Member Article

Wrexham businessman earns place at international championships alongside former F1 drivers

A Wrexham-based businessman has earned a spot alongside ex F1 drivers Giancarlo Fisichella and Antonio Luizi at a FIA international race car championship.

Chris Stockton, managing director of Ningbo Palletised Distribution, will race in the International GT Open after securing his place at the official testing session in Barcelona.

He will drive a Bentley Continental GT3 in the championship, which is in its 11th year and is one of the top racing platforms in Europe.

Chris will race at seven Formula 1 graded venues between now and October in a bid to be crowned FIA International GT3 champion.

And he is relishing the opportunity to pit his driving skills against the world’s best again, after previously racing in the British Touring Car Championship and completing Le Mans as a TVR works driver.

“The International GT Open is a huge event in the racing world: everyone who is into racing would give their right arm to take part,” he said.

“There are ex F1 drivers like Fisichella taking part and it’s going to be fantastic to challenge myself against them.

“I exceeded my own expectations in testing in Barcelona to finish sixth fastest overall and earn a spot driving for the Bentley squad.

“It’s the best opportunity I’ve had to be in a competitive championship winning car, and it’s the highest profile event as well.”

The International GT Open is broadcast live in 72 countries, and is shown on delay in a further 133, attracting an audience of more than 220m.

The format is similar to Formula 1, with drivers earning points based on their finishing positions throughout the championship. The driver with the most points after the final race is crowned the champion.

Its races span tracks in seven countries: Estoril in Portugal, Spa in Belgium, Paul Ricard in France, Hungaroring in Hungary, Silverstone in the UK, Monza in Italy, and Barcelona in Spain.

Chris added: “I’ve raced at five of the seven circuits in different championships so am familiar with those. The simulator will greatly help to get on the pace at the fresh tracks.

“The schedule will involve me flying out on a Thursday evening ready for tests all day Thursday. We’ll then have qualifying on Saturday morning, followed by race one in the afternoon. Race two takes place 24 hours later on the Sunday before I’m back at work on Monday as normal.”

Ningbo, which was formed in 1993, offers a next day pallet delivery and collection service throughout the UK for normal goods, and is part of the UPN and Palletline networks.

It employs 48 members of staff and has a fleet of 27 lorries, 20 additional trailers and four vans. In addition to the UK and Ireland, it delivers to all of Europe.

It also offers businesses the option of pallet storage, pick and pack, and container unloading with a bespoke fully tracked and traced warehouse system.

Ningbo Palletised Distribution is part of the Ningbo Group. Chris’ other businesses include Ningbo Furniture, a supplier of contract furniture.

For further information visit www.ningbodistribution.co.uk or www.ningbofurniture.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Harris .