Aaron Steele enjoyed a stellar start to the 2010 Formula Palmer Audi (FPA) Championship, scoring a podium on his return to the series.
The 21-year-old, from Rochester, Kent, finished third in the final race of the opening event of the season at Brands Hatch.
Steele was promoted to the podium after Frenchmen Vincent Beltoise was given a 10-second time penalty for ignoring a black and orange flag.
It was the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award finalist's third top ten finish of the day, showing superb consistency from the young racer.
He drove maturely in race one to take the chequered flag in seventh - just 3.7 seconds behind winner Melroy Heemskerk.
Steele fared even better in race two, when he stormed through the field from 10th on the grid to finish sixth, having enjoyed a titanic battle with Beltoise and Kieran Vernon in the closing stages.
The results leave Steele fourth in the overall standings on 45 points, with a great opportunity to challenge for wins next time out at Snetterton - the scene of his FPA Shootout success two years ago.
Notes to editors:
Aaron Steele raced in the Porsche Carrera Cup and the British Formula 3 Championship in 2009. He was also a development driver for the innovative ‘green’ WorldFirst Racing F3 project. In 2008, he represented Great Britain as a rookie driver with Team GBR in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport and won the FPA Shootout.
FPA cars have 300bhp from a 1.8-litre turbocharged Audi engine, which incorporates an overboost feature that increases power to 360bhp for an eight second boost. This extra power can help drivers complete an overtaking manoeuvre or defend a challenge.
The remainder of the 2010 calendar includes races at Snetterton on June 26-27; Oulton Park on July 24; Donington Park on August 14-15; Rockingham on August 28; Brands Hatch (GP) on September 25-26; and Silverstone on October 16-17.
For further information about FPA, visit http://www.formulapalmeraudi.com.
Press/sponsorship enquiries:
Kevin Steele
Mobile: 07958 746843
Email: kevin@aaronsteeleracing.com
Aaron Steele set a stunning pace on his return to the Formula Palmer Audi (FPA) Championship during the series' official test day at Snetterton.
The 21-year-old, from Rochester, Kent, posted a time of 1m05.460s - the second quickest lap of the day.
Steele, a former FPA Shootout winner, had set the pace in the morning session, lapping the 1.952-mile Norfolk circuit in a time of 1m05.920s.
"I haven't been in any race car for six months and I was last in this car back in 2008," Steele, a British Racing Drivers' Club Rising Star, told the official FPA website. "I'm just getting back into it really but things have gone pretty well so far."
FPA is run by MotorSport Vision and pits drivers against each other in identical 300bhp single-seater cars.
The championship features 20 races at seven of the UK’s premier circuits, including Brands Hatch and Silverstone. An illustrious hall of fame includes three times World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx, ex-Formula One drivers Giorgio Pantano and Justin Wilson and DTM star Gary Paffett.
Any sponsors or partners backing Steele this season are guaranteed an excellent package of benefits, with guest passes available for exclusive race day hospitality as well as extensive media exposure, with television coverage expected on Motors TV.
The FPA season gets under way on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit on May 8-9 and finishes at Silverstone in mid-October.
Notes to editors:
Aaron Steele raced in the Porsche Carrera Cup and the British Formula 3 Championship in 2009. He was also a development driver for the innovative ‘green’ WorldFirst Racing F3 project. In 2008, he represented Great Britain as a rookie driver with Team GBR in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport and won the FPA Shootout.
FPA cars have 300bhp from a 1.8-litre turbocharged Audi engine, which incorporates an overboost feature that increases power to 360bhp for an eight second boost. This extra power can help drivers complete an overtaking manoeuvre or defend a challenge.
The 2010 calendar includes races at Brands Hatch (Indy) on May 8-9; Snetterton on June 26-27; Oulton Park on July 24; Donington Park on August 14-15; Rockingham on August 28; Brands Hatch (GP) on September 25-26; and Silverstone on October 16-17.
For further details about Aaron’s career, visit http://www.aaronsteeleracing.com. For further information about FPA, visit http://www.formulapalmeraudi.com.
Press/sponsorship enquiries:
Kevin Steele
Mobile: 07958 746843
Email: kevin@aaronsteeleracing.com
Aaron Steele has signed up for the 2010 Formula Palmer Audi (FPA) Championship in a deal that will see him compete for a scholarship prize worth £100,000.
