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Tollbar Racing was founded in 1988 when Michael Flounders was racing in the 1600cc Formula 3 championship; at the same time he was setting up and rebuilding F3 cars for other competitors in the series, and so the business was born. In 1989 the new team was involved in a variety of racing series, including British F3 and F3000, and this experience, together with the success in 1600cc F3, led to a full season in British F3, in 1990, with Juan Serda (photo top left). The team achieved a consistent seventeen finishes from seventeen starts, including a B class win in the British Grand Prix support race.

A significant step forward was taken in 1992 when the team competed, with considerable success, in the Spanish Formula Renault championship. Numerous podium finishes were achieved, from full grids, and Inaki Soto finished 5th overall in the championship (photo second left).

In 1994 the team, sponsored by Pinnacle Insurance, concentrated on the emerging Formula 2000 series and in 1995, sponsored by Alcatel Data Networks, raced in the ARP Formula 3 championship, with Kevin Sherwood, Sam Maddison and Gareth Burnett; in both seasons, numerous pole positions and podium finishes were achieved.

At the end of 1995 the decision was made to raise the profile of the team and its sponsors by moving to the TOCA series and in 1996, and 1997 competed in UK Formula Renault, with Leighton Walker (photo third left) and Jonathan Tandy; and in 1996, '98 and '99 the UK Renault Spider Cup (photo bottom left), with Simon Hill, Sam Maddison, and Guido Basile.

In 2000 the team entered the Thundersorts arena with Michael Pearson (Shrike), Richard Butler (Chevron B63) and William Hill (Chevron B54); and from 2001 to 2003 competed in Group C, Sports 2000 and National Supersports.

Having known Martin Phaff for many years, the team began racing Ginettas in 2004:

2004: Ginetta G20 Senior with Rob Austin, William Hill and Sam Maddison.

2005: Ginetta G20 Senior with Richard Austin and Rob Austin.

2006: G20 Senior with R. Austin, Max Henderson, Lee Burkitt and Richard Sykes

2007: Ginetta G20 Junior with George Richardson; and Senior with R. Sykes.

2008: Ginetta G20 Junior with Tom Carnaby (2nd in championship); Josh Hill (3rd in championship); George Richardson (numerous podiums); and Fergus Walkinshaw (several podiums). Four podium lock-outs (1-2-3 in same race).

2009: Ginetta G20 Junior with Jake Hill (several wins and podiums);Chris Swanwick (8 podiums); and Mitchell Hale (4th in championship).

2010: Ginetta G40 Junior with Jake Hill (10 wins, 3 other podiums, 8 pole positions, 10 fastest laps and 6 lap records; 2nd in championship); and Thomas Howard (5th in championship).

2011: Ginetta G50 Supercup with Jake Hill (3 wins, 6 other podiums, 3 pole positions, 1 lap record); and G40 Junior championship with William Foster (4 podiums and 1 fastest lap) and Thomas Howard (4 podiums).

In addition to his success in 1600cc F3, Michael has also competed in karts, Formula Ford 1600, Formula Libre, Clubmans ans saloon car races and has carried out extensive circuit testing of many types of racing machine and high-performance sports cars. Indeed, his long history of race car engineering began in 1967 (building Formula Fords) and includes preparation of the Gulf Oil C2 car for a 1000 km race at Brands Hatch in 1978.

Our extensive and varied experience enables Tollbar Racing to offer, to both established and novice drivers, a wealth of expertise which, together with first-hand knowledge of all British circuits, from both a driving and an engineering point of view, gives us a comprehensive understanding of all driver requirements.