Aaron Steele has been confirmed with A1 Team GBR for the penultimate round of the 2008/09 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport at Brands Hatch 1 -3 May 2009.

This opportunity will initially see 20 year old Steele fulfilling the Rookie driver role: "To be given this opportunity is simply the stuff of dreams. This is the highlight of my career so far, which I am extremely excited about. I plan to make the absolute most of this, doing a good solid job for A1 Team GBR that will hopefully see me continue working with the team, to whom I am extremely grateful. I just cannot wait to drive the awesome A1GP car around Brands Hatch, not only my home circuit but also my favourite!"

A1GP World Cup of Motorsport, has over 20 nations set to compete in what will be the fastest race of the year at the legendary Brands Hatch Grand prix circuit.

Aaron hopes that his part in the A1 Team GBR will naturally generate even more local interest for Team GBR. The Rochester based youngster most certainly encourages supporters to come along and " Feel the Noise " and get behind the Team.

Aaron had a successful trip to Sears Point the Infineon Raceway on Monday & Tuesday 9th / 10th February after a Invitation from the Jim Russell Racing Organisation to test for 2 days and evaluate their Championship as a option for Aaron in 2009.

"Going out to America to a new arena i was very excited. The guys at the Jim Russell racing drivers school were very professional and made me feel right at home. Which gave me the confidence to quickly get on the pace, pushing the FJR-50 to the limits, around one of Americas most challenging circuits!

Experiencing 3.1G was a neck braking experience, which i had to quickly adapt to. Help was on hand from every direction, and every question i had was quickly and efficiently answered. Nicolas Rondet, chief instructor at Sears point, with his abundant supply of useful tips and advice on the breath taking circuit in California, was a great person to have around. Which really helped me get into the groove straight away.

I certainly enjoyed the whole experience, and can't wait to go back! Californians are so friendly and the lifestyle is immense, it sure is one to be experienced!

Not to mention the weather is a little bit better than at home..."

Aaron will travel to The Infineon Raceway near San Francisco for 2 days intensive testing on the 9th / 10th February, with the Jim Russell Racing school, to evaluate the possibilities of competing in the 2009 Jim Russell racing Championship.

Aaron is really excited about this opportunity, and will most certainly want to make the most of it, he quotes -

" We have talked about the American option a lot during my career, I cant believe this opportunity has now arisen, I will be more than focused during the 2 days on doing a good job, so I can impress upon the team, which can only help me secure and finalise my plans for 2009, I am really looking forward to challenge of driving the Infineon Raceway after experiencing it on Grand Tourisimo on Playstation !, "

The Jim Russell Racing Championship uses identical Lola FJR- 50 which is based on the Lola BO6/30 Formula 3 car which won the German Recaro F3 Championship in 2006, breaking the domination that Dallara has had on the class since 1993, the Lola is coupled with a Mitsubishi 1998cc in-line four cylinder Turbo charged and intercooled unit which produces 300bhp.

Don't forget to check out the Aaronsteeleracing.com web site next week to see how Aaron's experience in America worked out.

Further to Aaron's Mclaren Autosport BRDC Award Nomination, Aaron has been notified that he has also been nominated to receive "Rising Star" status from the BRDC. This recognition will be secured, upon completion of a successful personal interview at the BRDC building at Silverstone.

Rising Star status is by invitation only from the BRDC, (British Racing Drivers Club), the BRDC was formed in 1928, and has for the past 81 years been the most exclusive club in Motor sport, the membership is only bestowed upon those that meet the exacting qualification criteria.

The BRDC scouts felt that Aaron's performances during the 2008 season marked him out as one of the very best drivers of his generation.

This recognition can only help support & progress Aaron's career, this would see Aaron involved with individuals with unparalelled experience to advise Aaron to make sure he is guided to what he aspire's to.

As part of Aaron's nomination for the 2008 Mclaren Autosport BRDC young driver Awards, Aaron is to feature in the Live Action Arena at the 2009 Autosport Show at Birmingham NEC January 8th to 11th.

Along with the five other nominees including winner Alexandre Sims , Aaron will be competing again in th Formula Palmer Audi machinery and although in display mode !, it is guaranteed Aaron will want to shine in what is considered to be his 2009 Championship option, with the 2009 Formula Palmer Audi Championship offering a 50k scholarship purse towards a 2010 F2 drive and a F2 test for the top three finishers up for grabs, there really is no where else Aaron needs to be.

Aaron's race winning Dacs Dallara F3 car will be on display on the BRSCC stand, where the BRSCC which be promoting the all new 2009 BRSCC F3 Championship, which will be replacing Club F3, a move in the right direction which has now gained this series Championship staus, which should see young gun career drivers now viewing this Championship as a serious option.

