Webb to thrill the crowds on both sides of the Atlantic in 2012

Ahead of making his full season debut in the Firestone Indy Lights Championship, British racing driver Oliver Webb has confirmed that he will continue his involvement with supercar manufacturer BAC, including demonstrating Mono at both the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power (15-17 June) and the Goodwood Festival of Speed (28 June-1 July).

Webb, a member of the prestigious MSA Elite Team UK, has been involved with BAC as test driver throughout the development of the 280 bhp single-seat Mono and he will return to the Pageant of Power after an impressive show last year, where he was among the top runners. He will also make his debut on the famous Hill route at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, which will again see some of the greatest names in motorsport behind the wheels of a wide variety of modern and historic supercars and racing cars, from around the world.

Alongside these commitments in the UK, 20-year old BRDC Superstar Webb has now settled in the USA with the Sam Schmidt Motorsport (SSM) team in preparation for the first race of the 2012 Firestone Indy Lights Championship which will be on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida over the weekend of 24-25 March. Prior to this, Webb will undertake a busy test schedule with his Lucas Oils-sponsored racer throughout the next month.  The eight-date testing programme gets underway at the Firebird International Raceway, Arizona, before visiting MSR Houston, Sebring and finally the Homestead Miami Speedway.

Commenting on his on-going work with the BAC Mono, Webb explained: ‘It has been a really great experience working with the team at BAC, and being involved with the testing of the Mono throughout the various stages of development. It will be fantastic to demonstrate the car over the summer, and it’s a real honour to return to the Pageant of Power and to have the opportunity to take part in the Goodwood Festival of Speed alongside some of motorsport’s greatest names.’

On the preparations and prospects for the new season, Webb continued:  ‘The 2012 season is already shaping up to be really exciting and probably my busiest to date. I have worked hard on my fitness over the winter break and I am really looking forward to getting back out on track this month, and getting up to speed with the team as quickly as possible. The test programme is quite intense, but it is great opportunity to get fully prepared ahead of the first race.’

Full 2012 Firestone Indy Lights race calendar:

24-25 March                   Streets of St Petersburg (1.8-mile / street course)

31 March-1 April  Barber Motorsports Park (2.3-mile / road course)

14-15 April                     Streets of Long Beach (1.968-mile / street course)

25 May                          Indianapolis Motor Speedway (2.5-mile / oval)

2-3 June                        Raceway at Belle Isle Park (2.1-mile / street course)

23-24 June                     Iowa Speedway (0.875-mile / oval)

7-8 July             Streets of Toronto (1.755-mile / street course)

21-22July                      Edmonton City Centre Airport (1.973-mile / airport course)

5 August                        Streets of Trois-Rivieres, Quebec (1.521-mile / street course)

1-2 September                Streets of Baltimore (2.0-mile / street course)

15 September                 Auto Club Speedway (2.0-mile / oval)

One event TBA which should run alongside the 16th IndyCar event.

For information on Oliver Webb, visit http://www.oliwebbracing.com/ or follow him on twitter, www.twitter.com/oliverjameswebb.

Visit http://www.indycar.com/indylights/ for additional information on the Firestone Indy Lights Championship.

Further information regarding the BAC Mono, which most recently claimed the accolade of ‘Stig’s Car of the Year’ for 2011 in the BBC Top Gear Awards, can be found at www.bac-mono.com.

British racing driver Oliver Webb has returned from winter training in Dubai as he continues preparations for what is shaping up to being a busy year.  Following his impressive debut last year, Webb will contest the full Firestone Indy Lights Championship calendar which has now been confirmed for 2012.

The 12-race calendar visits legendary circuits around the USA and Canada, supporting a number of the IZOD IndyCar Series meetings, and includes temporary street courses, permanent road tracks and challenging ovals. For the tenth year, the championship gets underway in Florida and 20-year old Webb will make his first full-season debut on the streets of St Petersburg over the weekend 24-25 March.

Eight circuits that hosted Firestone Indy Lights races in 2011 return, with two of the three circuits Webb already has experience of confirmed for the new season. In July, Webb will return to the Edmonton Airport circuit where he made his Indy Lights debut in 2011, securing third place, before heading back to the Baltimore street circuit over the first weekend of September.

