At the Star studded Autosport Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel this weekend it was Oliver Jarvis who walked away with the top award at the end of the evening - the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award.

” I’ve been dreaming about this moment for months now; it’s quite hard to take it in now that it’s here … I’ll never forget the moment when I heard my name. “ said Oliver.

The 21 year-old was the 2005 Formula Renault UK champion with Manor Motorsport, winning five times and scoring top five finishes in 14 of the 20 races. Oliver Jarvis has had spent two years each in Formula Ford and Formula Renault after a successful karting career when he was JICA champion in 1999. After being nominated it was all down to impressing the expert panel of judges at two days at Snetterton; driving a Mercedes C-class DTM, a Honda Integra BTCC car and a World Series by Renualt car. Although speed was taken into consideration the nominees were also judged on technical feedback and interaction with the engineers, attitude and interview skills. And with ” greater experience on his side than his rivals Oliver Jarvis stood out from his fellow nominees. ”

As well as the prestige of the award he receives £50,000 towards his 2006 season, a Graham ‘Grand Silvertsone’ watch, the James Hunt Trophy, a test in a McLaren Formula One car and membership of the British Racing Drivers’ Club.

When asked what he was aiming to do next year Oliver replied ” There are all sorts of things open for next year … British F3 is a possibility but I’d be silly not to evaluate the World Series by Renault as well. “

Oliver Jarvis lost out on another award he was nominated for, the Club Driver of the Year to James Jakes’ Formula Renault Team AKA Director - Andrew Kirkaldy. Who himself was a winner of the McLaren Autosport Award back in 1997.

” It’s great just to win an award and that people still know who you are! Obviously I’m disappointed that James Jakes didn’t win the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award, but that’s life. “ said Andrew Kirkaldy.

Full List of Autosport Award Winners

British Club Driver of the Year - Andrew Kirkaldy
Won the the British GT championship.

National Rally Driver of the Year - Mark Higgins
Had four victories from the seven events that he entered this season.

National Racing Driver of the Year - Matt Neal
Winner of the the British Touring Car Championship.

autosport.com Rookie of the Year Award - Tiago Monteiro
After his promising debut Formula One season by being thefirst rookie to finish his first 15 races.

Pioneering and Innovation Award - GP2 series
For creating close and entertaining racing throughout the season.

Gregor Grant Trophy - Tom Kristensen
After his record-breaking seventh victory at Le Mans this year.

John Bolster Award - John Force
The 56 year-old Legendary American drag racer achievements were recognised with the special award for a lifetime of technical achievement in motorsport after 119 races victories and his staggering 13th career NHRA Powerade Funny Car World Championship win in Las Vegas.

John Bolster Award -Pat Symonds
Renault’s director of engineering has been honoured after having helped guide the careers of a host of World Champions, including Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso during his long career at Toleman, Benetton and Renault.

Rally Car of the year - Citroen Xsara WRC
After winning staggering 11 out of a possible 16 rounds of the World Rally Championship.

International Rally Driver of the Year trophy - Sebastien Loeb
The World Rally Champion had arecord-breaking 10 wins this season and set a new record for the most number of consecutive wins, took the prestigious award for the second consecutive year.

Racing Car of the Year - McLaren Mercedes MP4-20
It took 10 wins in the hands of Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya in Formula One.

International Racing Driver of the Year Trophy - Kimi Raikkonen
Giving him something to smile about after his Championship disappointment.

British Competition Driver of the Year - Dan Wheldon
After being the first driver since Jacques Villeneuve 10 years ago to win both the IndyCar title and the Indy 500 in the same year.

Gregor Grant Trophy - Bernie Ecclestone
Formula One supremo was awarded the trophy in recognition of his outstanding achievement in motor racing.

McLaren Autosport BRDC award - Oliver Jarvis
After his 2005 Formula Renault UK champion with Manor Motorsport, he was nominated by Autosport readers and impressing the judges over two days evaluation at Snetterton.

Would would like to offer our congratulations to all the winners, and wish them best of luck for the future!

James Jakes has been awarded Rising Star status by the British Racing Drivers’ Club. James, who had an outstanding year in Formula Renault, was honoured with the Membership in recognition of his achievements and future prospects within racing.

