Brands Hatch Rounds 1&2

Podium for Williamson on first Clio cup outing
Local racing driver, Aaron Williamson made a fantastic start to the season after getting a 3rd place in his debut race at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit last weekend.
Williamson went into the weekend hoping to qualify within the top 10 but managed to post a fastest qualifying lap of 52.388 which put him in 6th position for race 1 and 9th for race 2.
The 2012 Air Asia Renault Clio cup has attracted a massive 25 car grid so qualifying well was a major boost for the Rookie Driver. The 20 lap race didn’t start well for Williamson who dropped a place on lap 1. He settled into the race and managed to make a move at paddock Hill on lap 8 that put him back in 6th. Gradually moving up the field to 3rd position by lap 18th, he maintained this until the chequered flag and took a well deserved podium; also taking a trophy for best placed Rookie driver.
Carnage followed in Race 2 with a collision on the Start and another at Graham Hill bend on lap 1. Fortunately Williamson managed to avoid both incidents but a safety car period followed while the incidents were dealt with. Williamson made a good re-start and started to make progress through the field; a number of drivers picked up penalties for exceeding track limits, Williamson included, which despite finishing the race in 8th place, he was dropped down to 15th once the penalties were added.
Williamson said ‘I am really pleased with my weekend, I never expected to get on the podium and this has given me a massive confidence boost considering my race pace was on a par with much more experienced drivers, I’m a little disappointed with the Race 2 result but all in all I’m feeling really positive about the season ahead’
The next race meeting will be at Donington Park on the 14th&15th April and will be televised live on ITV4.
For more information about Williamson and the Air Asia Clio Cup, please visit www.renaultsport.co.uk/championships

Media Day 2012 press release

Air Asia Clio Cup Challenge for Williamson
Aaron Williamson, who finished 2nd in the Ginetta G50 cup last season will take on a new challenge at the start of the 2012 season at Brands Hatch next weekend.
The 19 year old from Holbeach Drove took part in the winter series of the Clio Cup in November and despite having had no previous experience of driving the car, managed to win both races and lift the Championship trophy.
The Renault Clio cup is a support race to the British Touring Cars Championship (BTCC) and has provided a good grounding for BTCC drivers with Tom Onlsow-Cole, Mat Jackson, Andrew Jordan and Jonny Adam all having raced in Clio’s before graduating to Touring Cars. Another star in the making is Lewis Hamilton’s younger brother Nic, who will be returning for his 2nd season in the Clio’s in 2012.
Finesse Motorsport Ltd will continue to support Williamson together with another local youngster, 17 year old Jake Giddings from Upwell, Cambridgeshire. Giddings has raced in the Ginetta Juniors for the last 3 years and is looking forward to his first season in the Clio.
The Renault Media Day took place at Brands Hatch last week; this included test sessions which saw both team mates produce lap times within the top 10.
Williamson said ‘ I know it’s really going to be a big change for me this season trying to adapt to a front wheel drive/left hand drive car but I am really looking forward to the Challenge ahead’ ‘ I am really grateful to my sponsors, PWM, Haven and Berridge Waste paper for their continued financial support
The BTCC will be televised live on ITV4 on Sunday 1st April with coverage starting at 11.00am-6.00pm. The Clio cup race is scheduled for 3.00pm

MI Electricial Solutions Ltd are on board for 2012 Clio Cup Championship.

Nottingham based MI Electricial Solutions have joined Aarons 2012 Clio Cup compaign. After supporting Aaron in the final round of the 2011 Ginetta G50 Championship at Silverstone, M D Ian Radford spoke to Aaron about a possible full assult on the 2012 Clio Cup Championship. MI Electricial Soultions have now confirmed that they on board as a full sponsor. ” I just cant believe what Ian and MI Electricial Solutions are doing for me, This is incredible and i just cant wait to get in the car and start racing. Ian came along to Silverstone and sponsored us for our last round in 2011. He clearly is a keen Motor racing fan and his enthusiam and dedication are insprational when your racing”. “Thanks Ian and MI Electricial Soultions” ” We look forward to seeing you at your local Circuit, Donnington.” Aaron.

Brands Hatch Test.

The Finesse Motorsport Team took to the Brands Hatch circuit yesterday (25.1.12) for there first proper test. Driver coach, Johnny Adams was on hand to work on data and car set up. Aarons car has not arrived so a share with team mate Jake Giddins was the soultion. The weather was not great, mainly wet with only a small let up of rain during the day. All went well, with both boys adapting to the front wheel, left hand drive car promtly. “We both did the Clio Cup winter series, so the car was not a complete un-known, Im used to a 300 plus horse power G50 and Jake was in the Junior Ginetta, so we both had different views on it. Im used to slowing the car up and using the power on exit, but these Clios are far less powerfull so you need to keep up its momentum. They are brilliant fun though and i cant wait to start racing them” said Aaron.

