Chris Ashby – Welcome to the BARC

Tom Ingram, Ash Sutton and Dan Rowbottom share Thruxton BTCC spoils

Tom Ingram, Ash Sutton and Dan Rowbottom emerged as the big winners on a weekend to remember at Thruxton Circuit as a bumper crowd flocked through the gates for the annual visit of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

In what is one of the standout events of the year at the high-speed Hampshire venue, the UK’s premier motorsport series delivered three blockbuster contests that were ultimately won by the top three in the overall standings.

Despite the contrasting weather conditions – which saw heavy rain on Saturday make way for bright sunshine on Sunday – those in attendance had the opportunity to experience the brand-new Woodham Hill spectator banking, which provided stunning new views of the action.

In addition to the wheel-to-wheel racing that was served up, fans also had an abundance of off-track activities such as live music, a dedicated kids’ zone, an array of food stalls, a supercar display, the Crazy Cart Championship and camping facilities to enjoy.

Four-time champion Sutton was the driver to beat in qualifying as he mastered the soaking wet conditions in his NAPA Racing UK Ford Focus to clinch pole position ahead of title rivals Tom Ingram and Dan Cammish.

Race one on Sunday would then see Team VERTU’s Ingram make it nine different winners from ten races of the season as he found a way past pole sitter Sutton and before streaking clear to triumph ahead of Cammish and One Motorsport’s Josh Cook.

For Cook, his charge from 14th to third was all the more remarkable after his car had to be rebuilt overnight following a sizeable crash in qualifying – one which resulted in the circuit’s most successful BTCC driver needing to go to hospital for precautionary checks.

After missing out on victory in race one, Sutton produced one of the finest opening laps in recent memory in race two to charge to a third victory of the season, with Ingram and Rowbottom trailing behind in second and third.

Rowbottom then capped off another strong weekend in his own Ford Focus ST by getting the better of reigning champion Jake Hill to secure his second win of the season in the reverse grid finale.

Contact with Sutton at the high-speed Noble Corner brought Hill’s charge to a premature end and in-turn allowed Ingram and Cammish to fight their way onto the remaining two steps of the rostrum.

Of course it wasn’t just the BTCC that had fans on the edge of their seats though as an action-packed support bill saw three other categories tackle the fastest circuit in the country.

The Wera Tools F4 British Championship certified by FIA showcased potential single-seater stars of the future and it was the trio of Martin Molnar, Leo Robinson and impressive debutant Salim Hanna that claimed a win apiece.

Will Martin and Sid Smith proved to be the cream of the crop when it came to the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain as they starred in the monstrous 911 category, snaring one win each to bolster their own championship challenges.

Closing out the action were three unmissable races from the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Trophy. EXCELR8 Motorsport’s Gabe Fairbrother prevailed in a wet opening bout before rookie Jenson Mason delivered a defensive masterclass to triumph in race two.

Westbourne Motorsport’s Olivier Algieri then got the better of team-mate Rhys Hurd to win an instant classic in the finale.

Thruxton’s next race event takes place in less than a fortnights’ time as the Thruxton Retro takes centre stage. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/thruxton-retro.

Could we see a future Formula 1 driver at Thruxton?

The Wera Tools F4 British Championship, certified by FIA is one of the first steps from karting and onto the car racing ladder. For aspiring young drivers aged 15 and over making the transition into single seaters – this is the place to be and the slicks and wings formula heads to the fastest circuit in the country this weekend.

The young hot shots all use identical Tatuus chassis and Abarth engines which produce a level playing field for the stars of tomorrow. Close racing, a challenging race calendar featuring some of the best circuits in the UK – the Championship has been a breeding ground for talented young drivers who have climbed the ranks and are now driving in the higher echelons of the sport.

British F4 alumni from recent seasons include current Formula 1 stars Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, IndyCar winner Colten Herta and F2 drivers Alex Dunne and Luke Browning to name but a few.

This season it’s been very close at the top, with four drivers providing a real international flavour in the fight for supremacy. – all of whom are separated by only 14 points in the standings coming into the Hampshire round. Red Bull-backed Irish driver Fionn McLaughlin leads the way in his Hitech machine from Hungarian Virtuosi Racing star Martin Molnár who is nine points back. Australian James Piszcyk is third for Rodin Motorsport, while Swede August Raber sits fourth just two points behind the Aussie in his Argenti Motorsport prepared car.

British hopes will be carried by Tommy Harfield who is fifth in the standings while Henry Joslyn, Ethan Jeff-Hall, Brown Campbell-Pilling and Thomas Bearman – brother to Haas F1 Driver Ollie, will all need your home support this weekend.