In 2000 the British Racing Drivers’ Club created their Rising Star initiative. The category is open to 14-24 year olds, and membership is by strict invitation only. It is typically limited to a maximum of 40 young potential drivers who have shown excellence in the field of Motorsport.

The selected Drivers can come from all categories of racing up to the FIA International F3000 Championship, and the careers and future prospects of each driver, has been scrutinised and assessed by the selection team.

A team of ’scouts’, comprising of BRDC Board Members, make recommendations of promising Young Drivers for Board approval. Once approved James Jakes had to visit the home of the British Racing Drivers’ Club at Silverstone to be interviewed by a panel in relation to his motor racing career and his aspirations in the sport.

Being awarded Rising Star status is a recognition of James’ talent and potential to be a future British World Champion.

A further sign of his skill being noticed is his nomination for the McLaren Autosport Award. Despite him only entering the arena of motorsport in the later half of 2002 racing in T-cars, and only turning 18 this last August, is proof enough that James could be following in the footsteps of past winners of these accolades, such as Jenson Button and David Coulthard - all the way to Formula One.

James Jakes was chosen as one of the six talented finalists for the prestigious 2005 McLaren Autosport BRDC Award by an expert panel of judges. So James spent a ‘testing’ two days at Snetterton with five of his peers, the best young racing drivers in the UK, impressing the judges in three diverse cars. They each had 30 laps in a World Series single seater, and 18 laps in both a Mercedes C-Class DTM and the BTCC title winning Honda Integra Type-R. The judges were taking into account the full range of areas a top class racing driver has to excel in, including: speed, technique, attitude and feedback.

” It really is an overall package we’re looking for so there is a lot more to it than just driving the car quickly for a few laps.” said judge and MotorSport Vision boss, Jonathan Palmer.

The Autosport Award Test Days were not open to any members of the public or media (except designated Autosport staff) and any activities on the day are strictly confidential until the Award presentation on 4 December. The rules state that ‘Any driver who discusses his or any other finalist’s performance at the test programme with members of the media will be excluded from the results.’ So we can’t give any details of the happenings of the two Test days - but we can reproduce the facts as reported in the AutoSport Magazine!

What does it mean to you to be nominated?
To know that you’ve been noticed this year, that people are looking at you and taking an interest is a big boost to any driver. Being nominated is the difficult step and, now that we’re here, I think any one of us could win it, it’s just down to how you performed on the day.

Which of the cars suprised you the most?
The DTM really stood out, mainly because of what it can do considering that it’s a saloon car. The performance is more like that of a single-seater.

How challenging was switching between cars?
The principles for driving a racing car are the same whatever you’re driving. As long as you understand the grip each car has, and how to go about getting the best out of it, I think you can be quick in about anything.

Why do you think you’ll do well?
The judges are looking for an overall package and you’ve just got to do your best, have fun, and hope that you’re what they are looking for.

The two days were…
a real priviledge to be involved in.

The winner will be announced at the AutoSport Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel on December 4, he will join the ranks of Award winners including David Coulthard, Jensen Button and Gary Paffett.

Good Luck James!

The six McLaren Autosport Awards nominees have been named.

Among these finalists is our very own James Jakes - who impressed the viewing public and the team of experts with his performance in the UK Formula Renault Championship. At the end of this years season he had the second highest points in the final total before dropped scores. He achieved 2 pole positions, 7 podiums, 3 ELF/Atol Driver of the Day, and 5 fastest laps. His inclusion is even more impressive if you take into account his age, having just turned 18 in August of this year, and the fact he is a relative newcomer compared to the other finalists. He only started out in T-cars at the end of 2002, some of his competitors have an extra 5 years of experience!

The other finalists are: Oliver Jarvis from Formula Renault UK; Sam Bird from Formula BMW UK; Duncan Tappy winner of the Formula Ford Festival; Joe Tandy from Formula Palmer Audi; and US Formula 200 runner Joey Foster.