Niall Quinn takes Autumn Trophy honours

Niall Quinn took victory and with it, the Autumn Trophy whilst Aaron Steele won the FPA Shoutout in a nail biting final round of the Formula Palmer Audi Autumn Trophy at Snetterton.
Steele becomes the sixth and final nomination for the prestigious McLaren Autosport BRDC Award following his best two points finishes from the two races earlier today (Sunday).
After a steady start, Jolyon Palmer took the lead from Aaron Steele going into Sear Corner for the first time before the front runners almost ran four abreast along Revett Straight. With little room to maneuvere, Steele and Tom Bradshaw touched, which left Bradshaw bouncing across the grass and Steele was later disqualified from the race due to his part in the incident. Bradshaw retired later in the race whilst trying to charge through the field, ending his hopes of Autumn Trophy and Shooutout glory.
Niall Quinn took the lead from Jolyon Palmer on lap two with a great move around the outside at Riches and the pair contested the victory throughout the race. With Palmer knowing that only a win would land him the Shootout prize, Quinn had to defend extremely well but the Irishman was up to the challenge - taking the win and Autumn Trophy in the process: "I am just ecstatic," said Quinn. "Hopefully this shows everyone what I am capable of."
Matt Hamilton was another who could have taken the FPA Shootout but he had to settle for third in the race and second in the Shootout standings. It could not have been closer as both Steele and Hamilton finished on equal points, with Steele taking it due to him setting the fastest lap during the day: "I pushed as hard as possible," said Hamilton. "I knew I had to finish second in the race but it just didn't quite happen."
Alex Waters and Jack Clarke were fourth and fifth respectively whilst Tom Ashton scored an impressive sixth.
So it was Niall Quinn celebrating his Autumn Trophy success and Aaron Steele who took the FPA honours and that prestigious entry into the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award: "I am really looking forward to driving the DTM car but it hasn't even sunk in yet," said Steele. "This is the best moment of my career."

Autumn Trophy and FPA Shootout is going down to the wire

Tom Bradshaw has won round five of the Formula Palmer Audi Autumn Trophy at Snetterton to retake the lead in the standings with just one race remaining this afternoon (Sunday).
With each drivers best two results from today's three races also counting towards the FPA Shootout, Bradshaw delivered the perfect result in his challenge to take both honours. Starting from pole, the Blackburn racer made a great getaway off the line and led until the race was red flagged after 17 laps: "It was a brilliant race for me," said Bradshaw. "It is just so slippery out there but I managed to keep it on the island and take the win."
Aaron Steele and Niall Quinn endured a race long battle with the pair swapping places on several occasions. Both drivers also recovered from spins before Steele eventually won the place with a pass on Quinn coming out of the Esses: "I had a moment," said Quinn. "Aaron managed to get back past me but it is looking really tight for the championship."
There was disappointment for front row starter Matt Hamilton, after he retired on lap one following a spin Russell Bend. A safety car was deployed on lap ten following another big off for Matt Bell - this time after he made heavy impact with the barrier at the bomb hole.
Tobias Hegewald showed his best form in FPA so far as he stormed from 14th on the grid to take fourth at the finish, which included some nice moves past FPA regulars Jack Clarke and Jolyon Palmer following the restart of the race on lap 14.
Adam Foster and Callum Holland finished in fifth and sixth respectively whilst Jack Clarke brought his car home in seventh after the Surrey driver endured an eventful race. The race was red flagged when Jolyon Palmer spun after running out of grip at the Bomb Hole. His car speared off on the outside before making contact with the barrier: "I just pushed a little too hard," said Palmer. "The rain was getting worse and I just ran out of grip. At least I can still win the Shootout!"
The final race of the Formula Palmer Audi Autumn Trophy, incorporating the FPA Shootout, will take place 14:35 this afternoon (Sunday).

Irish driver wins action packed FPA race

Niall Quinn took a stunning win in the opening race of today's three Formula Palmer Audi Autumn Trophy races, incorporating the FPA Shootout, at Snetterton.
Quinn got the jump on pole-sitter Matt Hamilton as the field approached Riches for the first time and the Irish driver went on the take a commanding victory. Hamilton finished second ahead of a hard charging Aaron Steele but there was drama behind in what was one of the most chaotic FPA races of the season.

The chaos began as soon as the lights went out when Jack Clarke bumped into Adam Foster off the line. Foster retired in the pits whilst Clarke continued with a damaged front wing - finishing in fifth at the chequered flag.
There were further incidents on the opening lap as the drivers struggled to deal with the damp conditions - Tom Bradshaw squeezed Jolyon Palmer on to the grass along Revett Straight and Palmer spun, dropping to 16th in the process. Palmer made a fantastic recovery drive to finish fourth at the finish but there was disappointment for Bradshaw who crashed heavily at the Bomb Hole on lap eight. Bradshaw had returned to the circuit after a trip across the grass at the Esses but as he tried to challenge Matt Hamilton on the outside, he ran out of grip and ended up in the barrier.

There were spins for several drivers at the Esses including Max Snegirev, Luca Orlandi and Callum Holland but there was worse to come on lap 14, when first Matt Bell went into the gravel at Riches whilst running in an impressive fourth place. On the same lap, Tobias Hegewald spun coming out of Riches and was collected by Dan Brown as the Momo-backed racer made his way towards Sear Corner. It was an unavoidable incident for Brown - the accident left both cars stricken on the circuit and the stewards were left with no option but to red flag the race.

The race was classified after 13 laps with Alex Waters, Kenny Andrews, Tom Ashton finishing in sixth, seventh and eighth respectively - having all kept out of trouble.
Niall Quinn stood proudly on the top step of the podium, having now taken the lead in the Autumn Trophy standings: "It was a crazy race," said Quinn. "This is great for the championship as it seems some of my rivals had a few problems."