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Josh featured in the Auto Italia magazine at the media day at Cadwell Park.

20.04.2010
Abarth: Hodgetts & Winrow win Silverstone races
Stefan Hodgetts and Ben Winrow shared the wins in round 2 of the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB at Silverstone on Saturday and Sunday.
Former BTCC racer Hodgetts won a closely fought race 1 as the Mardi Gras Motorsport driver kept Winrow at bay to cross the line 2.5 seconds clear, with Gareth Howell, winner of the new series’ inaugural races at Oulton Park on Easter weekend, in third.
2008 Renault Clio Cup champion Winrow was unstoppable in race 2 as he beat Hodgetts off the line and stormed clear.
His task was made easier when Hodgetts retired from second place midway through the race, and the Pyro Motorsport man’s winning margin was a massive 26 seconds at the finish.
“Stef’s a great driver, so once I got him, I just had to concentrate and put my head down and try to build a lead,” Winrow said. “Then it was a case of protecting the tyres and hanging on for the win.”
Howell protected his lead in the points standings with second place, ahead of his Advent Motorsport team-mate Charlie Butler-Henderson, who followed up a strong fourth place finish in race 1 by completing the race 2 podium.

Advent’s third driver, Josh Wakefield, also had a strong weekend with fourth and fifth place finishes, but Benny Simonsen, brother of GT racer Allan, lost ground to all his rivals in the standings after only managing sixth and eighth in the two races.

The Trofeo Abarth 500 GB now heads to Cadwell Park next month, where it will support the British Superbike Championship.

It was a great weekend at Silverstone. I qualified 7th on Saturday and had a great race Saturday afternoon finishing 5th.
Sunday was another great race for me as I held off Paul Smith and onto my 5th place eventually taking 4th when Stefan Hodgetts had to retire due to mechanical problems. I was 6/10 off Charlie Butler-Henderson and like to think another couple of laps might have made a difference between 4th and a podium! Still great improvements and lots more to come. Really looking forward to Cadwell Park in May!

Great start to the season! 2 good results - Saturday qualified 8
th and finished 5th- Monday started 5th and finished 6th after a race long battle for 5th with Jason Greatrex.
I learnt a lot after my first 2 dry races on full slicks.

You can see my interview at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z5sTkskNv8

FORMER SAXMAX racer Josh Wakefield is the latest signing for the inaugural Trofeo Abarth 500 GB season, which kicks off at Oulton Park this weekend. The 17-year-old will drive for Advent Motorsport. He joins ex-Mini Challenge racer James Blyth and Charlie Butler-Henderson, who has replaced his sister, TV presenter Vicki, at Advent.
Wakefield said: “This is more of a purpose-built race car than last year’s Citroen Saxo, which was a road car turned into a race car,” he said. “This is a learning year”.
Series organisers are expecting 16 entries for Oulton, including ex-Clio Cup champion Ben Winrow and former BTCC racer Gareth Howell.
Pulce Racing has been refunded its £10,000 Trofeo Abarth entry fee after winning the series’ prize draw for the first 12 registered entries. Pulce will run Benny Simonsen in the series this season.

What a day! I was very kindly loaned a Mini Cooper Works by Andrew at Advent Motorsport along with further tuition from Chris Hodgetts. By midday I had got it all under control and there was no stopping us!! Looking forward to the next one!!

What a great night. Great to be back with the saxmax lads. And fantastic to walk away with 2 trophies!!!

I am off to the Autosport show on Friday Saturday and Sunday!
See you there!!!
Check out these websites:

www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2010/01/new-signing-announced-for-abarth-500-series

www.trofeoabarth500gb.com/2010/01/advent-motorsport-to-run-four-cars-including-josh-wakefield/

After considering various options we were fortunate enough to have an invite to try out at the Trofeo Fiat Abarth 500 offical launch at Silverstone. I had an hours 'out' again in the rain but the car felt awesome! I am hoping and praying that I can get enough sponsorship to help me race in this brand new racing series this season!! The car is cute as well as perfectly balanced and I just can't wait to get out in it again!! If these cars are females then I have got myself a date! With the help of Paolo and Denis of Fiat Abarth in the background and the expertise of Chris Hodgetts BRDC champion and Andrew Creighton of Advent Racing I am hoping for my best year yet!! As Chris said I am a 'slightly rough diamond but diamonds can be polished into jewels!!!

Well I had my one and only year in the Saxmax challenge and after a slightly troubled start things started to improve. I had a few problems mid-season and an engine rebuild which gave me my confidence back. My best finish was a 2nd place podium in torrential rain in Anglesey where there were as many restarts as actual starts as a result of accidents. With a demanding track and treacherous weather conditions you could say I took to Anglesey like a 'duck to water'!!! On the last race at Snetterton I ended up with a podium finish and a Driver of the Day trophy and the added bonus of knowing that I had taken the Rookie of the Year award and 5th place overall in the championship. Not bad for a first attempt!!