Organised and promoted by Motorsport UK, the governing body for four-wheel motorsport in the United Kingdom, the series is certified by the FIA meaning that 12 Super Licence points will be awarded to the overall champion to aid their progression through the single seater ranks.

In 2025, eight teams are battling for supremacy – to put their drivers on the top step. Over 25 drivers are taking to the grid at circuits across the country and all of them will be aiming to add their names into the illustrious history books.
Taking place across nine weekends, a total of 30 races are run during the season with the grid all vying for supremacy – and wheel-to-wheel action is guaranteed as the title battle traditionally goes down to the final few rounds.

Motorsport fans will be able to watch all the action from the three Wera Tools F4 British Championship races this weekend at Thruxton as it supports the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

Tickets can be purchased from: https://thruxtonracing.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/btcc with children 13 and under going free! Every person who purchases a ticket will be entered into a competition draw, with the winner having the honour of waving the chequered flag at the end of the first touring car race.

This might be one of those ‘do you remember when’ stories when you watched on the Thruxton banks a future F1 star cut their teeth at Thruxton. You heard it here first!

Speed, Grit, and Glory: Celebrating the BTCC’s fabled history at Thruxton

Thruxton Circuit – the most southerly stop on the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship and TOCA package calendar. Since it first hosted the BTCC or its precursor the British Saloon Car Championship in 1968 – Thruxton has been the scene for many iconic moments in British tin-top racing. We take a look back down memory lane at just some of those important milestones.

It all began in Hampshire in 1968. The quiet and quaint former RAF aerodrome had gone through a significant upgrade, and the fastest circuit was ready to host its first saloon car meeting. A new venue – brought great excitement as crowds watched Brian Muir guide his Ford Falcon Sprint to the overall win with Chris Craft, Graham Janzen and Frank Gardner taking the class wins.

The halcyon days of the eighties brought plenty of variety and the star names. Gordon Spice opened the decade with two wins from two meetings in his legendary Ford Capri while the likes of fan favourites Andy Rouse and Steve Soper roared to victories in cars such as the Rover Vitesse and Ford Sierra Cosworth.

The Super Touring era is one that conjures up much excitement. Thruxton was the scene for the season opener in 1994 – with the entry of Alfa Romeo raising the stakes in competition and raising the eyebrows, with its high profile ‘bolt on’ rear wing. As others reached for the rulebook – the scarlet red machines reached the top of the timesheets with pole, fastest lap and a race win for Gabriele Tarquini. Another manufacturer to make their bow at Thruxton in ‘94 was Volvo with the infamous 850 estate car – a wonderful eclectic addition to the grid – making its competitive debut at Thruxton.

2005 marks twenty – yes twenty years since TOCA’s answer to ‘mission impossible’ was completed at Thruxton. Team Dynamics and Halfords had switched to the Honda Integra Type R with Matt Neal and Dan Eaves leading the line. Eaves used the car’s slippery shape to good effect to win not one, not two but all three races – becoming the first driver to win all three rounds in a weekend! Elsewhere, who can not forget that magnificent save from Yvan Muller in the Vauxhall Astra as well after a brief love tap from Jason Plato coming into the final chicane!

Eaves’ trio of wins helped to pave the way for the Japanese marque in the BTCC. With the UK spiritual home for Honda just 30 odd miles north in Swindon – Thruxton has been a happy hunting ground – with the Civic and Integra helping Honda racking up more wins than any other manufacturer in the modern era.

Current BTCC star Josh Cook who hails from Somerset – classes the Andover-based venue as his ‘home’ circuit and that can be clearly seen in his win tally – with half of his touring car race wins coming here. The King of Thruxton has 10 wins around the Hampshire Speedbowl, with all but one of them aboard a Honda Civic – albeit in slightly different models and evolutions. His first win came in 2018 with the last in 2022 – the last time Thruxton played host to the BTCC in one calendar year. Cook sealed three out of the six races that season and with a return to a Honda in 2025 – the home crowd will be hoping for another win or two to add to his already impressive collection.

And finally – who can forget an exciting contest last year! Three different race winners in three different cars, with Jake Hill winning in a BMW in race one, Tom Ingram in a Hyundai in race two and Ash Sutton in a Ford in race three. Ironically – they also finished in this order in the final championship standings at the end of the year.

2025 – what can we hope for. Well… plenty of close, exciting racing, history being made and maybe a new race winner? Is that asking for too much? Or is it? Only time will tell!

BARC welcomes the BTCC and TOCA package to Thruxton

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, organised by the British Automobile Racing Club is about to kick it up a gear this weekend as Britain’s premier racing series heads to Thruxton – the fastest race circuit in the UK.

Fans will be treated to spectacular action from breathtaking views – including the new Woodham Hill spectator area – giving race goers a new angle to see the wheel-to-wheel racing from.

