X Factor’ has rung in the changes for 2009. This year the Dunlop Race Academy will focus on developing drivers aged between 16 and 30 who have already made a start in their race careers.

The competition has also introduces a new geographical element, dividing the UK into 6 regions, pitting drivers from each region against each other.

Dunlop’s Communications Manager James Bailey said: “More people race on Dunlop tyres than any other brand and we are committed to developing racing talent.”

“During the course of the Dunlop Race Academy we will be looking at the talents of racing drivers from all around Britain. Six of them, one from each region will have the opportunity to develop their driving skills with the Dunlop Race Academy experts. That is a prize in itself, but three of those will go on to the next stage; a drive in a round of the 2009 Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup. The best performer will get a full season of racing in the 2010 Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup. Whatever stage our regional finalists get to, they will have the opportunity to improve their craft.”

“Undoubtedly, race winners are skilled and talented, but today’s world of media, drivers need to show some personality and presence if they are going to make it right to the top. ”

“The selection process should ensure that our winner not only has the skill and talent to make it to the top, but we can help develop their all-important media skills”

Entrants must have a valid national A or B race licence. Those who visit the Autosport and Pistonheads Show on Thursday will be able register and take advantage of the services of a professional camera crew to help them compile the video audition element of the competition.

Although we'll only be filming on Thursday, Entry will be open throughout the course of the show on the Dunlop stand and entrants will be able to upload their own video profile in February.

Those who can’t make it to the show will be able to enter online at Dunlopdriversclub.co.uk throughout February and March.

The Dunlop Race Academy Judges will closely monitor the performance of the nominated drivers in the opening races of the season in April and May 2009. The public will be able to keep abreast of their favourite driver online and will have the opportunity to add their vote to those of the judges.

In June, the top driver from each of six regions of the UK will be announced and invited to a full day of assessment, evaluation and coaching with the Dunlop Race Academy judges and experts.

The top three drivers from the Dunlop Race Academy evaluation day will each win a drive in one of the final three Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup races of 2009. These are BTCC style triple-header events, so each contender will have three attempts at impressing the judges.

The top driver from these three races will win a season in the 2010 Dunlop Sport Maxx Production Cup, an opportunity to showcase their talent in one of the UK’s most prestigious saloon and sports car racing championships racing on the Dunlop Great and British Festival promoted package. It could also be the opportunity of a lifetime.

The Four Stages

February & March

1. Entry with video auditions online (with pre-registration at Autosport in January)

April & May

2. Assessment of early season drives around the regions by Dunlop Race Academy judges and online voting to find 6 regional finalists

June

3. Assessment day with winner from each region

July August & September

4. Each of top three drivers show their skills in a round of Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup with their race results revealing the winner

[S14GJC]

The Dunlop Sport Maxx Production Cup, say that quick straight after you've got out the car for the camera's, is looking very good for this year from what I hear.

Thorney have a strong line up of cars in the VXR's and should have a strong driver line up to match. Plus you have VXR running a couple again I'm sure.
Thank god Dunlop have changed to proper tyres, it did sound silly watching it last year with good cars squelling around, good move.