Author: Chris Ashby-Brown

Donington Park beckons for CNC Heads Sports Saloons

It’s another capacity grid as the CNC Heads Sports Saloons head for Donington Park this weekend.

Joint Championship leaders Chris Roberts and Roddie Paterson head the line-up, Roberts having taken outright victory in round 2 at Oulton, after his BMW M4 took second to Andrew Southcott’s MG Midget Lenham in the first race. Paterson won his class in both races, taking third and second overall in his Caterham C400, despite losing the clutch in race one.

Rob Wakelin’s Honda Civic currently lies third, after two class F wins, while in joint fourth are Southcott, Garry Wardle’s Audi A3 TCR and Howard Hunt’s MG ZS. It was dramatic opening weekend though for Southcott though, a winner from the pitlane in race one, but an early retirement in race two stuck in fifth gear.

Once again Class A is well supported and although Southcott and Wardle jointly hold the Class lead, they are up against defending Champion Simon Allaway’s Lotus Esprit V8. Allaway was third from the back in race two at Oulton, after missing the opener after practice issues. Paul Rankin journeyed down from Scotland for his CNC debut at Oulton, but his Westfield Aero Race will be hoping for a finish after retiring at Oulton and failing to start race two.

The father and son pairing of Paul and Richard Wright are back, Paul in his Subaru Impreza, but Richard having swapped his Ginetta for BMW M4 after their Oulton CNC debuts. There are two Ginetta G56 GTA’s entered by Billy Blockley Racing, one for Andy Thomas, the ex Formula Fordster who made his racing comeback at Oulton and a second for David Blockley. Gary Warburton has entered his Spaceframe Mini, having hopefully sorted his gearbox issues from Oulton, while Ryan Nelson’s Ginetta G56 GTA completes the Class line-up.

Paterson has a number of challengers in a very competitive Class B. The green machines of Deri Davies (Darrian T90) and Bod Buckby’s Caterham 7 currently head his chasers, but Mark Primett’s MG Midget and Jamie Cryer’s Ginetta G20 should be close too. Their class is completed by three Silhouette cars, Andrew Armiger and Jon Price’s Vauxhall Tigra’s and James Owen’s Mercedes SLK.

Roberts comfortably leads Class D but it could be close for the other podium places. Paul Goodlad’s VW Scirocco is currently second, after taking his first podium at Oulton. Zack Booth’s Renault Megane R26 is one to watch, having shown overall podium pace last season and he is joined by debutant Richy Biscow in a similar car.

Oliver Thomas and Matthew Jones make their seasonal debuts in their Subaru Impreza and Ford Focus RS Turbo and 2024 Champion Steven Parker has his new BMW M235i, that he debuted at Oulton. Marshall Groves will be hoping to get further than the green flag in his Vauxhall Vectra, while Nicholas Stott’s Mini Cooper S and Andrew Gash’s Peugeot 207 Gti complete the line-up.

The evergreen Howard Hunt heads Class E but will be up against former multiple Champion Paul Dobson, who is due to debut his newly built Mazda RX7. Matt and Richard Hibbert are currently joint second in the class and once again share the family Honda Civic Type R, but they have the Renault Clio’s of Cavan Taylor and Brian Gilsenan challenging too, along with seasonal debutant’s Julian Wood (BMW Compact) and Stuart Connolly (Honda Civic).

In Class F Louie Dobson will be hoping to chase Wakelin in his Civic, while Jonathan Lee’s Mini Cooper is out too, while in Class G there are two Spire GTR’s for former Champion Jon Woolfitt and Stuart Burnett.

Qualifying is on Saturday morning at 11.25 for 20 minutes, with race one at 15.50, followed by race two on Sunday morning at 10.50.

Britcar and Caterham enjoy blockbuster away day at Spa-Francorchamps

The Britcar Endurance Championship and Caterham Motorsport took centre stage in mainland Europe this past weekend (May 29-31) as they delivered blockbuster entertainment around Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.

Regarded for being one of the ultimates tests for drivers and cars alike, the popular venue – which is home of the Formula 1 Belgium Grand Prix – provided the perfect setting for a number of championships to write the latest chapter in their 2026 campaigns.

After two fiercely contested rounds at Donington Park and Oulton Park, the Britcar Endurance Championship joined forces with the Dutch Supercar Challenge to contest a pair of 61-minute encounters in the Ardennes.

