Forthcoming UK Events
| Date | Event | Location |
| 06-08.07.2012 | Formula 1 British Grand Prix | Silverstone (Arena GP) |
| 01-03.06.2012 | British Drift Championship | Norfolk Arena |
| 23-24.06.2012 | MG Live 2012 | Silverstone |
| 25-26.08.2012 | FIA World Endurance Championship | Silverstone |
The 2012 Season Starts Here
The last week has seen a flurry of activity as championships big and small held their annual media days and opening tests, with some already even getting down to racing proper. The British Touring Car Championship heads strongly into a new all-turbo generation and this year boasts 10 models from nine different marques on its 24-car grid, including the technicolour liveried return of the MG name.
The BTCC season opener hits Brands Hatch on 1st April, followed a week later by the first rounds of the British GT Championship and the British F3 International Series at Oulton Park. While some single-seater formulae have struggled in recent times - Formula Renault postponing its UK series due to poor entries - British F3 continues to attract young talent. With recent champions including the Scuderia Toro Rosso pairing of Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne, its status as a stepping-stone to Formula 1 is hard to dispute.
Read more...04 - Equipment Shopping, GPR
- Details
- Category: Going Racing
- Saturday, 04 March 2006
Today is shopping day. I need some compulsory equipment in order to compete, and some non-compulsory, but nice-to-have-fireproof items too. Back down to Silverstone, then and to GPR (Grand Prix Racewear) to get kitted out in some overalls.
After much trying on of various shapes and sizes of race apparel, the best-fitting overall was deemed to be an OMP suit, fortunately positioned at the lower end of the price range. Suits vary from around £200 to four times that, with the higher prices generally benefitting from lighter materials and the 'shiny' finish, as seen in F1.
To complete the fireproofing, Sparco underwear, socks, balaclava and gloves were added - a convincing outfit in which to get on track. The finishing touch is the helmet and the second most comfortable option for my particular headshape, after the £800 Arai GP5, was the Sparco Formula. It's Sparco's most popular model and at £225+VAT (the helmet is no longer zero-rated for VAT since it is labelled unsuitable for motorcycle use), is a sensible price for the novice racer.
Additionally, GPR sell the useful Circuit Guide publications, and a folder containing this much information about all the UK's circuits for only £35 seems a bit of a bargain. You can buy online at www.circuitguides.com, but you'll have to pay an additional £8 for delivery so it's worth picking up a copy while you're sorting your suits and boots.