This year’s FPA champion will win a fast-track graduation to the 2011 FIA Formula Two Championship - a breeding ground for the Formula One stars of tomorrow. The top six drivers will also receive an official Formula Two test.
FPA is run by MotorSport Vision and is the ultimate test of a driver’s ability. Steele, from Rochester, Kent, is guaranteed a level playing field as the 300bhp single-seater he will race is identical to that of his competitors and prepared by exactly the same team of mechanics.
The championship features 20 races at seven of the UK’s premier circuits, including Brands Hatch and Silverstone. An illustrious hall of fame includes three times World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx, ex-Formula One drivers Giorgio Pantano and Justin Wilson and DTM star Gary Paffett.
Steele, 21, a British Racing Drivers’ Club Rising Star, said: “I’m thrilled to have secured a full-time drive for 2010 and FPA will provide me with an excellent environment in which to prove my talent and to progress my career. This is a tough championship and I’ll be following in the footsteps of some great drivers but I’m determined to give everything I’ve got in an effort to win a place in Formula Two. This is such an important year for me on the road towards my ultimate goal of racing in Formula One.”
Any sponsors or partners backing Steele this season are guaranteed an excellent package of benefits, with guest passes available for exclusive race day hospitality as well as extensive media exposure, with television coverage expected on Motors TV.
Aaron’s dad Kevin, who manages his son’s motor racing career, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make Aaron’s drive in FPA possible. We had an interesting 2009 season which allowed Aaron to sample several different forms of motorsport and I’ve no doubt he’ll continue to shine this year. We’re looking forward to an excellent year’s racing that could prove pivotal in Aaron’s career.”
The FPA season gets under way on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit on May 8-9 and finishes at Silverstone in mid-October.
Notes to editors:
Aaron Steele raced in the Porsche Carrera Cup and the British Formula 3 Championship in 2009. He was also a development driver for the innovative ‘green’ WorldFirst Racing F3 project. In 2008, he also represented Great Britain as a rookie driver with Team GBR in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport.
FPA cars have 300bhp from a 1.8-litre turbocharged Audi engine, which incorporates an overboost feature that increases power to 360bhp for an eight second boost. This extra power can help drivers complete an overtaking manoeuvre or defend a challenge.
The 2010 calendar includes races at Brands Hatch (Indy) on May 8-9; Snetterton on June 26-27; Oulton Park on July 24; Donington Park on August 14-15; Rockingham on August 28; Brands Hatch (GP) on September 25-26; and Silverstone on October 16-17.
For further details about Aaron’s career, visit http://www.aaronsteeleracing.com. For further information about FPA, visit http://www.formulapalmeraudi.com.
Press contact:
Kevin Steele
Mobile: 07958 746843
Email: kevin@aaronsteeleracing.com
Aaron Steele's bid to make history as the first driver to race a biodiesel-powered car at Formula 3 level was shattered when championship officials prevented him taking to the track.
The Kent racing driver, a McLaren Autosport BRDC Awards finalist, was due to give the WorldFirst Racing F3 car its competitive debut at Brands Hatch but red tape stopped him from doing so. The Motor Sports Association (MSA), which oversees the British Racing and Sports Car Club (BRSCC) Cardinus Formula 3 Championship, earmarked as the ideal series in which to debut the envrionmentally-friendly car, failed to gain the necessary approval from all its registered officials.
The embarassing slip up confined Steele, 20, from Rochester, to the pitlane, with marshals stood in front of his futuristic car's nosecone to stop him racing around the Kent circuit. To the disappointment of a bumper crowd, Steele was allowed to complete just three demonstration laps. The WorldFirst Racing car had impressed in practice, finishing fifth overall, and had attracted unprecedented interest from across the globe – even featuring on BBC children's television show Blue Peter.
The innovative car, fuelled by chocolate, steered by carrots and built partly from potatoes, has been developed by researchers at the University of Warwick and is regarded by many as the future of motorsport.
Steele, a British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) Rising Star, said: “It was bitterly disappointing, not just for myself but for the enitre WorldFirst Racing team who put so much effort into preparing the car for what should have been a fantastic end to the motor sport season. Nevertheless, this car undoubtedly has a strong future. I've seen what it's capable of in testing and it's now up to the officials to let the racing world and all the fans see what an exceptional piece of engineering it is.”
