MotorSport Vision
Encyclopedia
MotorSport Vision is one of the world's foremost motorsport organisations, and the leading operator of UK motor racing venues. MSV has a portfolio ranging from major two and four wheel championships to organising the PalmerSport
corporate driving event.
and Jonathan Palmer
, who won the Formula Two Championship in 1983 and competed in 88 Formula One Grands Prix over the next six years.
MSV is famous for buying Brands Hatch
, Oulton Park
, Snetterton
and Cadwell Park
in 2004 and working to modernise their facilities and customer care. Brands Hatch, the former venue for the British Grand Prix, has begun hosting international car racing again - events either joining or back on its calendar include the DTM German touring car championship, the FIA World Touring Car Championship and the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport.
In 2006, MSV formed MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR), providing a complete car and bike racing organisation capability to the MotorSport Vision group. MSVR organises over 30 events annually across 10 UK circuits. MotorSport Vision's trackday division, Club MSV
, has grown to become one of the UK's biggest trackday companies in the past four years and organises novice events up to advanced driver training days. Alongside PalmerSport
, MSV also run driving experiences at Brands Hatch and Oulton Park.
MSV also runs the Formula Palmer Audi
championship which, over the last decade, has advanced the careers of hundreds of young hopefuls, nine of whom have made it all the way to Formula One
. In 2008 MSV also acquired the rights to the British Superbike Championship which has already seen the considerable benefits of MSV's commercial, administrative and organisational expertise.
In September 2008 MotorSport Vision won an FIA tender to supply cars and operate the FIA Formula Two Championship
, a new international single seater series derived from an FIA initiative to provide young, talented drivers with the opportunity to compete in top-level racing on a competitive budget. The Formula Two cars, like Formula Palmer Audi, are assembled and prepared in a dedicated facility at Bedford Autodrome
, also home to PalmerSport and FPA.
One of its founders, John Britten, died on 25 November, after a long period of illness.
Brands Hatch
In 1986, John Foulston bought Brands Hatch, Oulton Park and Snetterton circuits from Grovewood Securities and established the Brands Hatch Leisure (BHL) company. The following year, the company acquired Cadwell Park before Foulston died testing a McLaren IndyCar at Silverstone. Ownership of BHL passed to his wife Mary, but the company was run by John Webb until 1990, when daughter Nicola Foulston took over the running. In that time, Brands Hatch hosted higher-profile series such as Formula 3000 and Superbike World Championship racing. 1988 saw further changes to the circuit layout, with a chicane added at Dingle Dell Corner, while Westfield Bend and Graham Hill Bend were tightened. New pits and a corporate entertainment facility were added in the late-1990s.
In 1999, Foulston announced that Brands Hatch had acquired the rights to the British Grand Prix
from 2002. Whilst discussions were ongoing with regards to planning permission to bring the circuit up to F1 requirements, Foulston sold BHL to Octagon Motorsports (a subsidiary of Interpublic) for £120 m. Octagon, however, failed to obtain the necessary planning permission and instead decided to lease Silverstone
in order to host the Grand Prix. However, high-profile single-seater racing did return to Brands Hatch in 2003, when a round of the CART
series was held at the circuit. Despite attracting around 40,000 spectators the race was not retained for subsequent seasons.
With financial pressures stemming from running the British Grand Prix, Octagon sold off the group of four circuits, including Brands Hatch, to the MotorSport Vision group headed by ex-F1 driver Jonathan Palmer
in 2004.
Oulton Park
After many years of decay, Oulton was given new life when it, along with Brands Hatch, Snetterton and Cadwell Park, was bought by MotorSport Vision. MSV, headed by ex-F1 racer Jonathan Palmer, have completely turned the circuits around, tidying them up and pulling the crowds in.
Oulton Park has always been acknowledged as one of the most picturesque circuits in the UK, and under MSV's guidance big meetings have thrived at the Cheshire track, including the British Touring Car Championship, two rounds of the British Superbike Championship and the Gold Cup classic car meeting dubbed 'the Goodwood of the north'.
In 2007 Oulton park was voted the best UK circuit by British Superbike fans,
whilst a BTCC meeting on Sunday 27 July 2008 saw a crowd of 35,000 attend - a record not only for the circuit but the highest crowd at any venue of the BTCC for a decade.
Snetterton
Snetterton has undergone perhaps the most radical transformation of all the MotorSport Vision circuits since being taken over in 2004.