Berridge Waste Paper to support Aarons 2012 Clio Cup Championship.

 

Berridge Waste Paper has joined as a major sponsor for Aarons assault on the 2012 Clio Cup Championship. The Leicester based company Director, Ian Berridge has been invovled with Motor Racing for many years and have sponsored Aaron since 2009. In a meeting that took place only last week, Berridge Waste Paper became a major sponsor. “Its really difficult to find sponsors but to find one as supportive as Ian is a dream come true. I am looking forward to the year ahead. I would just like to say a Very Big Thank-you to Ian and Berridge Waste paper”

 

Aaron

Sponsorship

As we are only a few weeks away from the start of the season, and  have a plan of what we are doing in 2012. I am now starting on this years sponsorship campaign. for the next week I will be driving around, knocking on doors trying to find my full years budget! this will determine if we are going to be on the grid this year. Wish me luck! remember if you are interested in sponsoring me or the Team click on the sponsorship tab at the top of this page or follow this link. Sponsorship Aaron.

Winter Series – Press Release

Williamson star of the show in Renault Clio Cup Winter Series

A last minute decision saw Aaron Williamson take on a new challenge at Rockingham Motor Speedway last weekend.

Williamson, who finished 2^nd in the Ginetta G50 this season was planning to have a winter break from racing but the offer of a drive in the Renault Clio Winter series, from 20Ten racing team meant the youngster from Holbeach Drove faced one of the biggest challenges in his entire career to date.

Aaron hadn’t driven the car until Fridays practice session but managed to quickly adapt to a front wheel drive/left hand drive Car and post the 2^nd fastest time of the day. Williamson said “the Clio is a totally different car to the Ginettas that I’ve been racing for the last 4 years; driving on the left was a massive challenge but that, coupled with changing from rear wheel to front wheel drive made handling very testing”

Saturday’s qualifying session went well as Aaron managed to post the second fastest time, which was just 0.453 seconds shy of the more experienced Adam Bonham, who competed in the main Clio cup championship this season. A slow start for Bonham allowed Williamson to take an early lead, but Bonham soon regained the place until lap three when Williamson closed onto Bonham’s tail and got alongside on the run out of the final turn. A challenge from 3^rd placed Jake Giddings at Deene on lap four nearly cost Williamson dearly when contact was made between the two. Fortunately Williamson managed to escape unscathed albeit behind Bonham. Staying on his tail for the next two laps, Williamson made a couple of attempts to pass and eventually regained the lead on the run out of the final turn.

The race was then interrupted by a safety car period, to allow the marshalls to retrieve Giddings stricken car. A good restart for Williamson saw him hold the lead, gradually breaking clear as Bonham struggled to hold second. Williamson crossed the line to win his maiden Clio Cup race by 10.6 seconds.

The drivers second fastest times from qualifying made the grid for race two, with Bonham once again on pole ahead of Williamson. A slow start saw Williamson drop a place but as he gathered momentum, he was soon back in second and quickly caught Bonham at the front, finally finding his way past on the run to the final chicane on lap four.

The final few laps saw Swedish driver Kim Andersson right on Williamson’s tail making couple of moves for the lead, but was unable to get past. Williamson took his second win of the weekend to take the Winter Series title.

Williamson said “I wasn’t expecting to be competing in this Championship at all, so to win both races and take the Championship title is amazing, I really enjoyed driving the Clio and now hope to compete in the 2012 Clio Cup if I can raise some sponsorship” “I would like to thank Peterborough Waste management for sponsorship and 20Ten racing and Finesse Motorsport for giving me this opportunity and supporting me this weekend”

The Renault Clio cup is a support race to the British Touring Cars Championship (BTCC) and has provided a good grounding for BTCC drivers with Tom Onlsow-Cole, Mat Jackson, Andrew Jordan and Jonny Adam all having raced in Clio’s before graduating to BTCC.

 

Silverstone (End of Season) – Press Release

Williamson Clinches 2ndplace in GT Supercup Championship.

Local racing driver Aaron Williamson finished the season in 2^nd place at Silverstone National Circuit at the weekend.

