TEAM Rockingham will be on the starting grid for the first round of the 2008 Pickup Truck Championship when the new season gets under way on Easter Monday.
Twenty-one drivers have entered the opening round of the prestigious 10-meeting racing series being held at Brands Hatch - including Rockingham-backed Antony Hawkins. The 42-year-old former Hot Rod champion will be running in the colours of the Northamptonshire circuit in his #98 Rockingham liveried truck as part of a season-long sponsorship deal.
As part of the package Antony will receive vital track time and will promote driving days at Rockingham, where members of the public can get behind the wheels of a range of authentic racing cars. Antony will be making special appearances at selected events including the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship at Rockingham on April 12/13, to promote the circuit’s four pickup races.
Antony hopes to be among the leading pack challenging current champion Steve Dance and his main rivals Nic Grindrod and Gavin Seager, who are all bidding to win their third title.
“The opening round of a new season is always very exciting as everyone is full of optimism and raring to go,” said Antony, “although we are quietly confident, we know to achieve success this season there is still a lot to do. This is the first time we have had the opportunity to sport our new Team Rockingham colours and we hope to get off to a great start.”
The championship will be held at circuits across the UK, which includes four meetings at Rockingham. The series comes to the Northamptonshire circuit on April 19/20, May 25/26, July 12/13 and September 27/28.
Charlotte Orton, Director of Sales & Marketing at Rockingham, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Antony and Team Rockingham this season, and wish them every success in the opening round this weekend.”
Antony, a technical manager from Sutton Coldfield, switched to pickup truck racing in 2004 after starting his racing career in 1996. He won the Standlake Championship in 1998 and the Outlaw Hot Rod crown in 2001.
For more information or to book a driving day, contact the Rockingham Team on 01536 271273