Ash Sutton leads the way in the title race from a chasing Tom Ingram and Jake Hill and Thruxton could well shape the championship fight. Thruxton can be classed as the home circuit for the likes of Josh Cook, Sam Hall, Nick Halstead and recent race winner Mikey Doble – who will all be looking for some strong results in front of a home crowd this weekend.

Supporting the BTCC will be packed grids on a busy timetable across Saturday and Sunday. The Wera Tools F4 British Championship, Vertu MINI Challenge Trophy and Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain join the roster and prepare to do battle under the spotlight of crowd and the ITV cameras this weekend.

Elsewhere on the BARC schedule is the fifth event of the British Hillclimb Championship Presented by Nova Motorsport. The championship heads to the iconic Shelsely Walsh in Worcestershire. The flat out blast is one of the quickest and most difficult to master and provides a real test and thrill for the drivers. Defending Champion Matt Ryder leads the way in the points, but has a hard charging Wallace Menzies and Will Hall are hot on his heels.

Finally, it’s also the BARC Wales Summer Sprint Weekend at Pembrey. Lots of motorsport to enjoy as we kick off June.

When is the next BARC weekend?
The next events will be this weekend – 7th/8th June

Where are the events being held?

Thruxton Circuit
Address: Thruxton Circuit, Andover SP11 8PN

Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb
Address: Shelsley Walsh, Worcester WR6 6RP

Pembrey Circuit
Address: Pembrey, Llanelli SA16 0HZ

What is racing this weekend?

Thruxton – Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, Wera Tools F4 British Championship, Vertu MINI Challenge Trophy, and Porsche Carrera Cup GB

Shelsley Walsh – British Hillclimb Championship

Pembrey – BARC Wales Summer Sprint

How can I watch?

At the Track

Wanting to soak up the on-track action in person at Thruxton? As well as the racing there is lots to do for the whole family. Tickets are available on the day or on the Thruxton website from £22 for a Saturday ticket or £38 for a Sunday ticket – with weekend options available from £55. Children under 13 go free with discounts or teens.

Tickets can be purchased here: https://thruxtonracing.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/btcc

Hillclimb fans can head to Shelsley Walsh with tickets from £13 for Saturday and £18 for Sunday online now – or you can pay on the gate from £15 for Saturday or £20 for Sunday.

At Home
The TOCA Thruxton race weekend package will be broadcast live and for free on ITV4 and ITVX on Saturday and Sunday in the UK.

Qualifying will be available to all on ITVX on Saturday while race day will move to ITV4 in the UK, with International audiences able to watch the action on YouTube with races live on the RACER network in the US and Canada.

The uninterrupted coverage will feature all the on track drama with commentary, analysis and features throughout Sunday with coverage starting just ahead of the first BTCC race at 11:00

The British Hillclimb Championship action from the home of hillclimbing in the UK will be streamed on the Hillclimb.tv YouTube Channel on Sunday. It’s well worth a watch!

What time are things happening on track?

Track action at Thruxton begins at 09:00 on Saturday and 10:50 on Sunday, with BTCC races at 11:45, 14:35 and 17:05 on Sunday. Over at Shelsley Walsh, the course opens for practice early morning until early evening on Saturday with official timed runs to be held on the Sunday.

Do you have any more information?

We have a few handy links that might be useful to help you enjoy your weekend.

Thruxton
Tickets: https://thruxtonracing.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/btcc
Live Timing and Commentary: https://www.tsl-timing.com/event/252303
Timetable*: https://www.barc.net/event/toca-race-meeting-thruxton-june-7-8/

Shelsley Walsh
Watch Link: https://www.youtube.com/live/xmy7mI6vYic?si=w5l7y4TRuxh3Ezta
Event Information and Tickets: https://www.shelsleywalsh.com/
Championship Information: https://www.britishhillclimb.co.uk/

* Subject to adjustments prior and during the race meeting

Such amazing variety on display this weekend! Enjoy!

Need For Speed: BTCC sets course for Thruxton

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) is poised to speed into Hampshire this weekend (June 7-8) as Thruxton Circuit prepares to host Rounds 10, 11 & 12 of the 2025 season.

Renowned for producing edge-of-the-seat entertainment around the the fastest circuit in the country, the UK’s premier motorsport series will headline what promises to be a weekend to remember at the home of the British Automobile Racing Club with three colossal tin top contests.

Despite there having only been three events, this season is already shaping up to be an instant class with the opening nine races producing eight different race winners – three of which were first-time winners.

NAPA Racing UK’s Ash Sutton has been at his brilliant best so far and he arrives sitting atop the Drivers’ Championship – although circling behind him are a number of heavy hitters that are all ready to pounce if given the chance.

