Hottrax Motorsport Endurance, Michelin Power Cup, MotoGrande, Minitwins, Maxitwins and Streetbike Championships - 2011 Season Preview – words and photos by Alfonso Lygo
Following the expansion of the Hottrax Motorsport programme in 2010, to include the exciting MICHELIN Power Cup, classes have been sharpened to ensure there is close racing for everyone in 2011.
Last season could not really have been closer with only a single class being settled prior to the final round at Cadwell last October.
Hottrax Motorsport are well known, of course, having a client base of over 12 000 riders, they organise over 100 events per year in the UK and abroad, having around 350 racers are members of the Hottrax Motorsport.
For the new season we have the mouth watering prospect of seven rounds at six different circuits, dates are;
• Round 1 Brand Hatch, Kent 12th/13th March – watch the bikes lap super quick around the Indy circuit
• Round 2 Mallory Park, Leicestershire – 16/17th April – Short circuit action returns to the massively popular Mallory Park
• Round 3 Anglesey Circuit - North Wales 28th/29th May – a firm favourite with most of the riders and next to the sea
• Round 4 Snetterton 300, Norfolk – 18th/19th June – see the brand new circuit in action
• Round 5 Pembrey Circuit, South Wales – 16th/17th July – returns to the ever popular Welsh track
• Round 6 Cadwell Park – Lincolnshire – 20th/21st August – long straights, fast corners and a mountain to climb
• Round 7 – Oulton Park, Cheshire 17th September – a return to this most demanding track, a one day event – don’t miss it
• Round 8 Cadwell Park – Lincolnshire/ Snetterton 200, Norfolk – 29th/30th October – will the final round be as tight as last season? – all but one title settled on the final weekend 
Hottrax Motorsport has reviewed the class system for 2011 to strengthen the progression route available for riders to move up the racing ladder and for this season we have;
• High Profile National Endurance Championship for teams wanting the ultimate in track time!
Teams may choose to use 1 machine and 2/3 riders or 2 machines and 2 riders
Trophies to top 3 in each class and prize money of £1850 for Michelin runners overall Championship 1st – 4th
(Includes all Endurance Classes)
• Michelin Power Cup – weekend meetings with 3 long distance races each
weekend for quick riders - £20 000 Prize Fund
Rider must run with Michelin Tyres and will receive a Michelin Power Pack worth £700 and prize money of £1000 per round (£500 per class)
This is a very exciting prospect for 2010 and builds on proven success in France, Italy and Spain where it has run with such aplomb
Sponsors for the series include Alpinestars, Arai, Putoline Oil and Race Products so the welcome Power Pack and prizes for each meeting and for the series winners will be of the highest quality. Overall series prizes for each class winner will include an Alpinestars leather race suit and Supertech R boots, and a top-of-the-range Arai RX-7 GP helmet. In addition, the top three riders in each class will get the opportunity to represent the UK at one of the other European series rounds.
There is a dedicated website www.michelinpowercup.co.uk which will include race reports, a photo gallery and an area where riders will have their profiles online and will be able to follow their progress in the championship. 
• MotoGrande Open Solo Championship - weekend meetings with 3 long distance races each weekend!
A series of open class 600cc and 1000cc races over around 12 laps and 11 rounds
For the rider that demands more than a 4 lap burst, maybe as a stepping stone into endurance racing or to test machine and rider ability.
There are two classes: MotoGrande 1000 and 600
Trophies to top 3 in each class and prize money of £1850 for Michelin runners overall Championship 1st – 4th
• Minitwins and Maxitwins Championship - weekend meetings with 3 long distance races each weekend!
A series of open class 600cc and 1000cc races over around 12 laps and 11 rounds
For the rider that demands more than a 4 lap burst, maybe as a stepping stone into endurance racing or to test machine and rider ability.
There are two classes: MotoGrande 1000 and 600
Trophies to top 3 in each class and prize money of £1850 for Michelin runners overall Championship 1st – 4th
• Streetbike Championship - weekend meetings with 3 long distance races each weekend!
A series of open class 600cc and 1000cc races over around 12 laps and 11 rounds
For the rider that demands more than a 4 lap burst, maybe as a stepping stone into endurance racing or to test machine and rider ability.
