BRITCAR - Zolder Belgium 22-23 October 2005
Mardi Gras took two cars to Zolder for Britcar's first meeting in Europe but neither car finished the race.
The McInerney Integra broke a driveshaft after an excursion through a gravel trap and the John George, Phil Bennett Civic broke a suspension joint, after hitting a curb.
ELF Renault Clio Cup - Brands Hatch 1 - 2 October 2005
The meeting was marred by a double roll by Amy Chambers. The first was at Paddock Hill bend in qualifying. The team worked hard to get the car out for the second race. Unfortunately she rolled again in what turned out to be a very eventful race. Although not seriously injured, she did damaged her wrist.
All of the Mardi Gras cars sustained damage in the second race and none finished.
|
Driver |
1
GRID |
1
RACE |
2
GRID |
2
RACE |
|
STEPHEN COLBERT |
7 |
7 |
6 |
DNF |
|
AMY CHAMBERS |
17 |
DNS |
17 |
DNF |
|
DAVE LOUDOUN |
15 |
14 |
15 |
9 |
ELF Renault Clio Cup - Silverstone 17-18 September 2005
Dave Loudoun joins Mardi Gras for this weekends race at Silverstone.
|
Driver
|
1
GRID
|
1
RACE
|
2
GRID
|
2
RACE
|
|
STEPHEN COLBERT
|
13
|
9 |
15
|
7
|
|
AMY CHAMBERS
|
16
|
11 |
16
|
DNF
|
|
DAVE LOUDOUN
|
17
|
12 |
17
|
13
|
BRITCAR 24 Hour Race - Silverstone 10-11 September 2005
Mardi Gras proud reputation in 24 hour racing was maintained with the two Honda's finishing 1st and 2nd in Production Class 2, 9th and 12th overall.
The 9th place car, the JAG Honda Civic was the first 2 litre car home, being beaten by six long distance sports cars and two 3.5 litre BMWs. Driven by John George, Julian Rouse, Ed Pead and Phil Bennett, the car was as high as 6th in the night before suffering some minor problems. It was necessary to change the front discs (one of which had seized on) and a drive shaft. Late in the race a split exhaust had to be repaired on several occasions but this did not affect the cars placing. The car finished without a dent, which was a testament to the driver's ability!
The 12th place car, the Brookdale Honda Integra driven by Michael McInerny, Sean McInerny, Des Smail and Michael Vergers, ran as high as 6th in the fifth hour but dropped away after a minor excursion on the grass caused a drive shaft failure. Later in the race it was necessary to change both shafts again but by this time the cars position, just outside the top ten, was as high as it could achieve. Michael Vergers contribution was outstanding as, after only three practice laps was running consistent laps in the 2 minute 11 second bracket, which at the time, was one of the fastest cars on the circuit.
24 Hour racing needs a lot of people to support the cars to enable the drivers to race. It requires mechanics who build the cars with loving care; volunteers to be lonely and cold waiting in the refuelling bay all night; someone to fetch and carry tyres to Dunlop all race; others to be inventive and burn their hands trying to patch a hot exhaust; someone to fetch the food from the café plus a thousand other things too detailed to mention here.
Paul and Dick send a very big thank you to all those that helped, turned up to support the team, or just share their passion for 24 Hour racing.
ELF Renault Clio Cup - Donnington 10-11 September 2005
|
Driver
|
1
GRID
|
1
RACE
|
2
GRID
|
2
RACE
|
|
STEPHEN COLBERT
|
7
|
11
|
7
|
5
|
|
AMY CHAMBERS
|
15
|
13
|
15
|
14
|
ELF Renault Clio Cup - Knockhill 27-28 August 2005
|
Driver
|
1
GRID
|
1
RACE
|
2
GRID
|
2
RACE
|
|
STEPHEN COLBERT
|
8
|
6
|
8
|
8
|
|
AMY CHAMBERS
|
15
|
13
|
15
|
15
|
BRITCAR PRODUCTION S1 - Oulton Park 6 August 2005
Qualified 4th, 2nd in Class B but did not finish, dropping out around half distance.
ELF Renault Clio Cup - Snetterton 6-7 August 2005
Stephen Colberts bad luck from Croft when he went out on the first lap of the Saturday race.
|
Driver
|
1
GRID
|
1
RACE
|
2
GRID
|
2
RACE
|
|
STEPHEN COLBERT
|
9
|
DNF
|
8
|
4
|
|
AMY CHAMBERS
|
16
|
15
|
16
|
15
|
BRITCAR PRODUCTION S1 - Snetterton 16 July 2005
After qualifying on pole, the McInerney's finally had the win that had looked possible over the previous rounds.
