Author: Chris Ashby-Brown

A brand-new motorsport exhibition and live experience, Motorsport Expo, will take place at Excel London from the 26-28 February 2027.

Built as a motorsport-first platform, the event is being created to serve as a new annual meeting point for the UK’s motorsport industry, active competitors and the wider community.

The three-day spectacle will be designed to connect the people behind the sport — from teams, engineers and suppliers to championships, clubs, organisers, sponsors and media — while also giving enthusiasts a fresh, immersive way to experience the sport beyond the circuit.Founded by Simon Bennie, the Managing Director of CarShowCo, the show will combine an expansive exhibition floor with live content, interviews, demonstrations and experiences aimed at celebrating the breadth of UK motorsport and its world-leading ecosystem.

At the centre of the event be a 3,000-seat Live Action & Experience Arena, delivering high-energy sessions and “live moments” across all three days. The arena will be supported by feature content and activations designed to keep the show moving.

In addition, the Motorsport Expo will be complemented by a co-location with Car Culture UK (running 27–28 February 2027), a separate event celebrating modern car culture, modified builds and the aftermarket scene.

Having been a part of the founding group that will help steer the event, the British Automobile Racing Club will have a presence at the inaugural show in just over a years’ time.

Ben Taylor, BARC Chief Executive, added: “The BARC is excited to be involved in helping grow this event to become a regular fixture on the motorsport schedule for years to come.

“Through the Full Send events at Thruxton we have built up a fantastic relationship with Simon and we have been more than happy to help connect him to various people within the industry as this event concept has developed.

“Motorsport Expo is designed to connect the industry and we’re looking forward to being in attendance next year.”

“The UK is at the heart of a multi-billion-pound motorsport industry… there is clear demand… for a dedicated motorsport show that champions the network of businesses, clubs, teams and drivers that make the UK such a strong player across every sector”, added Bennie.

For further information and ticket news, visit www.motorsport-expo.com to register.

 

 

The British Automobile Racing Club and its Council is delighted to announce that it has bestowed 2025 Formula 1 World Champion Lando Norris with its highest honour, a BARC Gold Medal.

Awarded by the Council of the BARC for outstanding achievement in motor racing by British subjects, the prestigious prize is only distributed when the Club considers it to be merited.

Dating back to 1955, previous winners of the coveted accolade include Stirling Moss, James Hunt, Nigel Mansell, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton.

Norris is now the latest name to be added to that roll of honour after claiming a maiden FIA Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship title with the McLaren F1 Team last year.

Having enjoyed karting success from a young age, the 26-year-old soon began to make waves when he made the step up to car racing in 2014, where he claimed multiple wins in the Ginetta Junior Championship.

The following year, the Bristol-born racer stepped up to MSA Formula (now known as British F4) and swept aside the opposition in commanding fashion, claiming a total of eight victories on his way to the Drivers’ title.

At the time, both the Ginetta Junior Championship and MSA Formula featured across race meetings that were organised by the BARC.

Norris’ rise through the ranks continued to make headlines in the subsequent years with success in the likes of Eurocup Formula Renault, the Toyota Racing Series and FIA Formula 3. In 2019, he finally secured a full-time seat in Formula 1 with McLaren.

Aligned with the Woking team ever since, Norris claimed a maiden win in 2024 before going on to finish second in the standings. That in turn set him up for a meteoric 2025 campaign which culminated in him beating Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri to the World Drivers’ Championship.

Becoming the 11th British driver to lift the Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship, Norris’ awe-inspiring rise to superstardom made him a fitting recipient for the highest accolade that the Club can present.

In January, the BARC headed to the McLaren Technology Centre – home of the Formula 1 World Constructors’ Champions – to catch up with Norris and award him with the coveted BARC Gold Medal.

“To receive the BARC Gold Medal is a true honour so thank you – I really appreciate it,” said Norris. “Being called a Formula 1 World Champion has just about sunk in and it is still the best thing to hear as it cements the fact that we achieved that dream last year.

“I started racing in karting for pure fun but when we made that jump up to Ginetta Juniors and Formula 4 we set that goal that Formula 1 was where we as a family wanted to reach. Every step though always felt like we were still so far away.

“We did it though, and then we managed to win a race, a few more races and the championship. I have to say a big thank you for all the support, especially from the marshals that I see all around the world. Many of them come up to me and say they were there back when it all started.