Seven podium finishes have provided the backbone to Tom Ingram’s charge so far however it is the top step that the 2022 title winner would love to scale this weekend – especially given Team VERTU have never won around Thruxton.

Reigning champion Jake Hill has endured a rollercoaster campaign to-date but the BMW driver can never be counted out and after all, he was twice a winner at this event last year.

Elsewhere, Dan Rowbottom and Dan Cammish both triumphed last time out at Snetterton while the Hyundai pairing of Adam Morgan and Tom Chilton have shown relentless speed and consistency.

Other names to look out for include the newest additions to the BTCC winners’ club – Mikey Doble, Daryl Deleon and Charles Rainford – as well as three-time champion Gordon Shedden, who is back in the series with Speedworks Motorsport.

Of course, one driver that can never be discounted from being in the mix towards the sharp end of the grid is the undisputed ‘King of Thruxton’ Josh Cook. The One Motorsport driver has a record 10 wins around his home circuit and he’ll be hungry for more in his Honda Civic Type R.

As always, it won’t just be the BTCC that takes centre stage though this weekend as a bumper supporting cast of categories is also revved up to put on a show for the expected bumper trackside crowd.

Expect full-throttle thrills from the Wera Tools F4 British Championship certified by FIA, Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain and Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Trophy – all of whom make up the support bill.

Away from the on-track entertainment there will be plenty to see and do around the venue with a bustling trade village, supercar display, food stalls, mini karts, bouncy castle, bungee trampolining and face painting.

There will also be live entertainment on Friday 6th June and Saturday 7th June in the paddock, while the Crazy Cart Championship, which features a mix of drivers and special guests, is always a must-watch attraction.

The Thruxton Centre will be open all weekend to visitors, with food and drink being served across both days. Programmes will also be available to purchase from locations around the venue from £7.00.

Tickets for the weekend can be purchased via https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/btcc.

BARC makes its mark on first visit of the season to Anglesey

The British Automobile Racing Club made its first visit of the 2025 season to Anglesey Circuit this past weekend (May 31/June 1) and it didn’t disappoint as racers from Caterham Motorsport and the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship put on a show.

Organised and run by the Club’s North Western Centre, the two-day event on the coast of North Wales saw a number of contests decided by the smallest of margins as the battle for supremacy well and truly ramped up.

In the moobob Caterham Academy Championship – which is for drivers that are embarking on their maiden year of car racing – nobody could stop Matt Fox from charging to back-to-back victories.

Snaring pole position by just 0.064 seconds, Fox narrowly fended off Max Richardson and Nick Tomadakis to triumph in race one before he stamped his authority to win in a more comfortable fashion in race two, again ahead of Richardson.

The Bilstein Caterham Roadsport Championship is the next step up on the Caterham Motorsport ladder and it produced a stunning opening encounter which culminated in the top three drivers being separated by just a tenth of a second.

Craig Evans, William Harris and Scott Helme were the cream of the crop in race one as they pulled clear of the chasing pack to scrap amongst themselves. In the end it would be Evans that held on to reign supreme; Helme though would have his moment of glory later on as he won race two.

Over in the EDGE Caterham Seven 270R Championship, Ben Wheatley – who has previously cut his teeth in the Caterham Graduates Championship – was perfection personified as he powered his way to a dominant hat-trick of race wins.

The likes of Louis Darling, Henry Speeks, Nick Highton and Paul Oggelsby could only watch on as Wheatley drove off into the distance but they did all manage to fill the remaining podium spots that were available.

Taylor O’Flanagan and Lars Alexander Hoffman continued their duel at the summit of the Vertex Caterham Seven 310R Championship standings, taking home a share of the spoils from the picturesque 2.1-mile International layout.

Both drivers have been the stars of the season so far and they continued their rich vein of form at Anglesey. O’Flanagan emerged victorious following an almighty scrap with Philip Bianchi in race one before Alexander Hoffman was triumphant in race two.

O’Flanagan returned to the top step of the podium in the weekend’s third and final race as he once again went wheel-to-wheel with Bianchi, beating him for a second time and in-turn, bolstering his title chances in the process.

Matthew Armstrong and Harry Senior showed their class in the Dutch Barn Vodka Caterham Seven UK Championship, Caterham’s premier category, as they remained the drivers to beat at the front of the field.

Picking up where they left off when they competed on the British Touring Car Championship support bill at Brands Hatch last month, Armstrong sped his way to the chequered flag in races one and three while Senior was victorious in race two.

Rounding out the weekend’s action were a trio of enthralling races from the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship, the North Western Centre’s premier category where variety is well and truly the spice of life.