With more than seven kilometres of tarmac and also the typically unpredictable Belgium weather to contend with, the weekend’s opening contest proved to be a captivating watch from start to finish.

FormEvo Racing’s Simon Clark ultimately came to the fore as the driver to beat as he guided his McLaren 570S GT4 to victory ahead of Woodrow Motorsport’s Nathan Wells and the Team BRIT duo of Bobby Trundley and Aaron Morgan.

The aforementioned Trundley and Morgan would strike back in the final race of the weekend on Sunday as they hustled their McLaren 570S GT4 to top spot in qualifying, before then converting it into a flawless lights-to-flag victory.

Elsewhere, Caterham Motorsport made its annual jaunt overseas to do what it does best, deliver a feast of close finishes and breathtaking wheel-to-wheel moments.

The Bilstein Caterham Roadsport Championship saw Oliver Smith reign supreme as he claimed a dominant double, while the likes of John Bond, Matthew Fox, Ben Oliver and Mitch Fasanya each tallied a podium apiece behind him.

Paul Oggelsby and Brian Thornton meanwhile renewed their battle in the FanDrive Caterham Seven 270R Championship, having been the toast of the competition in the early rounds back on British shores.

Oggeslby was the first to strike out of the two of them as he triumphed in race one, however the former Academy title winner could do nothing to stop Thornton in the remaining two races as he went back-to-back.

After starring on the British Touring Car Championship support bill at Brands Hatch, the Vertex Caterham Seven 310R Championship served up a plethora of thrills and spills, especially down the Kemmell Straight.

William Harris and Lyonel Tollemache emerged as the big winners, as did multiple Caterham champion Taylor O’Flanagan and last year’s runner-up Harry Senior who were the leading lights when it came to the Motul Caterham Seven Championship UK.

George Proudford-Nalder wins BRDC International Trophy as British F4 stars at Silverstone

George Proudford-Nalder wrote his name into the history books at Silverstone this past weekend (May 30-31) as he claimed a sensational victory in the Wera Tools F4 British Championship, certified by FIA to lift the coveted BRDC International Trophy.

Taking centre stage at the Home of British Motor Racing for the fourth event of the season, the UK’s premier single-seater series delivered three spectacular contests that culminated in Lewis Wherrell, Joseph Smith and Proudford-Nalder leaving with a share of the spoils.

Virtuosi Racing’s Proudfold-Nalder made the perfect start to the weekend as he topped the times in a fast and furious qualifying session, with his two fastest times being good enough for pole position in races one and three.

Unfortunately the Australian would make a sluggish start as the lights went out for race one, which allowed JHR Developments’ Wherrell to surge into a lead that he ultimately never lost.

After reigning supreme at Snetterton just a few days prior, Wherrell picked up where he left off in the weekend’s opening contest as he produced a dominant display to tally his third win in seven days.

Behind him, Mercedes F1 Junior Ethan Jeff-Hall and McLaren supported teenager Dries Van Langendonck had finished second and third, however post-race penalties relegated them down the order and promoted Adam Al Azhari and Jarrett Clark onto the podium.

Having endured his fair share of bad luck in recent rounds, Virtuosi Racing’s Smith made a welcome return to the winners circle as he tallied his second victory of the season in the reverse grid bout.

Starting from fourth on the grid, Smith scythed his way to the front by the end of the first lap and then didn’t look back as he charged to the chequered flag ahead of Ethan Carney and Chiara Bättig – both of whom clinched their first podium finishes of the year.

Proudfold-Nalder then came to the fore in a captivating final race of the weekend as he became the eighth different winner of the season; although he was made to work for it after being pushed all the way by Wherrell.

Starting from pole position, the Virtuosi Racing teenager produced the drive of his life as he fended off a torrent of pressure from championship leader Wherrell to triumph in the UK’s premier single-seater series’ blue riband event of the season.

As the first winner of the BRDC International Trophy in more than two decades, Proudford-Nalder’s name will now forever sit alongside Formula 1 legends such as Sir Jackie Stewart, Jim Clark, James Hunt, Niki Lauda and many more on the famous trophy.

Behind the top two, Hitech’s Theo Palmer claimed the final spot on the podium in third while Jeff-Hall held off a charging Van Lagendonck to clinch fourth.

Wherrell now holds a nine-point lead at the top of the Drivers’ Championship ahead of Van Langendonck.

