Successful British GT motor racing team Team Trimite Brookspeed is revving up to officially launch its Ducati British Superbike team at Festival Place Shopping Centre, Basingstoke, on Wednesday 16 April. The Southampton-based outfit will unveil a Ducati 1098R, to be ridden by Australian Brendan Clarke in the Daily Star Cup, plus British Star Leon Morris’ Ducati 1098S for the Metzeler Racetec National Superstock 1000 support race within the 2008 Bennetts British Superbike Championship.
The hugely-successful motorsport team established in 1997 is already well-known in the ranks of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship, this year running a mighty Dodge Viper Competition Coupe for James Gornall and Southampton’s Jon Barnes. Both drivers and the stunning GT car will join the two riders and bikes plus key team personnel before heading for the opening rounds of the UK's biggest domestic racing championship, the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Thruxton circuit, near Andover.
Festival Place visitors will have the rare chance to get up close to the racing bikes and car as well as two road-going versions of the Ducati 1098R, the fastest road bike, in Porchester Square. In addition, the mouth-watering Dodge Viper Competition Coupe, which makes its next race appearance at Knockhill, in Scotland later this month, will enable shoppers to marvel at over half a million pounds worth of racing car.
The Team Trimite Brookspeed pitstop at Festival Place not only offers the opportunity to drool over these fantastic racing machines but also the chance to rub shoulders with some of the best riders and drivers in the country. Local British GT ace, Jon Barnes from Southampton, will be in attendance to meet his fans at Festival Place alongside team-mate James Gornall.
Brendan Clarke and Leon Morris, facing the challenge of their first full season contesting the Bennetts British Superbike Championship for the fledgling team, will also be available throughout the day at Festival Place to pose for photographs and sign autographs. Brendan and Leon will be joined by the former World Superbike Endurance Champion and Brookspeed Team Technical Consultant, biking legend Terry Rymer.
Team Trimite Brookspeed Team Principal, Martin Braybrook, commented: “We have chosen to launch our 2008 British Superbike campaign at Basingstoke’s Festival Place because of its central position to our local supporters. Thruxton is our home track so a pre-season event at Festival Place also presents the perfect opportunity to meet some of the enthusiasts who will no doubt be travelling to see us in action at Thruxton, whether racing bikes or cars.
“When we visited Thruxton last year with the Avon Tyres British GT Championship, we enjoyed brilliant sunshine and immense local support, so we are hoping for more of the same. I hope everyone will enjoy getting up close to the car and bikes while chatting to the drivers and riders.”
Steven Connolly, Festival Place Centre Director, added: “We are delighted to welcome Team Trimite Brookspeed to Festival Place, Hampshire’s regional shopping destination, for the first time and wish the team all the best in their 2008 endeavours. This high-powered showcase will be of interest for all motorsport enthusiasts, regardless of whether you prefer two wheels or four.”
To add to the adrenalin rush at Festival Place, Team Trimite Brookspeed has teamed up with Thruxton circuit to offer shoppers the chance to join the thousands of spectators sure to flock to the Hampshire circuit for free. First prize in the Festival Place free prize draw not only includes a pair of tickets to watch the Bennetts British Superbike action at Thruxton on Sunday 20 April but also a VIP behind-the-scenes visit to the Team Trimite Brookspeed Ducati pit garage to meet the team and riders.
Two additional pairs of tickets to attend the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Thruxton on Sunday 20 April are also up for grabs. All entries must be received by 8pm on Thursday 17 April and the winners will be drawn and contacted on Friday 18 April. Simply pick up your entry form in-centre and post it in the entry box on the Information Desk or in Porchester Square on Wednesday 16 April.
