Motorsport Magic
AA teams feel the need for speed
Fans of the track will be pleased to hear that the AA has two racing teams, and they're competing in a raft of events this year. Why not show your support and go along to a race or two.
Historic Racing Team
The AA's Historic Racing Team was established in 2000, largely to give our patrols a fresh platform to display their mechanical skills. Patrols Ian Gillespie, Tony Knott and Andy McMorran provide valuable support.
The team has two drivers – AA Technical Information Specialist Rory Stockbridge competes in 1970s Roadsports championships, in his Lotus Europa FAX 158K. Former AA manager Peter Shaw races in Historic Roadsports, for pre-1970s cars, in his Lotus Elan 423 VHX. The team has even enjoyed success in many competitions, including the Formula 2 championships.


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AA historic racing events
30 March, Donington
Stockbridge (70s Roadsports) - 4th
13 April, Cadwell Park
Stockbridge (70s Roadsports) - 3rd
Shaw (Historic Roadsports) - 1st
10-11 May, Silverstone
Stockbridge (70s Roadsports) - 1st
Shaw (Historic Roadsports) - 7th
31 May-1 June, Snetterton
Stockbridge (70s Roadsports) - 2nd
Shaw (Historic Roadsports) - 5th
28-29 June, Brands Hatch
Stockbridge (70s Roadsports) - 3rd
Shaw (Historic Roadsports) - DNF
25/26 July, Silverstone Classic invitation race (non championship)
Stockbridge (Europa) - 6th and 5th
Shaw (Elan) - DNF
3 August, Castle Combe (70s Roadsports race only)
Stockbridge (Europa) - 3rd
Shaw (TVR Tuscan) - 4th
23-25 August, Oulton Park (70s Roadsports race only)
Stockbridge (Europa) - 5th
Shaw (TVR Tuscan) - 7th
13 September, Brands Hatch
Stockbridge (Europa) - 3rd, including class win and fastest lap securing the class c (under 2 litre) title for 2008
Shaw (Elan) - Engine problems and clutch failure
4-5 October, Donington Park
Stockbridge (Europa) - Fastest lap but driveshaft failure on final lap
Shaw (Elan) - Clutch failed
18 October, Silverstone
Stockbridge (Europa) - 6th
Shaw (Elan) - Did not run
www.aaracing.co.uk - the website for the AA Historic Racing Team
Caterham Roadsport Challenge Team
Last month the AA also launched its Caterham Roadsport Challenge team, who'll be racing in eleven events at seven of the UK's top motor circuits this year.
Sponsored by J&J Conversions, Panasonic, and Selection one recruiting, the Caterham team's novice racing drivers are Steve Ives, the AA's manager of Road Operations Public Sector Development and Scott Illman, a Southampton patrol and former 'AA patrol of the year'.


And then there were four (May 2008)
In May the AA Caterham team doubled in size as Steve and Scott were joined by two "AA associated" drivers, Amit Patel and Graham Tavender.
Though not directly sponsored by the AA, Amit and Graham will share facilities at race meetings and their cars carry the AA race team logo. The picture below shows the whole team (left to right) Steve, Amit, Scott and Graham.
And with expansion came success as Amit scored his first, and the AA Team's first podium position with a first overall at a wind hammered and rain drenched Castle Combe meeting at the end of May.

AA Caterham Roadsports Challenge events
26 May, Castle Combe
Patel - 1st
Tavender - 11th
Illman - 21st
Ives - 26th
22 June, Cadwell Park
Patel - 8th
Tavender - DNF
Illman - 9th
Ives - 16th
12 July, Oulton Park
Patel - 10th (2nd overall in championship)
Tavender - 7th
Illman - 13th
Ives - 23rd
9-10 August, Silverstone
30-31 August, Donington Park
17-18 October, Brands Hatch
Patel - 3rd (finished 2nd overall in this year's championship)
Tavender - 14th
Illman - 8th
Ives - Unable to race (damaged car and bruised ribs) after hitting the tyre wall heavily at Paddock bend in practice on the thursday
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20 July 2010