Webb, a member of the prestigious BRDC Superstars, joins the Sam Schmidt Motorsport (SSM) team alongside 2011 Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear champion Tristan Vautier from France, and Brazilian Victor Carbone who returns to the team having won the 2011 Firestone Indy Lights Las Vegas finale.

Ahead of the season opening race, Webb will take part in the full testing programme on a variety of circuits around the USA with SSM throughout February.

Commenting ahead of his move to the US, Webb explained: “This year is looking more and more exciting, and I have been working hard over the winter so I can hit the ground running as soon as I arrive in America. From the initial experiences I had last year, it was clear that the Firestone Indy Lights Championship is extremely competitive and I want to make sure I am in the best shape possible for the first race in St Petersburg.’

Alongside his competitive commitments in the USA, Webb will also continue to be involved with the testing and development of the British BAC Mono supercar. As a BRDC Superstar driver, the young Brit will also continue to have links with the British Racing Drivers Club as well as working closely with the children’s charity Starlight. Webb Will be on main stage at the Autosports Show, NEC, Birmingham on Friday 13th, 3pm as well as competing in the Charity Celebrity kart race.

Full 2012 Firestone Indy Lights race calendar:

24-25 March                  Streets of St Petersburg (1.8-mile / street course)          

31 March-1 April            Barber Motorsports Park (2.3-mile / road course)

14-15 April                    Streets of Long Beach (1.968-mile / street course)

25 May                         Indianapolis Motor Speedway (2.5-mile / oval)

2-3 June                        Raceway at Belle Isle Park (2.1-mile / street course)

23-24 June                    Iowa Speedway (0.875-mile / oval)

7-8 July                         Streets of Toronto (1.755-mile / street course)

21-22July                      Edmonton City Centre Airport (1.973-mile / airport course)

5 August                       Streets of Trois-Rivieres, Quebec (1.521-mile / street course)

1-2 September              Streets of Baltimore (2.0-mile / street course)

15 September               Auto Club Speedway (2.0-mile / oval)

One event TBA which should run alongside the 16th IndyCar event.

For more information on Oliver Webb, visit http://www.oliwebbracing.com/ or follow him on twitter, www.twitter.com/oliverjameswebb.

Visit http://www.indycar.com/indylights/ for additional information on the Firestone Indy Lights Championship.

British racing driver Oliver Webb will line up on the grid in the United States for the 2012 season after signing with Sam Schmidt Motorsports to contest the 2012 Firestone Indy Lights series.

The 20-year old will drive the team sponsored car for Indianapolis-based Sam Schmidt Motorsports, who are represented in both the Firestone Indy Lights and IndyCar championships.

Webb’s move to the US comes off the back of three outings in this year’s Firestone Indy Lights championship, in which he showed impressive speed and talent, including a podium finish on his debut in Edmonton with Canadian team Jensen MotorSport.

Following this strong showing, Webb was then invited to take part in a two-day test in Indianapolis with the Sam Schmidt Motorsports team where he again showed competitive pace and impressed the team by running quickest for much of the tests.

Webb, a BRDC Superstar driver and member of the prestigious MSA Elite Team UK, was considering other offers for the 2012 season including GP2, and had also been in discussions with a Formula One team about possible development plans receiving a contract through with only funding being the limiting factor. Oliver is however relishing the challenge that the Indy Lights series offers. ‘This is a really exciting step in my career and I am delighted to have signed with Sam Schmidt Motorsports for 2012. The decision to move to America was a big, but essentially easy, one to make. The experiences I have had in Indy Lights so far have been fantastic. I am really looking forward to the new challenges that the 2012 season will bring and I know that I will be competing with the best possible support. I am now 100% focused on racing in the US and see this opportunity as the first step towards competing in the Indy Car championship in the future’ explained the 20-year old Cheshire-born racer.

He added: ‘The three races and the two-day test that I completed this season were a steep learning curve, and 2012 will bring more new circuits and experiences, but I cannot wait to be back on track and it is great to have this deal in place going into the winter break. This is a real motivator for me and I can now focus solely on my fitness and be in perfect shape, mentally and physically, for the first round of the new season.’

Sam Schmidt commented “I have been waiting for this day for quite some time,” Schmidt said. “I invited Oli and his father to the Toronto race in 2009 and have been trying to get him into the series ever since. He is extremely dedicated, focused and has raced in some very competitive European series. He proved he can drive an Indy Lights car when he finished third in his first outing this past season. With his four Indy Lights starts in 2011, we look for him to be at the front of the grid in St. Pete and a championship contender all season.”