New spectator banking has been added to the track to improve circuit views, whilst the restaurant and toilet facilities have been updated or replaced. A new scrutineering bay has also been added.
Snetterton is well known for being one of the fastest tracks in the UK thanks to its combination of several long straights and relatively few corners. The lap record currently stands at 56.095 seconds, or an average speed of 125.27 mph.
Cadwell Park
In 1953 the track was lengthened to 1.3 miles (2.1 km), upon the invitation of the 500 cc motorcycle-engined Formula 3 to race in a traditional bike meeting. Around 30,000 spectators attended that particular race.
The original track grew to the current 2.25 miles (3.62 km) layout in 1962 and hosted the British F3 series the next May. Some of the bends are named after family members e.g. Mansfield, Charlie and Chris.
Cadwell is now considered too narrow for high level car races, although club motorsport associations such as the BARC and 750MC still hold meetings. The layout is ideal for bikes however, with the British Superbike Championship round being the most popular event on the championship's calendar.
Several tests and feature clips for the motoring program Fifth Gear have been filmed here.
Bedford Autodrome
The track, in Thurleigh near Bedford is owned by MotorSport Vision. No official motorsport events are held at the circuit but it is a popular public track day circuit, it is also the home of the Jaguar SlikCat which is used for corporate events and for ride alongs during the track days.
, DTM
German touring cars, the FIA World Touring Car Championship
and the revived FIA Formula Two Championship
.
Alongside these, MotorSport Vision's circuits will host the British Superbike Championship, British Touring Car Championship
, the British F3
and GT
championships, and a range of historic events including the Oulton park Gold Cup
.
There will also be numerous bike and car club meetings throughout the year, including the BMCRC's 100th anniversary celebrations and the Britcar 'into the night' race at Brands Hatch.
British Superbike
In 2008 MotorSport Vision took over the responsibility for the organisation and promotion of the British Superbike Championship from Dorna. The 2008 season
was MSV's first in charge, and saw Shane Byrne take the title. The championship was screened live by British Eurosport, and highlights were shown later on Channel 4
.
Formula Palmer Audi
Formula Palmer Audi, commonly known as FPA, was founded in 1998 by Jonathan Palmer. The ethos of FPA is to keep costs at a minimum whilst at all times promoting incredibly competitive and professional racing. The series is most famous for producing ex-F1 driver and IndyCar race-winner Justin Wilson and helping the career of triple World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx.
In order to keep a level playing field as much as possible, all the Formula Palmer Audi cars are run by a specialist team of FPA mechanics, rather than having separate teams. This concept of a large group of deliberately-equalised cars has since been adopted by A1GP.
FPA has recently announced a scholarship prize with the BRDC Stars of Tomorrow
KF2 karting championship, and with the newly revived FIA Formula Two Championship, positioning the series as a fantastic intermediary step between karts and top-level single seaters.
FIA Formula Two Championship
The FIA Formula Two Championship is the revival of the Formula Two
series that was highly successful from 1967–85. It will see 24 drivers competing in identical MotorSport Vision-run cars with a 400 bhp Audi
engine over 16 rounds.
The FIA's overall concern was that the cost of competing in motor racing at a level to progress directly to Formula One today is so high that it prevents many talented drivers from having the opportunity to participate.
In September 2008 the FIA tender to supply the cars and operate the FIA Formula Two Championship was awarded to MotorSport Vision. Compared to rival series, Formula Two will cost significantly less per season whilst allowing drivers to prove their skill and develop their racecraft in identical vehicles designed by a six man team from WilliamsF1
, led by Director of Engineering Patrick Head
. The series was marred by the tragic death of Henry Surtees
, who died in a fatal accident during a race at Brands Hatch
.
MotorSport Vision Formula Three Cup
MSV F3 Cup is an national motor racing series that takes place primarily in the United Kingdom with a small number of events in mainland Europe. It is a junior-level feeder formula that uses small single seater Formula Three built after 1980 and before 2005. The championship comprises nine rounds, each with two races. Each race weekend will comprise of one 25 minute qualifying session and two 20 minute races.
The 2011 season will see rounds held in England at Snetterton 300 (Two Rounds), Donington Park, Brands Hatch Indy, Brands Hatch GP and Oulton Park International. There is one round held in Wales at Anglesey Circuit International and one round in Belgium at Spa Francorchamps. Another round is still to be announced.
PalmerSport
PalmerSport is a corporate driving event created in 1991 by Jonathan Palmer, ex-F1 driver and Chief Executive of MotorSport Vision. PalmerSport is based at Bedford Autodrome, a purpose-built motorsports venue created by Jonathan Palmer in 2000...
corporate driving event.