Kevin Steele, Aaron's manager, added: “It was a frustrating weekend all round. So many fans had come to watch what they thought would be history in the making and we had a whole host of corporate guests who left Brands Hatch disappointed too. As is so often the case, politics got in the way of the racing and that isn't good for Aaron's promising career or for motorsport in general.”
Notes to editors:
Images and video: High resolution pictures of Aaron Steele and the WorldFirst Racing F3 car are available from http://www.speed-pr.co.uk/hires/4.jpg and http://www.speed-pr.co.uk/hires/5.jpg. Broadcast quality video can be downloaded from the University of Warwick at http://tinyurl.com/c3836v.
Additional information about Steele's motorsport career can be found at http://www.aaronsteeleracing.com.
The WorldFirst Racing team comprises James Meredith (project manager), Dr Kerry Kirwan, Dr Steve Maggs, Ben Wood and Steve Lambert. A full description of the car and its components can be found at the official WorldFirst Racing website, http://www.worldfirstracing.co.uk.
WIMRC was established in 2001 and draws on the considerable resources of several departments at the University of Warwick. It applies design, technology and management research to challenging problems in the vehicle and healthcare sectors with a focus on sustainable development in two areas: intelligent and eco-friendly vehicles and next generation healthcare. More information about WIMRC is available at http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wimrc/.
All eyes will be on Kent driver Aaron Steele this weekend when he gives an eco-friendly racing car, tipped by many as the future of motorsport, its world debut at Brands Hatch.
WorldFirst Racing's futuristic Formula 3 car, fuelled by chocolate, steered by carrots and built partly from potatoes, will be trialled in competitive conditions for the first time as part of the historic track's annual Formula Ford Festival. It will race in the British Racing and Sports Car Club (BRSCC) Cardinus Formula 3 Championship, with Steele, a British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) Rising Star and McLaren Autosport BRDC Awards finalist, behind the wheel.
Until now, the sustainable car, developed by researchers at the University of Warwick, has only been put through its paces in private test sessions.
Its race debut has attracted unprecedented interest from across the globe and this Tuesday (October 13), even appeared on BBC children's television show Blue Peter.
Steele, 20, from Rochester, said: “There's a tremendous buzz amongst the whole WorldFirst Racing team; they can't wait to see how the car stacks up in race conditions and neither can I. It's a fantastic project to be involved with and I'm determined to make the most of every minute in the car. I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone at the team. It's great to be back in a racing environment and to have the chance to prove what I can do. I'm confident in myself and my abilities and I'm sure we'll have an excellent weekend.”
Steele was given a seat fitting in the 'green' car at iconic motorsport marque Lola's Cambridgeshire factory on Tuesday. Engineers are now fine tuning the car's biodiesel engine and making minute adjustments to the gear ratios to ensure it performs at its peak at Brands Hatch. It can reach 60mph from a standing start in just 2.5 seconds and will achieve speeds of more than 140mph at the Kent circuit.
James Meredith, project manager at WorldFirst Racing, based in the Warwick Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre (WIMRC), said: “It’s been very exciting to work on the project and important for our team to develop a working example of a truly ‘green’ motor racing car. The WorldFirst project expels the myth that performance needs to be compromised when developing the sustainable motor vehicles of the future.”
Notes to editors:
Interview and filming/photo opportunities: Aaron Steele is available for interview and for photographs or filming prior to and during the Brands Hatch weekend. To book a slot, please contact Kevin Steele, whose details are provided below.
Images and video: High resolution alternatives of Aaron Steele with the WorldFirst Racing F3 car are available from http://www.speed-pr.co.uk/hires/4.jpg and http://www.speed-pr.co.uk/hires/5.jpg. Broadcast quality video can be downloaded from the University of Warwick at http://tinyurl.com/c3836v. Profile pictures of Steele are available, on request, from info@speed-pr.co.uk.
Additional information about Steele's motorsport career can be found at http://www.aaronsteeleracing.com.
The WorldFirst Racing team comprises James Meredith (project manager), Dr Kerry Kirwan, Dr Steve Maggs, Ben Wood and Steve Lambert. A full description of the car and its components can be found at the official WorldFirst Racing website, http://www.worldfirstracing.co.uk.
WIMRC was established in 2001 and draws on the considerable resources of several departments at the University of Warwick. It applies design, technology and management research to challenging problems in the vehicle and healthcare sectors with a focus on sustainable development in two areas: intelligent and eco-friendly vehicles and next generation healthcare. More information about WIMRC is available at http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wimrc/.