Boasting a bumper grid, Ben Roberts produced a remarkable drive in race one as he went from the back row of the grid to the top step of the podium in his Locost 7 RR, winning by a sensational 15 seconds by the time the chequered flag was waved.

Roberts was unable to add to his win tally in races two and the however as Simon Allaway came to the fore in his Lotus Esprit V8, beating Bod Buckby and Roberts to top spot in relatively commanding fashion.

To view the full classification of results from Anglesey Circuit, CLICK HERE.

You can also re-watch all the action from the North Wales track via the official BARC YouTube channel HERE.

Britcar Endurance and Coupe Cup enjoy Super Sarturday at Snetterton

The British Automobile Racing Club dished up a full-throttle race day at Snetterton this past Saturday (May 31) as both the Britcar Endurance Championship and OT Publishing Coupe Cup with Toyo Tires continued their respective 2025 campaigns.

Taking centre stage on the 300 layout of the Norfolk venue, those in attendance and watching online were treated to a quartet of captivating races – all of which included their fair share of edge-of-the-seat moments.

Heading into Snetterton the Britcar Endurance Championship had been largely dominated by the Toro Verde GT pairing of Steve Gambrell and BTCC racer Daniel Lloyd, with the duo sweeping their way to each and every victory that had been on offer.

Their streak would come to an end around the near three-mile layout though as the FF Corse & Red River Sport Ferrari 488 Challenge EVO – driven by Bonamy Grimes and Johnny Mowlem – converted its front-running pace into a brace of well executed race wins.

As soon as a wheel was turned on Saturday morning the Ferrari pairing look destined to triumph and they duly swept their way to pole position in qualifying ahead of Gambrell, who was without Lloyd in their Porsche 991 Cup.

Despite riding solo Gambrell took the fight to Grimes and Mowlem in a frenetic opening encounter, with their being very little to separate the teams, however he was ultimately unable to overhaul them – taking the chequered flag just a second behind the 488 Challenge EVO runners.

Completing the podium a further seven seconds in arrears was another Porsche 991 Cup, this one run by the accomplished Amspeed outfit and driven by Dom Malone.

Race two proved to be somewhat more straightforward for Grimes and Mowlem as they swept aside the opposition to make it two wins from two – reigning supreme by more than 14 seconds in their striking red machine.

This time time round it would be Malone that finished as their closest challengers after Gambrell was forced into retirement at mid-distance. Completing the podium was David Fielder in the monstrous SGM Motorsport BMW GTR.

Over in the OT Publishing Coupe Cup with Toyo Tires, spoils were shared between Nathan Williams and Adam Jones as the pair claimed a win apiece.

Going into the event Williams had been the cream of the crop across the opening few race meetings and he continued his fine run of form with a sumptuous performance in race one as he beat Jones and Michael Evans to the chequered flag by more than two seconds.

Jones would turn the tables in race two however as he went wheel-to-wheel with Williams for honours. Despite being locked in battle, the pair managed to break clear of the chasing pack and once out front the race was really on.

Having been the only driver to snap Williams’ domination this year, Jones soaked up a remarkable amount of pressure out front and managed to hang on to clinch his second win of the campaign. Behind them, Evans maintained his consistency with a second third-place finish.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Snetterton, CLICK HERE.

All of the action can be viewed via the click of a button also by visiting the official BARC YouTube channel HERE.

Double BARC billing on the cards this weekend

This weekend marks another busy weekend for the British Automobile Racing Club. Organising teams will be spread across two corners of the UK with teams in England and Wales delivering racing action at Snetterton and Anglesey this weekend.

Anglesey in the Northwest corner of Wales hosts its first BARC weekend, with a packed entry list of Caterham racing across the class spectrum – ably supported by the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship who will make their BARC LIVE stream bow this weekend.

Snetterton in Norfolk will welcome the BARC competitors to the 300 layout this weekend with a one day busy schedule on Saturday. The Britcar Endurance Championship and the OT Publishing Coupe Cup headlining the proceedings.

When is the next BARC weekend?
The next events will be this weekend – 31st May and 1st June.

Where are the events being held?

Anglesey Circuit
Address: Anglesey Circuit, 5YT, A4080, Ty Croes, LL63 5TF

Snetterton Circuit
Address: Snetterton Circuit, Norwich, Norfolk, NR16 2JU

What is racing this weekend?

Anglesey
CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship
EDGE Caterham Seven 270R Championship
Vertex Caterham 310R Championship
Dutch Barn Vodka Caterham Seven Championship UK
moobob Caterham Academy Championship
Bilstein Caterham Roadsport Championship

Snetterton
Britcar Endurance Championship
OT Publishing Coupe Cup

How can I watch?