History
MotorSport Vision was founded by John Britten, Sir Peter OgdenPeter Ogden
Sir Peter Ogden is one of the founders of Computacenter, one of the United Kingdom's largest computer businessses.-Education:Peter was born in Rochdale, England. He was educated at Rochdale Grammar School...
and Jonathan Palmer
Jonathan Palmer
Dr. Jonathan Charles Palmer is an entrepreneur and former racing driver from England. Educated at Brighton College, he won the 1981 British Formula Three Championship and the 1983 European Formula Two Championship. He participated in 87 Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on September 25, 1983...
, who won the Formula Two Championship in 1983 and competed in 88 Formula One Grands Prix over the next six years.
MSV is famous for buying Brands Hatch
Brands Hatch
Brands Hatch is a motor racing circuit near West Kingsdown in Kent, England. First used as a dirt track motorcycle circuit on farmland, it hosted 12 runnings of the British Grand Prix between 1964 and 1986 and currently holds many British and international racing events...
, Oulton Park
Oulton Park
Oulton Park Circuit is a motor racing track in the small village of Little Budworth, Cheshire, England. It is about from Winsford, from Chester city centre, from Northwich and from Warrington with a nearby rail connection along the Mid-Cheshire Line. It occupies much of the area which was...
, Snetterton
Snetterton Motor Racing Circuit
Snetterton Motor Racing Circuit is a motor racing circuit in Norfolk, England. Owned by MotorSport Vision, it is situated on the A11 road some 20 km north-east of the town of Thetford and 30 km south-west of the city of Norwich...
and Cadwell Park
Cadwell Park
Cadwell Park is a motor racing circuit in Lincolnshire, England, south of Louth. It is owned and operated by Jonathan Palmer's Motorsport Vision company....
in 2004 and working to modernise their facilities and customer care. Brands Hatch, the former venue for the British Grand Prix, has begun hosting international car racing again - events either joining or back on its calendar include the DTM German touring car championship, the FIA World Touring Car Championship and the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport.
In 2006, MSV formed MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR), providing a complete car and bike racing organisation capability to the MotorSport Vision group. MSVR organises over 30 events annually across 10 UK circuits. MotorSport Vision's trackday division, Club MSV
Club MSV
Club MSV is one the largest trackday operators in the UK. It offers various car and bike trackdays, for a range of experience levels, at parent company MotorSport Vision's circuits: Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, Snetterton and Cadwell Park.-Trackdays:...
, has grown to become one of the UK's biggest trackday companies in the past four years and organises novice events up to advanced driver training days. Alongside PalmerSport
PalmerSport
PalmerSport is a corporate driving event created in 1991 by Jonathan Palmer, ex-F1 driver and Chief Executive of MotorSport Vision. PalmerSport is based at Bedford Autodrome, a purpose-built motorsports venue created by Jonathan Palmer in 2000...
, MSV also run driving experiences at Brands Hatch and Oulton Park.
MSV also runs the Formula Palmer Audi
Formula Palmer Audi
Formula Palmer Audi, officially abbreviated to FPA, and sometimes informally abbreviated to Palmer Audi, was a one-make class of open wheel Formula racing founded in 1998 by former Formula One driver, Jonathan Palmer. It was based in the United Kingdom , and was organised and operated by MotorSport...
championship which, over the last decade, has advanced the careers of hundreds of young hopefuls, nine of whom have made it all the way to Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
. In 2008 MSV also acquired the rights to the British Superbike Championship which has already seen the considerable benefits of MSV's commercial, administrative and organisational expertise.
In September 2008 MotorSport Vision won an FIA tender to supply cars and operate the FIA Formula Two Championship
FIA Formula Two Championship
-Chassis:Named after both Jonathan Palmer and Patrick Head, the Williams JPH1 chassis and survival cell is of carbon fibre composite monocoque construction. The car was designed to comply with 2005 FIA F1 Safety Regulations. Head protection conforms to the latest 2009 F1 standards...
, a new international single seater series derived from an FIA initiative to provide young, talented drivers with the opportunity to compete in top-level racing on a competitive budget. The Formula Two cars, like Formula Palmer Audi, are assembled and prepared in a dedicated facility at Bedford Autodrome
Bedford Autodrome
Bedford Autodrome is based just north of Bedford, England, in the village of Thurleigh. It is owned by former Formula One driver Jonathan Palmer.-The autodrome:...