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

The Wera Tools F4 British Championship certified by FIA will continue its 2026 season on July 11-12 when Zandvoort in the Netherlands stages Rounds 13, 14 & 15.

Spa Francorchamps awaits for Britcar

The 2026 Britcar Endurance Championship season heads overseas this weekend as the paddock tackles one of the greatest circuits in world motorsport. Circuit de Spa‑Francorchamps. After two fiercely contested opening rounds at Donington Park and Oulton Park, the championship now arrives in the Ardennes for a unique challenge that could prove pivotal in the title race.

Spa has long been regarded as the ultimate test for drivers and machinery alike. At over seven kilometres in length, with iconic corners such as Eau Rouge, Raidillon, Pouhon and Blanchimont, the Belgian venue rewards bravery, precision and consistency in equal measure. Add in the notoriously unpredictable weather conditions and traffic management across a multi-class grid, and competitors face one of the toughest weekends on the calendar.

This year’s Spa event also differs from the traditional Britcar format. Instead of the usual single 90-minute race, competitors will contest a pair of 61-minute encounters alongside the Dutch Supercar Challenge, creating added emphasis on sprint-race execution, qualifying performance and strategy.

So far this season, the championship has already delivered plenty of drama. The opening round at Donington Park saw Dean Burden emerge victorious in the Toro Verde Porsche Cayman after a race interrupted by multiple Safety Car periods that shuffled strategies throughout the field. Attrition played a major role, and simply surviving the opener proved a challenge in itself.

Round two at Oulton Park produced another milestone moment as Mark and Peter Cunningham finally secured their maiden overall Britcar victory aboard the SG Racing Porsche 991.2 Cup. Their breakthrough success came despite a drive-through penalty, underlining both the competitiveness of the field and the importance of consistency across the opening rounds.

Heading into Spa, the Cunninghams lead the championship standings on 60 points, narrowly ahead of Nick Hull and Richard Avery in the Porsche 992.1 Cup. Ian and Elliot Wilson remain firmly in contention after a strong start in Trophy class machinery, while Geoff Steel Racing’s Julian McBride and FormEvo Racing’s Simon Clark continue to fly the flag in the GT category.

The 2026 season has also ushered in an evolved class structure, with Britcar introducing Challenge, GT and Trophy categories designed to broaden eligibility while maintaining close competition through Balance of Performance regulations. The arrival of exotic machinery from Ferrari, Ligier, KTM and Porsche has helped broaden the appeal and excitement!

Spa, however, has a habit of reshaping championships. Reliability becomes crucial across the high-speed lap, weather can change corner-by-corner, and the circuit’s relentless nature often punishes even the smallest mistakes. With two races across the weekend and valuable points on offer, teams know momentum can swing dramatically before the championship returns to British soil.

For some, Spa represents an opportunity to extend an early advantage. For others, it could be the perfect stage to reignite a title challenge. Either way, the Britcar field heads to Belgium knowing that conquering Spa-Francorchamps remains one of endurance racing’s greatest achievements.

British F4 heads to Silverstone to battle for BRDC International Trophy

The Wera Tools F4 British Championship, certified by FIA is gearing up for a special visit to the Home of British Motor Racing, Silverstone, this weekend (May 29-31) for its blue riband event of the season – the BRDC International Trophy.

Just a few days removed from an action-packed outing at Snetterton, the UK’s premier single-seater series moves to the world-famous Grand Prix circuit for what promise to be three spectacular races.

There will be added impetus for all drivers too with Sunday’s finale seeing the race winner etch their name into the history books as the first recipient of the prestigious BRDC International Trophy in more than two decades.

Instituted by the British Racing Drivers’ Club in 1949, the International Trophy was once one of the landmark events on the UK motorsport calendar, with future and current Formula 1 drivers competing for the prize from the early 1950s to the late 1970s.

Alberto Ascari was the first to lift the coveted trophy before racing legends such as Jim Clark, James Hunt, Emerson Fittipaldi, Niki Lauda, Sir Jack Brabham and Sir Jackie Stewart emerged as some of the recipients to follow in the Italians footsteps.

As the years passed, both Formula 2 and Formula 3000 drivers were eligible to compete for the accolade before it came to a stop in the early 2000s. That changes however this weekend as the International Trophy is revived by Silverstone and British F4.
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While points remain just as important as ever when it comes to the battle for supremacy in the Drivers’ Championship, one driver is destined to walk away this weekend with their name written alongside the greats – the question of who it will be remains to be seen.

