Author: Chris Ashby

Sun shines on Brands Hatch as BARC serves up Easter extravaganza

The British Automobile Racing Club served up an Easter extravaganza at Brands Hatch this past weekend (April 8/9) as seven more championships lifted the curtain on their 2023 seasons in spectacular fashion.

Basking in the warm Spring sunshine at the famous Kent venue, a bumper crowd were treated to 21 blockbuster races across Saturday and Sunday – each of which were packed with their own thrills and spills. 

Headlining the weekend’s action around the 1.2-mile Indy circuit were five contests from the British Truck Racing Championship and they certainly didn’t disappoint; with a near capacity grid of heavyweight behemoths delivering an unmissable show.

In Division 1, two of the series’ most successful drivers staked an early claim to the title by sharing the spoils. Reigning seven time-champion Ryan Smith – who was armed with a brand-new Daimler Freightliner – bagged a hat-trick of wins whilst ten-time champion Stuart Oliver scored a brace of his own.

There was a similar theme in Division 2 as two drivers split the wins; Adam Bint and John Powell. Former champion Bint made one of his best starts to a season in recent years with three emphatic victories whilst championship stalwart Powell reigned supreme in the remaining two bouts.

Three different drivers stood on the top step of the podium in what was an action-packed start to the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE Trophy. Widely regarded as one of the most competitive one-make categories in the UK, no quarter was given throughout the 30-car grid.

Second-year driver Tom Ovenden kicked off proceedings with an impressive victory before Jack Byrne scampered into the distance to win race two, all while an almighty scrap for second place played out behind him. Alex Solley then rounded out proceedings by clinching his maiden win in a shortened third race.

The Pickup Truck Racing Championship also saw three different drivers claim victory. Renowned for producing high-octane wheel-to-wheel moments, the category had everyone on the edge of their seats as they debuted their new two heats and a grand final format.

Pre-season title favourites Matt Simpson, Dale Gent and reigning champion Reece Jones proved to be the class of the field as they led the way out front – taking a win apiece to set up what promises to be an exciting remainder of the season.

Elsewhere, the Morphmy Caterham Graduates Championship served up no less than four races during the weekend, each of them proving to be as captivating as the one that went before it. 

Harry Senior and Harry Cramer shared the victories on offer in the amalgamated Sigma 150 and Sigmax races whilst Richard Groom and Ben Wheatley emerged victorious from the two thrilling Sigma 135 bouts that were on offer.

Scott Bugner made a flying start to life in the Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship as he opened his 2023 account with two wins. 

At the wheel of his MG ZR, Bugner edged out Jack Chapman and multiple champion Steve McDermid in a close opening race before then doubling up for the day with a more comfortable victory ahead of McDermid and Andy Heitman in race two.

Wayne Rockett showcased why he has established himself as one of the most successful drivers to ever compete in the OT Publishing Coupe Cup with Toyo Tires by taking a clean sweep of race victories.

Hot on the heels of finishing the 2022 campaign with the most race wins, Rockett picked up where he left off as he produced a pair of measured drives to lead home Luca Staccini Anzanello and Mark Ridout in both encounters.

Rounding out the weekend’s action was two races from the Kumho BMW Championship, the single-manufacturer series which boasts more than three decades of history and is home to some of the most iconic models that run the badge of the Bavarian brand.

Donning the mantel of defending champion after a sensational 2022 campaign, James Card picked up from where he left off last year with an assured performance in the weekend’s opening contest as he guided his E46 M3 to victory ahead of Jason West.

Roles were reversed in race two however as West staked his claim as one to watch over the course of the year with a somewhat dominant win; leading home Card and Paul Wood to the chequered flag by more than ten seconds.

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

Watch all of the action that was streamed live across both days on the BARC’s official YouTube channel HERE.

How To Watch BARC LIVE: Brands Hatch – April 8/9

The British Automobile Racing Club makes its first visit of the 2023 season to Brands Hatch this weekend (April 8/9) with a blockbuster two days of on-track entertainment comprising of a staggering 21 races.