, also home to PalmerSport and FPA.
One of its founders, John Britten, died on 25 November, after a long period of illness.
Brands HatchBrands HatchBrands Hatch is a motor racing circuit near West Kingsdown in Kent, England. First used as a dirt track motorcycle circuit on farmland, it hosted 12 runnings of the British Grand Prix between 1964 and 1986 and currently holds many British and international racing events...
In 1986, John Foulston bought Brands Hatch, Oulton Park and Snetterton circuits from Grovewood Securities and established the Brands Hatch Leisure (BHL) company. The following year, the company acquired Cadwell Park before Foulston died testing a McLaren IndyCar at Silverstone. Ownership of BHL passed to his wife Mary, but the company was run by John Webb until 1990, when daughter Nicola Foulston took over the running. In that time, Brands Hatch hosted higher-profile series such as Formula 3000 and Superbike World Championship racing. 1988 saw further changes to the circuit layout, with a chicane added at Dingle Dell Corner, while Westfield Bend and Graham Hill Bend were tightened. New pits and a corporate entertainment facility were added in the late-1990s.In 1999, Foulston announced that Brands Hatch had acquired the rights to the British Grand Prix
British Grand Prix
The British Grand Prix is a race in the calendar of the FIA Formula One World Championship. It is currently held at the Silverstone Circuit near the village of Silverstone in Northamptonshire...
from 2002. Whilst discussions were ongoing with regards to planning permission to bring the circuit up to F1 requirements, Foulston sold BHL to Octagon Motorsports (a subsidiary of Interpublic) for £120 m. Octagon, however, failed to obtain the necessary planning permission and instead decided to lease Silverstone
Silverstone Circuit
Silverstone Circuit is an English motor racing circuit next to the Northamptonshire villages of Silverstone and Whittlebury. The circuit straddles the Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire border, with the current main circuit entry on the Buckinghamshire side...
in order to host the Grand Prix. However, high-profile single-seater racing did return to Brands Hatch in 2003, when a round of the CART
Champ Car
Champ Car was the name for a class and specification of open wheel cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades, primarily for use in the Indianapolis 500 auto race...
series was held at the circuit. Despite attracting around 40,000 spectators the race was not retained for subsequent seasons.
With financial pressures stemming from running the British Grand Prix, Octagon sold off the group of four circuits, including Brands Hatch, to the MotorSport Vision group headed by ex-F1 driver Jonathan Palmer
Jonathan Palmer
Dr. Jonathan Charles Palmer is an entrepreneur and former racing driver from England. Educated at Brighton College, he won the 1981 British Formula Three Championship and the 1983 European Formula Two Championship. He participated in 87 Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on September 25, 1983...
in 2004.
Oulton ParkOulton ParkOulton Park Circuit is a motor racing track in the small village of Little Budworth, Cheshire, England. It is about from Winsford, from Chester city centre, from Northwich and from Warrington with a nearby rail connection along the Mid-Cheshire Line. It occupies much of the area which was...
After many years of decay, Oulton was given new life when it, along with Brands Hatch, Snetterton and Cadwell Park, was bought by MotorSport Vision. MSV, headed by ex-F1 racer Jonathan Palmer, have completely turned the circuits around, tidying them up and pulling the crowds in.Oulton Park has always been acknowledged as one of the most picturesque circuits in the UK, and under MSV's guidance big meetings have thrived at the Cheshire track, including the British Touring Car Championship, two rounds of the British Superbike Championship and the Gold Cup classic car meeting dubbed 'the Goodwood of the north'.
In 2007 Oulton park was voted the best UK circuit by British Superbike fans,
whilst a BTCC meeting on Sunday 27 July 2008 saw a crowd of 35,000 attend - a record not only for the circuit but the highest crowd at any venue of the BTCC for a decade.
SnettertonSnetterton Motor Racing CircuitSnetterton Motor Racing Circuit is a motor racing circuit in Norfolk, England. Owned by MotorSport Vision, it is situated on the A11 road some 20 km north-east of the town of Thetford and 30 km south-west of the city of Norwich...
Snetterton has undergone perhaps the most radical transformation of all the MotorSport Vision circuits since being taken over in 2004.New spectator banking has been added to the track to improve circuit views, whilst the restaurant and toilet facilities have been updated or replaced. A new scrutineering bay has also been added.
Snetterton is well known for being one of the fastest tracks in the UK thanks to its combination of several long straights and relatively few corners. The lap record currently stands at 56.095 seconds, or an average speed of 125.27 mph.
