Arena Motorsport
Encyclopedia
Arena International Motorsport is a British
motor racing team founded by Mike Earle. Earle originally ran the Onyx Formula One team from the same base in Littlehampton, before selling the team.
Earle also created 3001 International and Grand Prix Design, which later morphed into Arena International Motorsport. The team made their racing debut in the British Touring Car Championship
in 1999, where they ran for many years before moving to become a factory-supported Zytek
sports car team in the Le Mans Series
in 2007. They have since returned to the BTCC running the Team Aon operation.
Renault Laguna
Arena's first season
saw the team running a year-old Renault Laguna
for Russell Spence
, who was later replaced by Will Hoy
. The team then disappeared from the series.
Honda
In 2001 approached Honda
about running a Civic
on an independent basis. However, Honda chose to give the team full manufacturer backing for the 2002 season
, with Alan Morrison
and Andy Priaulx
driving. There was some initial success, and in 2003
newcomer Matt Neal
finished third in the standings for them, in what was Arena's best year in the BTCC with six wins and finishing second in the Teams' and Manufacturers' Championships.
However Honda chose to reduce their support, leaving Arena running a single car for Tom Chilton
in 2004
and claim two wins. Honda's support was gone altogether in 2005
but despite missing the opening and closing meetings of the year Chilton went on to take four wins in the campaign before they decided to sell off their Civic to Fast-Tec Motorsport, although Arena provided some assistance with setting up the car. Arena then moved on to a full time sports car team.
. The team's lead driver was Tom Chilton along with Alan Morrison
also returning, running under the Team Aon banner (Aon Corporation being their primary sponsor). Morrison left the team during the season and was replaced in certain rounds by Tom Onslow-Cole
. The team struggled with the car at the beginning of the season, but were on the pace at the end of the year. For 2010
, the cars will run under LPG
-power from Calor
, with Chilton and Onslow-Cole continuing as drivers. They saw a massive leap in performance. Winning 7 races & securing 4th & 5th in the drivers championship & 2nd in the teams championship.
branded Audi R8 in the European Le Mans Series
and at Le Mans for Johansson Racing. The drivers Stefan Johansson
, Patrick Lemarié
and Tom Coronel
were unsuccessful at Le Mans but the team did win the European Le Mans Series
championship that year.
In 2003, Arena chose to enter sports car racing, being chosen to represent Audi
Sport UK. The team would run an Audi R8 at the 12 Hours of Sebring
and 24 Hours of Le Mans
. A driving team of Mika Salo
, Jonny Kane
, and Perry McCarthy
were able to take sixth place at Sebring, but the team's fortune at Le Mans turned sour as Frank Biela
mistakenly missed his pit stop and ran out of fuel early in the race.
For 2004, Arena initially planned to run a privateer Dome
prototype
at Le Mans, but the plan did not come together and their entry was withdrawn. A second attempt in 2005 with a new Zytek also did not occur. Finally, in 2007, Arena was able to purchase a Zytek
07S, with plans to enter the full Le Mans Series
season as the factory squad in LMP1 with Tom Chilton
and Hayanari Shimoda
.
Arena's 2007 effort would suffer mechanical setbacks early, with the team struggling to finish races due to throttle cable linkage failures. The team was also forced to withdraw from Le Mans when a heavy accident during testing damage the car so badly that repairs could not be completed in the two weeks prior to the race. Arena was however able to finish in eighth place at the Nürburgring
, earning them their first points of the season.
, Arena join the young A1 Grand Prix
series maniaging both A1 Team India
and A1 Team Greece
but this last one didn't race all season.
Arena were involved in 2007
in British Formula Three Championship
with Max Chilton
without success.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
motor racing team founded by Mike Earle. Earle originally ran the Onyx Formula One team from the same base in Littlehampton, before selling the team.
Earle also created 3001 International and Grand Prix Design, which later morphed into Arena International Motorsport. The team made their racing debut in the British Touring Car Championship
British Touring Car Championship
The British Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing series held each year in the United Kingdom. The Championship was established in 1958 as the British Saloon Car Championship and has run to various rules over the years – "production cars", then FIA Group 1 or 2 in the late 1960s...
in 1999, where they ran for many years before moving to become a factory-supported Zytek
Zytek
Zytek Group Ltd is an automotive and motorsport company founded in 1981 and based in Fradley and Repton, United Kingdom. Zytek Group has two main division: Zytek Automotive, which is based at Fradley, Staffordshire; and Zytek Engineering, which is based at Repton, Derbyshire.-Zytek Automotive:Zytek...
sports car team in the Le Mans Series
Le Mans Series
The Le Mans Series is a European sports car racing endurance series based around the 24 Hours of Le Mans race and run by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest . The series was originally named the Le Mans Endurance Series, but changed its name prior to the 2006 season...
in 2007. They have since returned to the BTCC running the Team Aon operation.
