Jason O'Keefe in action at Dubai Autodrome
They say that a straight line is the quickest way from A to B, but of course, that always assumes that there aren’t two dozen other cars and a few kilometres of race circuit between you and your destination. So in an attempt to re-write that expression to suit their motor racing habit, in the summer of 2009 Spencer Vanderpal and Jason O’Keefe created A2B Racing. In conjunction with their Crew Chief and Jason’s business partner at A2B Garage, Gareth Bettinson, the pair set about creating a team based on a few sound principles. A) Have fun, B) Aim to win, C) Don’t wreck the cars! Attracted by these principles, plus the thought of receiving excellent trackside support, and the lure of free food, Phil Anson, who during the 2009 off season had purchased Spencer’s Clio Cup Car, joined the team.
The team scored an important, morale boosting and wallet pleasing pre-season ‘victory’ when Gulf Oil agreed to sponsor them. That in turn made choosing a colour scheme easy enough, though they were very disappointed to learn that having the cars in Gulf’s famous blue and orange paintwork didn’t mean they’d automatically have their own spot reserved on the grid at Le Mans. Shame.
Spencer Vanderpal on the pace at Yas marina Circuit Abu Dhabi
Spencer had by now replaced his Clio with a Honda Civic Type R and hopes for success were high prior to the season opening race but, as is often the case in motor racing, “things didn’t go quite according to plan”. Jason had intended to be running a new engine to replace his 2008 / 2009 unit but with parts failing to arrive in time from the U.S., the old engine went back in, along with a gearbox borrowed from Spencer. “The gearing was way wrong for my Civic and I finished both opening day races watching from the back of the field” lamented O’Keefe. Likewise Spencer’s car had its fair share of issues early on; “Race one I was learning to come to grips, or rather the lack of it, with the car, race two I had a damaged clutch, race three, piston broke (the story of my life) and then I had engine management problems”. But at least Phil’s modifications to Spencer’s previous car went well “I moved the seat about two feet forward so I could reach the pedals and off I went”.
Phil Anson mid corner at Dubai Autodrome
Phil was no stranger to track racing but was unfamiliar with front wheel drive vehicles so he had to learn his craft in a hurry, enjoying regular battles with Mark Turner and Mike Scott “scoring points in the first four races while my lap times were getting better each week”. Phil went on to finish the season 8th in Class 2 and 14th overall in the Touring Car Championship, a result he was more than happy with in his first season’s TCC racing. Jason managed to put his initial problems behind him and as he proudly explained “mine was the only car to start and finish every race in Class Two – no DNFs all year” That sort of reliability (“thanks Gareth”), along with six podium finishes, including a greatly enjoyed 3rd place at Yas Marina, meant that Jason finished 4th overall in Class 2 of the Touring Car Championship. By Spencer’s own admission it took him half a season to iron out the various issues he faced with his new car, but once he’d finished the ironing, he again found himself in amongst the front runners, often battling with team-mate Jason for a podium spot, on the tail of Lap 57 pair Umair Khan and Omran Al Owais. He would end the season 6th overall.
Not content with racing only in the sunshine of the United Arab Emirates, Spencer has temporarily joined forces with fellow Dubai based racers Steve McClintock, Chris Wishart and Paul Denby, all of whom will be sharing the driving in Spencer’s Honda at the Silverstone 24hr race in October 2010. “Since it’s in Britain, we’ll be packing plenty of wet weather tyres for sure”. In preparation for that race, the Civic is being stripped and rebuilt at A2B in Al Quoz, in the hopes that if there are any gremlins hiding in the works, they’ll all be removed and beaten soundly round the head by Gareth before the car is packed in a container and shipped to the UK.
In addition to A2B Garage and Gulf Oils, The A2B team’s sponsors in 2009-201 included Welltonic, Viking, Any Sport Photos and Four Graphics.
“We’re hope our sponsors will share our view that having all three cars in the top 10 of our racing class was a pretty good result for our first season racing as a team” summarises O’Keefe. With plans afoot for more horsepower and revised suspension in the team’s vehicles for the 2010 / 11 season, they’re determined to take to their rivals at Lap 57, as Vanderpal puts it, “a neck and neck battle for next year’s Championship”. We wish them wel.
Words – Tim Ansell, Pics – Darren Rycroft