Webb’s move to the Firestone Indy Lights series follows a competitive year in British Formula 3 with Fortec motorsport being the only other driver to lead the championship, finishing 3rd in the championship with 3wins, 15 podiums and many fastest laps. In 2011, he competed a successful rookie season in World Series by Renault with the Catalan-based PONS Racing team.

Ahead of his move to the US, Webb will attend both the BRDC and Autosport Awards, as well as appearing at the Autosport International at Birmingham’s NEC in January.

For more information on Oliver Webb, visit http://www.oliwebbracing.com/ or follow him on twitter, @oliverjameswebb, www.twitter.com/oliverjameswebb <http://www.twitter.com/oliverjameswebb> .

Visit http://www.indycar.com/indylights/ for additional information on the Firestone Indy Lights series visit

Webb lights up Alderley Edge

Following his final competitive outing of 2011 under the bright lights of Las Vegas, local racing driver Oliver Webb has returned to the North of England to switch on the Christmas lights in Alderley Edge.

Dressed in his full race suit and crash helmet, Webb arrived at the event in an example of the Shelby GT500, nicknamed ‘Eleanor’, made famous by the film ‘Gone in 60 Seconds’. 

In front of a large crowd of residents from the surrounding areas, the BRDC Superstar was joined on stage by glamorous assistants in the form of the Cheshire Cat Events’ ‘lolly dollies’ before being counted down to push the plunger and officially start the festive celebrations with a bang, as the town was lit up by a fantastic fireworks display.

Commenting on the evening’s activities, MSA Elite driver Webb explained: ‘I am very proud of my Northern roots, so it was a great honour to be invited to switch on the Christmas lights here in Alderley Edge.  After a busy season racing in both Europe and in the US, it is fantastic to be back in Cheshire and to be asked to be a part of these activities which I used to attend when I was younger.’

Webb has also been asked to open the Christmas market in his home town of Knutsford on Friday 2 December, where he will be joined by the town’s mayor.

Following an impressive rookie year in the World Series by Renault championship, as well as several strong outings in the Firestone Indy Lights series, Webb is currently in the process of finalising his plans for 2012, while firmly focusing on maintaining his levels of fitness throughout the winter break with a rigorous training programme.

In addition to this, Webb has an extensive media schedule and will also continue his involvement with British sportscar maker BAC at Silverstone, with driver training and media events in the both the Mono and the GRP simulator.

Visit http://www.oliwebbracing.com/ for more information on Oliver Webb, or follow him on twitter, www.twitter.com/oliverjameswebb.

For additional information on the development work Oli has been involved with on the BAC Mono, visit www.bac-mono.com.

Webb completes two day Indy Lights test at the Brickyard

Following his three outings in the 2011 Firestone Indy Lights championship, including a third place finish on his American debut, British rookie Oliver Webb has returned to the United States to complete a two day test with Sam Schmidt Motorsports.

The MSA Elite driver showed strong potential in the official Indy Lights test at the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which offered Webb the opportunity to gain further experience on ovals, as well as the Formula 1 circuit.  It also gave the Sam Schmidt Motorsports team an opportunity to evaluate the 20-year old’s performance as he considers his options ahead of the 2012 season.

The BRDC Superstar driver’s performance throughout the test was extremely strong, impressing the team with his initial speed, and running quickest for much of the two-day session.  However, a fuel pump failure brought his test to an end prematurely while in P1 on the second day.

Following the two-day test, Webb explained: ‘It was a great to be back in an Indy Lights car, and to be given the opportunity to be part of this test with the Sam Schmidt Motorsports team.  The car felt really strong from the start, and we managed to improve our times throughout the sessions, especially on the new tyres.  It is a shame that we were hit with the failure which ended our test, but I am really pleased with the overall performance.’

Commenting on the team and his future, Webb continued: ‘The guys have been incredible over the last few days, and have given me a real insight into the team and the series as a whole. This has been a valuable experience, and I have really enjoyed being part of the incredible atmosphere at motorsport events in America.  I am currently evaluating all options available to me and, after my experiences in the last few events in the USA, this is an exciting avenue that I am keen to look into as I look to take the next steps in my career.’