Five races that are guaranteed to have fans on the edge-of-their-seats – both trackside and watching online – will come from the British Truck Racing Championship as they blast into life for a brand new season.

Weighing in at more than five tonnes and producing in excess of 1000bhp, there is nothing quite like seeing the heavyweight behemoths of Divison 1 and Division 2 go wheel-to-wheel, and BARC LIVE is poised to bring every lap live across Facebook and YouTube.

Elsewhere, the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE Trophy, Kumho BMW Championship, Pickup Truck Racing Championship, Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship, OT Publishing Coupe Cup with Toyo Tires and Caterham Graduates Racing Club will all kick-start their campaigns.

Make sure you don’t miss any of the on-track entertainment by using the key timings and links below:

Saturday Race Show – Starting from 11:50 – Facebook | YouTube 

Sunday Race Show – Starting from 10:10 – Facebook | YouTube

To find out more information on this weekend’s race meeting at Brands Hatch, including the official entry lists and timetable, CLICK HERE.

Don’t miss any future BARC LIVE events either by subscribing to our YouTube channel HERE.

Interest grows for Britcar Endurance six-hour race at Donington Park

Interest for Britcar Endurance’s latest foray into long-distance racing – a six-hour contest at Donington Park on July 22 – said to be gathering momentum and running high. 

In what is poised to be one of the marquee events on the calendar for the Britcar brand in 2023, excitement and anticipation is already beginning to build as preparations start to step up.

Since rejuvenating the Britcar brand in 2016, Managing Director Claire Hedley has harboured a passion for reviving a 24hr race for true GT and endurance-spec machinery, and the creation of this season’s six-hour contest is the first step to resurrect the much-lamented event. 

Well aware that this isn’t the work of a single moment, Britcar’s three to five-year plan is set to incorporate a year-on-year increase in race time lengths; starting at six and moving up to nine, 12 and before then ultimately 24.

Whilst campaigns for the British Endurance Championship, Britcar Trophy and Britcar Prototype Cup have begun, interest is ramping up for what promises to be a summer showcase and those with an interest to compete in the event should contact Claire Hedley via claire@britcar-endurance.com

Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 Team adds to ROKiT British F4 prize list

The ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA has confirmed that the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team has added to its prize lift, with the 2023 champion set to be given a simulator experience at the team’s state-of-the-art campus in Brackley.

Following the close of the season later this year, the winner will spend a half-day at the home of the eight-time World Constructors’ Champions undertaking a full session in the Mercedes-AMG F1 simulator – similar to that undertaken by Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.

After a pre-session briefing, the winner will undertake a full driving programme, receiving feedback and coaching throughout, before completing the day with a post-session debrief. 

Designed to provide a clear path to Formula 1, the British F4 now holds official links with three teams competing at the pinnacle of the sport.

In addition to the Mercedes AMG F1 simulator session, the eventual champion will also receive an experience with McLaren Racing at the British Grand Prix and a year-long coaching programme and expert guidance from the BWT Alpine Formula 1 Team.

Hugh Chambers, Motorsport UK CEO, said: “On behalf of Motorsport UK and the British F4 Championship I’d like to thank Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 for this generous contribution. We are very much about development of our drivers and this prize is a great step in their career. 

“We know that our F4 championship helps to give drivers the skills they need to succeed as evidenced by having three drivers in F1 already and more heading through the ranks of Formula 2 and Formula 3. 

“The grid is looking to be very strong this year so it will be interesting to watch the battle for the title. The winner then having the simulator experience and the opportunity to engage with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team is fantastic.”

The 2023 ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA season commences at Donington Park on April 22/23.

British Truck Racing Championship makes commitment to using sustainable fuel

The British Truck Racing Championship has announced its commitment to using a more sustainable fuel from the 2023 season onwards.

