Motor Sport
AT last weekend's Uniroyal Fun Cup, at the world famous Spa Franchorchamps circuit in Belgium, Paul Rose of Macclesfield-based JPR Motorsport achieved massive success with his three co-drivers Steve Harris, Peter Cooke and fellow Maxonian Frank Pelle.
The foursome, along with ten other British teams, took on teams from France, Italy, Belguim, Spain and Germany, where the grid consisted of a phenomenal 160 cars for Europe's longest endurance race of 25 hours.
The competition, which promotes cost effective, close and exciting racing for all teams competing, uses cars which are built to a single specification and are powered by a 130 bhp VW/Audi engine encased in a Beetle style body.
Having qualified a respectable 19th, the Macc team were on a mission.
They continued with fantastic form and drove with great passion and determination through the night, emerging in the top ten when Sunday morning approached after 16 hours of racing.
Indeed, this was where they were to stay, even though Cooke had an accident at the Bus Stop during one of his stints.
Despite that, the team pushed their way back up again and after an incredible 25 hours they finished an awesome seventh overall and first for the UK: an achievement the Macclesfield-based team were extremely proud of.
Rose said: "Spa is the best race in the world, the amount of seat time in a 25-hour race is incredible, and to be competing in a field of 160 identical cars is unbelievable.
"It means the race is every bit about ability, set up and team work. We went there with high hopes so it was great to finish first for the UK.
"The crowd was unreal too, there were thousands of people there supporting us all. I can't wait to go again next year now."
The next event will be at the UK's famous Brands Hatch circuit on September 2-3, which will play host to the series for a three-hour race.
For further information about the series, visit the website: www.funcup.co.uk , or ring 01625 511500.
Action from the Spa race can be seen on Sky Sports' 'Race World' programme this month.
