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/.
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