“We’re excited to share a quick update before the next round at Oulton Park, as SBR Motorsport’s Max Buxton continues to lead the championship in dominant form.

“With three-from-three pole positions, converting two into wins, Max Buxton has put in a commanding performance in each race. ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ-backed Buxton and SBR Motorsport are now firmly at the top of the standings following the race win successes at Anglesey. Our drivers; Sophie Kinghorn, Xavier Zawisa and Marc Webb, have all asserted their dominance in speed, talent and personality on and off the track and there are certainly some podiums to be had here!”

“A key part of the team and Buxton’s success lies in the performance and reliability of our brake package. Using the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ RP-X front pads, combined with ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Bluestuff rears, we’ve found a setup that delivers unmatched consistency and confidence under pressure. There’s no second option for us – this is a guaranteed performance-enhancing solution that continues to prove itself, round after round.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the support from ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ, whose high-quality products clearly speak for themselves on the track.

“Looking forward to keeping this momentum going into the next round at Oulton Park…�

“Oulton Park rounds off the mid-way point of the Vinyl Detail Fiesta ST150 Championship. Both the team and all SBR drivers are performing exceptionally well, in their second year of support from ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ. All cars are equipped with the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Racing RP-X brake pads.

“With over 150 minutes of track time across an entire race weekend per driver, the quality and longevity of the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ RP-X brake pads consistently delivers peak performance. The cars respond with immediate and precise deceleration, from the phenomenal initial first bite to the consistent brake pedal feel. This level of confidence is invaluable when pushing the limits on the track during our intense 15-minute sprint races.”

“Our overall results are a testament to the exceptional performance of the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ RP-X brake pads.

“So far this season, the six-car squad have achieved an incredible:

• 2 x pole positions
• 8 x qualifying positions in the top 5
• 1 x win
• 8 x podiums
• 24 x top-10 finishes

“The ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ RP-X brake pads incredible performance has been a major contributor to our overall results, giving our drivers the confidence to push harder and brake later. Next round is Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire. Watch this space for the team’s results and more exciting announcements from SBR Motorsport to come!â€�

“ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ-backed SBR Motorsport pair, Beckett and Robinson, sat 1-2 respectively in the championship heading into the final round. Beckett had a 28-point lead over Robinson who had a slim margin over the three-way battle for 2^nd in the championship.

“All cars were fitted with a brand-new set of ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Racing RP-X pads in preparation for the final race weekend, ahead of the Friday test day where the SBR Motorsport team set the timing screens alight! Robinson proved to be fastest, followed closely by Beckett, narrowly over Lewthwaite. Goodwin followed suit with her first weekend with the team, feeling comfortable and confident with her new ST150 car! 

“Qualifying proved to a re-enactment of testing, with Robinson setting the pace out front, missing out on pole by just 0.082 seconds. Next came Lewthwaite, who narrowly pipped Beckett for his best qualifying session of the season in P6! Beckett struggled with car balance around the Silverstone International Circuit, qualifying in P7 and Goodwin qualified well in largely competitive grid, in P15!”

“Race 1 started well for Robinson, Beckett and Lewthwaite – all gaining positions off the start. Robinson was up to 2^nd, Beckett up to 4^th and Lewthwaite up to 6^th. Sadly, Goodwin didn’t get the best of starts but was back up to her original starting position by the end of the lap, making a mega first lap! Robinson was doing everything he could to outscore his nearest rivals in the championship, hounding the leader every lap until he finished P2. Beckett drove a very smart race with minimal risks taken and picked his battles when needed. He finished P6 on the road but scoring points for P4 with guest entries not being able to score. Lewthwaite lost out on the initial part of the race and then struggled to clear the slow cars, but still brought it home in a very respectable P10 position! Goodwin had the best race of her car career to date, finishing P13 in a very competitive grid, which is a huge step forward.”

“In Race 2, Beckett knew what he needed to do: P12 or higher, and the championship was his. Likewise, Robinson needed to outscore his closest rivals to secure 2^nd in the championship. But it wouldn’t be without his dramas. Post-race 1 checks found a knocking noise on his engine, which sounded like bottom end bearings. With no time to lose, the SBR team jumped all hands on deck, swapping out the bottom end bearings. When stripped, the bearings were mint. This was rebuilt but more diagnosis was needed to find the source of the rattle. Off came the cam cover and there it was: a camshaft securing bolt had snapped! Thankfully, we had a spare and got Robinson out just in time before the assembly area closed!”