Webb now heads back to the UK to continue his involvement and development work with British sportscar maker BAC at Silverstone, with the launch of the single-seat Mono.

Visit http://www.oliwebbracing.com/ for more information on Oliver Webb, or follow him on twitter, www.twitter.com/oliverjameswebb.

For additional information on the development work Oli has been involved with on the BAC Mono, visit www.bac-mono.com.

 Mixed fortunes for a determined Webb as he ends rookie WSR season on a high

Track:                           Circuit dé Catalunya, Spain

Track length:                4.655 km (2.892 mile)

Date:                            Friday 7 – Sunday 9 October, 2011

Race 1:                         29 laps

Qualifying:                    Pos: 8; Time: 1m 33.246s  + 0.682s

Result:                          Pos: DNF

Race 2:                         26 laps            

Qualifying:                    Pos: 17; Time: 1m 33.661s  + 1.318s

Result:                          Pos: 6; + 20.945s

It was a weekend of highs and lows for British racer Oli Webb at the final race meeting of the 2011 World Series by Renault (WSR) season at the Circuit dé Catalunya, Spain. After his strongest qualifying performance of the year, Webb was forced to retire from the weekend’s first race, while a difficult second qualifying spurred the young rookie on to end the season on a high, finishing in sixth place.

The MSA Elite driver made a strong start to the weekend, quickly feeling comfortable with his car set-up and optimising track time throughout free practice. This put him in a strong position ahead of qualifying for the first race of the weekend and, running on a new set of tyres, Webb was immediately challenging the front-runners. Consistently competitive lap times throughout the session saw him looking good for a top 10 grid slot , and as the chequered flag fell, the 20-year old rookie was in a eighth place, alongside PONS Racing team mate Nick Yelloly.

A difficult start to the race saw Webb lose a place off the line, but he showed his true determination and regained eighth place into turn one, and made up a further two positions by turn four running close behind Yelloly. However, as Webb approached the turn 10 hairpin, a late move by Anton Nebylitskiy saw the Russian outbrake himself and make contact with the fast-charging Brit.  This impact caused a puncture and extensive damage to the rear suspension of Webb’s car bringing his race to a premature end.

Looking to put the disappointment of Race 1 behind him, Webb showed real pace in the second qualifying session of the weekend. Webb was again near the top of time sheets from the start of the session, and after his initial run he was sitting in third place. The BRDC Superstar was feeling increasingly confident in the dry conditions around the 4.655 km circuit and, on his second run of the session on a new set of tyres, he posted the fastest time overall. However, an electrical fault cut this run short and Webb was forced back to the pits as the session approached the end, meaning he was unable to improve his time and had to watch as he dropped back through the field, finally ending the session in 17^th.

An extremely strong start to race two saw Webb immediately move forward two places on the run down to the first corner, and he continued this charge taking two further positions with a bold move up the inside of turn three. He then set about chasing down 12^th position, before the deployment of the safety car saw him hold position as the grid was closed up. After the restart, Webb was stuck in 13^th for a number of laps, behind Kevin Kourjous who was struggling with a gearbox problem.  Once he made his way past, Webb set about closing the gap to the group in front.  Making the most of the clear track, he pushed hard and posted a number of extremely quick lap times before making a scheduled pitstop for new rear tyres.

A quick stop by the PONS Racing team, and a clean exit, saw Webb rejoin the track in sixth place, and the Knutsford-born star then started to work on the gap up to the group of three cars in front battling over third. Despite pushing hard, and making the most of the extra grip offered by his new tyres, Webb was unable to progress any further through the field, crossing the line in sixth place, and as second placed rookie.

After the final race weekend of his rookie World Series by Renault season, Webb explained: ‘This has been a really mixed weekend for me and the team, but overall I am pleased with how we’ve performed.  We showed some real pace throughout qualifying and things looked good for the first race but we had some really bad luck, simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time.  We were really unfortunate in second qualifying, which set us back for today, but it was a great race and to be able to move up through the field and finish with my best result of the year, and on the rookie podium in the last race, is a great way to end the season.

Webb continued: ‘The PONS Racing team has really helped me this weekend, and throughout the whole season. It’s been a steep learning curve, but we have really progressed and this weekend has shown some of our true potential. I’m really glad I could get on the podium for what is the team’s home race – a great end to what has been a fantastic season.’