Rodin Motorsport’s Dries Van Langendonck is the driver to beat currently but with the opening nine races having produced seven different winners, and a total of 15 different podium finishers, any one of the record 32-car grid could reign supreme this weekend.

Qualifying for the CADOLA Watches Pole Position Award takes place on Saturday morning at 09:00, before race one gets underway later that afternoon at 14:30. Two more races – the reverse grid contest at 10:15 and the BRDC International Trophy at 15:50 - will then play out on Sunday.  

Those in attendance are welcome to take part in a special 30-minute Grid Walk – where they can step foot on the hallowed circuit and rub shoulders with the drivers and their cars – prior to the final race of the weekend.

For fans watching from home, every racing lap from Silverstone will be broadcast LIVE on the British F4 YouTube channel across Saturday and Sunday.

Ryder closes the gap to Hall in the standings

There was no stopping Matt Ryder at Gurston Down last weekend. The Gould GR59 driver coped with the searing heat better than anyone on Saturday and Sunday to claim both run-off wins in Wiltshire to move closer to the summit of the table.

Ryder relished the challenge at one of the fastest hills in the country, and a 25.49-second run on the opening run-off saw the Englishman set the benchmark on the opening day. His 2026 sparring partner, Will Hall, was his closest challenger with a 25.71 in his Gould GR59.

Wallace Menzies couldn’t quite duck under the 26-second mark with a 26.06, but he kept a watching eye on his title rivals ahead of him.
Elsewhere, it proved to be an electric weekend for Paul Haimes. After a disappointing meeting at Prescott on the opening weekend, Haimes wound up his Gould and produced a brilliant drive to fourth in his 1300cc turbocharged machine with a 26.50. Alex Coles is never far away from the front and was pleased to secure fifth ahead of Dave Uren, who was building back his confidence in his GR55.

Trevor Willis pushed his OMS to seventh ahead of hill record-holder Alex Summers, who was pleased to pick up points in his self-built AFS P4T, while Harry Pick and Andy Greenen grabbed the final points on offer. For Greenen, it was to be his first BHC point of the season.
Into the second day, proceedings were paused after a sizeable off for Dean Tighe forced the meeting to be halted. The likeable Australian got out of the car, but went to hospital as a precaution.

With time on the hill reduced, the final run-off of the weekend became even more crucial.

It was Ryder again who topped the timesheets, this time going even quicker in the hot and humid conditions with a 25.27 to seal another 10 points. The ever-present Will Hall was just behind with a 25.34 to take nine points. Not taking dropped scores into consideration at this early stage of the season, Matt’s run has seen him reduce the deficit to just four points behind his fellow Gould driver.

Wallace Menzies banked another podium at Gurston Down. The Gould driver knows he has the pace but couldn’t live with the two in front last weekend. A consolation third keeps the title fight alive and, as the championship heads to Shelsley Walsh and Doune, the Flying Scotsman can never be discounted.

Paul Haimes was magic again, taking his third fourth-place finish in a row as the Englishman entered a purple patch of his own. Alex Coles firmly pulled up a seat at the BHC top table with fifth in the run-off, helping him to move up to fifth in the standings.

Trevor Willis bravely battled to sixth ahead of Alex Summers once again in seventh. Harry Pick produced a brilliant run to eighth, while Dave Uren didn’t quite feel at home this weekend in ninth. Bagging crucial points now, ahead of the hills he enjoys later in the year, is always important when fighting for a number. Jason Tunnicliffe snatched the final point from a chasing Andy Greenen and Andy Bougourd.

The championship now heads “home” to Shelsley Walsh — the oldest event on the calendar and the spiritual home of hillclimbing in the UK. Get ready for take-off on 6/7 June!

BTCC title race heats up at Snetterton

The battle for supremacy in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship hotted up at Snetterton this past weekend (May 23-24) as Charles Rainford, Ash Sutton and Gordon Shedden scorched their way to victory in front of a bumper crowd.

Hot on the heels of blockbuster events at Donington Park and Brands Hatch, the country’s premier motorsport series headed to its most easterly venue on the calendar for three sun-drenched rounds – all of which resulted in the championship order being shook up once more.

Contending with searing temperatures as well as each other, drivers dialled in their machines around the 2.97-mile layout during Saturday’s solitary practice session before then setting the grid for that afternoon’s Qualifying Race.