Cadwell ParkCadwell ParkCadwell Park is a motor racing circuit in Lincolnshire, England, south of Louth. It is owned and operated by Jonathan Palmer's Motorsport Vision company....
In 1953 the track was lengthened to 1.3 miles (2.1 km), upon the invitation of the 500 cc motorcycle-engined Formula 3 to race in a traditional bike meeting. Around 30,000 spectators attended that particular race.The original track grew to the current 2.25 miles (3.62 km) layout in 1962 and hosted the British F3 series the next May. Some of the bends are named after family members e.g. Mansfield, Charlie and Chris.
Cadwell is now considered too narrow for high level car races, although club motorsport associations such as the BARC and 750MC still hold meetings. The layout is ideal for bikes however, with the British Superbike Championship round being the most popular event on the championship's calendar.
Several tests and feature clips for the motoring program Fifth Gear have been filmed here.
Bedford AutodromeBedford AutodromeBedford Autodrome is based just north of Bedford, England, in the village of Thurleigh. It is owned by former Formula One driver Jonathan Palmer.-The autodrome:...
The track, in Thurleigh near Bedford is owned by MotorSport Vision. No official motorsport events are held at the circuit but it is a popular public track day circuit, it is also the home of the Jaguar SlikCat which is used for corporate events and for ride alongs during the track days.Series
In 2009 MotorSport Vision will host several prestigious international events such as the A1GP World Cup of MotorsportA1 Grand Prix
A1 Grand Prix was a 'single make' open-wheel auto racing series. It was unique in its field in that competitors solely represented their nation as opposed to themselves or a team, the usual format in most formula racing series. As such, it was often promoted as the "World Cup of Motorsport"...
, DTM
Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters
The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters is a touring car racing series based in Germany, but also with rounds elsewhere in Europe....
German touring cars, the FIA World Touring Car Championship
World Touring Car Championship
For the video game, known as World Touring Car Championship in Japan, see TOCA World Touring CarsThe FIA World Touring Car Championship is an international Touring Car championship sanctioned by the FIA.-History:...
and the revived FIA Formula Two Championship
FIA Formula Two Championship
-Chassis:Named after both Jonathan Palmer and Patrick Head, the Williams JPH1 chassis and survival cell is of carbon fibre composite monocoque construction. The car was designed to comply with 2005 FIA F1 Safety Regulations. Head protection conforms to the latest 2009 F1 standards...
.
Alongside these, MotorSport Vision's circuits will host the British Superbike Championship, British Touring Car Championship
British Touring Car Championship
The British Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing series held each year in the United Kingdom. The Championship was established in 1958 as the British Saloon Car Championship and has run to various rules over the years – "production cars", then FIA Group 1 or 2 in the late 1960s...
, the British F3
British Formula Three Championship
The British Formula Three Championship is an international motor racing series that takes place primarily in the United Kingdom with a small number of events in mainland Europe. It is a junior-level feeder formula that uses small single seater Formula Three chassis. Its current official title is...
and GT
British GT Championship
The Avon Tyres British GT Championship is a sports car racing series currently based in the United Kingdom, although they have had select races outside of Britain in the past few years. The series was created by the British Racing Drivers' Club in 1993 and for its first two seasons was called the...
championships, and a range of historic events including the Oulton park Gold Cup
Oulton Park International Gold Cup
The International Gold Cup is a prize awarded annually to the winner of a motor race held at the Oulton Park circuit, Cheshire, England, UK. In the 1950s and '60s it formed one of a number of highly regarded non-Championship Formula One races, which regularly attracted top drivers and teams...
.
There will also be numerous bike and car club meetings throughout the year, including the BMCRC's 100th anniversary celebrations and the Britcar 'into the night' race at Brands Hatch.
British SuperbikeBritish SuperbikeThe British Superbike Championship is the leading road racing superbike championship in the United Kingdom.The championship is managed and organised by MotorSport Vision. The Series and Race Director is Stuart Higgs. Event marshals are provided by the Racesafe Marshals Association.Two annual...
s
In 2008 MotorSport Vision took over the responsibility for the organisation and promotion of the British Superbike Championship from Dorna. The 2008 season2008 British Superbike season
The 2008 British Superbike Championship season was scheduled to begin on April 6, 2008, however snow at Brands Hatch forced the abandonment of the day's races, which were later rescheduled. The series was rescheduled to start on April 20 and end on October 12, 2008. Starting with this season the...
was MSV's first in charge, and saw Shane Byrne take the title. The championship was screened live by British Eurosport, and highlights were shown later on Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
.
