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With so much happening in the MSV world in 2015, there were many
fantastic moments worth celebrating, including standout events at
our circuits, in our many race championships and series and
MSV-affiliated drivers.
It's been hard to pick the best, but here's a top ten of
our favourites from the year.
Jolyon Palmer graduates to F1 and stars at Lotus Brands Hatch
appearance
After dominating his rivals to win the 2014 GP2 title, Jolyon was
determined to buck the trend of recent GP2 champions by graduating
to Formula 1. With no seats available on the 2015 grid he did the
next-best thing and signed for Lotus F1 as Third and Reserve
Driver, taking part in 13 First Practice sessions on Grand Prix
weekends and also a filming day at Brands Hatch, where fans watched
Jolyon, Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado take to the wheel of
the E23 Hybrid and the legendary Type 72 as well as taking part in
an autograph session. Jolyon's performances impressed the team and
at the US Grand Prix it was announced that he would graduate to the
race team, lining up alongside Maldonado in the squad, which has
recently been taken over by Renault.
Huge crowd attends American SpeedFest
III
The third American SpeedFest drew a massive crowd to Brands Hatch,
with many of the younger visitors no doubt attracted by a star
appearance by Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater from Disney and
Pixar's hit movie Cars. They also got to enjoy a huge range of
displays and entertainment, all drizzled in Stateside razzamatazz.
This included headline action on the track from the NASCAR Whelen
Euro Series, which was graced by racing royalty when Jeffrey
Earnhardt, grandson of Stock Car legend Dale, competed in the
races.
MSVR makes Formula E's Battersea Park finale a
resounding success
A nail-biting climax to the inaugural FIA Formula E Championship
in London saw Nelson Piquet Jr take the title ahead of Sebastien
Buemi and Lucas Di Grassi after two days of frantic action. The
event itself was the realisation of many months of hard work, much
of which was carried out by MSVR, who also ensured that the track
activities ran without a hitch. This included last-minute changes
to the course, which used existing roads along Battersea Park that
were not originally designed for motor racing.
Two-wheeled legends at Cadwell
Two different kinds of two-wheeled sport were celebrated at
Cadwell Park in the summer, starting with the British Cycling Time Trial in June. The list
of competitors was headlined by Paralympic legend Dame Sarah Storey
and former winner Alex Dowsett. Whilst Storey lost out to Hayley
Simmonds in the women's category, Dowsett regained his men's title.
He just missed out on completing the course within an hour,
something that perhaps could be blamed on a minor
indiscretion at the Mountain, for which he expected plenty of
teasing from his friends and family in motorsport!
One month later legends of motorcycling visited Lincolnshire,
with Giacomo Agostini and Phil Read headlining a host of stars who
took part in parades and appearances at the International Classic. The event also included
classic racing and displays, and the guest list featured Jim
Redman, Sammy Miller, John Reynolds, Jamie Whitman, James
Haydon, Steve Plater, Derek Chatterton and John
Cooper amongst a galaxy of two-wheeled heroes. For all of those who
attended, it was a magical return to a golden era of the sport.
Second-generation BRDC F4 car makes its
debut
Whilst the first three years of the BRDC Formula 4 Championship
have been a resounding success, revitalising UK single-seater
racing in the process, the original car was reaching the end of its
lifespan. Rather than just replace the car with a new design, BRDC
F4 Championship Director Jonathan Palmer took the opportunity to
upgrade the Ralph Firman-designed car's replacement, the
Tatuus-Cosworth. With more power and downforce, it has attracted
established single-seater teams Carlin, Fortec and Double R, and
impressed on its debut in the 2015 Autumn Trophy, won by Ben
Barnicoat.
Gordon Shedden wins his second BTCC title at
Brands Hatch
The British Touring Car Champion is traditionally crowned at the
final event of the year, and for the last four seasons this has
taken place at Brands Hatch. What made 2015's finale so special is
that ahead of the final race of the season on Sunday 11 October,
there was a very good chance of a last-minute upset. Honda's Gordon
Shedden had a healthy lead over rival Jason Plato (Team BMR), but
clever tactics from Jason prevented the Scotsman from getting a
decent grid position for race two. Mired in the midfield, Shedden
fell to the bottom of the top 20 following contact. With Jason
on pole for race three, Gordon needed to impress. And he did,
climbing to fourth place to claim his second tin-top crown.
Josh Brookes storms his way to the MCE BSB
title
In the opening half of the 2015 season, Shane Byrne had seen off
an early challenge from James Ellison, and was picking up the
momentum required for a fifth title. That all changed at Brands
Hatch, which started with Shakey taking pole and expecting to win
in front of his home fans. But then he was beaten by Milwaukee
Yamaha's Josh Brookes in both races. He probably didn't expect
it to happen again, but it did. Twelve times in total, and on the
final occasion he became the first Australian since Troy Bayliss to
win the BSB title.
MSV expands into Europe with the purchase of the
Laon-Couvron facility
MSV announced the freehold purchase of a substantial former
military airbase in north-east France in November. The complex will
be developed into a huge motorsport village, Laon Autodrome, which
will include a 5-mile circuit. Facilities will include a number of
circuits, an asphalt oval track, drag strip, rally stages, 4x4
courses, an urban road driving centre, vehicle workshops and
garages, hospitality facilities, restaurants and guest
accommodation. Phase one is planned to open in April 2018, with
construction starting in Spring 2017.
PalmerSport's Bradley Philpot competes in the Race
Of Champions
The Race of Champions returned to London in 2015, and this
coincided with a public 'ROC Factor' vote for a promising driver to
join the superstars at the end-of-season multi-discipline event.
PalmerSport instructor Bradley topped the poll, and after winning a
qualification test he went on to drive a range of vehicles,
including the Ariel Atom that he drives at PalmerSport, and a
Radical, which is similar to the JP-LM. He used the versatile
skills that PalmerSport demands from its instructors to impress the
crowd at the former Olympic Stadium, even beating big names such as
Sebastian Vettel, Nico Hulkenberg, Mick Doohan and Sir Chris
Hoy.
Will Palmer wins the McLaren Autosport BRDC
Award
It was a year in which Will stepped out of the shadow of father
Jonathan and brother Jolyon, laying claim to the BRDC F4 title with
a dominant run of 12 victories, half of the 24 rounds. He would
usually beat his rivals into submission with a succession of fast
laps to establish an unassailable lead, leaving them to squabble
over the scraps. This commanding performance led to a nomination
for the prestigious McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver award,
which he won following a rigorous assessment process, and in doing
so follows in the footsteps of David Coulthard, Dario Franchitti
and Jenson Button.
You can enjoy many more great moments with MSV's range
of Season Passes, available from £79. Click here for more information or to purchase a
pass.
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