Two of British motorsport’s most successful single-seater teams, Hillspeed and Cliff Dempsey Racing, have today, Tuesday, 6th September, confirmed the signing of an exciting and high-profile partnership in the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship.
Marking a key development for both entities, two of the most well established family-owned and family-run teams in UK motorsport, they will each pool their considerable experience to mount a major challenge in the resurgent British F3 category.
The official team title will be Hillspeed with Cliff Dempsey Racing and the squad will run out of Hillspeed’s workshops in Hathersage, Derbyshire. As a result of the tie-up, Dempsey will scale-down his existing Formula Ford commitments but, time permitting, will run a program branded Cliff Dempsey Racing with Hillspeed.
Currently in advanced discussions with several drivers regarding potential seats in the upcoming end-of-year British F3 Autumn Trophy in late October at Snetterton 300 Circuit, the new partnership is also on the verge of confirming its first driver signing for the 2017 championship.
“This really is a hugely exciting development for both Hillspeed and Cliff Dempsey Racing, a wonderful opportunity and we have big plans going forward”, said Hillspeed team principal Richard Ollerenshaw, “Since our last F3 outing at Oulton Park, we received many approaches from teams wanting to purchase cars and enter into some form of partnership, but nothing was the right fit.
“Then, Cliff and I began discussions and this deal came together very quickly. Both teams have considerable experience in single-seater racing and by pooling that knowledge it will put Hillspeed and Cliff Dempsey Racing in a very strong position going forward.”
Cliff Dempsey, of course, needs no introduction as one of the leading figures in national motorsport with his team winning numerous titles in Formula Opel, Formula Ford, the Walter Hayes Trophy and Formula Ford Festival. The squad was also a front-runner, alongside Hillspeed, in Formula Renault.
“Obviously, I’m very excited about this whole venture”, commented Dempsey, “Two long-standing and successful teams combining their knowledge and experience, it’s a fantastic opportunity for both of us. This isn’t something I was planning but everything has come together very naturally and we’re looking forward to it hugely.
“It’s a great partnership, I’ll be joining Hillspeed’s engineers on the F3 side and we’ll also be joining forces with the Formula Ford. I’m absolutely delighted to be working with Richard [Ollerenshaw] and, through the good connections I have in the States and Canada, we hope to bring some very talented young drivers over to the UK to compete in British F3.”