Blue Peter Badge winners and holders of the Blue Peter Badge Card can gain free entry to Brands Hatch this weekend to see Aaron Steele in action.
An unique racing car that is powered by chocolate, steered by carrots and built partly from potatoes will make its competitive debut next month, with talented Kent driver Aaron Steele behind the wheel.
WorldFirst Racing's sustainable Formula 3 car will make its race debut at the iconic Brands Hatch circuit on October 17, as part of the British Racing and Sports Car Club (BRSCC) Formula Ford Festival weekend. Steele, a BRDC Rising Star and McLaren Autosport BRDC Awards finalist, will compete in the BRSCC Cardinus Formula 3 Championship.
It will be the first time the team – made up of researchers at the University of Warwick – has been able to show the pace of its incredible 'green' car relative to other racers. Steele proved the futuristic car's potential at a private test in Rockingham – Europe's fastest banked oval racing circuit – in July.
The 20-year-old, who lives in Rochester, said: “It's a very good opportunity for me to further my career and it's something I'm looking forward to immensely. The car certainly turns heads and it has attracted a phenomenal amount of interest. My target for the Brands Hatch weekend is to achieve a couple of podiums and from my experience of the car to date, that is definitely possible. The WorldFirst Racing team are an intelligent group with plenty of experience in many different aspects of manufacturing and I'm thrilled that they have given me this incredible opportunity.”
The Brands Hatch appearance was made possible partly by G K Salter and Associates (gksa), the low carbon building services design consultants based jointly in Swanley and Bristol, who are generously supporting Steele's racing career.
Geoff Salter, managing director, said: “This car fits in perfectly with our business that produces swift and sustainable building services designs for our clients.”
The exceptional WorldFirst Racing car – the first designed and manufactured from sustainable and renewable materials – complies with all 2009 F3 rules, except for its biodiesel engine which runs on fuel derived from chocolate and vegetable oil. It can reach 60mph from a standing start in just 2.5 seconds and will achieve speeds of more than 140mph at Brands Hatch.
Dr Steve Maggs, part of the WorldFirst Racing team, based in the Warwick Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre (WIMRC), said: “As original equipment manufacturers focus on decreasing engine emissions to meet future CO2 targets, the WorldFirst project proves that if you are going to wholeheartedly embrace the ‘green is great’ ethos, then you have to broaden your vision. You need a strategy that stretches throughout the chain, from the raw materials to the final disposal of the car. The WorldFirst project clearly demonstrates that automotive environmentalism can and should be about the whole package.”
Notes to editors:
Images and video: Low resolution pictures of Aaron Steele with the WorldFirst Racing F3 car were attached to this press release. High resolution alternatives are available from http://www.speed-pr.co.uk/hires/4.jpg and http://www.speed-pr.co.uk/hires/5.jpg. Broadcast quality video can be downloaded from the University of Warwick at http://tinyurl.com/c3836v. Profile pictures of Steele are available, on request, from info@speed-pr.co.uk.
The WorldFirst Racing team comprises James Meredith (project manager), Dr Kerry Kirwan, Dr Steve Maggs, Ben Wood and Steve Lambert. Biographies of each can be found at the official WorldFirst Racing website, http://www.worldfirstracing.co.uk, where a full description of the car and its components is also available.
WIMRC was established in 2001 and draws on the considerable resources of several departments at the University of Warwick. It applies design, technology and management research to challenging problems in the vehicle and healthcare sectors with a focus on sustainable development in two areas: intelligent and eco-friendly vehicles and next generation healthcare. More information about WIMRC is available at http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wimrc/.
Aaron Steele excelled on his Formula 3 debut at Snetterton, taking third and fourth in the national class races for the Norfolk-based Litespeed F3 team. The 20-year-old Kent driver had originally planned to contest only one more round of the 2009 Cooper Tires British F3 Championship – a traditional breeding ground for motorsport's stars of tomorrow, with a roll of honour that includes current Formula 1 championship leader Jenson Button. However, he has now been given an opportunity to race in at least two more events – starting with rounds 11 and 12 at Donington Park later this month.
In race one, Steele, who started 20th, passed several cars and ran as high as third in his class during the opening laps. The 20-year-old from Rochester was on the pace from the off, recording his fastest lap of 1:04.782 on lap 10. Despite a gearbox problem later in the race that made it difficult for Steele to change between third and fourth gears, the rookie finished fourth in the national class, earning 10 championship points – the first of his 2009 Formula 3 campaign.
