27/07/2020  

OLIVER CLARKE EXCITED TO MAKE LONG-AWAITED BRDC BRITISH F3 CHAMPIONSHIP DEBUT AT OULTON PARK

OLIVER CLARKE EXCITED TO MAKE LONG-AWAITED BRDC BRITISH F3 CHAMPIONSHIP DEBUT AT OULTON PARK

Oliver Clarke will make his long-awaited BRDC British F3 Championship debut at Oulton Park this weekend (August 1/2) and the 17-year-old is excited hit the track as he targets making a strong start to his 2020 campaign.

Having seen the start of the season postponed for more than three months due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the single-seater series will finally roar back into life around the Cheshire venue with four high-octane races scheduled to take place.

Representing front-running team Hillspeed as they celebrate their 50th anniversary this year, the Torq Racwear athlete feels more prepared than ever heading into his maiden season behind the wheel of F3 machinery.

Whilst UK lockdown restrictions meant that Clarke wasn’t able to get any track time in for a while, the multiple karting champion ensured he was working hard from his King’s Lynn home – both physically and mentally.

Recently, Clarke ramped up his preparations for the new season with successful test days at Donington Park and Silverstone before bringing his pre-season test programme to a close at Oulton Park.

Clocking plenty of mileage as well as benefitting from the expertise passed on from Fewkes Sports Management’s Head of Driver Development Jordan King, Clarke is raring to be let off the shackles and showcase what he is capable of.

Oliver Clarke:

“I’m so excited to finally be able to get back racing! Due to COVID-19 it has been a long time coming but I think the extended layoff has only allowed me to prepare even more and I feel ready to compete against what is an ultra-competitive field.

“Over the past few months I’ve been working on being the best version of myself both in and out of the car and I’m confident that that will come across once we hit the track at Oulton.

“I’ve had plenty of running around the circuit in pre-season and we’ve performed well there, making improvements all the time.

“Given how condensed the calendar is we know we are going to be in for a busy few months, starting this weekend. If we can score some solid points, mix it towards the front and most importantly stay out of trouble, then I’ll come away from Oulton on Sunday night happy.”

To view all the important times that Clarke will be on track this weekend at Oulton Park, plus more, click here. 

10/07/2020 No Comments  1

OLIVER CLARKE CLOCKS VALUABLE TESTING MILEAGE AS PREPARATIONS RAMP UP AHEAD OF 2020 SEASON-OPENER

Oliver Clarke has ramped up his preparations ahead of the new BRDC British F3 Championship season over the past week, showcasing impressive pace on his return back behind the wheel during test days at both Donington Park and Silverstone.

More than 100 days since he last put his Hillspeed-prepared machine through its paces, the 17-year-old hit the ground running and showed no signs of rustiness despite the recent coronavirus lockdown preventing him from driving.

As the countdown to his eagerly-anticipated debut in Britain’s premier single-seater series intensifies, Clarke racked up the mileage as he continued his pre-season test programme.

On Friday 3rd July, Donington Park provided the backdrop for the Torq Racewear athlete’s first post-lockdown test.

Under the flightpath of East Midlands airport, Clarke lapped competitively in both dry and wet conditions – fuelling his and the team’s confidence ahead of the revised campaign.

One week later and Clarke – who hails from Kings Lynn – descended on the home of British motorsport, Silverstone, and delivered another flawless performance on the Grand Prix layout of the famous venue.

Joined by Fewkes Sports Management’s Head of Driver Development Jordan King, Clarke benefitted from the wealth of racing experience King has built up down the years having enjoyed stints in Formula One, IndyCar and the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Battling challenging track and weather conditions once again, the former multiple karting champion underlined his credentials as one to watch in 2020 with a string of impressive laps around the Northamptonshire circuit.

Oliver Clarke:

“It has been really great to finally get back behind the wheel of a race-car and sharpen my skills ahead of what is going to be a busy few months of racing due to the condensed schedule.

“Both test days at Donington Park and Silverstone proved to be hugely beneficial as it not only allowed us to blow the cobwebs away but also try some things that we perhaps wouldn’t have had the opportunity to try during the season.

“Our times have been really encouraging and having somebody such as Jordan in my corner is only going to benefit me further as I can draw on all of his experience and hopefully apply it to what I’m doing.

“It has been a long time coming but the start of the season is now well within sight and I’m feeling really confident that we can make our mark on the championship once racing gets underway.”

Jordan King:

“There’s no doubt that Oliver is a very promising talent and we have been delighted with the way that he has adjusted to life in the BRDC British F3 car so far.

“To come out of lockdown and be straight on the pace is a credit to Oliver and the work that he is currently putting in behind the scenes. We’ve made some very good progress during the past week.