Michael started in the race and after holding a top three position pitted early for Sean to take over. As the other contenders made their stops the Honda Integra worked its way up the order until it took the lead with 30 minutes to go. It however did not have the pace of the Symonds/D'Cruze BMW, which passed and stretched out a lead. With four minutes to go the BMW suspension broke and the McInerney's took their first win of the year.
ELF Renault Clio Cup - Croft 16-17 July 2005
 Stephen Colbert in action at Croft before the crash in the second race.
|
Driver
|
1
GRID
|
1
RACE
|
2
GRID
|
2
RACE
|
|
FULVIO
MUSSI
|
9
|
8
|
9
|
7
|
|
STEPHEN COLBERT
|
5
|
4
|
5
|
DNF
|
|
AMY CHAMBERS
|
17
|
13
|
16
|
14
|
BRITCAR PRODUCTION S1 - Brands Hatch 25 -26 June 2005
 A weekend that demonstrated great promise with the race pace of the McInerney Honda Integra, but no results to show for the team's efforts.
A problem in qualifying on Saturday caused a rush to Harlow for a differential rebuild, which did not return to the circuit until the race had started. The team quickly refitted the gearbox and car joined the race after 40 minutes, setting the third fastest lap time on its way to a NCF of 21st.
On the Sunday Sean McInerney worked the car up from the back of the grid to the lead within the first hour. It dropped to 2nd after pitting with 27 minutes left, and looked good for a podium placing until, 4 minutes from the end, a misfire ended the car's participation.
ELF Renault Clio Cup - Oulton Park 18-19 June 2005
|
Driver
|
1
GRID
|
1
RACE
|
2
GRID
|
2
RACE
|
|
FULVIO
MUSSI
|
11
|
10
|
12
|
9
|
|
STEPHEN COLBERT
|
5
|
5
|
6
|
6
|
|
AMY CHAMBERS
|
18
|
15
|
18
|
17
|
ELF Renault Clio Cup - Brands Hatch 4-5 June 2005
With Stephen Colbert and Amy Chambers having a steady weekend, poor Fulvio Mussi's was more eventful!
With a gearbox problem in the first race he selected first gear at speed on the straight destroying the engine, clutch and flywheel! A new unit was fitted overnight for the second race but a problem necessitated the car to be pushed off the grid after the green flag lap.
Stephen had two steady 4th's, consolidating his championship potential. He ran in 3rd in the second race before being passed by Ed Pead.
Amy had a very creditable 10th in the second race. Staying out of trouble as those in front floundered. She finished ahead of 3 other cars after a race long battle with Matthew Speakman, passing him on a couple of occasions.
|
Driver
|
1
GRID
|
1
RACE
|
2
GRID
|
2
RACE
|
|
FULVIO
MUSSI
|
9
|
DNF
|
12
|
DNS
|
|
STEPHEN COLBERT
|
5
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
|
AMY CHAMBERS
|
18
|
14
|
18
|
10
|
BRITCAR PRODUCTION S1 - Snetterton 22 May 2005
The day started well for the MacInerney's with Sean qualifying in 2nd on the front row of the grid. Then the rain fell! From the start Sean took the lead and pulled away before the the rain became heavier. With an hour gone, the rain was torrential when Sean came across the little MG being pushed back on the circuit by the marshall's. The car aquaplaned on the wet surface, leaving both drivers shaken and lucky not to be more seriously injured.
The car was too badly damaged to participate in the Sunday race. The team helped the Kevan Wells, John George car on the Sunday which had a fine 2nd place.
ELF Renault Clio Cup - Thruxton 30 April - 1 May 2005
A mixed weekend for the Mardi Gras drivers with Stephen Colbert maintaining a strong championship challenge.
Although finishing 9th in the first race, Fulvio Mussi was excluded for an incident with John Gaw. On the Sunday Fulvio finished 7th, the same as his qualifying performance.
Stephen Colbert finished 4th on Saturday and was running in 4th on the Sunday before an incident dropped him down the order to finish 8th.
Amy Chambers finished 15th and 17th.
|
Driver
|
1
GRID
|
1
RACE
|
2
GRID
|
2
RACE
|
|
FULVIO
MUSSI
|
10
|
Excluded
|
7
|
7
|
|
STEPHEN COLBERT
|
6
|
4
|
5
|
8
|
|
AMY CHAMBERS
|
17
|
15
|
17
|
17
|
BRITCAR PRODUCTION S1 - Brands Hatch 16 April 2005
With Sean McInerney still affected by an ear infection and unable to race, Roger Mahoney joined Michael for the second race of the season.
They qualified the car 5th and Michael quickly moved up a place as the race started. With a late pit stop, Michael had a brief spell in the lead before handing over to Roger. Roger was not so fortunate and after a couple of spins settled for 5th at the finish.