Renault LagunaRenault LagunaThe Renault Laguna is a large family car produced by the French manufacturer Renault. The first Laguna was launched in 1993, the second generation was launched in 2000, and the third generation was made available for sale in October 2007....
(1999)
Arena's first season1999 British Touring Car Championship season
The 1999 Auto Trader RAC British Touring Car Championship season was won by Laurent Aïello in his debut season driving for the Nissan works team, with team mate David Leslie in second place....
saw the team running a year-old Renault Laguna
Renault Laguna
The Renault Laguna is a large family car produced by the French manufacturer Renault. The first Laguna was launched in 1993, the second generation was launched in 2000, and the third generation was made available for sale in October 2007....
for Russell Spence
Russell Spence
Russell Spence was a British auto racing driver. He now runs a construction business in London.-Early career:...
, who was later replaced by Will Hoy
Will Hoy
William Ewing Hoy , was a British racing driver and the 1991 British Touring Car Champion, the highlight of a 20-year career in motor racing. Born in Melbourn, Cambridgeshire, Hoy did not begin racing until his late 20s and first raced at international level in 1985, taking on the full World...
. The team then disappeared from the series.
HondaHondais a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
and Team HondaHondais a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
(2001–2005)
In 2001 approached HondaHonda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
about running a Civic
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is a line of subcompact and subsequently compact cars made and manufactured by Honda. The Civic, along with the Accord and Prelude, comprised Honda's vehicles sold in North America until the 1990s, when the model lineup was expanded...
on an independent basis. However, Honda chose to give the team full manufacturer backing for the 2002 season
2002 British Touring Car Championship season
The 2002 Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship season was the 45th British Touring Car Championship season.-Teams and drivers:...
, with Alan Morrison
Alan Morrison (racing driver)
Alan Morrison is a British racing driver who resides in Northern Ireland.-Racing career:After spending his early racing years in motocross, he first started circuit racing in the Ford Fiesta championship in 1997 and again this time winning the championship in 1998. He entered the Vauxhall Vectra...
and Andy Priaulx
Andy Priaulx
Andrew Graham Priaulx, MBE is a British racing driver from Guernsey. He is a European Touring Car Championship champion, three times World Touring Car Championship champion and the only FIA Touring Car champion to win an International level championship for four consecutive years...
driving. There was some initial success, and in 2003
2003 British Touring Car Championship season
The 2003 Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship season was the 46th British Touring Car Championship season.-Changes for 2003:-Teams and drivers:For 2003 all three main manufacturers in the premier Touring class ran three cars...
newcomer Matt Neal
Matt Neal
Matthew Neal is a British motor racing driver. He won the British Touring Car Championship in 2005, 2006 and 2011. He has also won a European Touring Car Championship race. He is 6' 6" tall, making him almost entirely unable to race single-seaters...
finished third in the standings for them, in what was Arena's best year in the BTCC with six wins and finishing second in the Teams' and Manufacturers' Championships.
However Honda chose to reduce their support, leaving Arena running a single car for Tom Chilton
Tom Chilton
Thomas James Chilton is a British auto racing driver. He has spent most of his career competing in the BTCC; he is a former factory Vauxhall and Honda driver. For 2011 he is driving an NGTC-spec Ford Focus for Team Aon...
in 2004
2004 British Touring Car Championship season
The 2004 Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship season was the 47th British Touring Car Championship season.-Teams and drivers:...
and claim two wins. Honda's support was gone altogether in 2005
2005 British Touring Car Championship season
The 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship season was the 48th British Touring Car Championship season. As in 2004, there were ten racing weekends at nine different circuits; each round comprising three races, making a thirty round competition in total.-Teams and drivers:After 2004 saw...
but despite missing the opening and closing meetings of the year Chilton went on to take four wins in the campaign before they decided to sell off their Civic to Fast-Tec Motorsport, although Arena provided some assistance with setting up the car. Arena then moved on to a full time sports car team.