This sixth-place finish earns Webb eight championship points, and takes his season total to 17 overall. Webb finishes the season 21^st in the overall standings.

Webb now heads to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the U.S. state of Nevada to prepare ahead of his competitive oval track-racing debut this weekend, 14-16 October, in the Firestone Indy Lights championship finale with ExpoSystems Team Jensen.

For more information on Oliver Webb, and to track his progress throughout the remainder of this season, visit http://www.oliwebbracing.com/ or follow him on twitter, www.twitter.com/oliverjameswebb

Track:                                     Circuit dé Catalunya, Spain

Track length:             4.655 km (2.892 mile)

Date:                           Friday 7 – Sunday 9 October, 2011

Track:                                     Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Nevada, USA

Track length:             2.410 km (1.500 mile)

Date:                           Friday 14 – Sunday 16 October, 2011

After scoring valuable championship points and a rookie podium on his last outing, British racing driver Oliver Webb is hoping to end a testing World Series by Renault (WSR) season on a high as he travels to the Circuit dé Catalunya, Spain this weekend for the final round. 

Returning to where he first tested the Formula Renault 3.5 racer at the beginning of the year, 20-year old Webb is looking for a strong performance at the home circuit for his Catalunya-based team, PONS Racing. Since this initial outing, Webb has endured a mixed season, with his best result coming at Silverstone in front of his home crowd.

Far from winding down for the end of the season, BRDC Superstar Webb has been working hard in preparation ahead of the weekend, and will again race alongside Nick Yelloly, who makes his third appearance in the partner PONS Racing car. With Yelloly’s outing in the GP3 series earlier in the season, and the valuable test mileage Webb completed at the 4.655 km circuit, hopes are high that the team can optimise the cars’ set-up, and look for a double-points finish.

Commenting ahead of the weekend, Webb explained: ‘I am really looking forward to heading back to Spain for the season finale, and I hope I can end my rookie season with a strong result for the team. I think it’s fair to say that there have been difficulties throughout the season, and we have made some mistakes, but we have learned from them. Looking where we were in terms of speed and performance, we have come a long way since the first test.

‘Every race weekend has been a steep learning curve for us all, and I have worked with a number of different team mates throughout the season which has meant consistency has been difficult. It is great to have Nick as my team mate again, as we work well together and his experiences are really beneficial to both me and the team.’

In addition to preparing for his final WSR outing of the 2011 season, Webb has been busy with activities in the United States where he has already made a strong impression in two rounds of the Firestone Indy Lights championship, and will return to action for the season’s finale in Las Vegas.

Following his last outing on the streets of Baltimore, MSA Elite driver Webb has now had his first experience of oval track racing. Webb excelled in only his third experience in an Indy Lights car at the famous Kentucky Speedway, testing at speeds in excess of 200 mph and obtained his oval racing licence at the first attempt. 

‘Testing on an oval circuit was a real eye-opener!  It is much more demanding than I ever imagined but it is great to be able to learn a new skill and get some extra experience behind the wheel ahead of what is sure to be a fantastic race in Las Vegas. The speeds involved are amazing, and I just cannot wait to get back in the car now!’ he explained.

In honour of the venue, the Cheshire-born star will line up with ExpoSystems Team Jensen over the weekend 14-16 October in a Las Vegas-themed racesuit and boots, complete with roulette wheel and dice designs, specially designed by Freem Racewear.

For more information on Oliver Webb, and to track his progress throughout the season, visit http://www.oliwebbracing.com/ or follow him on Twitter, www.twitter.com/oliverjameswebb.

Webb scores rookie podium in Le Castellet

Track:                           Paul Ricard HTTT, France

Track length:                5.842 km (3.630 mile)

Date:                            Friday 16 – Sunday 18 September, 2011

Race 1:                         25 laps

Qualifying:                    Pos: 14; Time: 1m52.207s  + 0.784s

Result:                          Pos: 11; + 49.636s

Race 2:                         23 laps            

Qualifying:                    Pos: 15; Time: 2m15.641s  + 2.505

Result:                          Pos: 10; +20.247s

British racing driver Oli Webb returned to the World Series by Renault this weekend, 16-18 September, as the championship visited the Paul Ricard HTTT circuit in Le Castellet, France for the first time. Two strong races saw him on the rookie podium for the second successive round, and 11^th and 10^th place finishes.

