SVG Motor Sport News

The Citroen C1 24 hour endurance race takes place on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit. 60+ C1s driven by club racers compete in this fun, low-cost endurance series. The cars are standard first-generation Citroen C1s. Modifications are tightly controlled with engines and transmissions being kept standard. Only the club supplied modifications are allowed to the suspension. The modifications are designed to reduce tyre wear.

In the 2021 event, Andy Johnson joined forces with ex-Ginetta drivers Robert Morgan, Steve Moore and Andy Ball. They entered the event just to have some fun. While tucking into a prerace stake and chips they noticed other teams were practising their pit stops and driver changes. Perhaps others were taking this slightly more seriously and could explain the 56th spot on the grid of 58 cars!

Andy’s first stint in the car was a bit of an eye-opener. Not only had he not raced in six years, but it was also the first time he had driven the car and there had been no testing. A very busy season for SVG meant Andy could only finish preparing his car on the day before the event! But the teams’ experience showed and they converted 56th to 27th after 404 laps were completed over the 24 hours.

His years race will be 20 – 22 May 2022 – Silverstone GP

The success of SVG Motor Sport means owner Andy Johnson is usually too busy to get behind the wheel himself.
He has been well known for campaigning his Toyota Corona in classic car racing events in the past. The Toyota has had outings at The Goodwood Revival and even a support race at the British Grand Prix.

Andy managed to squeeze in a couple of outings during 2021. A trip to the south coast for the historic Brighton Speed Trials and across to Surry for the Shere Hill Climb.

The Speed Trials classes put the Toyota in with the likes of Caterhams, so success was never on the cards. Andy instead lined up with some MX5s and an MG hatchback. The fairer match in terms of weight and power made for an enjoyable day.

Following decisions by the organisers of the British Touring Car Championship and British GT Championship the start of the season has been delayed until May.

The season will consist of 14 races at seven rounds across the UK.

Round 1 – Thruxton – 08/09 May (BTCC)
Round 2 – Brands Hatch (GP) – 22/23 May (British GT)
Round 3 – Silverstone (GP) – 26/27 June (British GT)
Round 4 – Donington Park (GP) – 10/11 July (British GT)
Round 5 – Snetterton (300) – 7/8 August (British GT)
Round 6 – Croft – 18/19 September (BTCC)
Round 7 – Donington Park (GP) – 16/17 October (British GT)

2020 has been a different sort of year for everyone and it was not the season SVG were expecting. Early on there were doubts there would be a season at all. The Ginetta racing did not start until the beginning of August, but a full season was completed in only a few months.

Three rounds at each of the five events meant a 15 round championship was achieved. The team visited Oulton Park, Donington Park twice, Brands Hatch and Snetterton. SVG drivers competed in the GT40 Cup, Chairman’s Challenge, GRDC, GT5 Challenge and also Britcar.

2020 was probably SVGs best yet in Ginettas. They have enjoyed a lot of podiums, race wins and a series win. Young drivers Owen Hizzey and Rory McKean have been outstanding.

Rory, a winner of multiple karting titles in Kenya, was taking part in his first-ever year of car racing. It was always intended to be learning year for Rory, but it has been made harder due to covid restrictions preventing him from being able to do any testing.

Going into the first meeting Rory had not only not raced cars before, he had never sat in the Ginetta either. The first round resulted in a badly damaged car. A car ahead span off the track and smashed into Rory as it came back onto the circuit.

Strong and improving performances throughout the season culminated in a credible 8^th overall in the championship, only four points less than the 5^th place finisher. Without the first round accident 5^th could so easily have been achieved. (Read more about Rory here.)

Owen completed two years in the JSCC before switching to SVG and Ginettas. Owens first year with SVG was a stellar one with nine visits to the podium from 15 starts. The season culminated in a race win at the last round at Snetterton and third place in the GT40 Cup championship.

Owen’s potential is clear and is backed up by him having been chosen for the Motorsport UK Acadamy. Only 27 people are given this opportunity. It is a talent development pathway that equips the UK’s most promising young drivers with the knowledge, skills and attitude needed to maximise their performance.

Mark Lee and Neil Wallace competed in the Chairman’s Cup championship with great success finishing first and third respectively. Graeme Bishopp and Stephen Moore ran in the GRDC category finishing third and fourth respectively.

SVG ran another Ginetta for Peter Spano in the GT5 Challenge which runs as part of the Britcar series. Running in the trophy category, this series consists of 20-minute qualifying sessions and two 50-minute races. They include a mandatory pitstop, allowing cars to be shared with two drivers.

After five rounds and ten races, Peter finished sixth overall in a field of 31 cars. He racked up five podium places, and most importantly, finishing every one of the races. Critically, in an endurance championship SVG had prepared a reliable car born out of their experience running Ginettas. SVG has quickly become a front running team in Ginetta racing, having only entered the series in 2016. It is seen as a friendly team, something that is often commented upon in the paddock at race meetings. It is the way they like to go racing and believe it is not just more enjoyable that way but beneficial too. The drivers work together in this environment and help each other to improve. Next year SVG hope to have another two Ginetta’s joining the fold – they are going to need a bigger transporter!