Team Aon Ford Focus (2009–Present)
On 25 November 2008, Arena Motorsport announced it would be running a pair of Ford Focus STs for the 2009 season2009 British Touring Car Championship season
The 2009 HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship season was the 52nd British Touring Car Championship season. It began at Brands Hatch on the Indy layout on April 5 and finished after 30 races over 10 events on the Grand Prix layout at Brands Hatch on October 4...
. The team's lead driver was Tom Chilton along with Alan Morrison
Alan Morrison (racing driver)
Alan Morrison is a British racing driver who resides in Northern Ireland.-Racing career:After spending his early racing years in motocross, he first started circuit racing in the Ford Fiesta championship in 1997 and again this time winning the championship in 1998. He entered the Vauxhall Vectra...
also returning, running under the Team Aon banner (Aon Corporation being their primary sponsor). Morrison left the team during the season and was replaced in certain rounds by Tom Onslow-Cole
Tom Onslow-Cole
-Career:Onslow-Cole began his career in karting at the age of eight. He was the 2006 Renault Clio Cup champion, winning the title by 113 points from his nearest rival. This allowed him to graduate to the BTCC for the 2007 season...
. The team struggled with the car at the beginning of the season, but were on the pace at the end of the year. For 2010
2010 British Touring Car Championship season
The 2010 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship season was the 53rd British Touring Car Championship season. It began at Thruxton Circuit on April 4 and finished after 30 races over ten events at Brands Hatch on October 10....
, the cars will run under LPG
Liquified petroleum gas
Liquefied petroleum gas is a flammable mixture of hydrocarbon gases used as a fuel in heating appliances and vehicles. It is increasingly used as an aerosol propellant and a refrigerant, replacing chlorofluorocarbons in an effort to reduce damage to the ozone layer...
-power from Calor
Calor
Calor Gas is a brand of bottled butane and propane which is available in Britain and Ireland. It comes in cylinders, which have a special gas regulator.Calor was formed in 1935. Calor is the UK's leading supplier of Liquefied petroleum gas...
, with Chilton and Onslow-Cole continuing as drivers. They saw a massive leap in performance. Winning 7 races & securing 4th & 5th in the drivers championship & 2nd in the teams championship.
| British Touring Car Championship British Touring Car Championship The British Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing series held each year in the United Kingdom. The Championship was established in 1958 as the British Saloon Car Championship and has run to various rules over the years – "production cars", then FIA Group 1 or 2 in the late 1960s... results |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Car | Drivers | Wins | Poles | Fast laps | Points | D.C. | T.C. |
| 1999 1999 British Touring Car Championship season The 1999 Auto Trader RAC British Touring Car Championship season was won by Laurent Aïello in his debut season driving for the Nissan works team, with team mate David Leslie in second place.... |
Renault Laguna Renault Laguna The Renault Laguna is a large family car produced by the French manufacturer Renault. The first Laguna was launched in 1993, the second generation was launched in 2000, and the third generation was made available for sale in October 2007.... |
Russell Spence Russell Spence Russell Spence was a British auto racing driver. He now runs a construction business in London.-Early career:... |
th | 8th | ||||
| Will Hoy Will Hoy William Ewing Hoy , was a British racing driver and the 1991 British Touring Car Champion, the highlight of a 20-year career in motor racing. Born in Melbourn, Cambridgeshire, Hoy did not begin racing until his late 20s and first raced at international level in 1985, taking on the full World... |
th | |||||||
| 2002 2002 British Touring Car Championship season The 2002 Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship season was the 45th British Touring Car Championship season.-Teams and drivers:... |
Honda Civic Honda Civic The Honda Civic is a line of subcompact and subsequently compact cars made and manufactured by Honda. The Civic, along with the Accord and Prelude, comprised Honda's vehicles sold in North America until the 1990s, when the model lineup was expanded... Type-R with Honda Honda is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than... Racing |
Andy Priaulx Andy Priaulx Andrew Graham Priaulx, MBE is a British racing driver from Guernsey. He is a European Touring Car Championship champion, three times World Touring Car Championship champion and the only FIA Touring Car champion to win an International level championship for four consecutive years... |
116 | 5th | 4th | |||
 Alan MorrisonAlan Morrison (racing driver) Alan Morrison is a British racing driver who resides in Northern Ireland.-Racing career:After spending his early racing years in motocross, he first started circuit racing in the Ford Fiesta championship in 1997 and again this time winning the championship in 1998. He entered the Vauxhall Vectra... |
68 | 9th | ||||||
| 2003 2003 British Touring Car Championship season The 2003 Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship season was the 46th British Touring Car Championship season.-Changes for 2003:-Teams and drivers:For 2003 all three main manufacturers in the premier Touring class ran three cars... |
