British F3 & GT Championships kick off Oulton Park with Southport Rising Star Drive On The Grid!

AS Oulton Park’s major event season gets underway, this Easter weekend the track will see over 3 April to 5 April 2010, the Tarporley circuit host the opening round of the 2010 British F3 and GT Championships.

The Cooper Tires British F3 International Series is a premier training ground for future F1 stars, with Jenson Button, Nigel Mansell and Ayrton Senna among the legendary drivers to cut their teeth in the series. Oulton Park will host the debut of British F3’s new three race format in 2010, including an exciting reverse grid for race two.

Among the rising stars competing at Oulton Park this Easter are two local talents making their British F3 debut at their home circuit. Knutsford’s Oli Webb set a flying pace in a pre-season test in early March, posting the fourth quickest time of the day, whilst Southport's very own James Cole {ref}  who is the 2009 British Formula Ford champion {ref}, will be competing in the National Class competition for the T-Sport team – partnering Alex Brundle, son of former F1 driver and BBC commentator Martin Brundle.

A multi-million pound grid of impressive supercars will also take to the track over Easter weekend for two hour-long endurance races from the Avon Tyres British GT Championship. Famous marques including Ferraris, Porsches, Aston Martins and Lotuses will be competing, including a Ginetta G50 run by local squad Speedworks Motorsport from Sandbach, with Chester’s Jamie Stanley and Christian Dick from Northwich behind the wheel.

Oulton Park will also host special one-off entry in British GTs from new Anglo-American team United Autosport, who will run a pair of powerful Audi R8 LMS racers.

In addition, there will be a packed programme of off-circuit family entertainment including a fun fair, face painting, children’s treasure hunt, free pit walks on Easter Monday, circuit bus tours and meal deals in Chequers restaurant.

Tickets for the British F3/GT Championships are available from £24 for adults, with free entry for children aged 12 and  under. For more information call:- 0870 950 9000 or visit:- oultonpark.co.uk.

Entries open for Merseyside’s biggest bike ride

ENTRIES for the 17th Liverpool-Chester-Liverpool Bike Ride are now open!!!

Taking place on Sunday, 18 July 2010, the Liverpool-Chester-Liverpool Bike Ride will start at Old Haymarket, just outside the Birkenhead Tunnel entrance. The event will feature four rides this year:-

► A challenge ride of 54 miles = Liverpool - Chester – Liverpool

► A community ride of 30 miles = Liverpool - Chester

► A family ride of 25 miles = Liverpool - Thornton - Liverpool (Wirral Circular), 25 miles

► And a sportive route of around 90 miles.

The Liverpool-Chester-Liverpool Bike Ride is the only event with exclusive access to the Mersey Tunnel, which will allow participants to travel underneath the River Mersey, something which is practically impossible on every other day of the year, due to the volume of traffic passing through.

This year, event organisers, Pennine Events want to see more participants taking part than ever before.

Mark Sandamas, Director of Pennine Events commented:- "Over 2,200 cyclists took to Liverpool’s roads during last year’s Liverpool-Chester-Liverpool Bike Ride and we are hoping that even more people will feel inspired to get on their bikes and take part this year. Cycling is a fantastic way for people to have fun and get active and this event really does have something to suit all ages and abilities. Whether you’re a serious cyclist, or a complete novice, I’d encourage you to get on your bike this summer by joining in the Liverpool-Chester-Liverpool Bike Ride."

Local Liverpudlian and pro-cyclist, Pete Matthews, will be taking part in this year’s Sportive Route. He was a rider in last year’s event, and is already looking forward to the ride this summer.

Pete said:- "I take part in cycling events right across the UK, but the Liverpool-Chester-Liverpool route is by far one of the best. It offers lots of off-road paths to allow cyclists to take in and enjoy the scenery, and the event is always really well manned, with marshals at hand around every corner, which makes a huge difference to the overall feel of the ride. One of the main highlights of this event is the fact that participants get the opportunity to ride through the Mersey Tunnel, a five mile stretch which is otherwise closed to cyclists. This really adds a novelty factor to the day and makes it all the memorable, not only for first-timers, but for those of us who are used to these kinds of events."

The sponsors of this year’s Bike Ride are Liverpool PCT, Active City, Merseytravel & Chester Cycling Demonstration Town.

Dr Paula Grey, Director of Public Health at Liverpool PCT is keen to encourage more local people to take part in this year’s event. She commented:- "We are urging people to make a healthy change to their lifestyles over a long-term period. By signing up for the Liverpool-Chester-Liverpool Bike Ride, people could begin an active pursuit that will last for the rest of their lives. The Bike Ride is a fantastic way for people to have fun and get active and we’re delighted to be supporting it this year."

Councillor Mark Dowd, chair of Merseytravel added:- “The Liverpool-Chester-Liverpool Bike Ride has attracted tens of thousands of riders over the years and we want to help encourage lots of new cyclists to rise to the challenge and get into the saddle. This is a great opportunity to be part of something very special – either by taking part with other entrants or with friends and family.”

Entering the Liverpool-Chester-Liverpool Bike Ride is simple. Just log on to:- pennineevents.co.uk to enter online, or to download an entry form for your friends, family and colleagues.