“We’re under no illusions that the BRDC British F3 grid will be ultra-competitive this year, but are convinced that Oliver has the ability take it all in his stride and compete at the front.”

16/06/2020 No Comments  1

OLIVER CLARKE IMPRESSES THROUGHOUT BRDC BRITISH F3 iRACING CHAMPIONSHIP AS NEW SEASON DRAWS EVER-CLOSER

Oliver Clarke brought the curtain down on his BRDC British F3 iRacing Championship campaign in impressive fashion this past Sunday (June 14), capping off a competitive five weeks of virtual competition and further underlining that he will be one to watch once real racing resumes.

With the start of the BRDC British F3 Championship postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the single-seater category elected to stage a five-round championship in association with Apex Racing TV; with the grid made up of past and present British F3 racers.

Representing Hillspeed, the 17-year-old enjoyed a strong showing at Oulton Park where he took a best finish of sixth before then powering his way to pole position at the legendary Spa Francorchamps. Whilst the results didn’t fall his way around the Belgian Formula 1 circuit, Clarke showcased his ruthless speed and race craft.

Moving onto Silverstone, the Torq Racewear athlete once again qualified on the front row and went on to score what would be a fourth place finish, his best result of the series.

Pole position and two high points-scoring finishes would follow at Brands Hatch the next week before Clarke signed off with another pair of front-running performances at Donington Park, netting a sixth place finish in the opener before narrowly missing out on the top ten in the finale.

Whilst his iRacing exploits have taken centre stage during the past month, the King’s Lynn-based teenager has also been ramping up his preparations for the start of the 2020 motorsport season too.

Training at home has been recently coupled with sharpening his skills behind the wheel by karting at Whilton Mill – all in a bid to ensure he is ready to make his eagerly-anticipated debut in the category.

Recently, the BRDC British F3 Championship announced a revised 24-race post-lockdown calendar which is set to start on August 1/2 at Oulton Park. From there the series will make three visits to Donington Park whilst also comping at Brands Hatch, Snetterton and Silverstone – which will play host to the series finale in early November.

Oliver Clarke:

“Having the opportunity to race in the BRDC British F3 iRacing Championship has been fantastic and I’m very happy with the results that I’ve been able to achieve. I was on the pace at every circuit we went too, especially over one lap, and I’d like to think that I showed what I’m capable of moving forward.

“Being in the middle of a pandemic and lockdown, these have been unprecedented times but the past five weeks have been really enjoyable and has proven to provide invaluable exposure to all of my loyal partners – it has opened up a new audience that we perhaps wouldn’t have been able to reach in normal circumstances.

“I’ve really learnt a lot from this experience and it is something that I’m sure that is going to benefit me when we get back to real racing in August. It feels like forever since I was last out on-track but I’m relishing have the opportunity to do just that – and I feel more than ready for the challenge that lie ahead.

“Huge credit must go to the organisers for putting together a 24-race calendar over such a short space of time. It is going to be all-out action and I can’t wait to get started!”

15/05/2020 No Comments  1

OLIVER CLARKE REVVED UP FOR RACING RETURN IN BRITISH F3 iRACING CHAMPIONSHIP

Oliver Clarke will get back behind the wheel of a race car this coming Sunday (May 17) – albeit it virtually – as he takes part in the inaugural British F3 iRacing Championship, which is being launched in association with Apex Racing TV.

With the 2020 motorsport season currently suspended due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Clarke’s eagerly-anticipated graduation to the single-seater category with Hillspeed has been placed on hold until a new schedule has been confirmed.

In the absence of real racing, the Torq Racewear athlete will instead be getting the competitive juices flowing by representing Hillspeed amidst a packed grid of current and former British F3 drivers in the five-round championship.

The ‘virtual’ season-opener will begin around Oulton Park and will be followed by visits to Spa Francorchamps, Silverstone, Brands Hatch and Donington Park.

Each round of the iRacing Championship will comprise of two races plus practice and qualifying, and will be broadcast live from 6pm BST on the official BRDC British F3 Facebook page and YouTube channel.

The overall winner of the championship will be presented with the coveted ‘The Jack Cavill Trophy’ and a magnum of champagne.

Oliver Clarke:

“These are unprecedented times at the moment with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic so it is great that we are able to get back to some form of racing with the British F3 iRacing Championship.

“Since lockdown began I’ve been putting in the hours on my home sim and although nothing can replace the sensation of driving a race car, this is pretty close. It’s been keeping me sharp, both physically and mentally – which has been important whilst we wait for the season to begin.