Honda Civic Honda Civic The Honda Civic is a line of subcompact and subsequently compact cars made and manufactured by Honda. The Civic, along with the Accord and Prelude, comprised Honda's vehicles sold in North America until the 1990s, when the model lineup was expanded... Type-R with Honda Honda is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than... Racing |
Matt Neal Matt Neal Matthew Neal is a British motor racing driver. He won the British Touring Car Championship in 2005, 2006 and 2011. He has also won a European Touring Car Championship race. He is 6' 6" tall, making him almost entirely unable to race single-seaters... |
148 | 3rd | 2nd | |||
| Alan Morrison Alan Morrison (racing driver) Alan Morrison is a British racing driver who resides in Northern Ireland.-Racing career:After spending his early racing years in motocross, he first started circuit racing in the Ford Fiesta championship in 1997 and again this time winning the championship in 1998. He entered the Vauxhall Vectra... |
125 | 5th | ||||||
| Tom Chilton Tom Chilton Thomas James Chilton is a British auto racing driver. He has spent most of his career competing in the BTCC; he is a former factory Vauxhall and Honda driver. For 2011 he is driving an NGTC-spec Ford Focus for Team Aon... |
70 | 9th | ||||||
| 2004 2004 British Touring Car Championship season The 2004 Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship season was the 47th British Touring Car Championship season.-Teams and drivers:... |
Honda Civic Honda Civic The Honda Civic is a line of subcompact and subsequently compact cars made and manufactured by Honda. The Civic, along with the Accord and Prelude, comprised Honda's vehicles sold in North America until the 1990s, when the model lineup was expanded... Type-R with Team Honda Honda is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than... |
Tom Chilton Tom Chilton Thomas James Chilton is a British auto racing driver. He has spent most of his career competing in the BTCC; he is a former factory Vauxhall and Honda driver. For 2011 he is driving an NGTC-spec Ford Focus for Team Aon... |
2 | 116 | 9th | 5th | ||
| 2005 2005 British Touring Car Championship season The 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship season was the 48th British Touring Car Championship season. As in 2004, there were ten racing weekends at nine different circuits; each round comprising three races, making a thirty round competition in total.-Teams and drivers:After 2004 saw... |
Honda Civic Honda Civic The Honda Civic is a line of subcompact and subsequently compact cars made and manufactured by Honda. The Civic, along with the Accord and Prelude, comprised Honda's vehicles sold in North America until the 1990s, when the model lineup was expanded... Type-R |
Tom Chilton Tom Chilton Thomas James Chilton is a British auto racing driver. He has spent most of his career competing in the BTCC; he is a former factory Vauxhall and Honda driver. For 2011 he is driving an NGTC-spec Ford Focus for Team Aon... |
3 | 175 | 5th | 5th | ||
| 2009 2009 British Touring Car Championship season The 2009 HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship season was the 52nd British Touring Car Championship season. It began at Brands Hatch on the Indy layout on April 5 and finished after 30 races over 10 events on the Grand Prix layout at Brands Hatch on October 4... |
Ford Focus ST with Team Aon |
Tom Chilton Tom Chilton Thomas James Chilton is a British auto racing driver. He has spent most of his career competing in the BTCC; he is a former factory Vauxhall and Honda driver. For 2011 he is driving an NGTC-spec Ford Focus for Team Aon... |
1 | 55 | 13th | 9th | ||
| Tom Onslow-Cole Tom Onslow-Cole -Career:Onslow-Cole began his career in karting at the age of eight. He was the 2006 Renault Clio Cup champion, winning the title by 113 points from his nearest rival. This allowed him to graduate to the BTCC for the 2007 season... |
4 | 21st | ||||||
| Alan Morrison Alan Morrison (racing driver) Alan Morrison is a British racing driver who resides in Northern Ireland.-Racing career:After spending his early racing years in motocross, he first started circuit racing in the Ford Fiesta championship in 1997 and again this time winning the championship in 1998. He entered the Vauxhall Vectra... |
2 | 24th | ||||||
| 2010 2010 British Touring Car Championship season The 2010 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship season was the 53rd British Touring Car Championship season. It began at Thruxton Circuit on April 4 and finished after 30 races over ten events at Brands Hatch on October 10.... |
Ford Focus ST LPG with Team Aon and Calor Calor Calor Gas is a brand of bottled butane and propane which is available in Britain and Ireland. It comes in cylinders, which have a special gas regulator.Calor was formed in 1935. Calor is the UK's leading supplier of Liquefied petroleum gas... |
Tom Onslow-Cole Tom Onslow-Cole -Career:Onslow-Cole began his career in karting at the age of eight. He was the 2006 Renault Clio Cup champion, winning the title by 113 points from his nearest rival. This allowed him to graduate to the BTCC for the 2007 season... |
4 | 4 | 4 | 200 | 4th | 2nd |
| Tom Chilton Tom Chilton Thomas James Chilton is a British auto racing driver. He has spent most of his career competing in the BTCC; he is a former factory Vauxhall and Honda driver. For 2011 he is driving an NGTC-spec Ford Focus for Team Aon... |
3 | 5 | 2 | 191 | 5th | |||
| * Season in progress | ||||||||
Sports car racing
In 2001, Arena ran the GulfGulf Oil
Gulf Oil was a major global oil company from the 1900s to the 1980s. The eighth-largest American manufacturing company in 1941 and the ninth-largest in 1979, Gulf Oil was one of the so-called Seven Sisters oil companies...
