Driver Database News

Market Harborough-based Cameron Twynham enjoyed an encouraging start to his 2012 InterSteps campaign with Fortec Motorsports at Oulton Park Island, Cheshire on Saturday.

16-year-old Twynham, who was named Junior Sportsman of the Year at the Harborough Mail Awards in 2011, contested his first two races of the 23-race InterSteps Championship at the ever popular Cheshire circuit, with strong results, finishing as top rookie in race two.

Cameron qualified sixth fastest for Saturday’s first race and drove well, holding position for much of the twenty-minute race as he fought hard to defend from Fortec teammate. Eventually Car 3 got the better of the teenager – who is one of the youngest drivers in the field – demoting Twynham to seventh place on the last lap of race one.

With his first car race completed, Twynham was altogether more relaxed and confident for Saturday’s second and final race, and it showed in his performance. Having secured a fifth place grid slot, he raced well from the outset and was part of a hard-fought four-car battle for the third spot on the podium. Cameron pushed hard, and was forced to both attack and defend as a far more experienced James Fletcher mounted an assault on the Market Harborough-based star in the closing stages of the race. A relentless Fletcher snatched fifth spot from Twynham towards the end of the race, as Twynham drove home to a solid sixth place, finishing as the top rookie racer and top rookie in the championship after the first 2 races.

Speaking on Saturday Cameron was pleased with his improvements over the weekend: “I’m really happy with my progress – I was quite nervous for race one but once that was out the way I was a lot more relaxed and I really enjoyed race two. It was great to be in the hunt for a podium finish in just my second race.”

Fortec’s InterSteps Team Manager Steve Lynch was impressed with Cameron’s progress: “The whole team did a great job over the weekend, and Cameron made significant steps forward from race one to race two. It was great to see him in a really strong battle for third and it’s certainly shaping up to be a very competitive season.”

The next round of the InterSteps Championship takes place at Donington Park, Leicestershire April 21-22.

Formula BMW InterSteps star James Peace has been selected to represent the MSA Academy at the prestigious Henry Surtees Trophy. James used to watch Henry drive around home kart tracks Rissington and Shenington, and jumped at the chance to support the event. “Getting support to do Motorsport is exceptionally difficult, so an opportunity like this is a perfect chance to give something back to organisations and charities.”

Having shown recent form in the InterSteps Championship, taking 11 podiums from 18 finishes which included 2 wins, 2 poles, 3 fastest laps, 2 second places and 7 third places, the MSA selected James to drive for the Academy Team. It was at Buckmore Park last year that James sealed the Junior TKM British Championship, in which he dominated the season, taking 8 podiums from 12 races and 4 wins.

The Henry Surtees Trophy, organised by former F1 world champion John Surtees, raises awareness for the Henry Surtees Foundation annually, but also gives British drivers the opportunity to race against the very best in British Motorsport, and James will feel right at home, racing alongside established singe seater drivers Oliver Webb and Harry Tincknell in the MSA team.

The event on Thursday 20th October will be the first time James has driven a Kart competitively since his step up to single seaters at the start of the year.

“I cannot wait to drive a kart again, it seems like forever and I would not pick a better track to race than Buckmore, it’s quite possibly the best track I have ever raced at and I have fond memories!”

James Continued, “Not only is this a great charity event, but it is an opportunity for me to network with contacts and discuss options for 2012, so I would like to thank Greg Symes and the MSA Academy for giving me this opportunity and making this possible”.

James Peace finished a strong year in the Intersteps Championship claiming 2 wins, 11 podiums, 2 pole positions and 3 fastest laps, but even considering this fantastic set of results, his future is far from certain.

Unlike many of his competitors for the 2011 championship, Peace had only 2 days testing before the season started. “That put me on the back foot for a while”, said James.

Peace knows that in order to be competitive, a rigorous winter programme of testing and training is required whilst at the same time he needs to raise funding for next year. “I am capable of more than I achieved this year and I am looking for funding to show that. My wins at Thruxton weren’t just wins, I dominated that meeting and I intend to do that all next year”, vowed Peace.

Motaworld are keen to retain the services of the 17 year old Oxfordshire driver, but with interest in the series being so high it might be difficult to hold a seat open for Peace. “We are looking at running a 3 or possibly 4 car team next year, so there are options. James is a consistent front runner and his technical ability is top drawer”, stated team principle Alan Waite.

Peace’s budget plight is nothing new in motorsport, however with his results from this year and support from the MSA through the MSA Academy he is a recognised talent that should be supported. “2012 is going to be tough, with focus on a large athletics event taking the limelight, motorsport and its associated industry will have to work harder to gain the column inches it requires, what better way to do that by associating your products or services with a young up and coming talent?”, said James’ manager.

For enquiries please contact info@jamespeace.net

Photo by Jakob Ebrey Photography.