Feeling confident with the car’s set-up after a strong performance during the weekend’s free practice sessions, the 20-year old MSA Elite driver posted a series of quick lap times throughout qualifying for Race 1 to put him near the top of the timesheets.  With 10 minutes of the session remaining, looking good for a top 10 grid slot, Webb pitted for fresh tyres and headed out for one final run.  However, an incident out on track meant Webb’s final lap was compromised and, with the top 20 drivers separated by just one second as the chequered flag dropped, Webb ended the session in 14^th.

Track conditions for Race 1 were dry with high levels of grip, but Webb lost two places as he struggled to get off the line.  Despite this initial set back, the BRDC Superstar driver worked hard to regain track position but was stuck in heavy traffic throughout the 25 lap race.  Webb continued to apply pressure to the cars in front, and when two cars in the leading pack came together in the latter half of the race, Webb’s quick reactions saw him move up to 13^th.   With clear air ahead of him, Webb then set about hunting down 12^th place and, with a strong exit out of the final corner, Webb moved into the slipstream as he crossed the line with three laps to go and pulled off an impressive overtake into the first chicane.  Webb then maintained this position to cross the line 12^th overall and third place rookie driver, meaning a second consecutive rookie podium-finish after his impressive outing at Silverstone last month. Following second-placed Albert Costa’s post-race disqualification, Webb was promoted to 11^th overall.

Webb and his PONS Racing team-mate Nick Yelloly adapted quickly to the difficult conditions during qualifying for Race 2 on Sunday morning.  Heavy rain brought a new challenge to the 5.842km circuit in the Côte d’Azur, but both PONS Racing drivers got to grips with the slippery surface and, feeling increasingly happy with the set-up of their PONS Racing Formula Renault 3.5 racers, Webb provisionally ended the session in second place and Yelloly in fifth. However, Webb’s start position for Race 2 was later amended to 15^th after his fastest lap time was subsequently deleted from the timesheets when it was deemed that he had exceeded the track limits.

Following the heavy rain that had affected qualifying, conditions for Race 2 were slippery but Knutsford-born Webb got off the line well and immediately moved up to 14^th. However, he was forced off the track at Turn 1 as he avoided an incident involving several of the leading group and, when he rejoined the track, he had moved back to 15^th.

Despite the dry conditions, the track’s surface offered much less grip than earlier in the weekend, but Webb quickly settled into a comfortable rhythm, posting consistent and competitive laptimes and applying constant pressure to the group of cars ahead of him. With a threat of rain throughout the race, the team ran Webb as long as possible, and when he did eventually stop, it was for another set of slick tyres.  A string of competitive laps, combined with a strong performance by the PONS Racing team during the scheduled stop, moved Webb up into the points, battling for eighth as he exited the pitlane.  Unfortunately, with his rear tyres not fully up to temperature, he was outbraked into Turn 1 and held station in 10^th place, where he remained until the chequered flag.

Webb explained: ‘It has been a mixed weekend for us at Paul Ricard. We arrived feeling quite confident after testing here earlier in the year, and I felt really happy with the performance and set-up of the car. We showed some real potential during qualifying and the races, and it was nice to secure another rookie podium‘.

Ahead of the season finale, Webb continued: ‘Heading into the final race of the season in Barcelona, I am feeling really positive with the performance of the car, and it would be a great end to my rookie season if I could end on a high with a podium finish at what is the team’s home race.’

The ninth and final round of the 2011 World Series by Renault championship takes place at the 4.655km Circuit dé Catalunya, Spain over the weekend 7-9 October.

For more information on Oliver Webb, and to track his progress throughout the season, visit http://www.oliwebbracing.com/ or follow him on twitter, www.twitter.com/oliverjameswebb

Charity event raises £10,000 to grant the wishes of seriously ill children 

On Wednesday 7^th September, British racing driver Oli Webb celebrated his recent successes on the track with a star-studded party at Vodka Revolution in Wilmslow in aid of Starlight Children’s Foundation, which is a national charity that brightens the lives of poorly children.

With the BAC- Mono that Oli test drives parked outside as well as the new Mclaren MP4 12C and 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 and a host of glamorous girls in Formula 1™ chequered flag outfits, it was clear that the party was going to have a strong motor sports theme but this didn’t stop well known faces from the worlds of television and football from joining the young racing driver to support his chosen charity. 