ELF Renault Clio Cup - Donnington Park 9-10 April 2005
After a disaster on Saturday, when a wheel broke whilst running in 5th, Fulvio Mussi put in another strong performance on Sunday. Another "electric" start saw him rise to 3rd on the first lap where he stayed until lap 9. A strong challenge on Jonathan Adams at Goddards for 2nd, resulted in a melee which saw him pushed wide, dropping him to 6th where he finished.
Meanwhile Stephen Colbert put in two strong performances to end 3rd in the points table after the weekend.
After a steady showing on Saturday Amy Chambers unfortunately pulled up on the parade lap before the race started.
|
Driver
|
1
GRID
|
1
RACE
|
2
GRID
|
2
RACE
|
|
FULVIO
MUSSI
|
5
|
14
|
5
|
5
|
|
STEPHEN COLBERT
|
6
|
5
|
6
|
4
|
|
AMY CHAMBERS
|
17
|
13
|
17
|
DNF
|
BRITCAR PRODUCTION S1 - Silverstone 27 March 2005
With Sean MacInerney ill, and unable to race, Mardi Gras supported the Kevan Wells, Des Smail Honda Civic in the Production S1 race in the first BRITCAR meeting of the year.
With a freshly built car, Kevan and Des took it steady in qualifying to take 16th on the grid. They were to improve there position steadily through the race to rise to 4th after two hours, the car running without missing a beat.
CLIO CUP - FIRST FEMALE COMPETITOR FOR 2005 - 18 March 2005
Amy Chambers (Pershore, Worcestershire), wife of experienced racing driver and team boss Peter, is to make her ELF Renault Clio Cup debut this season in a deal with front-running outfit Mardi Gras Motorsport.
The 37-year old, a mother of three and Landscape Designer by day, has only ever contested a handful of races, including an outing in the AVO Ginetta Championship last year. Now, she hopes to establish herself in the highly competitive ELF Renault Clio Cup with the help of her husband and Silverstone-based Mardi Gras.
Speaking ahead of her first ever Clio Cup test, which will take place at Snetterton in Norfolk next Wednesday (23rd March), Amy commented: "I've got a massive learning curve ahead of me and not a lot of time at all before the start of the season. Plus, I'm up against a field of accomplished, very talented drivers which is a huge challenge.
"I'm totally focused though and I can't wait to get out in the car for the first time at Snetterton next week. It's a very exciting prospect and I'm looking forward to a very enjoyable year in the ELF Renault Clio Cup."
Amy will be the first woman to compete in the Clio Cup since Natalie Barratt raced at Silverstone last year and, along with her links to motorsport through Peter Chambers Motor Racing, she also has ties through her father and two brothers who currently compete in the Formula Jedi series.
Her appearance in the Clio Cup continues Renault Sport UK's strong tradition of attracting female racing drivers to its championships. Along with the likes of Barratt and Jo Kraemer in Clios itself, the Formula Renault UK Championship with Michelin has also boasted a healthy female presence through the likes of current British Formula 3 competitor Susie Stoddart, Katherine Legge and Pippa Mann.
MUSSI RETURNS WITH MARDI GRAS THIS SEASON - 18 March 2005
Fulvio Mussi (Colchester, Essex), meanwhile, has announced his return to the ELF Renault Clio Cup having agreed terms to remain with Mardi Gras Motorsport for his second full season in the series.
The 19-year old, who started out in karting before graduating to single-seaters and then moving into saloon cars, finished 14th overall in the driver standings during his first season of Clio Cup racing but is confident of a top five finish in 2005.
"I'm absolutely over the moon to be returning to the Clio Cup with Mardi Gras", said a delighted Mussi. "I thoroughly enjoyed last season and Mardi Gras was definitely the team I wanted to run with this year. I know its a great team, Paul (Hetherington) is a great boss and I'm confident it'll be a good year for us.
"I want podiums this season and my aim is to finish in the top five of the championship before going for the title next year. I think it's a realistic aim and although there will be some very tough competition out there this season, I'm confident of achieving some good results."
The deals with Chambers and Mussi see Mardi Gras running a three-car team in this year's series, the pair partnering Northern Irishman Stephen Colbert (Northampton) in the leading squad.
Colbert, who previously competed in Formula 3 and the SEAT Cupra Championship, is expected to be a front-runner in the Clio Cup and Mardi Gras team boss Paul Hetherington is delighted to now have a trio of cars on the grid.
He commented: "We're very happy indeed to have sewn up the three deals and I'm highly confident Stephen will get to grips with the car very quickly and become a true front-runner. Fulvio obviously has a year's experience behind him now and is chomping at the bit to get stuck into the season so it all bodes well for us.
"The agreement with Amy and Peter has come together very rapidly and it's great news for us to have a female driver back in the Clio Cup. From having no firm deals just over a week ago we now have three cars on the grid, so we're absolutely delighted and looking forward to the year ahead."
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