Race two capped a brilliant weekend for Steele. Starting from 19th, he once again made his way up to third in the national class but this time retained the position until the chequered flag. A string of consistent laptimes sealed a champagne-soaked podium appearance and extended his championship points tally to an impressive 22.
Steele said: “It was certainly hard work; I was pushing like crazy every single lap! I studied the data from race one carefully and was able to make good progress in race two. I didn't set myself any targets coming into Snetterton because I wasn't sure exactly what to expect but now that I know my way around the car, I'll be aiming for two podiums next time out.
“Racing for Litespeed F3 this weekend has been fantastic. Everyone has been willing me to do well and the whole team have put their heart and soul into squeezing the best from the car. It's great to have that level of commitment from the guys.”
Nino Judge, Litespeed team principal, said: “Aaron has had a great first weekend. Snetterton was meant to be an extended test for him, so to come away with a podium is an outstanding result. He made progress every session and seemed more and more comfortable in his 'new office' as the weekend went on. He didn't come off the track once – a great achievement for a rookie driver – and even when he had a couple of a mechanical problems, he didn't get flustered.
“What impressed me most was his determination. He really believes that he belongs in the upper echelons of motor sport. Aaron has proved himself as a good team player and he will be racing for us at least two more times this season.”
Steele now turns his attention to an official Cooper Tires British F3 Championship test with Litespeed F3 at the Brands Hatch GP circuit tomorrow (July 7). The session will provide him with valuable experience ahead of his next Litespeed F3 outing at Donington Park in two weeks time, as well as the season finale at Brands Hatch in September.
Results, race one: 1. Renger van der Zande (Hitech Dallara-Mercedes) 29 laps; 2. Daniel Ricciardo (Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen) +3.870s; 3. Henry Arundel (Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen) +10.243s; 4. Walter Grubmuller (Hitech Dallara-Mercedes) +10.649s; 5. Riki Christodoulou (Fortec Dallara-Mercedes) +14.269s; 6. Max Chilton (Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen) +14.674s; 7. Jay Bridger (Litespeed Mygale-Mugen Honda) +15.089s; 8. Daniel McKenzie (Fortec Dallara-Mugen Honda) +15.721s; 18. Aaron Steele (Litespeed Mugen Honda) +1 lap.
Results, race two: 1. Riki Christodoulou (Fortec Dallara-Mercedes) 29 laps; 2. Daniel Ricciardo (Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen) +1.152s; 3. Walter Grubmuller (Hitech Dallara-Mercedes) +1.803s; 4. Renger van der Zande (Hitech Dallara-Mercedes) +3.095s; 5. Adriano Buzaid (T-Sport Dallara-Volkswagen) +7.390s; 6. Wayne Boyd (T-Sport Dallara-Volkswagen) +9.213s; 7. Max Chilton (Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen); 8. Henry Arundel (Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen) +15.916s; 16. Aaron Steele (Litespeed Mugen Honda) +56.745s.
McLaren Autosport Award finalist Aaron Steele will make his Formula 3 debut at Snetterton next weekend (Sunday, July 5), driving for Litespeed F3.
Following a shakedown test at the Norfolk circuit on Tuesday (June 23), 20-year-old Steele, who lives in Rochester, will race in rounds nine and ten of the Cooper Tires British F3 Championship. The challenging series boasts a roll of honour that includes Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Ayrton Senna and Sir Jackie Stewart.
Steele's F3 shakedown was disrupted by problems with his seat position and the car's cooling system, which limited him to a total of 29 laps. He now plans to complete another test before his race debut at Snetterton and will travel to Litespeed F3's headquarters for a second seat fitting.
Steele said: “The team worked through the night to make sure the car was ready for the test and there are so many positives going forward. From the little running I had, I felt confident with the car. It was enjoyable to drive, although I need more time to establish exactly what it can achieve. Racing for Litespeed F3 is a mega opportunity and it's important that I have good races and achieve good results. I'm confident that we'll shortly be right up there.”
Nino Judge, Litespeed F3 team principal, commented: “Aaron Steele is an extremely talented young driver who has the potential to go all the way to Formula 1. This is not just because of his proven technical understanding and racing ability; he also has the right temperament – he's ambitious but not egotistical, which makes him a marketable driver. He brings his legitimate aspirations to Litespeed F3 and in return we will give him the opportunities and support that such a naturally gifted driver deserves. We're always interested in supporting talented British drivers.”