The 19 year old from Holbeach Drove had mixed fortunes over the weekend when Saturday’s race ended abruptly on the first lap after a collision with another car that lost control in his path.  There was nothing Williamson could do to avoid the impact and his car was extensively damaged and unable to re join the race.  The race had to be stopped for over 40 minutes to deal with the incident and cut the other driver from the wreckage. Fortunately no one was seriously hurt in the accident.

Williamsons Championship position was now seriously in doubt after a zero score and concerns that the car wouldn’t be repaired in time for Sunday’s race.

The Finesse Motorsport team worked into the early hours to re-build the front end of the car and Williamson was relieved to be in a position to compete in the last race albeit from the back of the grid.

He charged through the field to finish in 4^th place which was enough to secure the runner up slot in the Championship.  Williamson said “it’s been an amazing season overall, we had a lot of bad luck early in the season but with the hard work from the Finesse Motorsport team and the sponsorship from Peterborough Waste Management, we managed to get some great results” “I’m hoping to secure enough funding so I can compete again in 2012 and hopefully lift the Championship trophy”

The 2012 BTCC season starts at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit on 31^st March 2012

Brands Hatch GP – Press Release

HAT TRICK FOR WILLIAMSON AT BRANDS HATCH

Local racing driver Aaron Williamson took 3 wins at Brands Hatch GP circuit earlier this month, moving him to second place in the Ginetta GT Supercup Championship.

The 19 year old from Holbeach Drove went into the weekend sitting 3^rd in the Championship and still within striking distance of the title.

Williamson was disappointed with his qualifying position of 5^th place but made a determined effort at the start and managed to get into 2^nd place after the first lap and then moved into the lead after lap 5, he maintained this position after pulling a good lead and took a very well deserved win.

Race 2 saw Williamson start on pole position where he had to drive the most defensive race of his career with the championship leader hot on his heels.  He kept his cool and drove a faultless 14 laps to take his 2^nd win of the weekend.

Sunday’s 17 lap race saw a repeat performance with Williamson leading from start to finish. The race was punctuated by two safety car periods but Williamson was unruffled and handled the situation perfectly.  “Three out of three, you can’t get better than that”, said Williamson, “It’s been mentally and physically draining this weekend, physically because of the heat and mentally because of the pressure of Tom (Ingram) and the championship. Congratulations to him for winning the title, it’s a shame it couldn’t go down to Silverstone though now we’ve got some good pace in our car!”

Williamson, who is sponsored by Peterborough Waste Management, had a difficult start to the season with a total write off after a smash on the starting grid at Thruxton circuit.  His luck has improved over the season with a tally of 15 podium finishes including 6 wins.

The Ginetta  GT Supercup is a support race to the British Touring Cars Championship and consists of two classes of race car; the G55 which has a 3.7 litre V6 Engine delivering 370bhp and the G50 which is the predecessor of the G55 and has a 3.5 litre V6 Engine that delivers 300 bhp with a top speed of 140mph

The final rounds of the Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup season will take place this weekend 15th/16th October, at Northamptonshire’s Silverstone National Circuit and will be televised live on ITV4 on Sunday from 11am-6.30pm

Rockingham – Press release

Racing driver, Aaron Williamson, resumed his championship battle at
Rockingham race circuit earlier this month.  Williamson went into the weekend sitting 3^rd in the Championship; he retained that position and managed to gain some valuable points on 2^nd place.

 

Rockingham Circuit is the only circuit on the TOCA calendar that runs anti clockwise and is not one favoured by the 19 year old.  Williamson said “I’ve never been a strong competitor at Rockingham so this weekend was all about trying to stay focussed and pick up good points, we managed to acheive that so I’m really pleased with the results”

 

Friday’s practice session didn’t go according to plan with Williamson struggling with set up problems; the issues were recified but Williamson went straight into Qualifying on Saturday morning without any further testing.  After Qualifying 6^th for Saturdays race, he got off to a good start and managed to finish in 5^th place.

 

The Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup changed the format for Sundays race by introducing a mandatory wheel change pit stop.  This was a new experience for the Finesse Motor sport team but they did a fantastic job, getting Williamson back on track within the designated time scale. After starting 5^th on the grid and battling tirelessly for 28 laps, Williamson managed a well deserved 4^th place.

 

The penultimate meeting continues this weekend at Brands Hatch GP Circuit in Kent.  The weekend consists of 3 sprint races and Williamson, whose principal sponsor is Peterborough Waste Management, is hoping to get back on the Podium and move up the Championship table.

 

The Ginetta GT supercup is a support race to The British Touring Cars Championship (BTCC) and will be televised live from 11am – 6pm on ITV4. Sundays GT supercup race is scheduled to take place at 4.15pm.