Formula Palmer AudiFormula Palmer AudiFormula Palmer Audi, officially abbreviated to FPA, and sometimes informally abbreviated to Palmer Audi, was a one-make class of open wheel Formula racing founded in 1998 by former Formula One driver, Jonathan Palmer. It was based in the United Kingdom , and was organised and operated by MotorSport...
Formula Palmer Audi, commonly known as FPA, was founded in 1998 by Jonathan Palmer. The ethos of FPA is to keep costs at a minimum whilst at all times promoting incredibly competitive and professional racing. The series is most famous for producing ex-F1 driver and IndyCar race-winner Justin Wilson and helping the career of triple World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx.In order to keep a level playing field as much as possible, all the Formula Palmer Audi cars are run by a specialist team of FPA mechanics, rather than having separate teams. This concept of a large group of deliberately-equalised cars has since been adopted by A1GP.
FPA has recently announced a scholarship prize with the BRDC Stars of Tomorrow
KF2 karting championship, and with the newly revived FIA Formula Two Championship, positioning the series as a fantastic intermediary step between karts and top-level single seaters.
FIA Formula Two ChampionshipFIA Formula Two Championship-Chassis:Named after both Jonathan Palmer and Patrick Head, the Williams JPH1 chassis and survival cell is of carbon fibre composite monocoque construction. The car was designed to comply with 2005 FIA F1 Safety Regulations. Head protection conforms to the latest 2009 F1 standards...
The FIA Formula Two Championship is the revival of the Formula TwoFormula Two
Formula Two, abbreviated to F2, is a type of open wheel formula racing. It was replaced by Formula 3000 in 1985, but the FIA announced in 2008 that Formula Two would return for 2009 in the form of the FIA Formula Two Championship...
series that was highly successful from 1967–85. It will see 24 drivers competing in identical MotorSport Vision-run cars with a 400 bhp Audi
Audi
Audi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group....
engine over 16 rounds.
The FIA's overall concern was that the cost of competing in motor racing at a level to progress directly to Formula One today is so high that it prevents many talented drivers from having the opportunity to participate.
In September 2008 the FIA tender to supply the cars and operate the FIA Formula Two Championship was awarded to MotorSport Vision. Compared to rival series, Formula Two will cost significantly less per season whilst allowing drivers to prove their skill and develop their racecraft in identical vehicles designed by a six man team from WilliamsF1
WilliamsF1
Williams Grand Prix Engineering Limited, trading as AT&T Williams, is a British Formula One motor racing team and constructor. It was founded and run by Sir Frank Williams and Patrick Head...
, led by Director of Engineering Patrick Head
Patrick Head
Patrick Head , is co-founder and Engineering Director of the Williams Formula One team.For 25 years from Head was technical director at Williams Grand Prix Engineering, and responsible for many innovations within Formula One. Head oversaw the design and construction of Williams cars until May 2004...
. The series was marred by the tragic death of Henry Surtees
Henry Surtees
Henry John Surtees was a British racing driver and the son of John Surtees.-Formula BMW UK:Henry Surtees finished his debut season in the championship 7th in the overall points standings, and second in the Rookie Cup...
, who died in a fatal accident during a race at Brands Hatch
Brands Hatch
Brands Hatch is a motor racing circuit near West Kingsdown in Kent, England. First used as a dirt track motorcycle circuit on farmland, it hosted 12 runnings of the British Grand Prix between 1964 and 1986 and currently holds many British and international racing events...
.
MotorSport Vision Formula Three CupMotorSport Vision Formula Three CupThe MotorSport Vision Formula Three Cup or MSV F3 Cup is a national motor racing series that takes place primarily in the United Kingdom with a small number of events in mainland Europe...
MSV F3 Cup is an national motor racing series that takes place primarily in the United Kingdom with a small number of events in mainland Europe. It is a junior-level feeder formula that uses small single seater Formula Three built after 1980 and before 2005. The championship comprises nine rounds, each with two races. Each race weekend will comprise of one 25 minute qualifying session and two 20 minute races.The 2011 season will see rounds held in England at Snetterton 300 (Two Rounds), Donington Park, Brands Hatch Indy, Brands Hatch GP and Oulton Park International. There is one round held in Wales at Anglesey Circuit International and one round in Belgium at Spa Francorchamps. Another round is still to be announced.