Steele will line-up alongside Brazilian driver Victor Corrêa in the National Class. Following Snetteton, Steele also plans to compete in his home race – the season finale at Brands Hatch, Kent, in September.
Ends
Notes to editors:
Litespeed F3 has more than 25 years of racing and technical experience at all levels of motor sport.
The Cooper Tires British F3 Championship is the leading single-seat category for drivers hoping to progress their career towards Formula 1. All cars feature similar technical specifications and engines produce a similar amount of power, allowing drivers to demonstrate their racing skills. Tyres are supplied by Cooper Tires (a subsidiary of Avon Tyres), preventing any one team from gaining a grip advantage. Highlights of the 20-round series are shown in the United Kingdom on Channel 4 and on Motors TV (Sky channel 413 or Virgin Media channel 545).
Aaron Steele will race Litespeed F3's impressive R1 car, capable of speeds of more than 160mph and acceleration from 0-60mph in just three seconds. His team-mate will be Victor Corrêa, who currently lies third in the Cooper Tires British F3 Championship National Class.
Press contacts:
Kevin Steele
Mobile: 07958 746843
Email: kevin@aaronsteeleracing.com
For Litespeed F3 enquiries:
Sara Mastriforte
Mobile: 07912 201242
Email: sara@litespeedf3.com
Aaron Steele finished an excellent ninth and 10th at Donington Park on his debut in the fiercely contested Porsche Carrera Cup.
The one-off VIP weekend came courtesy of the Porsche Cars GB team and was Steele's reward for being one of the six finalists in the Carrera Cup GB Scholarship – aimed at finding the country's next star driver.
Steele, 20, a finalist in last year's McLaren Autosport BRDC Awards, impressed from the moment he stepped into the 170mph Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 997), finishing Thursday's test session 10th quickest overall. The single-seater ace continued his flying start to the weekend in qualifying on Saturday, lapping the 2.5 mile Leicestershire circuit in 1m09.961s and 1m10.387s to line up eighth and 10th for races one and two respectively.
Of Sunday's opening race, Steele, who lives in Rochester, said: “It was a very early start; the lights went out just after nine o'clock which was a challenge in itself! I got slightly boxed in on the run down to the first corner because of my starting position on the left-hand side on the grid, but I hung on and eventually made my way up to seventh. I out-braked myself later in the race and fell down to 11th but I was able to take the chequered flag in ninth place – a great result given that the car had such a different feel to anything I'd ever driven before.” Round two was made more tricky when rain began to fall just minutes before the start, forcing every team to switch their drivers to wet weather tyres. The 23-lap race was also shown live to an audience of thousands on digital TV channel ITV4.
Steele, a BRDC 'Rising Star', explained: “The rain meant a mad dash to bolt the wets onto the car but from my perspective I was able to sit in the car while the mechanics did their thing. I had two installation laps to glean as much information as I could about the Porsche in wet conditions, as it was the first time I'd driven in the rain all weekend. I made a good start, maintained my position and from then on it was a rather long and lonely race. The guys in front had much more experience in the wet and were able to pull away but I was able to put some distance between myself and the half a dozen or so drivers behind me. Our set up was effectively a dry one with a couple of tweaks, so the car was a bit of a handful in the wet. Bearing that in mind, I was happy just to make the chequered flag!”
Steele's Carrera Cup debut came just a fortnight after he raced in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport at Brands Hatch, where he finished the rookie practice session in ninth place and lapped just 1.2s outside the A1GP track record. He is now hoping to attract sponsorship to secure himself a permanent drive for the remainder of the year and is not ruling out a return to the Porsche Carrera Cup before the season finale in early October.
Steele concluded: “I think I showed a lot of people what I'm capable of and proved that I have plenty of promise. Hopefully the teams will have picked up on my performance this weekend. I'm always looking to the future, I'll never stop trying and I'll do my best in every opportunity that I'm given. The Carrera Cup Championship is run exceptionally well; Porsche is a very professional and very well-organised outfit and that makes it such a great category to race in. I can't thank Porsche enough for this opportunity.”
