The FIA Motorsport Games is an inclusive, global celebration of the sport in all its forms, bringing together drivers from every corner of the world, with around 72 National Sporting Authorities (ASNs), such as Motorsport UK, expected to take part.
Seven competitors originally entered in the postponed 2021 event – Laura Christmas and Mark King (both Auto Slalom), Corey Padgett (Cross Car Junior), Dan Rooke (Cross Car Senior), Chris Froggatt (GT), Tim Jones (Historic Rally) and Oliver Mellors (Rally2) – have had their entries rolled over to the 2022 edition.
Froggatt, who will be joined in GT by Ian Loggie, will captain the Team UK squad in the south of France, while the team will be fully represented at the opening ceremony on Wednesday 26 October.
Chris Smiley has been chosen to represent Team UK in the Touring Car discipline. The 30-year-old from Northern Ireland is a race winner in the British Touring Car Championship, and has plenty of relevant experience in the TCR machinery that will be used in the Games.
Smiley heads into the final round of the 2022 TCR UK series tied level on points at the top of the standings, with every hope of taking the coveted crown at Snetterton on October 23, immediately before the FIA Motorsport Games.
Team UK will be among the favourites for Gold in the Fanatec Esports category after confirming James Baldwin as its entry.
Baldwin is one of the nation’s brightest talents in sim racing. He approaches the competition as a known quantity thanks to his performances at the Race of Champions, on World’s Fastest Gamer, multiple SRO Esports championship wins and his race-winning performances in the British GT Championship, both in real life and on the sim rig.
In a change to those previously confirmed, Martin Richards has been chosen to represent Team UK in Drifting. Richards, a household name on the British Drifting scene, also counts the ‘King of Riga’ – Europe’s most prestigious win – amongst his accolades in the discipline.
Completing the Team UK squad, Titan Motorsport will represent Team UK in Karting Endurance, with the experienced quartet of Jack O’Neill, Rhianna Purcocks, Owen Jenman, and Mike Philippou competing under the guidance of Team Manager, Martin O’Neill.
Hugh Chambers, Chief Executive Officer of Motorsport UK said: “The FIA Motorsport Games brings the international motorsport community together for a celebration of the sport across a wide range of disciplines.
“We’re proud to announce Chris Froggatt as the Team UK captain. He is a very talented and respected driver who embodies the qualities required to lead the team. We have a good team heading out to the south of France who are excited to perform on the world stage and we’re excited to see how they perform.”
“I’m honoured to be selected as Team UK’s captain for the 2022 FIA Motorsport Games in Marseille,” adds Froggatt.
“It’s an event I’m incredibly passionate about, bringing together nations from across the world in a celebration of the sport in all its forms. As a team, I think we have a very strong line-up, and there’s absolutely no doubt in my mind that we get on the plane with the mentality to win.
“Thanks to Motorsport UK for selecting me to lead the team, and I can’t wait for touchdown in France in a fortnight.”
Team UK
Auto Slalom – Laura Christmas and Mark King
Cross Car Junior – Corey Padgett
Cross Car Senior – Dan Rooke
Drifting – Martin Richards
Fanatec Esports – James Baldwin
GT – Chris Froggatt and Ian Loggie
Karting Endurance – Jack O’Neill, Rhianna Purcocks, Owen Jenman, and Mike Philippou
Historic Rally – Tim Jones
Rally2 – Oliver Mellors
Touring Cars – Chris Smiley