The guests, which included Manchester City goalkeeper Shea Given and his wife Jane, ex premiership footballer Ashley Ward and wife Dawn and television legend Denise Welch, were treated to cocktails and canapés and a charity auction with fabulous prizes in aid of Starlight. 

During the evening, they also enjoyed to a spellbinding performance from Ashley and Dawn Ward’s eldest daughter Darby, music from a live band and mesmerising demonstrations from two contortionists. 

The event, which was supported by Oli’s sponsors Bacardi and Rookie Clothing and the Revolution team, raised £10,000 for Starlight and the money raised will help the charity grant the once-in-a-lifetime wishes of seriously and terminally ill children and provide entertainment in hospitals and hospices across the UK. 

Neil Swan, Chief Executive of Starlight Children’s Foundation, said, “Each year, Starlight brings smiles to over half a million poorly children and, with the generous support of Oli, his sponsors and his guests, we will be able to help many more children escape the pain and fear that they can feel as a result of their illness.  We are immensely grateful for Oli’s continued contribution to Starlight.”

Oli Webb, said, “With the help of the BRDC, I recently invited some of Starlight’s children to see me race at Silverstone and I was struck by how incredibly brave and determined they were in spite of the challenges that they face each day.  As a racing professional, I am getting to live my dream and I am so pleased that, through my involvement with Starlight, I am helping to make the dreams of some really deserving kids come true.”

Starlight grants once-in-a-lifetime wishes for seriously and terminally ill children, restoring the magic and fun of childhood and giving the whole family happy memories to share.

Starlight also creates entertainment in every hospital and hospice throughout the UK. Sick children go to Starlight parties, laugh their way through pantomimes, go out on Starlight Escapes, play games and watch films on the Starlight Fun Centre, and enjoy the toys and puzzles of the Starlight Distraction Box.  Happy children respond better to treatment and Starlight helps children to forget about their illness and simply have a bit of fun.

To refer a brave child or to make a donation, simply log on to www.starlight.org.uk or call 020 7262 2881.  For every £1 you donate, over 91p goes towards helping Starlight’s very ill children.

For press enquiries please contact Henny Breakwell on 020 7262 2881 or email henny@starlight.org.uk.

Webb represents the North as motorsport heads to his home

Local racing driver Oli Webb, who is currently competing in his rookie World Series by Renault season, joined 2009 Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button over the weekend to bring the world of motorsport to the streets of Manchester.

BRDC Superstar Webb took part in the three-day celebration of motorsport, Vodafone VIP Live, with the McLaren-Mercedes Formula 1 team who, along with Webb, is sponsored by luxury watchmaker TAG Heuer. It was just a short trip from Webb’s home in Knutsford to see Button demonstrate his McLaren-Mercedes on Deansgate.

The glamour is set to continue as MSA Elite driver Webb prepares for a red carpet charity event which will see a range of high profile celebrities at Revolution Wilmslow on Wednesday 7 September.   The ‘Formula’ fundraising evening, supported by the BRDC (British Racing Drivers Club) will be raising money for Starlight, the charity which brightens the lives of seriously and terminally ill children by granting them once-in-a-lifetime wishes and providing entertainment for children in hospitals and hospices throughout the United Kingdom.

Yorkshire-based cover band, Matrix, will provide the musical entertainment while the highlight of the evening’s proceedings will be a silent auction where a range of exclusive and desirable lots will go under the hammer.

The single-seat BAC Mono track car, which 20-year old Webb has helped develop, will be on display alongside a new Ferrari 458 Italia at the star-studded event. Local chocolatier Simon Dunn will also display a chocolate sculpture of Webb’s PONS Racing Formula Renault 3.5 racer.  Other supporters of the event include Bacardi, Rookie Clothing, Worthington’s Jewellers and Cheshire Cat events.

For more information on children’s charity Starlight, visit www.starlight.org.uk.

Round Eight of Webb’s rookie World Series by Renault season takes place 16-18 September at Paul Ricard HTTT.

For more information on Oliver Webb, and to track his progress throughout the season, visit http://www.oliwebbracing.com/ or follow him on twitter, www.twitter.com/oliverjameswebb