“Robinson didn’t let this deter him – he drove the wheels off his #69 machine with one of the closest and best races for 2^nd place this season! Beckett this time didn’t quite have the clear track that he wanted to bring home the championship and got roughed up further back in the pack. Taking rear end damage with three laps to go, the car felt off till the end of the race. Lewthwaite was playing the role of rear gunner to Beckett for the rest of the race, setting fast lap times securing P9. Lewthwaite certainly proved that he had pace to be further up the grid and battled and outplaced some race winning cars this from this season! 

“Another P13 result for Goodwin which rounded out an incredible first weekend with SBR Motorsport and already showing signs of bigger and better results, with huge potential for next year!

“Thankfully,  P8 on the road and P6 scoring points was enough for Beckett to seal the Vinyl Detail ST150 Challenge Championship for 2023! After becoming runner up by 4 points in 2022, he certainly made amends for it in 2023. With 3 overall Wins and 9 total podiums, this has been one of his most successful seasons, showing consistency throughout the year with 6 consecutive podiums and numerous fastest laps.

“Robinson had done enough for P2 in the championship, meaning SBR Motorsport closed out the 1-2 in the championship in their first season operating as a team.

“The biggest thanks to the support that ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ has provided us throughout the season – the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Racing RP-X really proving their worth to be the best above the rest!â€�

SBR Motorsport: Season Summary

With 6 drivers making up the SBR Motorsport 2023 team, they have finished the 2023 season with a staggering:

• 4 overall wins
• 15 podiums
• 4 fastest laps

For the team’s first year in operation!

“SBR Motorsport headed to the twisty and undulating circuit of Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire, for rounds 11,12,13 of the BRSCC Fiesta ST150 Challenge. With three of the four drivers participating: Sam Beckett, Chris Flynn and Dan Robinson.

“Known as the ‘UK version of the Nürburgring,’ the drivers were in for some exciting races and felt well established with the circuit after all drivers tested during the week.�

QUALIFYING

“SBR proved its strength early on into the weekend. Beckett demonstrated pace by leading the session for a number of laps until unfortunately, a red flag paused the session. Robinson then set a faster lap of 1:48.200 to take pole. The qualifying session ended with an excellent performance from all drivers – Robinson P2, Beckett P4 and Flynn in P11.â€�

RACE 1

*Podium for Robinson – P3 and Fastest Lap for Beckett*

“Excellent, close racing had by all, with all SBR Motorsport drivers locking out the Top 10!

“Both Robinson and Beckett didn’t get off to the best start dropping places, but were quick to respond and by the end of the first lap, it was Robinson in 3^rd and Beckett in 4^th, with both cars demonstrating good pace! With Cadwell Park being notoriously hard to pass around, it would take a lot to get the better of the lead pair and after a close fought battle, finished a respectable 3^rd and 4^th. Beckett cruised towards the end knowing he would extend his championship lead finishing in 4^th position. Due to a technical issue, Flynn was slightly down on power during this race but finished a valiant P10, given the problem. Another strong finish for the SBR Motorsport team!�

RACE 2

*Podium for Beckett – P3*

“Similar to Race 1, Robinson and Beckett made reasonable starts, remaining on the bumper of the leading pair. Again, like Race 1, both cars felt held up and couldn’t really show their true speed. Braking zones were hampered dramatically causing us to brake earlier than preferred with the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ RP- X pads. On Lap 5, the leaders tripped over themselves under braking which gave Robinson and Beckett chances to pounce, Robinson found himself with nowhere to go but Beckett had the better run and snatched 3^rd off his teammate. Beckett now had his chance to chase the leading pair. Drawing alongside at the hairpin, but a poor exit meant 2^nd place was just out of his reach. The final results for race 2 were Beckett P3, Robinson P5 and Flynn P11.â€�

RACE 3

*Robinson WINS*

*Podium for Beckett – P3*

“Reverse grid, with Robinson starting P2 Beckett starting P3. Unlike the first two races, Robinson launched off the line and took the lead into the first corner, now was the time for him to show the true speed and potential that both cars had been promising all weekend. The top 3 broke away from the pack, having a five-second gap by lap two. Unfortunately, Flynn continued to suffer from technical issues and retired early from the race. In the meantime, Beckett was pressuring 2^nd place, pushing for the SBR Motorsport 1-2. A mistake into turn 1 pushed him onto the grass, essentially putting him out of the fight for the lead. Meanwhile Robinson firmly had his head down. But the pressure was building from the 2^nd place man after Beckett could no longer wingman his teammate! The young 18-year-old kept his head and crossed the line for his first ever win! Beckett taking the well-earned final spot on the podium in P3!�

“Heading into the weekend, Sam Beckett in car #96 had managed to snatch the lead of the Championship following successful wins at the previous round at Knockhill. With two podiums and a fastest lap this weekend, excellent championship points were gained leading to a more comfortable championship lead for Beckett. With Robinson winning and taking a further podium, he too has gained some valuable championship points with him currently sitting in 4^th position only 36 points off the lead.

