One of the most unmistakable cars in British motorsport, the #2Mater entry of popular Legends Cars Championship racer James Newbery (Burgess Hill), will make a return to the track at Oulton Park this weekend – and he’s bringing a new friend for company as well with an expanded two-car squad.
Having been on the racing sidelines for nine months since last August’s visit to Knockhill in Scotland, Newbery – who has been supporting his dear wife Annie during the early part of this year following a devastating cancer diagnosis – is thrilled to be getting back behind the wheel of his #2Mater car.
Thankfully, surgery to remove the cancer has been a success for Mrs Newbery and family life is quickly returning to normal. Part of that normality, of course, will be the reappearance of #2Mater for rounds three and four of the Legends Cars Championship with James’ true family-run team.
Racing will take place this coming Saturday, 24th May, and on Spring Bank Holiday Monday, 26th April, as part of the high-profile British GT Championship event at Oulton’s full International Circuit configuration in the picturesque Cheshire countryside.
In addition to #2Mater, which sports a livery based on the Mater character from Disney Pixar film ‘Cars’, Oulton’s action – which also marks the start of the 2025 Legends Cars Elite Cup – will see the team debut a second car.
Playfully titled #IIMater, the sister car will be raced by Jon Critchlow (Northwich) who began his involvement with Legends Cars north of the border in Scotland back in 2018 and went on to enjoy great success. As Newbery states, with a brace of ‘Mater’ cars at Oulton there will be double the action, double the noise and double the excitement from Team #2Mater.
James Newbery:
“It’s been nine months since I last got behind the wheel in #2Mater, it was a really long break since Knockhill last year and a winter of planning and building more excitement for the track and our supporters in the form of the #IIMater car. I am excited to be getting back on track, and a little nervous as well if I’m honest.
“The extended break was to support my wife, Annie, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in March. The NHS has been amazing and the surgery to remove the cancer was carried out so rapidly, none of the family could properly understand what was going on. The surgery was successful and our lives are very much returning to normal.”
Qualifying at Oulton Park will start at 08.30 on Saturday with the first Heat beginning at 11.30, the second Heat following at 14.45 and the round three Final scheduled for 17.55. On Bank Holiday Monday, Heat One of round four will begin at 09.30, Heat Two at 12.00 and the Final at 15.05.