In the first major step on its road to greater sustainability, the championship has partnered with the UK’s leading provider of high-performance Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel, Green Biofuels (GBF); every driver is set to be provided with the fuel at each round.

Offering a simple, and more importantly, clean alternative to diesel, GBF’s advanced Gd+ fuel – which will be used by all competitors in the BTRC – is made from 100% waste-derived cooking oils and fats and supercharged with an engine-enhancing additive. No virgin crops are required for the production of Gd+ and it also has no impact on land use.

Designed as a straightforward diesel replacement, Gd+ is the least carbon-emitting diesel replacement fuel available in the UK, saving 2.82kg or 90% CO2e per litre. Gd+ can be used in existing diesel engines without upgrading machinery. Last year alone, GBF’s customers saved more than 480,000 metric tonnes of CO2e by switching to Gd+.

This new relationship with the BTRC is the latest in a long line of partnerships for GBF which already supplies its clean, advanced HVO fuel to the likes of DPD, Coca Cola, Skansa, and Freightliner, among others. 

William Tebbit, GBF CEO, said: “To sustainably power engines producing in excess of 1000 bhp you need the best-performing diesel replacement fuel in the UK, which makes Gd+ a natural choice for the BTRC. 

“Our Gd+ provides a clean, direct drop-in alternative fuel for standard diesel engines – no costly upgrades or new machinery required. HVO fuels like Gd+ are already helping to reduce CO2e emissions across a wide range of industries including, construction, haulage and freight, shipping, and agriculture.”

“This is not only a big announcement for the sport but also the industry as a whole too,” added Steve Thomas, Truck Sport UK Director. “As one of the premier motorsport series in the UK it is only right that we stand up and make an impact in the correct way. 

“Carving out a sustainable pathway is pivotal for the future of the sport and I’m delighted that we are able to introduce a new cleaner fuel from this season onwards. This is just the first step in our sustainability plans and we’re looking forward to growing this relationship over the coming years.”

To find out more information about GBF, visit https://www.gbf.ltd/. 

The 2023 British Truck Racing Championship commences at Brands Hatch on April 8/9, before embarking on a further six events and 30 races at some of the country’s leading venues. 

Caterham Motorsport springs into action at Oulton Park

Caterham Motorsport kicked off the latest chapter of their illustrious history this past weekend (April 1) as they ran under the British Automobile Racing Club banner for the first time – serving up a big grids and blockbuster wheel-to-wheel entertainment at Oulton Park. 

Organised and run by the Club’s North Western Centre at the picturesque Cheshire circuit, the popular manufacturer – which celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year – lifted the curtain on its 2023 season in spectacular style.

In the Mission Motorsport Caterham Seven 270R Championship, spoils were shared as two drivers established themselves as the early pace-setters. 

After charging to pole position by a little over a tenth of a second in qualifying, Charlie Lower came out on top of a captivating four-way battle for victory in the opening encounter, as he led home Matt Larbey and Rrutuj Patki.

Freddie Chiddicks – who had been given a 10-second start line penalty in race one – proved to be the driver to beat for the remainder of the day as he bounced back by coming to the fore to triumph in races two and three.

The Motul Caterham Seven 310R Championship saw some of the closest winning margins registered over the course of the day however the victor remained the same throughout all three bouts.

Lars Alexander Hoffmann proved too much for the opposition by clinching a hat-trick of wins, although two of them were ultimately by less than a staggering tenth of a second.

Lewis Thompson made his mark on the Avon Tyres Caterham Seven Championship UK as he took an impressive brace of wins. After topping qualifying and then narrowly missing out on the Superpole, Thompson reigned supreme in commanding fashion to win both races.

In the day’s third schedule Seven Championship UK race, an on-track incident brought the red flag out and proceedings to a halt. Caterham Cars has since provided an update on the incident HERE.

Rounding out the day’s action were a handful of contests from the Vertex Caterham Roadsport Championship, where spectators arguably witnessed one of the closest finishes of the season already – with the top four covered by just 0.079.