In qualifying itself, Tom Chilton secured pole position for the Qualifying Race however his time at the front was short-lived as he was muscled down the order by eventual winner Rainford, before then being hit with a time penalty for an out-of-position start.

Once out front, Rainford reigned supreme in relatively easy fashion while Josh Cook followed him home in second. Ash Sutton had been third but suffered a front left puncture on lap three, which in-turn bumped reigning champion Tom Ingram up the order to complete the top three.

Like he did on Saturday, Rainford proved to be the driver to beat in Sunday’s opener as he claimed a second career victory in commanding fashion, leading all 12 laps and never being challenged.

While the BMW 330i M Sport driver streaked clear of the pack, Ingram and Daryl De Leon both got the better of Cook to claim the remaining two spots on the podium. Further back, Sutton surged from last to tenth, which in-turn set him up for a scintillating race two.

Bolting the soft tyre on his NAPA Racing UK Ford Focus Titanium, the four-time champion produced a vintage display to re-establish his position at the top of the standings as he scythed his way to a fourth win of the season.

Ingram had been leading the way however a faster Sutton on the soft tyre and then an alternator failure put pay to his chances. Joining the championship pace-setter on the podium were the two Hyundai’s of Ricky Collard and Tom Chilton.

The weekend concluded with three-time champion Shedden rolling back the years as he produced a mighty display to hold off a charging Sutton and Ingram to clinch his first win of the season.

Starting from pole position, the Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport driver placed his Toyota Corolla in all the right places throughout the 12-lap contest to prevail; however it was arguably overshadowed when it was confirmed that Nicolas Hamilton was the Jack Sears Trophy winner for the weekend.

It proved to be one of the most emotional podiums in memory with a huge crowd roaring the Team Vertu driver onto the rostrum, as Shedden, Sutton and Ingram joined the fans in front of the podium to cheer on the inspirational racer.

Leaving Snetterton, Sutton holds a 57-point lead over Ingram at the top of the Drivers’ Championship while Alliance Racing / Ford top the standings in both the Manufacturers-Constructors’ and Teams’ Championship’s.

Elsewhere, Shedden, Mikey Doble and LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing are the benchmark in the Independent Drivers’ and Teams’ categories as it stands, whilst Restart Racing’s James Dorlin is the pace-setter in the coveted Jack Sears Trophy.

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

Rounds 10, 11 & 12 of the 2026 take place in less than two weeks’ time as the BTCC makes its annual trip to Oulton Park on June 6-7.

Snetterton sets the scene for scorching action on TOCA support bill

Snetterton played host to a spectacular two days of TOCA support championship action this past weekend (May 23/24) as four categories continued their 2026 campaigns in style around the near three-mile circuit.

Taking centre stage alongside the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at the Norfolk venue, a bumper trackside crowd – as well as many more watching on ITV4 – were treated to a feast of thrills and spills in scorching weather conditions.

One of the highlights of the two-day meeting was the inclusion of all three MINI CHALLENGE classes as the JCW, JCW Sport and Trophy categories raced on the same bill for the very first time.

In the Power Maxed MINI CHALLENGE JCW, Josh Porter – who is a part of the EXCELR8 Driver Development Programme – ignited his season with a sublime performance that saw him claim two wins.

Porter surged to pole position in qualifying and then subsequently converted both front row starts into victory. The spoils of the reverse grid contest meanwhile went the way of Charlie Hand, who delivered a superb drive to tally his first-ever win in the one-make series.

Over in the Mairon Motorsport MINI CHALLENGE Trophy, Westbourne Motorsport’s Luca Marinoni Osborne was perfection personified to win twice. The talented racer began his quest for silverware with the benchmark lap in qualifying, which in-turn set him for success.

Making the most of the clear air that he had in front of him, Marinoni Osborne held off the chasing pack to triumph in races one and three, with reigning champion Alex Keens taking home the spoils in race two.

The Wera Tools F4 British Championship, certified by FIA wrote the latest chapter of its season with the first leg of a unique double-header, one that concludes this weekend at the Home of British Motor Racing, Silverstone.

The weekend arguably belonged to former champions JHR Developments as they dominated proceedings by topping every competitive session that took place around the challenging 2.97-mile course.

Lewis Wherrell was the driver to beat across Friday’s two practice sessions and he continued his front-running form into Saturday. Trouncing the opposition to clinch pole position in qualifying, Wherrell converted it into a lights-to-flag victory in race one.