“Our next weekend is at Croft Circuit on 16-17^th September, our penultimate weekend of the season, where all SBR Motorsport drivers head into rounds 14,15 and 16 all sitting in the Top 10 of the championship!�

Photo credit: BRSCC & James Roberts Photography

“Qualifying: I really enjoyed it and love those slippery conditions when you’re chasing the grip and trying to push the limits and not make a mistake. I’d done a lap and realised I needed a setup change, but pushed for another, hoping to improve. I eventually decided to pit and my crew made adjustments and off I went for a one-lap dash and immediately knew it was an improvement. Not using a pit board, it was only in Parc Ferme when I knew I was on pole. 

“Race 1: a good start, but not knowing what conditions were like and being side-by-side with my mirror being folded in, I wasn’t braking until I was in 2^nd place. In hindsight, that was slightly too late and turned into Old Hall and all hell broke loose! With unrivalled skill and a bucket full of luck, I held it and continued, still in first place! Head down and trying to guess the track conditions, it was good, fun racing and I just tried to stay clear of 2^nd and not slide off as Old Hall and Druids were very slippery still. The safety car disrupted the race and with a last-lap green flag, it was just a matter of not getting off-line or braking too late until the chequered flag.

“Race 2: with a belting start, I took the racing line into Old Hall and reigned my ambition in this time with no slide. The car felt more comfortable back on its regular settings and with 3^rd attacking 2^nd, I kept a reasonable gap and was happy with how the race was going. Until Lodge Corner, that is. I’d turned in as I’d always done but the offside track rod decided it wasn’t playing anymore. The car turned me hard left and I finished at the bottom of Deer Leap in the barrier. A shame to end the season like this, especially when the marshals said I had it in the bag and was long gone. 

“Thanks to ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Racing for the help with the RP-X pads this year – they definitely made a difference, so much so that three drivers have swapped or are going to change to them!â€�

Images: Malc Brunt

“We were back out again in the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Racing-supported Fiesta ST Challenge car, equipped with RP-X pads for a triple header at Croft Circuit.

“With testing on the Friday going well and going over 1.2 seconds quicker than last year, I was looking forward to qualifying and the races.

“With times swapping between myself and the eventual pole sitter, I finished qualifying in 2nd, but still on the front row.”

“During Race 1, a good start got me in the lead but running side-by-side through the chicane I dropped to second and a safety car disrupted the race, meaning I finished 2nd.

“Race 2 was much better; with another brilliant start, I got my head down and tried to make a break from the pack. Holding the lead for the entire race and taking another 1st place for the year.

“Race 3 was 20 minutes long and was epic – going side-by-side off the start, the race-long battle ended with me in a close 2nd place but with the fastest lap and a large gap to 3rd place while still racing hard. The RP-X pads were still as good as ever.

“The brakes are still performing brilliantly as they have all year. We go into the final round in a few weeks’ time, so watch this space…�

“After missing a round at Snetterton and doing the Anglesey round in my XR3i, I was back out at Donington Park last weekend in the Fiesta ST.

“After a hectic qualifying session, it ended up with the top eight cars separated by .450 of a second, with me finishing in fifth. Very hot weather and tricky track conditions had everyone in a mixed-up grid looking for ways to get their cars to handle.

“Race 1 and a cracking start saw me battling for second at the first corner and side-by-side down the Craner Curves saw me finally get through to second place. A few laps later, I made a late-braking manoeuvre into Redgate and through for the lead. After pulling away for a few laps, I was comfortable to the chequered flag for my third victory of the season.

“Race 2 saw me get a good start and run to the first corner – it was side-by-side again till the Old Hairpin. A good run onto the start/finish line and a late dive into Redgate saw me back in first again. I was head-down and trying to break away, but with track temps of 40°C+ and an air temp of 33°C, it was tyre conservation that was required. Thankfully, no extra effort was needed from the RP-X pads, as they hadn’t changed from the first lap of qualifying to the last lap of the race. Crossing the line just ahead of Chris Grimes means I’ve taken a double-double this year so far.�

“It was the first race of the season at Oulton Park on Saturday, 9 April.

“Qualifying went really well with perfect conditions, and I put two laps together that were both quick enough for pole. I finished just over four tenths of a second ahead of second pleace – that’s the fastest that any of the ST cars have done at Oulton, with a time of 2.03.243.