“With all five events being streamed live on a variety of platforms, this will be a fantastic opportunity to stream my brand to an extra audience that we potentially wouldn’t have normally, and that can only be a huge benefit to my loyal partners.

“Looking at how competitive the entry list for the iRacing Championship is suggests that we are all going to have to be on top form; however I’m confident that I will be able to mix it towards the front. I’m really looking forward to get going over the next five weeks!”

British F3 iRacing Championship Calendar

May 17 – Oulton Park (International)
May 24 – Spa Francorchamps
May 31 – Silverstone (Grand Prix)
June 7 – Brands Hatch (Grand Prix)
June 14 – Donington Park (Grand Prix)

26/03/2020 No Comments  1

JORDAN KING JOINS FEWKES SPORT MANAGEMENT AS HEAD OF DRIVER DEVELOPMENT

Fewkes Sport Management is set to strengthen its position as one of the leading motorsport athlete agencies after recruiting FIA World Endurance Championship ace Jordan King as its Head of Driver Development.

Utilising over 30 years’ of knowledge within the motorsport industry, Fewkes Sport Management has become synonymous for its knowledge across all areas of high-profile championship organisation, corporate sponsorship analytics and activation within sport, as well as athlete management.

Focusing on a wide variety of areas, designed to maximise client success, the ever-growing company is set to hit new heights following the addition of King.

Having enjoyed stints in Formula One and IndyCar, whilst currently spearheading Ginetta’s quest for glory in the FIA World Endurance Championship, the 26-year-old will bring his expertise to FSM and its fledgling cliental.

Will Fewkes, FSM founder, said:

“To have a world-class driver of Jordan’s calibre join Fewkes Sport Management as our Head of Driver Development is a real coup for the company moving forward.

“FSM was initially set-up because I felt that given our world-class experience in directing OEM motorsport programmes and promoting leading racing championships, we could really add an extra dimension to the guidance of a young driver’s development and to brands looking to activate sponsorship within sport.

“Jordan’s wealth of experience within Formula One, IndyCar and the World Endurance Championship will only further add to that and all of our clients are set to reap the benefits.”

Jordan added:

“I am really excited that Fewkes Sport Management have brought me onboard to help develop their drivers throughout their journey on motorsport ladder.

“I’m looking forward to bringing my wealth of racing experience,  and coupled with Will Fewkes’ invaluable knowledge of directing OEM motorsport programmes, I believe that we can maximise clients potential and opportunity moving forward.”

17/03/2020 No Comments  1

OLIVER CLARKE IN OPTIMISTIC MOOD FOLLOWING BRDC BRITISH F3 MEDIA DAY

Oliver Clarke will head into the opening round of the BRDC British F3 Championship season at Oulton Park next month in optimistic mood following the series’ official Media Day at Snetterton, which took place earlier this week.

Having put pen to paper on a deal to graduate up into the series with the race-winning Hillspeed outfit late last year, the 17-year-old has been working hard behind the scenes in readiness for the eagerly anticipated curtain-raiser.

In what was one of the first collective outings for a majority of the 2020 field at the Norfolk venue, the Torq Racewear Athlete – who hails from Kings Lynn – enjoyed a productive two days of running around what is his local circuit.

Making the step up into the high-profile category after competing in the F4 United States Championship last year, Clarke wracked up the mileage as he continued his pre-season testing schedule.

Sporting a new red and gold livery in honour of Hillspeed celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year, Clarke and the team worked through a thorough testing programme in what were cold and sometimes drizzly conditions.

Alongside testing, Clarke also took part in the traditional interviews and photoshoots that take place on the BRDC British F3 Media Day as well.

Oliver Clarke:

“Since we made the announcement that we would be stepping up into BRDC British F3 this year we have been keeping our heads down and working hard to get things how we want them.

“From my own personal fitness to continuing to find the sweet spot in what is a new car for both me and the team, we have been putting in the hours and hopefully we will reap the benefits of that hard work as the year progresses.

“We weren’t really going for overall lap times during the sessions as we have little bits we are working on however it was good to share the track with the rest of the grid for the first time and see where things stack up.

“I feel as prepared as I ever have done going into a new season and I’m optimistic that we can hit the ground running at Oulton Park next month.”

The 2020 BRDC British F3 Championship roars into life on April 11/13, with Oulton Park playing host to the opening three races of the campaign.

24/10/2019 No Comments  1

OLIVER CLARKE JOINS HILLSPEED FOR 2020 BRDC BRITISH FORMULA 3 CHAMPIONSHIP

Oliver Clarke will graduate to the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship in 2020 after signing with race-winning outfit Hillspeed.