His team-mate Timo Jüngling then became the seventh different winner of the campaign in the reverse grid contest as he raced clear to triumph before Wherrell closed out the weekend in the same way that he started it, standing on the top step of the podium in race three.

Rounding out the full-throttle action around Snetterton’s infamous 300 layout were two fast and furious races from the Porsche Carwow Carrera Cup Great Britain.

As they have done at most rounds this year, Rosland Gold by Century Motorsport’s Callum Voisin and Team Parker Racing’s Will Jenkins emerged as the benchmark drivers as they claimed a win and a second place finish apiece.

Porsche GB Scholarship winner Voisin was first to strike as he delivered a flawless display to triumph in race one before Jenkins then opened his account for the new term with a virtuoso performance in race two.

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

Oulton Park provides the next stop on the calendar for a number of championship in less than two weeks’ time, with the annual jaunt to the Cheshire circuit taking place on June 6/7.

Sunshine, Speed and Snetterton on the cards this weekend

The British Automobile Racing Club has arranged for glorious sunshine across the British Isles this weekend.

Sadly, we had no part to play in the weather — but we will have two exciting meetings to look forward to at both Snetterton, for the bumper TOCA package, and Gurston Down, where the BARC South West Centre hosts two rounds of the British Hillclimb Championship.

When is the next BARC weekend?

The next events will take place this weekend – 23rd and 24th May.

Where are the events being held?

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

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

What’s racing?

At Gurston Down, we have everything from road cars to top single-seaters competing in the British Hillclimb Championship, while at Snetterton the British Touring Car Championship will be supported by British F4, MINI Challenge Trophy, MINI Challenge and Porsche Carrera Cup GB.

How can I watch?

At the venue:

Tickets for Gurston Down are available on the gate for both Saturday and Sunday, with each day featuring practice, timed runs and a run-off.

At Snetterton, tickets are £49 online for a weekend adult pass, while prices will be slightly higher on the gate. Senior citizens and teens enjoy discounted entry, while under-13s go free. Ticket information can be found here: www.snetterton.co.uk/2026/may/kwik-fit-british-touring-car-championship

At home:

ITV4 and ITVX will be the home for all the Sunday action, while BTCC and British F4 races can be watched on their respective YouTube channels for international viewers.

Sadly, the hillclimbing action won’t be streamed live this weekend — but live timing will be available via TSL Timing: www.tsl-timing.com

What time is everything happening on track?

At Snetterton, we get underway with qualifying on Saturday morning from 09:45 before the BTCC Qualifying Race gets us underway at 15:05. On Sunday, we go straight into racing at 09:25, with action continuing through to early evening.

At Gurston Down, runs are expected to start at 08:30, with action on both days continuing through to early evening.

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: www.tsl-timing.com/event/262103
Information and Timetable*: www.barc.net/event/toca-race-meeting-snetterton-300-may-23-24/
Sunday Watch Link: www.itv.com/btcc

Gurston Down
Live Timing Saturday: www.tsl-timing.com/event/262184
Live Timing Sunday: www.tsl-timing.com/event/262284
Information: www.barc.net/event/british-hillclimb-championship-meeting-gurston-down-may-23-24/

* Subject to adjustments prior to and during the race meeting.

Circuit racing or hillclimbing — it’s a tough choice — but thankfully we’re at both this weekend! See you at Snetterton or Gurston Down!

BARC championships make a splash at Convoy Thruxton

The British Automobile Racing Club made a splash on him turf this past weekend (May 16-17) as the all-action British Truck Racing Championship rumbled into Hampshire to headline Convoy Thruxton.

Marking the first race meeting of the season at the fastest circuit in the country, thousands of fans poured through the gates to witness a feast of thrilling on-track moments, as well as enjoy plenty of eye-catching off-track attractions too.

Despite the challenging weather conditions, the spirits of those in attendance were far from dampened with many being able to soak up entertainment from the likes of show trucks, wrestling, a funfair and much more.

Topping the bill on the circuit was the big rigs of the BTRC, which delivered five captivating contests. When all was said and done, no less than four different drivers triumphed in Division 1, while two more starred in Division 2.

Division 1 – the series’ premier class – saw ten-time champion Stuart Oliver enjoy a fine start to proceedings as he took a commanding win in race one, before fellow former title winner David Jenkins came to the fore to deliver a wet weather masterclass in race two.