branded Audi R8 in the European Le Mans Series
European Le Mans Series
The European Le Mans Series was a sports car endurance series based around the 24 Hours of Le Mans that was created in 2000 and ran its only season in 2001 before being cancelled. It was created by Don Panoz as an expansion on his successful American Le Mans Series run by IMSA...
and at Le Mans for Johansson Racing. The drivers Stefan Johansson
Stefan Johansson
Stefan Nils Edwin Johansson is a former Formula One driver from who drove for among others both Ferrari and McLaren during his Grand Prix career. Since leaving Formula One he has raced in a number of categories, including CART, various kinds of Sports car racing, and Grand Prix Masters...
, Patrick Lemarié
Patrick Lemarié
Patrick Lemarié is a French auto racing driver born February 6, 1968 in Paris. He spent four years performing testing work for the British American Racing Formula One team but never was considered for a race seat due to his lack of experience. His manager, Craig Pollock, hired him to drive for...
and Tom Coronel
Tom Coronel
Tom Romeo Coronel is a Dutch auto racing driver. Tom's twin brother Tim is also a racer, just like their father Tom Coronel Sr...
were unsuccessful at Le Mans but the team did win the European Le Mans Series
European Le Mans Series
The European Le Mans Series was a sports car endurance series based around the 24 Hours of Le Mans that was created in 2000 and ran its only season in 2001 before being cancelled. It was created by Don Panoz as an expansion on his successful American Le Mans Series run by IMSA...
championship that year.
In 2003, Arena chose to enter sports car racing, being chosen to represent Audi
Audi
Audi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group....
Sport UK. The team would run an Audi R8 at the 12 Hours of Sebring
12 Hours of Sebring
The 12 Hours of Sebring is an annual motorsport endurance race for sports cars held at Sebring International Raceway, a former Army Air Force base in Sebring, Florida...
and 24 Hours of Le Mans
24 Hours of Le Mans
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since near the town of Le Mans, France. Commonly known as the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency, race teams have to balance speed against the cars' ability to run for 24 hours without sustaining...
. A driving team of Mika Salo
Mika Salo
Mika Juhani Salo is a Finnish racing driver. He competed in Formula One between and . His best ranking was 10th in the world championship in 1999. He also won the GT2 class in the 2008 and 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans....
, Jonny Kane
Jonny Kane
Jonny Kane is a racing driver who has competed at various levels of motorsport. He currently drives for Strakka Racing in the Le Mans Series.Kane, who was born in Comber, Northern Ireland, began his career in karting and Formula Ford...
, and Perry McCarthy
Perry McCarthy
-Career:Born in Billericay, Essex, McCarthy grew up to work for his father's company servicing North Sea oil rigs. Unlike most Formula One drivers, McCarthy did not start racing in karts...
were able to take sixth place at Sebring, but the team's fortune at Le Mans turned sour as Frank Biela
Frank Biela
Frank Biela is an auto racing driver, mainly competing in touring cars and sportscar racing. He has raced exclusively in cars manufactured by the Audi marque since 1990....
mistakenly missed his pit stop and ran out of fuel early in the race.