There are two classes: MotoGrande 1000 and 600
Trophies to top 3 in each class and prize money of £1850 for Michelin runners overall Championship 1st – 4th 
More details can be obtained from the Hottrax Motorsport website http://www.hottrax-motorsport.co.uk/
A review of the 2010 Hottrax Motorsport Racing Club season can be found at
http://moto-endurance.com/13.html
Following pre season testing at Brands Hatch (February 2oth), Cartagena, Spain (February/March) and Circuit D’Alcarras, Spain (March) packed grids will line up at the kidney shaped Indy circuit at Brands Hatch on the middle weekend of March. Currently team’s plans are being finalised, however we are delighted to report that Derek Redmond Racing will be fielding teams in the Endurance and possible MotoGrande classes. Sad to say that 2010 National Endurance Champions TM72 Racing are not planning a season long defence of their #1 plate having achieved what they set out to do last year. Premier 600 National team Pit Stop Racing are back with an all Dilks line u, as plans and budgets come together in the eleventh hour Junior exponents and current champs AV-IT Racing and DNA are fully tooled up for another season and no doubt the next few weeks will see plans being firmed up before racing commences.
Other well known faces around the paddock should include the committed and flamboyant Derek Redmond Racing who always put on a decent show in endurance and MotoGrande alike. A change of machinery for Graphic UK will see then return wanting to improve on their very impressive showing in 2010, an ambition no doubt mirrored by multiple champions Sweatshop Racing who endured their fair share of bad luck last season but still managing to finish in third spot over the rapid pairing of Council Racing. With Pit Stop confirming a return to the 600s it will be up to (local to Lincs) Louth Bikes and fatblokeracewear.com to push them even harder this year, although rumours of Andy Rouse having upgraded to a Fireblade we may see a focus on his sprint racing career – watch this space.
It was tight at the top for the 600 Juniors with BLDS Couriers narrowly missing out to DNA, behind these two were a shed load of very capable teams who are hoping to return to the three hour race format, including; MC racing, L A Stone (on a brace of smashing Ducatis), Apex and JR Racing.
In the bigger division AV-IT did not have it all their own way and were pushed all the way by Ridgeback Racing, Insignia, Banzai, Redmond 400 and racing Snakes who are already committed to joining in the fun.
Hottrax Motorsport are expanding their sprint racing menu, it was a near classic season for the MotoGrande fraternity; Super Sam Ludgate near dominated the 600s and will hopefully be moving onwards and upwards, there will be plenty of returnees and new faces to guarantee maximum grids, led by Mr Consistent Colin Norris. In the one litre league Pete Wilson won the title from an ever improving Gary Bransgrove leading home healthy and competitive grids – expect more of the same for this season’s activities.
New for 2010 were the Michelin Power Cup for 600s and 1000s which proved to be a fast and furious arena for riders wanting to progress their career path, amiable Scot William Monie was brilliant on his day to nail the 600 title after a run of 5 wins out of six races, close behind and chasing were 2009 MotoGrande champion Ady Allsopp, endurance ace Andy Rouse and Ryan Peters – some of whom will be back to do better in 2011.
On the big bikes it was Lincolnshire Imp Jonathon Otter who was crowned at the final round after season long rival Greg Allsop was cursed at Cadwell, despite the generosity of Otter to source a replacement bike for the hapless Greg. Colourful Brazilian Rhalf Lo Turco swapped his cross plane crank R1 for BMW power mid season to seal third spot ahead of Scotsman Scott Shand and Welshman Ty Jones.
2011 is a capacity building year for the Michelin Power Cup who bring passion and professionalism to the Hottrax Motorsport paddock. The top three from both championships earned Spanish testing sessions with no less than Fast Freddie Spencer as Head Teacher, other bonuses and rewards are on offer to Michelin Power Cup riders and winners. A full list of riders taking part, as well as other details can be found at www.michelinpowercup.co.uk
Adding colour and variety to the Hottrax Motorsport scene are new for 2011 classes; Minitwins and their big brothers Maxitwins as well as naked Streetfighters all of which will boast 600 and 1000cc classes with longer than usual race distances to get your teeth into.
Hottrax Motorsport will be also working hard with New Era MCC to bring you the charismatic Ducati Desmo Duo series, possibly the best sounding race series in the UK – further information can be gleaned from http://www.hottrax-motorsport.co.uk/
Whoever you are; spectator, competitor, marshall, official, team member or expert there will be something in the 2011 Hottrax Motorsport programme to stimulate and you will be assured of a warm welcome as the bikes line up at Brands Hatch for the first race of the season in Kent on the 12th/13th March 2011.