The 16-year-old makes a move to the series after several strong performances in the F4 United States Championship powered by Honda over the past two seasons.

Stepping up to the single-seater ranks having enjoyed unrivalled success in karting, the Norfolk-based racer set about making his mark stateside with a string of eye-catching performances, taking a best finish of fifth at Road Atlanta earlier this year.

Whilst he has made a name for himself behind the wheel, Clarke continues to reap the benefits of the expertise passed on by Fewkes Sports Management, a boutique sports management agency that develop elite racing drivers and represent him.

As part of his 2020 evaluation process, Clarke got to grips with the Tatuus-Cosworth F3 car at Oulton Park and Donington Park earlier in the year – gelling with the rear-wheel-drive machine instantly.

Completing a deal with what is widely regarded as one of the most successful teams in UK motorsport, Clarke is relishing the prospect of working with Hillspeed and has his sights set on becoming a regular front-runner in the championship next year.

Commenting on his move to the prestigious championship that has propelled the careers of so many drivers, Clarke said: “I’m over the moon to be able to confirm my plans for next year at such an early stage; a huge thanks must go out to my family, FSM, partners and sponsors for helping me to be in the position that I am now in.

“The BRDC British F3 Championship is a proven championship and the perfect platform for me at this point in my career and age. Having tested the car in recent weeks it quickly became apparent as to how good the car is, and that made things even clearer that this is what we wanted to do.

“Joining a team with the pedigree that Hillspeed has is only going to serve me well too and I’ve every confidence that we can enjoy plenty of success moving forward. I’m just raring to go and can’t wait to see what we can achieve together. Hopefully towards the front of the field.”

Hillspeed Team Principal, Richard Ollerenshaw, added: “It goes without saying how delighted we are to have completed a deal with Oliver to race with Hillspeed in BRDC British F3 next season. He’s a terrific young talent, an exceptionally promising young driver, and he’s already shown his ability during the testing we’ve done together so far.

“Securing our first 2020 driver signing just ahead of the final weekend of the current campaign really is fantastic news for Hillspeed and puts us in a very good place ahead of the off-season.

“I’m very confident Oliver will quickly establish himself as a strong contender in his maiden year of Formula 3, and we’re looking forward to helping nurture and develop his obvious skills.”

To find out more information on the BRDC British F3 Championship, Hillspeed and Fewkes Sports Management, click the links.

28/06/2019 No Comments  1

OLIVER CLARKE PRODUCES BATTLING F4 PERFORMANCE IN PITTSBURGH

Oliver Clarke endured a frustrating second event of the season in the F4 United States Championship powered by Honda this past weekend (June 21/22/23) as he tackled the Pittsburgh International Raceway.

Coming off the back of a battling performance at the Road Atlanta season-opener, the Velocity Racing Development driver had his sights on fighting further towards the front and scoring a another solid haul of points.

Having been fully focussed on his exams back at home in recent months, Clarke returned to American soil keen to get back behind the wheel and joined a majority of the grid for a two-day test in Pittsburgh prior to the event.

Fine-tuning the car during the test and then free practice, the 16-year-old endured a tough qualifying session around the 17-turn, 2.78-mile circuit. Setting a best time of 1:43.235, the Fewkes Sports Management hotshot ultimately finished the ultra-competitive battle for pole position back in 15th.

Lining up on the eighth row of the grid for race one, Clarke didn’t stay in 15th for long as he was on the move as soon as the lights went out. Scything his way past a handful of drivers during the opening stages, Clarke was soon into the top ten and on the back of an almighty scrap for seventh place.

Tucked up behind Christian Brooks, the former karting champion attempted to utilise all of his overtaking prowess but was unable to make a move, settling for tenth place as he took the chequered flag.

With the grid for the second race of the weekend determined by drivers’ in-race fastest lap from the opening encounter, the Norfolk-based racer lined up on the grid in tenth.

Dropping the clutch as the action roared into life, Clarke found himself in the thick of the action but sadly dropped down the order and ultimately finished a lap down on the leaders.

Keen to bring the curtain down on his weekend with a high, the sophomore season racer started the third and final 15-lap sprint from 14th.

In what proved to be another exhilarating encounter, the teenager narrowly missed on another top ten finish as he hounded the back of Josh Bethune and Guilherme Peixoto – ultimately crossing the line in 11th.

Oliver Clarke: “It has been a tough weekend and I don’t think the results are a fair reflection of the pace and potential we had coming into the weekend. We’re learning as a team all the time however and although the results haven’t fallen our way there are plenty of positives to take away.

“One top ten finish is frustrating but we are well aware of how competitive this championship is as a whole and it is still wide open.