“To have support from anyone is amazing but it is extra special when it comes from the people that help make the sport what it is; I always try do my best for McLaren and my country. Now it’s time to see if we can do it all over again this year.”

The British Automobile Racing Club’s Annual Awards Evening didn’t just see prizes handed out to those that achieved championship glory in 2025 as there were also a number of other special accolades that were bestowed up some hugely deserving, and unsuspecting, winners as well.

Leading the list of prestigious recipients was two-time CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship title winner Simon Allaway who claimed The President’s Cup; which is awarded to the most successful BARC member competing under international level.

More than a decade on from his maiden triumph in the BARC North Western Centre’s flagship category, Allaway reigned supreme in dominant fashion as he hustled his stunning Lotus Esprit V8 to a total of 11 race wins.

“This was a total yet very pleasant surprise,” said Allaway on the night. “To have had such a fantastic season was one thing but to now be awarded a prize as coveted as this sort of underlines what we were able to achieve.

“We managed to keep on winning, sometimes being on the right side of luck, but you have to be in it to win it. It was a great season, this has been a great evening and hopefully I can be back here again next year.”

Jonathan Moore’s charge to the Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain Clubsport Pro title didn’t go unnoticed either as he was honoured with The Peter Collins Trophy, which is awarded to the most promising junior driver competing in a BARC championship.

After coming oh-so close to clinching the Junior Saloon Car Championship crown in 2024, the talented teenager embarked on new pastures last year and made an instant impact as he claimed 14 wins on his way to championship superstardom.

Moore said: “It is a real privilege to have won this. Seeing my name alongside the likes of drivers that have gone on to race in Formula 1, Formula E, IndyCar and the World Endurance Championship is pretty special.

“I’m so thankful to the BARC for this honour, it’s very humbling. It’s also validation of the hard work that we put in because more often than not you don’t get the chance to take stock and reflect on what has been achieved. Thank you to everyone for this.”

Moore wasn’t the only Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain competitor to be honoured either as Hannah Chapman – who triumphed in the Clubsport Amateur Category – was the winner of the Densley Trophy, which is handed out to the leading female.

“This was so unexpected,” admitted Chapman. “If I’m honest I missed the original email inviting me to this but I’m so glad to be here and to collect The Densley Trophy – especially as last season was a real rollercoaster.

“We managed to get a deal together at the very last minute and was on the back foot going into round one. We didn’t have any expectations but we made a flying start, had to battle some budget issues but managed to get the job done in the end. This is a nice way to round it all off.”

There was raptures of applause for the hugely deserving BARC Marshal of the Year, Jake Southcombe, and for Chris Davenport, who was once agin the winner of the Sir Clive Bossom Trophy after completing the most volunteering days in 2025.

“I’m excited and somewhat lost for words,” said Southcombe. “Being named the BARC Marshal of the Year was a real shock. I’ve been going to events from a young age and I’m a third generation marshal, so to be voted for this accolade is really special.”

Davenport added: “Winning the Sir Clive Bossom Trophy once is quite something but to have now won it three times is amazing. I didn’t count how many days I did this year but I couldn’t have done it without the support of my wife, who essentially kicked me out the house 36 times.”

Rounding out the list of special award winners was Madison Maskell whose name was engraved on The Peter Harris Trainee Marshal of the Year Trophy.

The British Automobile Racing Club’s Annual Awards Evening delivered a star-studded night of celebrations on Saturday 7th February, as some of the biggest names in British motorsport came together to look back on what proved to be a successful 2025 season.

Staged at the prestigious Belfry Hotel & Resort in Warwickshire for the first time, the glittering evening saw more than 200 guests attend to celebrate the achievements of last year’s champions, officials and volunteers.

Hosted by the sublime Alan Hyde, guests not only had the opportunity to look back on the year that was but they also heard from BARC Chairman Tony Scott Andrews, BARC Chief Executive Ben Taylor and Motorsport UK Chief Executive Hugh Chambers.

Championship silverware was dished out too with the likes of Tom Ingram, Ian Bower, Ryan Smith, Adam Smalley, Dominic Malone and Alex Keens being just some of the deserving title winners that were in attendance.

One of the biggest accolades to be handed out over the course of the evening was the coveted BARC Gold Medal, which is awarded by the Club’s Council for outstanding achievement in motor racing by British subjects.

Following his monumental charge to a maiden FIA Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship last year, McLaren ace Lando Norris – who grew up competing at BARC race meetings – was merited with the Club’s highest honour.