The finalist were selcted from a shortlist, voted for by Autosport readers and an expert panel of judges, comprising British Racing Driver’s Club secretary Roger Lane-Nott, Motorsport Vision’s JonathanPalmer and Gilles Butterfield, West Surrey’s Racing’s Dirk Bennets, former award winer Andrew Kirkaldy, veteran Commentator Ian Titchmarsh and Autosport’s Marcus Pye.

The drivers will now be evaluated over two days at Snetterton, where they will be tested in four different racing cars - a Caterham, a Team Dynamics BTCC Honda Integra, a Mercedes DTM touring car and a World Series by Renault single seater. The winner wil be awarded a cheque for £50,000 and a test in a McLaren Formula 1 car.

Lane-Nott said: ” We’ve got a good selection of promising talent that have a fantastic opportunity to show their potential. Aside from the cash prize, winning could be worth as much as £250,000 in other sponsorship. But it shouldn’t be underestimated that just to be selected is a real achievement and a true recognition of talent.

” It’s not just speed that the drivers will be judged on, but how they adapt to new cars, deal with pressure and work with the engineers. “

Former winners of the award include Jenson Button, David Coulthard, Gary Paffett, Ralph Firman. The victors for 2002 and 2003 - Alex Lloyd and Jamie Green and last year’s victor Paul di Resta were all competitors in the Formula Renault Championship - showing what a breeding ground for talent it really is.

The winner will be announced at the Autosport Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel on December 4.

T-Sport team boss Russ Eacott ran the Leeds teenager in his car for two days and says Jakes is the best young talent he has seen in his 15-year career.

” I definitely think he is ready for F3, “ said Eacott, whose driver Ryan Lewis last year finished 8th in the championship. ” James has great potential. He listened to the team, worked well and made some good progress. He was quick on both days and on the second he was
quickest over all even though last season’s front-runners Mike Conway and Bruno Senna were there. “

Jakes was more than two tenths quicker than Alvaro Parente’s pole time in this year’s F3 race at Croft, which Eacott puts down to natural
talent and the 18-year-old’s ability to work with the team. ” What impressed us most was how much pace he found in the car just by
working with the engineer, “ he said. ” On the second day he did a 1m14.6 on his early run. That was quickest at that point. Then him and the engineer worked together and changed the car over lunch and in the second session he did a 14.3 and then a 14.0 on new tyres. From where we were before lunch he’d gained six tenths from just working with the engineers. Credit has to go to the people who have managed him because James is an extremely well-rounded racing driver. “

Despite being one of the youngest drivers in this year’s Formula Renault field Jakes came third and hopes to join the ranks of the series’ most famous graduates including Formula One’s Pedro de la Rosa, Antonio Pizzonia and McLaren ace Kimi Raikkonen.

Formula 3 is the obvious next step. The cars are scaled-down Grand Prix racers capable of 165mph. Around the world, no other race series
has produced as many Grand Prix winners and World Champions as British Formula 3 including Ayrton Senna. Jakes tested with T-Sport at Croft earlier this month and is now considering his options.

” We would love to run him next year, “ said Eacott. ” I believe he is one of the best talents that will be running in F3 next year. He is definitely one of the best up and coming drivers that we’ve ever had and that goes throughout my 15 year career. “

James said ” We’re doing a bit a research into it. You can’t take your own cars out there, so we wnat to be sure we don’t end up with a bad car. “

The Yorkshire driver, who made his Formula 3 debut last weekend with Performance Racing, is also in discussion with European teams about racing in the Monza Formula Renault Eurocup final.

MILTON Keynes may not have Monaco’s yachts or the exclusive casinos, but last night it was doing a good impression of the famous street circuit - and Leeds racer James Jakes stole the show in his Formula Renault single-seater.

Thousands turned up to get autographs from famous faces including the British Touring Car Championship’s Jason Plato and Dan Eaves and then lined the streets to see racing cars lapping the town’s shopping centre.

” There were people within two metres either side of the car, “ said Jakes, who could not resist performing a few crowd-pleasing stunts in his Formula Renault. ” I was having a bit of sideways fun and they loved it - fish-tailing the back end and burning the tyres out. I think I found my showman’s streak. ”

James Jakes is lying second in the Formula Renault UK Championship with Michelin which resumes this Sunday at Silverstone in support of the BTCC package. The 18-year-old has been the talk of the paddock following four spectacular races in which he disproved a popular myth.