For 2004, Arena initially planned to run a privateer Dome
Dome (constructor)
, literally "child's dream", is a Japanese-based racing car constructor, involved mainly in open wheel and sports car racing.-Background:In 1965 Minoru Hayashi built his first racing car, a rebodied Honda S600 coupe. Belonging to Tojiro Ukiya, it was called the "Karasu" , due to its shape...
prototype
Le Mans Prototype
A Le Mans Prototype is a type of sports prototype race car most notably used in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, American Le Mans Series and Le Mans Series...
at Le Mans, but the plan did not come together and their entry was withdrawn. A second attempt in 2005 with a new Zytek also did not occur. Finally, in 2007, Arena was able to purchase a Zytek
Zytek
Zytek Group Ltd is an automotive and motorsport company founded in 1981 and based in Fradley and Repton, United Kingdom. Zytek Group has two main division: Zytek Automotive, which is based at Fradley, Staffordshire; and Zytek Engineering, which is based at Repton, Derbyshire.-Zytek Automotive:Zytek...
07S, with plans to enter the full Le Mans Series
Le Mans Series
The Le Mans Series is a European sports car racing endurance series based around the 24 Hours of Le Mans race and run by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest . The series was originally named the Le Mans Endurance Series, but changed its name prior to the 2006 season...
season as the factory squad in LMP1 with Tom Chilton
Tom Chilton
Thomas James Chilton is a British auto racing driver. He has spent most of his career competing in the BTCC; he is a former factory Vauxhall and Honda driver. For 2011 he is driving an NGTC-spec Ford Focus for Team Aon...
and Hayanari Shimoda
Hayanari Shimoda
Hayanari Shimoda is a Japanese race car driver, born in Tokyo.His career started in 1997 in karting, Shimoda moving up to Italian Formula Renault in 2001...
.
Arena's 2007 effort would suffer mechanical setbacks early, with the team struggling to finish races due to throttle cable linkage failures. The team was also forced to withdraw from Le Mans when a heavy accident during testing damage the car so badly that repairs could not be completed in the two weeks prior to the race. Arena was however able to finish in eighth place at the Nürburgring
2007 1000km of Nürburgring
The 2007 1000km of Nürburgring was the third round of the 2007 Le Mans Series season. It took place on July 1, 2007, at the Nürburgring, Germany.-Official results:...
, earning them their first points of the season.
| Le Mans Series Le Mans Series The Le Mans Series is a European sports car racing endurance series based around the 24 Hours of Le Mans race and run by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest . The series was originally named the Le Mans Endurance Series, but changed its name prior to the 2006 season... results |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Class | Car | Drivers | Wins | Poles | Fast laps | Points | T.C. |
| 2007 2007 Le Mans Series season The 2007 Le Mans Series season was the fourth season of ACO's Le Mans Series. It was a series for Le Mans prototype and Grand Touring style cars broken into four classes: LMP1, LMP2, GT1, and GT2... |
LMP1 | Zytek Zytek Zytek Group Ltd is an automotive and motorsport company founded in 1981 and based in Fradley and Repton, United Kingdom. Zytek Group has two main division: Zytek Automotive, which is based at Fradley, Staffordshire; and Zytek Engineering, which is based at Repton, Derbyshire.-Zytek Automotive:Zytek... 07S-Zytek Zytek Zytek Group Ltd is an automotive and motorsport company founded in 1981 and based in Fradley and Repton, United Kingdom. Zytek Group has two main division: Zytek Automotive, which is based at Fradley, Staffordshire; and Zytek Engineering, which is based at Repton, Derbyshire.-Zytek Automotive:Zytek... 2ZG408 4.0L V8 |
Tom Chilton Tom Chilton Thomas James Chilton is a British auto racing driver. He has spent most of his career competing in the BTCC; he is a former factory Vauxhall and Honda driver. For 2011 he is driving an NGTC-spec Ford Focus for Team Aon... Max Chilton Max Chilton Max Alexander Chilton is a British racing driver who currently races for Carlin in the GP2 Series. He attended Ardingly College, West Sussex from 1999 to 2008...  Hayanari ShimodaHayanari Shimoda Hayanari Shimoda is a Japanese race car driver, born in Tokyo.His career started in 1997 in karting, Shimoda moving up to Italian Formula Renault in 2001... |
0 | 8 | 8th* |
| 24 Hours of Le Mans 24 Hours of Le Mans The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since near the town of Le Mans, France. Commonly known as the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency, race teams have to balance speed against the cars' ability to run for 24 hours without sustaining... results |
