Three Counties motorsport news

By Bob Bull
BBC Radio Three Counties

James Birch shows off his trophy

With the motor racing season well underway, we are seeing an increasing number of the region's young stars making their presence felt both nationally and internationally.

On the continent, James Birch from Rickmansworth enjoyed a double victory celebration at the Jim Clark Revival Meeting in Germany, when he won both rounds of the Formula Vee Championship, finishing more than a minute clear of his pursuers in a very wet first race on Saturday.

Sunday's second round was run in dry conditions, but this made no difference to the result as he romped home with a new lap record to his name in his MD Motorsport run car.

Back on home soil, Marlow's Tom Ingram was competing at a very wet Donington Park in two races for the Ginetta Junior Championship. Last time out the 15-year-old student had gained a place on the podium in only his third outing in a race car, however engine problems in qualifying left him 16th on the grid.

Despite never having driven in the rain before, and never having previously raced at the circuit, he battled his way through to sixth spot at the flag, a quite staggering achievement under the circumstances. Race two was run in even worse conditions but Ingram still managed to make it up to 10th place. These results leave him in fifth place in the championship and top 'rookie'.

John Clarke will compete at this weekend's Tucker Trophy

The downside of the story is the perennial problem of finding funds to continue in the series as he lacks major sponsorship, and is seeking financial help.

Also racing at Donington was James Sutton from Hertfordshire, making a return to the Porsche Carrera Cup series that he won in 2007, he was narrowly pipped to second place in the first of two races when his attempt to snatch the lead at the last corner, allowing 2008 champion Tim Harvey to sneak past as three cars crossed the line together. Race two was a different story as Sutton ran away from the pack, driving superbly on the wet track to finish well clear of the second-placed man.

In three races for the British Touring Car Championship the Vauxhall team could not manage an outright win but works driver Matt Neal still increased his lead in the points race with third, second, and eighth. places. Dave Pinkney from Harpenden driving a Honda improved race by race with 14th, 12th and 10th spots in a car that is not a match for the manufacturers' teams.

Back at a local level St Albans garage owner Mark Charteris was racing at the BARC's Silverstone meeting and did well with a second place in his first outing in the Clubmans race before going on to win second time out.

John Emberson races his Morgan at Brands Hatch at the weekend

This weekend sees the Red Bull team looking for another win at Monaco, a circuit that should suit their car well, and Lewis Hamilton hoping that improvements to his McLaren will allow him to repeat last year's win at the circuit.

Brands Hatch holds an historic weekend at the Kent circuit with a number of local drivers taking part, including John Clarke from Princes Risborough, and John Emberson, Harpenden who will be competing for the Tucker Trophy in their historic Morgans for a trophy that is as old as the Morgan marque, which celebrates its 100th birthday this year.