Exciting Changes to SEAT Cupra Championship in 2005

04 September 2004

SEAT UK has increased its commitment to British motorsport by revamping its innovative SEAT Cupra Championship for 2005.

Previously all of the Leon Cupra R race cars were prepared and run by SEAT Sport UK.  The cars will now be offered for sale to individual teams who will prepare the race cars themselves and benefit from bringing their own drivers and sponsors to the Championship.  SEAT Sport UK will continue to co-ordinate and administer the series and all the promotional and marketing activities will continue to enjoy full manufacturer support directly from SEAT UK.  Teams and competitors will also benefit from the new SEAT Cupra Championship Race Centre – a high profile central point of contact offering drivers hospitality in the paddock whilst still maintaining and promoting their own team identity within their own paddock environment.

Importantly, the changes now allow the SEAT Cupra Championship to be extended from 12 to at least 18 races.  The race schedule will form part of the TOCA support race package on all mainland UK rounds of the 2005 Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship.  This will ensure the 2005 SEAT Cupra Championship continues to race in front of large crowds at premier motorsport events around the country and benefit from the superb television package TOCA is able to offer.

New regulations, which will be announced in full shortly, will allow teams to maximise the set-up and performance of the 250PS turbo-charged Leon Cupra R race car, giving the drivers the opportunity to emulate Robert Huff’s success and make a successful transition into touring cars.

Originally planned to run for three years, SEAT Sport UK is delighted to announce that the new-look series is planned to run for a minimum of two more years, taking it to a fourth year and to at least the end of 2006.

The prize fund will include a six figure sum available to the teams and a test for the top four drivers in a SEAT touring car.

Scott Dennis, SEAT UK National Motorsport Manager, said: "The Holiday Inn SEAT Cupra Championship has run successfully for two years and has already produced one BTCC race winning driver.  We want to ensure that the SEAT Cupra Championship continues to be an important stepping stone for young drivers wishing to race in touring cars, and now is the time to broaden the appeal of the series. The Championship will benefit from these changes, and to show our commitment to British motorsport we are extending the SEAT Cupra Championship for a fourth year."

Alan Gow, BTCC Series Director, said: "I'm delighted that the SEAT Cupra Championship will feature at every mainland round of the BTCC in 2005 and that SEAT is continuing its commitment to British motorsport. The Championship provides a good proving ground for young drivers wishing to move up into top flight touring car racing, and I’m looking forward to more future champions making the transition into the BTCC."

Ben Winrow, who has raced a Telemecanique-supported Leon Cupra R in the Holiday Inn SEAT Cupra Championship since the series began, said: "The new format will certainly encourage new competitors to the SEAT Cupra Championship and keep it fresh and exciting.  Next year would be my third season in the Championship and I'd love to be back racing my Leon Cupra R."

Drivers and teams wishing to register their interest in the SEAT Cupra Championship for 2005 should contact Mark Turner on 07780 67 53 51, or by e-mail at mark.turner@seatsportuk.co.uk.

See series calendar for SEAT Cupra Championship 2004

Related Story 30.08.2004 - Pickford Wins Cupra Title to Join SEAT Sport UK BTCC Team for 2005