||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Class | No | Tyres | Car | Drivers | Pole | Fast lap |
Laps | Pos. | Class Pos. |
| 2003 2003 24 Hours of Le Mans The 2003 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 71st Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on June 14 and 15 2003.-Race:After three consecutive wins, the Audi factory team officially did not field a team, although several privateers did use R8 chassis... |
LMP900 | 52 | Audi R8-Audi Audi Audi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group.... 3.6L Turbo V8 with Audi Audi Audi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group.... Sport UK |
 Frank BielaFrank Biela Frank Biela is an auto racing driver, mainly competing in touring cars and sportscar racing. He has raced exclusively in cars manufactured by the Audi marque since 1990.... Perry McCarthy Perry McCarthy -Career:Born in Billericay, Essex, McCarthy grew up to work for his father's company servicing North Sea oil rigs. Unlike most Formula One drivers, McCarthy did not start racing in karts...  Mika SaloMika Salo Mika Juhani Salo is a Finnish racing driver. He competed in Formula One between and . His best ranking was 10th in the world championship in 1999. He also won the GT2 class in the 2008 and 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans.... |
no | no | 28 (DNF) |
46th | 15th |
| 12 Hours of Sebring 12 Hours of Sebring The 12 Hours of Sebring is an annual motorsport endurance race for sports cars held at Sebring International Raceway, a former Army Air Force base in Sebring, Florida... results |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Class | No | Tyres | Car | Drivers | Pole | Fast lap |
Laps | Pos. | Class Pos. |
| 2003 2003 12 Hours of Sebring The 2003 12 Hours of Sebring was the 51st running of this event, and took place on March 15, 2003. This was also the opening race of the 2003 American Le Mans Series season.-Official results:Class winners in bold... |
LMP900 | 9 | Audi R8-Audi Audi Audi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group.... 3.6L Turbo V8 with Audi Audi Audi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group.... Sport UK |
Mika Salo Mika Salo Mika Juhani Salo is a Finnish racing driver. He competed in Formula One between and . His best ranking was 10th in the world championship in 1999. He also won the GT2 class in the 2008 and 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans.... Jonny Kane Jonny Kane Jonny Kane is a racing driver who has competed at various levels of motorsport. He currently drives for Strakka Racing in the Le Mans Series.Kane, who was born in Comber, Northern Ireland, began his career in karting and Formula Ford... Perry McCarthy Perry McCarthy -Career:Born in Billericay, Essex, McCarthy grew up to work for his father's company servicing North Sea oil rigs. Unlike most Formula One drivers, McCarthy did not start racing in karts... |
351 | no | no | 6th | 4th |
| European Le Mans Series European Le Mans Series The European Le Mans Series was a sports car endurance series based around the 24 Hours of Le Mans that was created in 2000 and ran its only season in 2001 before being cancelled. It was created by Don Panoz as an expansion on his successful American Le Mans Series run by IMSA... results |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Class | Car | Drivers | Wins | Poles | Fast laps | Points | T.C. |
| 2001 2001 European Le Mans Series season The 2001 European Le Mans Series season was the only season for the IMSA European Le Mans Series. It is a series for Le Mans Prototypes and Grand Touring race cars divided into 4 classes: LMP900, LMP675, GTS, and GT... |
LMP900 | Audi R8-Audi Audi Audi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group.... 3.6L Turbo V8 with Johansson Motorsport |
 Stefan JohanssonStefan Johansson Stefan Nils Edwin Johansson is a former Formula One driver from who drove for among others both Ferrari and McLaren during his Grand Prix career. Since leaving Formula One he has raced in a number of categories, including CART, various kinds of Sports car racing, and Grand Prix Masters... Guy Smith Guy Smith Guy Smith is a motor racing driver who has competed in various levels of motorsport.Smith started racing karts in 1987, winning the British Championship, and in 1991 finished second in the Senior World Championship... |
1 | 2 | 2 | 115 | 1st |
- D.C. = Drivers' Championship position, T.C. = Teams' Championship position.
Formulas
In 2006–072006-07 A1 Grand Prix season
The 2006–07 A1 Grand Prix season was the second season for the A1 Grand Prix series.It began on 1 October 2006, at Circuit Park Zandvoort, and the season ended at Brands Hatch on 29 April 2007. A1 Team Germany won it with 128 points, 35 points lead ahead Team New Zealand.-Teams:24 teams, each...