“Race 1 and a perfect start got me to the first corner ahead of second place and it was head down and go as hard as I could. I led for the whole race and managed to take fastest lap and, more importantly for me, the lap record.

“Race 2 and more of the same. Great start and away we went trying to stay ahead and take the double win. I was never beaten in all 18 laps we raced. Needless to say, the brakes were perfect with no noticeable difference from morning qualifying to the last lap of the day.�

Thanks to Peter Hamilton for the images.

“I purchased my ST150 in April 2021 as an investment due to how the car industry is moving towards electric power. I have always wanted a low-mileage ST150, so jumped at the opportunity when I could. The car was purchased to be enjoyed for shows and on some track days, as it is only used for pleasure.

“As soon as the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ BBK [big brake kit] was installed, you could feel the difference. Within two weeks of having the kit I had to use the full stoping power it delivers to stop me making a four-car pileup into five-car pileup. I have never felt a car stop so quick and well in my life until that moment. Not long becoming a dad, the BBK has filled with me so much confidence as I know even on the road it delivers.

“I’ve now bedded in the brakes and the response you get is spot on. I am yet to take it out on track which will happen this year and I look forward to the stopping power it delivers. It definitely ticks all boxes for performance and it’s great that ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ have developed this kit as there is not much in the market for the ST150. So having a big name like ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ puts confidence in the driver as, at the end of the day, brakes are a safety component.

“I test drove a Fiesta ST150 with a Focus ST170 brake setup installed, and where they were better than stock, the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ BBK out-performed in comparison to both setups. As the car was purchased for shows and track, the kit benefits me in both ways: on track it’s good for performance and stopping power, while at shows as it’s a great conversation starter.

“I look forward to showing the BBK at shows and I look forward to see what it can do on track.�

“I first used ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ’s RP-X compound at Snetterton, after performing the Friday test day on some old pads from another manufacturer. I changed for them for the second session to a new set of RP-X and I’m so glad I did.

“Immediately, I could feel a difference and not just because they were new but also because of how good the initial bite was and how good the pedal felt. I like a hard pedal and a pad that gives very good bite on initial application and good pedal modulation.

“After reading the well written bedding-in procedure, I felt confident enough to attack the braking areas. I could brake later and later as the session wore on and knew I’d made the right choice changing over to ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ pads.

“There was no fade, and they still gave incredible braking feel towards the end of the session and season. I used the car in qualifying the next day and from cold they still worked brilliantly.

“The pads have done three races and qualifying at Snetterton and Cadwell Park, and two races and qualifying at Oulton Park and Donington respectively, and still have life left in them. I’ve noticed even pad wear and they’re not massively aggressive with the discs. There isn’t as much brake dust as previously and they are a quiet pad.

“This season has been the first time in my new, self-built Fiesta ST150, having previously raced an XR3i in the same series. Going into this year’s season, I had no real plan other than to have some fun and enjoy time away with friends.

“Having won the first four of five races, however, it then got a little more serious. Having to learn the car on test days at the four new circuits that we raced at (Croft, Knockhill, Snetterton and Cadwell Park), it was a steep learning car given the very competitive nature at the front of the grid with some of the best club drivers around. Sometimes after qualifying, the top five or six drivers were separated by tenths of a second, meaning you need to be on your A-game every time out in the car.

“Having had podiums at every meeting and still leading the championship, we went to Oulton Park (my home circuit being only 5 miles away). Testing on the Friday looked promising with the times dropping as the afternoon went on – it looked competitive for the races.”

“Four cars off the line going into Old Hall was as good as it gets in club races and the amount of overtaking and position changes made for great races.

“A 3^rd and 2^nd meant that for the first time all year I was five points behind, with three of us still in with a chance for both the overall and class championship.

“Going to the last race of the season at Donington Park – a circuit I love – was going to be entertaining to say the least. Qualifying put me in 3^rd and my rivals in 2^nd and 5^th.

“Having made good starts all year, another one saw me up to second for half a lap, before the cold rear tyres and a touch of bravado saw me run wide and down to 3^rd.

“Three-quarters of the way into the race, I finally managed to pass Micheal Blackburn to take 2^nd and a front-row start for race two. The points had shrunk to just four now. As the race came around, it was a similar story with a good start, where I took the lead at the first corner.

“A quick safety car stint and then run to the flag and another win and fastest lap put me two points in front, taking both the ST Class D and overall title to add to the three previous class wins in my Class B Escort XR3i.

“A truly fantastic season and such a competitive series – to come out on top is a brilliant feeling. Hopefully with the help of ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ, I can achieve similar results to this year moving forward.â€�

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