Team 48

Team 48 Makes an Entrance – in Style at Snetterton

KNOWN mostly for their intricate footwork and work on camera, members of Team48 Motorsport certainly made their presence known at Snetterton earlier this month – arriving in style in a special limousine VIP coach.

On the eve (3.10.07) of Lewis Hamilton's first of two championship deciders, former England football legend Luther Blissett (founder of Team48 Motorsport) and top motoring correspondent Kevin Haggarthy, were also out setting the tone of things to come at the infamous Norfolk circuit.

The celebrity duo, who, synonymous with their F1 counterpart, know a thing or two about being in the spotlight, were seen fully kitted out in Team48 race-wear, coupled with no less than two hospitality suites and an entourage of Team support.

Bolstered by a compelling celebrity driver line–up, which includes top sports personalities John Barnes and Les Ferdinand, Team48 certainly has the winning ingredients among its ranks to be more than just competitive on the track. And to mark the auspicious occasion at Snetterton, Blissett and Haggarthy were seen out testing the Vauxhall Monaro V8.

Better known for presenting ITV's Pulling Power, TV presenter and columnist Kevin Haggarthy, who completes the four–man driver line–up, said: "Team48 is an existing project and one that I feel privileged to be part of.

"Through hard work and a will to succeed, I am confident that we will inspire more young people from ethnic minorities to become involved in motorsport. By the pure nature of our sporting backgrounds, I've no doubt that we will be competitive, but equally we understand the importance of the need to walk first before we can run.

"On the day, the Monaro handled extremely well around Snetterton and gave us, as well as onlookers, an indication of what's to come next," he added.

Almost 60 years on from the historic docking of the SS Empire Windrush at Tilbury in 1948, the Team's goal–set to compete in both club and touring car racing next year remains a poignant one. It is seen by many to be a fitting celebration of racial harmony and ethnic diversity – building on the success of the Windrush pioneers that went before them.

Blissett told reporters: "Team48 is a serious racing outfit whose presence can expect to be seen around a number of premier race circuits next year. Our goal for the reminder of this season is to get as much testing as we can so we are fully prepared for the new race reason, which starts in Ernest in January."

Aiding the celebrities search for new-found success is former GT Champion, and three–time Le Mans driver Calum Lockie. He will be putting the drivers' through their paces in their eventual quest to qualify for the Le Mans 24–Hour Endurance Race in 2010.

The Team are earmarked to be back out on track later this month at Donington, which is a further indication of just how serious they are taking the sport.

Former England Footballers Conquer Silverstone Circuit – September 07

THEY'VE been dubbed the pop stars of today courtesy of their fast cars, fast women and grandioso mansions. But are former England footballers Les Ferdinand and Luther Blissett looking to conquer a new life on the racetrack?

Reports that strikers Blissett, Ferdinand and John Barnes have been spin doctoring their own publicity stunt were soon quashed after two of the three were out testing at Silverstone just three days shy of the 2007 24-Hour Endurance Race.

The Trio, who are spearheading a new project appropriately named Team 48 Motorsport, which includes former ITV Pulling Power presenter Kevin Haggarthy, were also photographed talking to Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson.

As a further addition to the celebrity package, former So Solid Crew member and singer songwriter MC Harvey teamed up with the pair – test-driving the 2.7 Jaguar saloon around the infamous Northamptonshire circuit.

The Team are next expected to be out testing at Snetterton next month [October] as their quest for on-track sporting allocates heighten.