” People say that over-taking is impossible in single-seaters these days, ” said Jakes, who drives for Team AKA. ” But if you want the position you can get it. Now I’m one step away from winning the championship and I think we’ve shown everyone we have the pace.”

James had the second fastest time during the 9th May official testing at Silverstone for the 2005 Formula Renault UK championship. James lapped the 1.64 mile Silverstone National Circuit in 54.841 seconds, averaging 107.59 mph. The fastest time of the day went to Alex Storckenfeldt who also drives for Team AKA. James Jakes was a mere 0.127 seconds behind his swedish Team mate, with an average lap time just 0.25mph slower!

The Official Testing session could not be held during its normal slot in the week before the races because of Formula One testing at the Northamptonshire circuit in the usual slot before the weekends racing.

The Silverstone event will be featured ‘Live’ on Motors TV on Sunday the 18th of September, with Round 17 at 10:20 and Round 18 at 17:15, so remember to set your video recorders!

Timetable for Rounds 17 & 18 of Formula Renault Championship at Silverstone

Saturday 17th September

Sunday 18th September

The 15th & 16th Rounds of the UK Formula Renault Championship at Donington Park on the 10th and 11th started disappointingly for James Jakes after a very wet qualifying only managing to get 11th place on the grid for the first race and a better 4th for the second. Leaving him plenty of work to do in the races.

Yelmer Buurman seemed to be liking the technical Donington GP circuit getting pole position for both races, Oliver Jarvis the current Championship leader sitting alongside him on the grid for both races. Sean McIntosh, starting the weekend second overall posted similar qualifying times to James finishing in 10th and 5th. With the Championship still no where near decided the top three players - James, Oliver and Sean needed to get good results with only 6 races left.

Round 15

Starting 11th on the grid wasn’t going to hold James back - no sitting in a parade of cars, even though a fellow competitor stated after the race “Donington is not easy for overtaking”. He made a brilliant start getting past Sean McIntosh, and put Richard Keen, Stephen Simpson, Tom Kimber-Smith behind him before the end of lap one getting him upto 6th place. Oliver Jarvis made a poor start losing two places to Sebastien Hohenthal and Stuart Hall. Sean McIntosh was also in battling mood also having a good start and working his way up through the field, but James passed him through McLeans on Lap 1.

” He didn’t like it.. ” said James.

5th wasn’t going to be good enough for James - pushing Rodolfo Gonzalez all the time James swept past him at Redgate on lap 2. Followed by McIntosh, briefly after Oliver Jarvis and Stuart Hall made contact at Goddards causing Stuart Hall to spin off the circuit, bringing the Yellow Flag out.

Yelmer Buurman had successfully avoided any attacks from behind after Jarvis’ poor start and had been given a clear run to build up a decent lead ahead of Hohenthal and Jarvis, now in third, after he’d disposed of Stuart (who sucessfully rejoined back in 11th).

The battle at the sharp end was between Sean and James for 4th place. James subsequently won Driver of the Day for defending against the McIntosh onslaught. ” If you know how to defend it’s fairly easy. It depends on where he attacks you from but I was so much quicker than him round the back where it was wet but when it came to the dry stuff he just ate me alive. ” said James who held him off for the remainding laps.

The race was foreshortened due to Rodolfo Gonzalez, who was fighting behind McIntosh, unforunately suffering a rear suspension failure and having a dramatic roll at the Old Hairpin, thankfully coming out of the incident unscathed.

Final positions being: 1. Yelmer Buurman; 2. Sebastien Hohenthal; 3. Oliver Jarvis; 4. James Jakes; 5. Sean McIntosh.

Click here for the full Final (Porvisional) Results of Round 15

Round 16

By late in the afternnon the track had dried, but led to a no less exciting race. James had a poor start dropping from 4th on the grid down to 7th, but by the end of the first lap he had recovered some of his lost positions getting back up to 5th, behind Patrick Hogan. This was helped in part by a mistake from Sean McIntosh losing his back end exiting Coppice and getting beeched in the gravel.