Notes to editors:
Results, race one: 1. Michael Caine (Motorbase Performance) 26m53.694s; 2. Tim Harvey (Red Line Racing) +0.112s; 3. James Sutton (Red Line Racing) +0.144s; 4. Tom Bradshaw (Team Parker Racing) +9.057s; 5. Robert Lawson (JHR) +19.915s; 6. Tony Gilham (Red Line Racing) +23.593s; 7. Derek Pierce (JHR) +29.868s; 8. Ollie Jackson (Motorbase Performance) +32.440s;
9. Aaron Steele (Porsche Cars GB) +36.619s; 10. Karl Leonard (RSS Performance) +1m03.465s.
Results, race two: 1. James Sutton (Red Line Racing) 31m16.268s; 2. Tim Bridgman (Team Parker Racing) +2.684s; 3. Tim Harvey (Red Line Racing) +17.498s; 4. Tom Bradshaw (Team Parker Racing) +25.748s; 5. Glynn Geddie (Team Parker Racing) +26.848s; 6. Michael Caine (Motorbase Performance) +45.854s; 7. Robert Lawson (JHR) +51.174s; 8. Michael Leonard (Team Parker Racing) +56.486s; 9. Tony Gilham (Red Line Racing) +56.754s; 10. Aaron Steele (Porsche Cars GB) 1m07.421s.
The 2009 Porsche Carrera Cup Championship is a support series for the HiQ British Touring Car Championship and visits nine of the UK's most exciting and challenging race circuits. The next rounds are held at Oulton Park in Cheshire on May 30 and 31. Further information about the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain is available online at http://tinyurl.com/qqq7ut.
Press contact:
Kevin Steele
Mobile: 07958 746843
Email: kevin@aaronsteeleracing.com
Aaron Steele will this Sunday (May 17) compete in rounds five and six of the Porsche Carrera Cup – one of the most important and prestigious race championships in Britain.
The single-seater ace, 20, a finalist in last year's McLaren Autosport BRDC Awards, will drive the stunning 170mph Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 997) car around the 2.5 mile Donington Park circuit in Leicestershire.
The VIP race weekend, worth some £15,000, is Steele's reward for being one of the six finalists in the Carrera Cup GB Scholarship – aimed at finding the country's next star driver. The competition saw the Chatham-born racer put through his paces during an intensive evaluation session at the Porsche Driving Experience Centre at Silverstone.
Steele, who lives in Rochester, said: “It's an awesome opportunity and I'm really looking forward to getting in the Porsche. It's a great car with all the characteristics of the 911. I'm told it needs to be handled with care but I plan to take it by the horns and give it everything I've got!”
The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 997) has an engine output of 420hp, a six-speed sequential gearbox and a steel disc braking system.
It is a different breed of racing car to the 600bhp Ferrari-powered machine driven by Steele on his debut in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport at Brands Hatch earlier this month. He finished the rookie practice session in ninth place after lapping the Kent circuit in 1m16.103s – just 1.2s outside the A1GP track record.
Steele, a BRDC 'Rising Star', added: “My profile is quite high after Brands Hatch and it's good to keep the ball rolling. I'm determined to prove that I'm adaptable in any racing environment. I'll be focussed on finding the car's limit at Donington, working as closely as possible with the team and generally doing an all-round solid job. It will be a world apart from my A1GP experience but it's great to have the chance to sample another type of car. It can only help improve my driving ability.”
Notes to editors:
Steele will race for the Porsche Cars GB team at Donington Park. The #61 VIP car, driven by Anthony Reid and Ben McLoughlin in the opening rounds at Brands Hatch and Thruxton respectively, has a best result of eighth this season.
The 2009 Porsche Carrera Cup Championship is currently led by Tim Bridgman (76 points), with Tim Harvey in second position (75 points) and Michael Caine in third (71 points). It is a support series for the HiQ British Touring Car Championship and visits nine of the UK's most exciting and challenging race circuits. Race one starts at 0910 BST on Sunday (May 17), while race two begins at 1500 BST.
ITV4 will broadcast live coverage from Donington Park between 1130 and 1800 BST, with a comprehensive highlights package airing on Tuesday, May 19, from 1530 until 1700 BST.
Further information about the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain is available online at http://tinyurl.com/qqq7ut. Additional information about Steele's motorsport career can be found at http://www.aaronsteeleracing.com.
Press contact:
Kevin Steele
Mobile: 07958 746843
Email: kevin@aaronsteeleracing.com