At Home
The BARC race weekends will streamed LIVE and for free on our YouTube channel – https://www.youtube.com/@britishautomobileracingclub

All of the action, reaction and commentary along with side-by-side racing from both venues will be housed on our channel – you won’t miss a thing! Stream start times do vary – please check our channel for the anticipated start times and relevant stream link.

At the Track

Racing fans can head to Anglesey or Snetterton to watch trackside this weekend. Tickets are £12 per day or £15 for a weekend at Anglesey and can be paid online or at the gate.
Tickets: https://angleseycircuit.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/2025-05-31-barc

Wanting to soak up the on-track action in person at Snetterton? Tickets are available on the day or on the Snetterton website from £16 or £19 on the day. Children under 13 go free.
Tickets: https://www.snetterton.co.uk/2025/may/britcar-endurance-championship

What time are things happening on track?

Anglesey track action begins at 10:00 on Saturday with racing beginning at 14:55 and 09:30 on Sunday.

Over at Snetterton – the single day of racing on Saturday begins at 09:00 for Practice, followed by qualifying, with the first race pencilled for 14:00.

Do you have any more information?

We have a few other handy links that might be useful to help you enjoy your weekend.

Anglesey
Live Timing and Commentary: https://www.tsl-timing.com/event/252227
Timetable*: https://www.barc.net/event/barc-race-meeting-anglesey-may-31-june-1/
Watch Link Saturday: https://www.youtube.com/live/c6Tjzv84PrI?si=cXMQK_37mqSNPBGs
Watch Link Sunday: https://www.youtube.com/live/NHLzhB7pA-0?si=BJ59EwJvFVd8WW2z

Snetterton
Live Timing and Commentary: https://www.tsl-timing.com/event/252263
Timetable*: https://www.barc.net/event/barc-race-meeting-snetterton-300-may-31/
Watch Link Saturday: https://www.youtube.com/live/aEuALHP31io?si=YDpdNmC4569JH3Wd

* Subject to adjustments prior and during the race meeting

Have a fantastic weekend of racing! Summer is almost here!

Dan Cammish, Dan Rowbottom and Mikey Doble share Snetterton spoils

Dan Cammish, Dan Rowbottom and Mikey Doble triumphed at Snetterton this past weekend (May 24/25) to make it eight different winners from the opening nine races of the 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season.

Taking centre stage in Norfolk for the third event of what is already one of the most competitive campaigns in recent memory, the trio of Cammish, Rowbottom and Doble reigned supreme in style – much to the delight of the huge trackside crowd.

NAPA Racing UK’s Cammish proved to be the man to beat in qualifying on Saturday as he snared a second pole position of the season after setting the fastest ever lap around the Snetterton 300 layout.

Blasting away from the front row, Cammish duly delivered in race one as he didn’t put a wheel wrong on his way to tallying a first win of the season. Behind him, Tom Ingram and Ash Sutton had everyone on the edge of their seats as they scrapped for second and third.

Race two saw Rowbottom come to the fore in his NAPA Racing UK Ford Focus ST as he made the most of being the highest placed car on soft tyres to take a long overdue victory in the UK’s premier motorsport series.

The multiple race winner wasted no time in hitting the front however he soon faced an onslaught of pressure from several Hyundais. Soaking up everything they could throw at him, Rowbottom hung on to take finish ahead of Adam Morgan and Tom Chilton.

Without doubt the most popular win of the day came in the reverse grid finale as Mikey Doble clinched a memorable maiden win. Starting from pole position, the Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing driver was wheel-perfect throughout to take the chequered flag.

Four-time champion Sutton had closed onto the back of Doble late on but unable to find a way past he settled for second while Josh Cook claimed a first podium of the season in his One Motorsport Honda Civic Type R.

Not only was it a first-ever win for Doble but it was also the first time an Independent entry has won a race outright in the BTCC in 1001 days. The victory was also the first since 2019 for the Vauxhall Astra squad.

Leaving Snetterton, Sutton holds a 15-point advantage at the top of the BTCC Drivers’ Championship while EXCELR8 / Team VERTU head the way in both the Manufacturer / Constructors and Teams’ Championship’s.

In addition to his maiden win, Doble leads the Independent Drivers’ Championship whilst Restart Racing top the Independent Teams’ category. Daryl Deleon and Charles Rainford remain the benchmark in the Jack Sears Trophy.

Elsewhere, fans also had a bumper bill of support race action to soak up and in the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW those in attendance witnessed another near-perfect showing from Jamie Osborne.

Hot on the heels of winning all three races at the season-opener, the NAPA Racing UK driver was back in the winners circle again as he claim two wins and a third place finish. Stopping him from completing another clean sweep was Tom Ovenden who triumphed in race one.