Alongside Norris’ triumph, a number of other secret accolades were also presented to some unsuspecting winners throughout the night as well.

Chris Davenport scooped The Sir Clive Bossom Trophy – which is for conducting the most volunteering days in 2025 – for a record third time whilst Jake Southcombe was announced as the BARC Marshal of the Year.

Madison Maskell was bestowed with the Peter Harris Trophy for being the leading trainee marshal of the year and Dan Smith was the recipient of the Goodwood Marshals Trophy, a returning award designed to celebrate those marshals at Goodwood events.

Jonathan Moore was a deserving winner of The Peter Collins Trophy, which is awarded to the most promising newcomer competing in a BARC championship, whilst his fellow Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain competitors Hannah Chapman clinched The Densley Trophy.

Two-time CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship title winner Simon Allaway was the final secret award recipient as he was handed The President’s Cup after a flawless season which included 11 victories.

In addition to the prize-giving, more than £1000 was raised during the annual raffle for the BARC Marshal and Rescue Fund, with prizes including a signed Lando Norris McLaren hat, tickets to events and more.

Ben Taylor, BARC Chief Executive, said: “It was once again another fantastic evening of celebrations and this year’s event has seen our biggest turnout of champions, which is absolutely brilliant.

“More than 200 people joined us to commemorate the achievements of last season and I think what was great to see that it wasn’t just drivers. We had marshals, officials, council members and venue representatives all in attendance.

“The 2025 season was super busy for the BARC and of course came with its own challenges. We had some headwinds to overcome such as the economic climate and some personnel changes but everyone worked hard to ensure it was a success.

“At the end of the day we are a club and a club is a collection of like-minded people that want to do the same thing. Events like this are a celebration of what it means to be a part of the BARC and the perfect opportunity to give ourselves a pat on the back before starting all again.”

Full list of Award Winners

BARC Gold Medal: Lando Norris

The President’s Cup: Simon Allaway

The Densley Trophy: Hannah Champion

The Peter Collins Trophy: Jonathan Moore

The Sir Clive Bossom Trophy: Chris Davenport

BARC Marshal of the Year: Jake Southcombe

The Goodwood Marshals Trophy: Dan Smith

The Peter Harris Trophy: Madison Maskell

2CV Classic Racing Championship: Nick Crispin

Caterham Graduates Championship – Sigma 135: Tom McEwing

Caterham Graduates Championship – Sigma 150: Paul Goldstein

BARC Speed Championship: Neal Bateman

OT Coupe Cup with Toyo Tires: Nathan Williams

CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship: Simon Allaway

Adrian Flux Insurance MG Owners Club Championship: Jim Baynam

MINI CHALLENGE Clubsport with Airtec Motorsport: Oli Wilmott

Junior Saloon Car Championship: Oliver Kerr

Milltek Civic Cup: Liam McGill

Caterham Academy Championship: Max Richardson

Caterham Roadsport Championship: William Harris

Caterham Seven 270R Championship: Ben Wheatley

Caterham 310R Championship: Taylor O’Flanagan

Caterham Seven Championship UK: Matt Armstrong

Classic Touring Car Racing Club – Pre-66 Touring Cars: James Ibbotson

Classic Touring Car Racing Club – Pre-83 Touring Cars: Jonathan Corker

Classic Touring Car Racing Club – Pre-93 Touring Cars: Ian Bower

Classic Touring Car Racing Club – Pre-03 Touring Cars: Dave Cave

Classic Touring Car Racing Club – Blue Oval Saloon Series: Tim Mizen

Classic Touring Car Racing Club – Classic Thunder: Ian Bower

Classic Touring Car Racing Club – Historic Thunder: Rikki Cann

Classic Touring Car Racing Club – Super Tourer Series: Roger Stanford

TCR UK Championship: Adam Shepherd

Britcar Endurance Championship: Dominic Malone & Adam Smalley

Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Trophy: Alex Keens

Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW Sport: Archie Johnson

Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW: Tom Ovenden

Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain – Clubsport Pro: Jonathan Moore

Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain: Tom Bradshaw

Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain: Andrew Rackstraw

British Hillclimb Championship: Matthew Ryder

British Truck Racing Championship – Division 2: Jake Evans

British Truck Racing Championship – Division 1: Ryan Smith

Wera Tools F4 British Championship certified by FIA: Fionn McLaughlin

Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship: Tom Ingram