, Arena join the young A1 Grand Prix
A1 Grand Prix
A1 Grand Prix was a 'single make' open-wheel auto racing series. It was unique in its field in that competitors solely represented their nation as opposed to themselves or a team, the usual format in most formula racing series. As such, it was often promoted as the "World Cup of Motorsport"...
series maniaging both A1 Team India
A1 Team India
A1 Team India is the Indian team of A1 Grand Prix, an international racing series.- Management :The seatholder for Team India is former Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan....
and A1 Team Greece
A1 Team Greece
The A1 Team Greece was the Greek team of A1 Grand Prix, an international racing series.- Owners :A1 Team Greece owner was Stathis Basios...
but this last one didn't race all season.
Arena were involved in 2007
2007 British Formula Three season
The 2007 British Formula Three season was the 57th British Formula Three Championship season. It commenced on April 9, 2007 and ended on September 30 after twenty two races, with Estonian driver Marko Asmer crowned champion.-Teams and drivers:-Calendar:...
in British Formula Three Championship
British Formula Three Championship
The British Formula Three Championship is an international motor racing series that takes place primarily in the United Kingdom with a small number of events in mainland Europe. It is a junior-level feeder formula that uses small single seater Formula Three chassis. Its current official title is...
with Max Chilton
Max Chilton
Max Alexander Chilton is a British racing driver who currently races for Carlin in the GP2 Series. He attended Ardingly College, West Sussex from 1999 to 2008...
without success.
| British Formula Three Championship British Formula Three Championship The British Formula Three Championship is an international motor racing series that takes place primarily in the United Kingdom with a small number of events in mainland Europe. It is a junior-level feeder formula that uses small single seater Formula Three chassis. Its current official title is... Results |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Car | Drivers | Wins | Poles | Fast laps | Points | D.C. | T.C. |
| 2007 2007 British Formula Three season The 2007 British Formula Three season was the 57th British Formula Three Championship season. It commenced on April 9, 2007 and ended on September 30 after twenty two races, with Estonian driver Marko Asmer crowned champion.-Teams and drivers:-Calendar:... |
Dallara Dallara Dallara Automobili is an Italian chassis manufacturer for various motor racing series, being most notable for its near-monopoly in Formula 3 since 1993... -Mecachrome Mecachrome Mecachrome SAS is a precision engineering company involved in aviation, the automotive industry, motor racing and industrial engineering, but is most famous for assembling the engines designed by Renault for the Renault Formula One team.-Formula One:... |
Max Chilton Max Chilton Max Alexander Chilton is a British racing driver who currently races for Carlin in the GP2 Series. He attended Ardingly College, West Sussex from 1999 to 2008... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC | NC |
| A1 Grand Prix A1 Grand Prix A1 Grand Prix was a 'single make' open-wheel auto racing series. It was unique in its field in that competitors solely represented their nation as opposed to themselves or a team, the usual format in most formula racing series. As such, it was often promoted as the "World Cup of Motorsport"... results |
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Car | Team | Wins | Races | Poles | Fast laps | Points | T.C. |
| 2006–07 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix season The 2006–07 A1 Grand Prix season was the second season for the A1 Grand Prix series.It began on 1 October 2006, at Circuit Park Zandvoort, and the season ended at Brands Hatch on 29 April 2007. A1 Team Germany won it with 128 points, 35 points lead ahead Team New Zealand.-Teams:24 teams, each... |
Lola-Zytek |  A1 Team IndiaA1 Team India A1 Team India is the Indian team of A1 Grand Prix, an international racing series.- Management :The seatholder for Team India is former Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan.... |
0 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 16th |
 A1 Team GreeceA1 Team Greece The A1 Team Greece was the Greek team of A1 Grand Prix, an international racing series.- Owners :A1 Team Greece owner was Stathis Basios... |
0 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24th | ||
| 2007–08 2007-08 A1 Grand Prix season The 2007-08 A1 Grand Prix season was the third in the relatively short history of the championship.- Teams :All teams used same A1 Grand Prix car including chassis , engine and tyre... |
Lola-Zytek | A1 Team India A1 Team India A1 Team India is the Indian team of A1 Grand Prix, an international racing series.- Management :The seatholder for Team India is former Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan.... |
2 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 61 | 10th |
- 2008–092008-09 A1 Grand Prix seasonThe 2008–09 A1 Grand Prix season was the fourth and final season in its short history. It was announced that Ferrari will be supplying the engines. All cars and official merchandise are contractually obligated to portray the slogan "Powered by Ferrari"....
is the current season. - D.C. = Drivers' Championship position, T.C. = Teams' Championship position.