The Wera Tools F4 British Championship certified by FIA has a new points leader after Red Bull Junior Fionn McLaughlin claimed a double podium and a first-ever win to move to the summit of the standings.

The Hitech TGR had looked on course to winning the opening encounter before damage sustained on a bollard broke his front wing and forced him into the pits. That opened the door for Adam Al Azhari to triumph before August Raber was victorious in race two.

Rounding out the weekend’s action were two full-throttles race from the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain, which was celebrating milestone weekend with race one being the series’ 400th contest.

Arguably written in the stars, Porsche GB Junior James Wallis – who was running the number 400 for one weekend only – produced a virtuoso performance to claim his maiden victory in the one-make category.

Fan favourite Max Coates then guided his Duckhams Yuasa Racing by Graves Motorsport machine to the top step of the podium in race two after holding off the JTR duo of Ollie Jackson and Josh Stanton.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions, CLICK HERE.

Gurston Down and Snetterton the BARC venues this weekend

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, organised by the British Automobile Racing Club is up and running and striding into Snetterton this weekend as 300 layout for the Norfolk venue is called into action.

Ash Sutton leads the way in the title race from a chasing Tom Ingram and Jake Hill. Snetterton always provides great racing and if Brands Hatch was anything to go by last time out – we are in for a cracking ride! Could we see more new winners? Only time will tell!

Supporting the BTCC will be packed grids on a busy timetable across Saturday and Sunday. The Wera Tools F4 British Championship, Vertu MINI Challenge and Porsche Carrera Cup join the roster and prepare to do battle under the spotlight of the ITV cameras this weekend.

Elsewhere on the BARC schedule is the fourth event of the British Hillclimb Championship Presented by Nova Motorsport. The championship heads to a BARC venue – the fearsome Gurston Down Hillclimb. Single-seaters with up to 700bhp will be unleashed in Wiltshire. The hill is unique in the fact that it goes down before it goes up and with challenging sections including the Karousel and Deer’s Leap – it provides a real thrill for drivers. Defending Champion Matt Ryder has won four out of the six run-offs this year but is being chased hard by Wallace Menzies and Will Hall – both with one run-off a piece.

When is the next BARC weekend?
The next events will be this weekend – 24th/25th May

Where are the events being held?

Gurston Down Hillclimb
Address: Gurston Farm, Broad Chalke, Salisbury, Wiltshire. SP5 5HR

Snetterton Circuit
Address: Snetterton Circuit, Norwich, Norfolk, NR16 2JU

What is racing this weekend?

Gurston Down Hillclimb – British Hillclimb Championship

Snetterton – Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, Wera Tools F4 British Championship, Vertu MINI Challenge, and Porsche Carrera Cu

How can I watch?

At the Track

Hillclimb fans can head to Gurston Down with tickets £15 for each day and you can pay on the gate.

Wanting to soak up the on-track action in person at Snetterton? Tickets are available on the day or on the Snetterton website from £22 for a Saturday ticket or £35 for a Sunday ticket – with weekend options available from £48. Children under 13 go free.

At Home
The TOCA Snetterton race weekend package will be broadcast live and for free on ITV4 and ITVX on Saturday and Sunday in the UK.

The uninterrupted coverage will feature all the on track drama with commentary, analysis and features throughout Sunday with coverage starting just ahead of the first BTCC race at 10:45

The British Hillclimb Championship will hopefully be live streamed this weekend – with coverage over on YouTube. Just search for Hillclimb.tv.

What time are things happening on track?

Track action begins at 09:15 on Saturday and 09:20 on Sunday at Brands Snetterton, with BTCC races at 11:30, 14:20 and 16:55 on Sunday. Over at Gurston Down the course opens for practice early morning until early evening on Saturday with official timed runs to be held on the Sunday.

Do you have any more information?

We have a few other handy links that might be useful to help you enjoy your weekend.

Snetterton
Live Timing and Commentary: https://www.tsl-timing.com/event/252103
Timetable*: https://www.barc.net/event/toca-race-meeting-snetterton-300-may-24-25/
Watch Link: www.itv.com/btcc

Gurston Down
Live Timing Saturday: https://www.tsl-timing.com/event/252184
Live Timing Sunday: https://www.tsl-timing.com/event/252284
Event Information: https://www.britishhillclimb.co.uk/

* Subject to adjustments prior and during the race meeting

Have a fantastic weekend of racing!

Laidlaw launches title bid with Silverstone silverware

Most people who arrive into a top-flight TCR series have gone through the ranks. Perhaps starting in Karting and then working the way through junior formula such as the Junior Saloon Car Championship, into the Civic Cup and then into one of the seats in TCR UK. Some like to break the mould.

