SV Racing (SVR) is prepared to kick-start what promises to be a lucrative season with some strong results in the opening rounds of the 2014 Courier Connections Renault UK Clio Cupand Ginetta GT4 Supercup on the famous Brands Hatch Indy circuit (29-30 March).
The Wettenhall, Cheshire-based team entered a brand new chapter under the SVR banner over the winter and the more streamlined operation’s racing activities are now solely conducted by former Clio Cup Champion, Danny Buxton.
However, SVR’s 2014 season begins in earnest this weekend (29-30 March), with its five KX Akademy recruits taking to Kent’s Brands Hatch circuit for the first round of the UK Clio Cup andGT4 Supercup.
Lichfield’s Ant Whorton-Eales has KX backing for the second consecutive year and returns to theUK Clio Cup fray with three proven teammates, Bridgend’s Alex Morgan, Nuneaton’s Ash Hand and Barnsley’s Josh Cook, while David Pittard spearheads SVR’s Ginetta GT4 Supercup assault.
Whorton-Eales said: “I’m pretty confident we’ll be capable of competing at the sharp end from the outset of the season at Brands Hatch, having prepared so intensely over the winter period. I’ve continued to hone my off-track abilities with the KX Akademy and, this being my second year with KX backing, I feel in a prime position to lead the way. Danny (Buxton) has pulled together a stellar driver line-up and I reckon my teammates will be hard to beat, although others will threaten too. It’s going to be a seriously competitive and action-packed season and I’ll be disappointed if we don’t start it with some podium finishes in Kent.”
Morgan, the 2013 UK Clio Cup Vice-Champion, said: “Preparations for the 2014 season have been seriously intense and I’ve already learnt a great deal from being part of the KX Akademy, particularly with regards to fitness, car setup and communication. As a result, I feel in the best shape of my life and, in addition to this, pre-season testing has gone well. SVR is getting to grips with the fourth generation Clio Cup cars, we have experimented with a lot of different setups and tyres and we have every base covered with a full set of data that should put us on the correct path at Brands Hatch.
“I’ve tested at Croft Circuit and Brands Hatch recently and I feel quite happy. I was strong on both old and new tyres at Brands and the minimum goal is for two podium finishes. Anything less will be disappointing. I feel the drivers Danny (Buxton) has put together should all finish in the top six of the championship – I’ll be shocked if we don’t lock out the podium at least once this year. It’s going to be very close and, while there will be inter-team rivalries, we have a lot of respect for each other to be capable of racing in close quarters.”
Pittard steps up to the GT4 Supercup after a prolific Ginetta GT5 campaign and said: “I was nice and quick and felt comfortable with the car straight out of the blocks in testing, which bodes well for Brands Hatch. There isn’t much to carry over from my experiences with GT5-spec machinery, so I’ve gone to reset mode. I think I picked it up well and I have to say that Rob Boston’s input has been invaluable for me and SVR – it’s great to have such an experienced guy to guide the team, help engineer the car and advise me.
“The racing will be fast and furious with a quality field of drivers, ten of which could easily win the title. Everybody will have to up their game, but I’m really excited to get out there and see what we can do against them all.”
Ash Hand, a consistent front-runner during the concluding part of the 2013 UK Clio Cup season, said: “I’m genuinely looking forward to the weekend at Brands Hatch, especially as it’s my first race weekend under the KX Akademy banner. Throughout testing we have been very fast and I hope to carry that through to the weekend to ensure that we come away with at least one podium finish. It’s going to be so close between me and my SVR teammates and it will be essential to score consistently in every race, although I do expect threats to come from elsewhere too. I’m excited to discover how everything is going to unfold.”
Josh Cook, the newest member of the KX Akademy, said: “I haven’t been out in the car yet, but I’ve prepared well in all other areas and I’m always good on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit. I know SVR has a lot of good setups for the track, but there’s no telling how everything will play out until the flag falls on qualifying.
“I think my teammates and I are going to work well together and I hope we’ll all help each other along. There’s no doubt that Paul Rivett, James Colburn and Mike Bushell will be there or thereabouts. I’m not necessarily going for the out and out wins, but points. Points win prizes, unless they’re on your licence!”
SVR Team Director, Danny Buxton, concluded: “I’m really excited about the forthcoming weekend at Brands Hatch after such a long winter that has seen so many significant changes. It will be fascinating to see how the action unfolds in Kent and, with such strong drivers, I’m anticipating big and exciting things! Having said that, the championship isn’t won at the first race and I think they’re all aware of that. Of course, it does begin there, so strong points finishes are essential.”
For more information on SV Racing, please visit the new www.svracing.co.uk website, ‘like’ the team’s Facebook page or follow @SV_Racing on Twitter.