After enduring a difficult opening event, 333 Motorsport’s Steven Powell reminded everyone what is he is capable of as he charged to victory in race three. Then, as the heavens opened once more, Jenkins hit the front to once again tally another win.

Having had to spend much of the weekend filling the other steps on the podium, reigning ten-time champion Ryan Smith finally chalked up a victory of his own in the weekend’s finale, despite coming under race-long pressure from Craig Reid.

Over in Division 2, the battle for title supremacy ramped up as Callum Eason ignited his season in style. The WDE Motorsport driver won four of the five races, only being beaten by reigning champion and rival Jake Evans in the other contest.

After a few years away, the Pickup Truck Racing Championship made a triumphant return to Thruxton and the weekend was largely dominated by Aaron Thompson, who snared pole position in qualifying and then followed it up with two race wins.

Thompson had hoped to compete a unique hat-trick in race three but heavy rain and a misted up windscreen hampered his chances. Instead, 2024 champion Dale Gent charged from sixth to first on lap one of the finale, before then going on to reign supreme.

While Thompson and Gent left with the big points, arguably one of the biggest cheers of the weekend came for Dan Fisher, who claimed an emotional maiden podium finish in the weekend’s final bout.

There was no shortage of entertainment over in the Civic Cup as a bumper field of Type Rs were unleashed around the sweeping curves and unforgiving kerbs of Thruxton. The weekend was something of a homage to the past and present of the one-make series too.

Josh Files made a welcome return to the grid and he made an instant impact as he charged to victory in race one. It was then the turn of the championship’s current leading light, Matt Wilkins, to come to the fore to win race two.

Another returning figure, former champion Max Edmundson, then signed off proceedings with a virtuoso performance in heavy rain, as he streaked clear of the opposition to win by more than 11 seconds.

One of the closest finishes pop the weekend came in the OT Coupe Cup with Toyo Tires, as Harvey Cursley got the better of Matthew Watson in race two to claim victory by a staggering 0.029 seconds.

Cursley had finished second to Stephen Slawson in a action-packed opening bout and was determined not to repeat the feat in race two. A tense back-and-forth battle had ensued between the pair however in ever-worsening track conditions, Cursley managed to come out on top.

In the popular MINI CHALLENGE Clubsport, a bumper field jostled for honours across three races however it was last year’s serial winner Oli Willmott that was a cut above the rest as he won twice; while Andy Langley also got in on the act to emerge victorious too.

Closing out what proved to be a weekend that will live long in the memory was a double win for TVR Tuscan driver Michael Saunders in the Bertie’s V8s & Outlaws and three for Ross Makar, who made history by winning the very first three races of the all-new Audi Cup.

To view the full classification of results from Convoy Thruxton, CLICK HERE.

Classic Touring Car Racing Club serves up retro magic at Oulton Park

The Classic Touring Car Racing Club enjoyed a day to remember at Oulton Park this past Saturday (May 16) as the popular tin top category headlined the first-ever Touring Car Rewind: North meeting.

In what is a new addition to the national motorsport calendar for this season, the one-day spectacle was all about celebrating old-school touring fever; with action including a bumper day of racing, demonstrations, displays and much more.

Fondly remembered by fans for being one of the great periods of the British Touring Car Championship, the Super Touring machines of the 1990s were rumbling once more with the likes of the Volvo 850 Estate and Williams Renault Laguna wowing the crowds.

When it came to the racing, the Pre-66 Touring Cars took fans on a spirited trip down memory lane and it was reigning two-time champion James Ibbotson that emerged as the driver to beat, winning twice in his Hillman Imp Super.

Since winning the title for the second time last year, Ibbotson has not featured on the grid, however he marked his first appearance of the current campaign in style with a dominant double ahead of former champions Ian Thompson and Billy Kenneally.

Nic Grindrod showed similar levels of peerless performance over in the Pre-83 Touring Cars. At the wheel of his Ford Escort, Grindrod got the better of Tom Harvey and Neil Philpotts in a frenetic opener, before then beat reigning champion Jonathan Corker and Nick Williamson in race two.

Fans watching the amalgamated Super Tourer / Pre-93 / Pre-03 and Pre-13 contest could have been forgiven for thinking they’d been transported back to the start of the millennium, owing to the fact that Jason Plato’s old Vauxhall Vectra was setting the pace.