With a very limited background in motosport – Steve Laidlaw arrived into the TCR fold last year self admittingly like a rabbit caught in headlights. Learning the ropes, the international businessman knuckled down and now fresh off the back of his best weekend of racing – is seriously gathering momentum for a TCR UK title tilt in 2025. The British Automobile Racing Club caught up with Steve before he left the circuit to head home to Dubai.

That wasn’t a bad weekend work was it Steve?

“It was the perfect weekend, a weekend of dreams for me,” said an enthusiastic Laidlaw. “We were fast in testing, we broke the TCR lap record at Silverstone in Qualifying, took my first pole, P1 in race one, P1 in race two and P2 and another lap record in the third – that was my best weekend in a car for sure. Don’t think I could ever top that!”

Moving to the third generation Cupra Leon at the end of last year, it took a few rounds for the 43-year-old to fine tune and get the car to his liking – a car that needs taking by the scruff of its neck to get the best out of it. Two wins from three at Silverstone last weekend – just how close was Laidlaw from the clean sweep?

“It’s not an easy game in this series. I took so much out of my tyres keeping up and passing Adam [Shepherd] I just had very little left to do anything about Callum [Newsham] – we were so close, I was taking about half a tenth a lap – but I would have needed 100 laps and the tyres wouldn’t have lasted that long. It was an awesome weekend – unbelievable. My son [Sam Laidlaw] had a good weekend on pace – although the results didn’t go his way, but what we are doing as a young, new team is phenomenal and this weekend has given us a real boost!

For Steve it’s not all about him – he gets to share race weekends and the track with his eldest son Sam who drives a sister Cupra under the Area Motorsport umbrella. There aren’t many sports at this level where you can compete in the same team and compete alongside your son or daughter. Motorsport gives that opportunity – but what is it actually like?

“To look back down the grid order to see my son enjoying the racing… just a little bit slower than I am.” said Laidlaw with the tongue firmly in cheek. “I will be straight – this is the first time this year I have been quicker than him, at Donington I was well and truly in his shadows.”

The relationship was clear to see – the pair supporting and driving each other on every step of the way is one of the key ingredients to the Laidlaw success. Running car numbers #100 for Steve and #101 for Sam – there was a penny drop moment after their recent success.

“He won the 100th race at Donington and I won the 101st at Silverstone, so we might need to swap our racing numbers over next year – how’s them apples then! I am unbelievably proud of my children, of both my sons, I have another son who does his own thing outside of racing and to share this with them and my oldest son Sam too is very special – I’m living the dream. It’s great as a Dad to see your children grow and shine and is just as special if not more so when I see him on the top step.”

In motorsport – nothing stands still for too long. Thoughts are already turning to the next round at Croft in Yorkshire – the home round for the Laidlaw’s. How does the title push now feel? Can the Father and Son duo fight for the crown?

“I am very confident after this weekend we can push on and make a real championship effort now 100%. Our objective is P1 and P2 in the championship and that won’t be easy as there are some good drivers around us. We have the outright pace at multiple tracks and in different conditions and we have illustrated that through a lot of hard work over the winter.”

The result at the weekend is even more remarkable when you take a step back to look at the amount of races under Steve’s belt – Almost half of those around them. Steely determination and creating the right environment is producing the results. Sky’s the limit now for Steve and Sam?

“One year ago we were six seconds a lap off the pace – we did TCR for the first time ever, we had done a bit of clubman before and so had Sam – but we had done very little racing at all and we decided we were going to do it and it was a big shock at first. But we put in a great deal of time and a concerted effort into it. We found a great team who we have really gelled with, in fact we have become more of a family unit rather than a team and every single one of us is working relentlessly with the goal of going from nowhere to fighting at the front in the UK. This is just the start, next year we are looking at doing TCR Europe and year after the world tour. Watch out!”

The TCR UK series heads to Yorkshire next up with the BARC owned Croft Circuit the next host venue for three more action-packed races. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased directly from the Croft website – https://croftcircuit.co.uk/racing/tcr

Job Vacancy: Thruxton Operations Manager

The British Automobile Racing Club is recruiting for the role of Thruxton Circuit Operations Manager.

This is an exciting opportunity to take the lead in the operations of one of the UK’s leading motor racing circuits.

Working alongside the sales, marketing and events staff, the successful candidate will be responsible for delivering a well-managed, well-presented site and preparing it for all activities and events, including race meetings, track days, corporate functions and a variety of other events.

You will be supported by an experienced and dedicated team to maintain and continually enhance the venue and its facilities to ensure that Thruxton builds on its long-established reputation as a premium circuit and experience destination.

To view the full Thruxton Circuit Operations Manager job description, CLICK HERE.

All applicants should send a covering letter, plus full CV to Mandy Curley: mandy.curley@barc.net before Friday 6 June.