The aftermath of the Easter break is always a bit sluggish, especially if you’ve spent a long weekend devouring anything with a hint of sugar and cocoa in it. Don’t worry if you missed out on our industry-approved petrolhead diet last weekend though, because there’s a whole host of live and kicking coverage to keep you fit(ish) this time around!
Step one of our post-holiday blues remedy lasts for an entire day – non-stop, no nonsense and no prisoners. It’s certainly as tough as it sounds, but it’s the racers contesting the International Endurance Series’ inaugural Silverstone 24 Hours that will take the brunt. They’ll also need a lot of grunt if they’re to triumph over their rivals in this touring car special, which will see the competitors in the closely contested A2, A3, CUP1, D1, SP-Touring and TCR classes relentlessly pound around the UK circuit and work for any strategic advantage.
The reigning overall teams’ champion, Memac Ogilvy Duel Racing, will be the one to watch out for in the TCR class, after recording a particularly stunning victory at the season opener in Dubai. However, rest assured that their rivals, as well as racers up and down the 43-strong field, will be on hand to take things up another notch once more.
It’s about time that the single-seater contingent woke up from their wintery slumber, so it’s just as well that the youngsters in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship are getting revved up for the opening round of the season at Paul Ricard. After 2015 champion Felix Rosenqvist’s ascent to Indy Lights for this year, the shaken-up grid of fresh-faced young stars will once again gun for all-out glory.While Prema Powerteam certainly cleaned-up in last year’s championship, Motopark rookies Joel Eriksson, Niko Kari and Guanyu Zhou, as well as Van Amersfoort Racing’s Callum Ilott, demonstrated some very strong pace at the pre-season test in Vallelunga. Can they take the challenge to the defending champions? Don’t miss the opportunity to find out! You can also catch our delayed-as-live coverage of the TCR International Series season opener, which takes place in Bahrain on Sunday. It was at this point last year that the series received its somewhat spectacular baptism of fire, with the almighty championship battle between Pepe Oriola and Stefano Comini kicking off after a closely-fought duel to gain the upper hand throughout the weekend. With both hotshots remaining in the championship for a second year, you can look forward to a nail-biting curtain-raiser in a few days’ time!
In the interests of both balance and highly entertaining hooliganism, we thought we’d also put on highlights of the fantastic British MX Nationals’ trip to Preston Docks, which hosted the first round of this year’s campaign. From pros to juniors, every budding rider has the chance to prove their worth on the national stage among some of the country’s best two-wheeled daredevils, so tune in to experience competitive motocross at its meanest and leanest.To top all of that off, why not throw in some coverage of the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship and the exotic MRF Challenge Finals in Chennai as well? Job done!
Saturday 2nd April09:35 – LIVE FIA Formula 3 European Championship, Rd 1, Paul Ricard (Race 1)11:35 – British MX Nationals, Rd 1, Preston Docks12:30 – MRF Challenge Finals, Chennai (Day 1)14:00 – MRF Challenge Finals, Chennai (Day 2)15:30 – LIVE International Endurance Series, Rd 3, Silverstone 24 Hours
Sunday 3rd April08:40 – Delayed-as-live FIA Formula 3 European Championship, Rd 1, Paul Ricard (Race 2)09:25 – LIVE FIA Formula 3 European Championship, Rd 1, Paul Ricard (Race 3)10:15 – LIVE International Endurance Series, Rd 3, Silverstone 24 Hours16:30 – Delayed-as-live TCR International Series, Rd 1, Bahrain20:00 – BRDC British Formula 3 Championship, Rd 1, Snetterton