In the hands of former BTCC racer Jason Hughes, the Triple Eight Engineering machine streaked clear as the likes of Vauxhall Cavalier ace Tony Absolom, Ford Mondeo driver AJ Owen and multiple CTCRC champion Ian Bower all gave chase.

Rounding out the CTCRC attractions were two races from the Blue Oval Saloon Series and those in Classic and Historic Thunder. Like others that have gone before him, Joe Collier proved to be the cream of the crop as he too scooped a brace of race wins in his BMW M3.

Also on the billing was the Adrian Flux Insurance MG Owners Club Championship, which wrote the latest chapter of its 2026 season in typically thrilling fashion.

Scott Bugner won a race of attrition in the day’s opening contest as he hustled his MG ZR to the chequered flag less than a second ahead of Jack Woodcock, with James Cole a further few tenths of a second back in arrears.

Race two then saw Lee Bull come to the fore to triumph however the encounter will arguably be remembered for the guest appearance of 1992 BTCC champion turned now ITV4 commentator, Tim Harvey.

Making his debut in the series, Harvey starred as he applied race-long pressure to Bull however despite his best efforts, the experienced racer couldn’t find a way past and ultimately had to settle for runner-up laurels.

To view the full classification of results from Oulton Park, CLICK HERE.

Touring Car Rewind now heads to Brands Hatch for its South edition, with the Classic Touring Car Racing Club set to deliver more unmissable moments in early August.

Two big hitters heading to the circuits this weekend

The British Automobile Racing Club is once again in two places and once, with two big events this weekend (16/17 May).

Over at Thruxton it is the second round of the British Truck Racing Championship and a whole host of other series including the Civic Cup, Coupe Cup, MINI Challenge Clubsport, Pickup Truck Racing Championship and for the first time this year the Audi Cup.

Also up north at Oulton Park we are helping to bring together Touring Car Rewind: North – with a plethora of classes from the Classic Touring Car Racing Club and MG Owners Club in action in Cheshire.

When is the next BARC weekend?
The next events will be this weekend – 16th May – Oulton Park and 16th/17th May – Thruxton

Where are the events being held?

Thruxton
Address: Thruxton Circuit, Andover, Hampshire, SP11 8PW

Oulton Park
Address: Oulton Park Circuit, Little Budworth, Tarporley, Cheshire, CW6 9BW

How can I watch?

At the Venue
Tickets are selling fast for the Thruxton meeting. Tickets can be purchased on the website – thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/british-trucks and start at £25 per day for an adult – £7 for a teen and under 12 going free. Weekend and Grandstand ticket options are also available. Tickets are also available on the gate.

At Oulton Park tickets are £30 on the gate with Senior Citizens and Teens enjoying a discounted entry – oultonpark.co.uk/2026/may/touring-car-rewind-north

At Home
Both events will have live coverage, so you won’t miss a thing. The BARC YouTube channel will be covering the action from Oulton Park on Saturday, as well as the action from Thruxton across the weekend on www.youtube.com/@britishautomobileracingclub

What time are things happening on track?

At Thruxton we get underway with Practice for the Trucks at 09:00 – with the first race at 13:25 following a morning of Qualifying. On Sunday we are wall to wall racing from 10:15 to 17:35!

At Oulton Park, this is a one day meeting and starts with Practice at 08:00 with the first race scheduled for 12:25. Racing goes on throughout the day until the final race finishes at 18:10.

Do you have any more information?

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

Thruxton
Live Timing and Commentary: https://www.tsl-timing.com/event/262021
Information and Timetable*: https://www.barc.net/event/barc-race-meeting-thruxton-may-16-17/
Saturday Watch Link: www.youtube.com/live/hlCfi9TzGWI?si=d7ZOF18D8jrcmoM-
Sunday Watch Link: www.youtube.com/live/RnfM7Cfz34E?si=7cSfUcfw55ngMHPM

Oulton Park
Live Timing and Commentary: https://www.tsl-timing.com/event/262027
Information and Timetable*: https://www.barc.net/event/touring-car-rewind-north-oulton-park-international-may-16/
Saturday Watch Link: www.youtube.com/live/hMuKu2f4c58?si=LMql1mN6680AJ8k4

* Subject to adjustments prior and during the race meeting

Touring Cars for Trucks is a tough decision – but one thing for certain – it’s going to be an entertaining weekend!