Jarvis took an early lead with a good start passing Yelmer on the second lap coming into Redgate.

On lap 2 Jakes was pushing hard attacking Hogan and Stuart Hall, managing a superb move diving inside Patrick coming in to the Melbourne Hairpin and passing Hall on the exit, putting him into 3rd place. Stuart Hall not to be outdone charged down the indside out-braking James at Melbourne on the next lap and managed to take Yelmer through Goddards followed by James keeping him in third position. On the fourth lap Stuart Hall bowed under James’ pressure dropping him down to third and our boy upto 2nd.

Oliver Jarvis with a clear Track ahead of him had pulled out a five second lead which proved impossible to close.

Final positions being: 1. Oliver Jarvis; 2. James Jakes; 3. Stuart Hall; 4. Yelmer Buurman; 5. Stephen Simpson.

Click here for the full Final Results of Round 16

With only 4 rounds left, with weekends at Silverstone and Brands Hatch James is only 26 points behind Oliver Jarvis and Sean McIntosh currently another 20 points back before dropped scores are taken into consideration, it could be anybody’s Championship all the way to the final checkered flag!

The McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver Award was set up in 1989 to recognise and reward the talents of up-and-coming racing drivers.

As well as the kudos of winning the yearly award, recipients are given a valuable cash prize to help fund their racing programme, and a test in a Team McLaren Mercedes Formula One car.

Team McLaren Mercedes driver, David Coulthard was the first recipient of the award in 1989. Fifteen drivers have benefited from the award since including current BAR Honda driver Jenson Button, Ralph Firman, current IRL driver Dario Franchitti and BAR Honda test driver Anthony Davidson.

In last weeks Autosport (The World’s Best-Selling Motorsport Weekly!) Magazine they announced the opening of the nominations for this prestigious title for 2005.

And featured as one of the potential recipients was our own James Jakes! Nominees for the award are selected by the public, and then whittled down to six by a judging panel. The six finalists are then put through their paces in a series of High-tech racing machines, and the winner announced at the Autosport Awards at London’s Gosevenor House Hotel on December 4th.

The last three McLaren Autosport BRDC Awards have all been scooped by Formula Renault UK competitors.

Ron Dennis, Chairman and CEO of the McLaren Group commented: ” I have always believed that companies such as McLaren have an important role to play in nurturing future generations of Grand Prix drivers. The fact that we have now provided 15 young drivers with the same opportunity as a result of this award is incredibly pleasing. “

James Jakes (Cullingworth, West Yorkshire) stunned rain-drenched crowds at Knockhill this weekend by providing an over-taking master class in the Formula Renault UK Championship with Michelin.

During two rounds the 18-year-old managed to pass eight cars to finish fourth and second, dispelling predictions that over-taking would be impossible at the Scottish circuit. The incredible race performance made up for a less sparkling qualifying, which saw him start eighth and sixth on the grid.

Jakes is now in third place in the driver standings, 10 points behind Sean McIntosh (Vancouver, Canada) and 19 behind championship leader Oliver Jarvis (Burwell, Cambs).

” I’m really pleased with the result especially after I qualified eighth, “ said Jakes, who drives for Team AKA. ” I’ve saved my championship hopes by rescuing these two races despite a really bad qualifying. I won’t put myself in that position again.”

Explaining why he enjoys racing in the wet, Jakes added: ” You just had to look for where the grip was – on the outside, the inside, anywhere. I’ve always been quite quick in the rain. It makes it more difficult but I’m always up for new challenges. “

Young drivers from all over the world compete in the Formula Renault UK Championship with Michelin which has been a training ground for famous drivers including Le Mans winner Guy Smith as well as Formula One’s Pedro de la Rosa, Antonio Pizzonia and McLaren ace Kimi Raikkonen.

The cars are identical third generation Formula Renaults which feature carbon fibre chassis, six-speed sequential gearbox and Michelin tyres.

They are powered by Renaultsport’s latest specification 192 horsepower F4R competition engine - a 16-valve, four-cylinder machine which can accelerate from 0-100mph in just 4.85 seconds.