“I don’t think we are too far away from that breakthrough result; we’ve just got to keep working hard as a team, make progress and I’m sure it will come.”

14/06/2019 No Comments  1

OLIVER CLARKE AIMING FOR PITTSBURGH PODIUMS AS F4 UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP CONTINUES

Oliver Clarke will return to action in the F4 United States Championship powered by Honda next weekend (June 21/22/23) as the Pittsburgh International Raceway plays host to Rounds 4, 5 & 6 of what is proving to be an ultra-competitive 2019 season.

Having been one of the stars of the show at the Road Atlanta season-opener, battling back from an engine fire to score a career-best finish of fifth, the 16-year-old is fully focused on further making his mark towards the sharp end of the grid.

Spearheading Velocity Racing Development’s charge in the single-seater category, the former karting ace is no stranger to the 2.8 mile Pittsburgh International Race Complex having competed at the venue for the first time last year, scoring a best finish of 11th.

Sitting ninth in the Drivers’ Championship currently, the Fewkes Sports Management driver has his sights set on scoring a breakthrough podium finish as he bids to kick his campaign up a gear.

Oliver Clarke: “It has felt like an eternity since I was last behind the wheel so I’m looking forward to getting back Stateside and seeing what we can achieve. The past month or so has been purely focused on my exams too so it will be good test myself in a different way.

“Heading to Pittsburgh we can be optimistic of what we can achieve; had it not been for the fire in race one at Road Atlanta then our weekend could have been very different in terms of results. Everyone at Velocity Racing Development has been working hard since the season-opener and I have every faith that they will give me a car capable of being right at the front.

“We were close to the podium last time out and that has to be the aim in Pittsburgh. The championship is shaping up to be ultra-competitive and I’m ready for the fight!”

23/04/2019 No Comments  1

OLIVER CLARKE DIGS DEEP TO SCORE CAREER-BEST F4 UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP FINISH

Returning for a second year in the ultra-competitive single-seater series with Velocity Racing Development, the 16-year-old scored a career-best finish of fifth place in the third and final encounter of the weekend – capping off a memorable comeback.

After refining the car during both practice sessions around the 2.54 mile circuit, qualifying looked set to be a frenetic session however Clarke and the rest of the grid would ultimately be unable to take to the track to duke it out for pole position.

Heavy rain, strong winds and lightening caused flash floods at the venue and qualifying was cancelled, with grid positions for the season-opener based on the fastest times from practice – meaning Clarke would line up ninth for round one.

Lining up inside the top ten, the Norfolk-based racer enjoyed a strong start to the seven-lap encounter however his aspirations of the podium were dashed soon after as an engine failure forced him to grind to a fiery halt.

With substantial damage to his rear-wheel-drive machine, Velocity Racing Development worked overnight to ready the #62 for race two the following day, and Clarke repaid his team’s hard work with a scintillating performance.

Starting from the pit lane, the former karting ace underlined his overtaking prowess as he scythed his through the order, securing one jaw-dropping overtake after another.

Dispatching a handful of drivers on the opening tour, Clarke soon became a force to be reckoned with as his striking VRD machine firstly edged into the top 20, and then into the top 15.

Hounding the back of Ryan MacDermid and Wyatt Brichacek in the closing laps, the British teenage sensation narrowly missed out on the top ten at the chequered flag, instead settling for 12th overall.

Virtue of the starting grid for race three being based on the fastest lap times from the previous race, Clarke lined up on the outside of the front row for the final encounter in second place.

Lacking rear tyre temperature, Clarke lost a handful of spots as the lights went out but was soon back on the tale of the leading pack. Try as he might, Clarke was unable to find his way past those ahead of him and crossed the line in fifth – his best finish to-date in the championship.

Oliver Clarke:

“Kicking off the weekend, we made lots of improvements throughout testing and we lined up for race one feeling confident. Sadly an engine fire put pay to our chances of making an impact towards the front of the field.

“The team were brilliant and a lot of credit must go to them as they worked through the night to ensure we could get on the grid for races two and three the next day. To go from the pit lane to 12th in that second race was fantastic and set us up for a strong final race.

“Wheel spin off the line and then being pushed wide early on scuppered our progress but we bounced back and brought the car home in fifth, which is my best finish to date in the championship.

“Looking ahead to the next round I’m confident that we will be firmly in the mix towards the front. We can take a lot of positives from the opening event and there is still a little bit of speed to find but we will get there. I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can do next time.”

Following the opening round of the season, Clarke leaves Road Atlanta sitting ninth in the Drivers’ Championship.

The F4 United States Championship powered by Honda resumes at the Pittsburgh International Race Complex on June 21/22/23 for the second event of the season.