After a monumental multi-car scrap for overall honours in race one, a drag race to the start-finish line saw Lyonel Tollemache pip Ben Timmons to the top step of the podium by a mere 0.006 of a second whilst Tom McEwing finished 0.065 behind in third.

Race two would see things be just as close however it was Timmons that reigned supreme this time as he fended off the the advances of McEwing to register his first victory of the year.

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

How To Watch BARC LIVE: Oulton Park – April 1

The British Automobile Racing Club speeds into Oulton Park this Saturday (April 1) for the Caterham Motorsport Spring Race Meeting.

Organised and run by the Club’s North West Centre, this weekend marks the first of several trips to the picturesque Cheshire venue over the course of the year – and our TV cameras will be there to capture all the action.

Having joined the BARC ranks for 2023, Caterham Motorsport – the UK’s largest factory-backed family of championships – will take centre stage on the International for a full-throttle day of wheel-to-wheel action.

Serving up said action will be the unmissable 270R, 310R, Roadsport and Seven UK Championship’s.

Make sure you don’t miss any of the on-track entertainment by using the key timings and links below:

Saturday Race Show – Starting from 10:30 – Facebook | YouTube 

To find out more information on this weekend’s race meeting at Oulton Park, including the official entry lists and timetable, CLICK HERE.

Don’t miss any future BARC LIVE events either by subscribing to our YouTube channel HERE.

BARC lifts the curtain on 2023 season in spectacular style at Silverstone

The British Automobile Racing Club lifted the curtain on its 2023 season in spectacular style this past weekend (March 25/26) as a bumper entry served up a feast of entertainment around Silverstone’s world-famous Grand Prix circuit.

Following months of preparation, anticipation and excitement; all eyes were on the Home of British Motor Racing as some of the Club’s biggest categories took centre stage to set the tone for the year ahead with two days of enthralling wheel-to-wheel action.

Embarking on its sophomore season, the British Endurance Championship garnered plenty of interest as it showcased a monstrous array of GT machines in a captivating three-hour encounter on Saturday afternoon. 

With a revised class structure which featured some regular faces, old favourites in new cars and a host of exciting newcomers, battles raged throughout the field however up at the front there was nobody that could stop the Blackthorn-entered Mercedes GT3. 

After missing out on pole position by a tenth of a second in qualifying, Claude Bovet and David McDonald proved to be too much for the opposition as they comfortably romped to victory – finishing more than a minute ahead of the Audi GT3 pairing of Peter Erceg and Marcus Clutton who finished in second place.

The Britcar Trophy Championship burst into life on Sunday with two frenetic 50-minute contests and a near 30-car field.

Race one proved to be a somewhat dominant affair as Datum Motorsport’s Axel Van Nederveen guided his Ginetta G56 GTA to a commanding victory ahead of William Stacey and Maurizio Sciglio however things seemed to be somewhat closer in the day’s second bout later in the day as Van Nederveen claimed a clean sweep.

High in confidence after his earlier win, the Dutchman could do nothing to stop the Intersport Racing duo of Jas Sapra and Bryan Bransom from triumphing on-track in their BMW M3 E46 however a post-race exclusion ultimately promoted him from second to the top step of the podium.

Spoils were shared in the inaugural Britcar Prototype Cup – launched to bring together all types of prototype machinery to compete on one single grid – which consisted of two 25-minute races and a 50-minute finale.

Idola Motorsport’s Rodolfo Gonzalez wrote his name into the history books as the series’ first-ever winner before the University of Wolverhampton’s Shane Kelly struck back with a win of his own in race two.

Making it three different winners from three races was the TGM with Private Leads team of Ben Stone and Teddy Wilson who capped off a dream debut with an assured performance during the weekend’s closing bout.

Iconic tin top machines from the Classic Touring Car Racing Club had fans on the edge of their seats over the course of the weekend too as they delivered no less than eight blockbuster races.

The amalgamated Poutec Pre ’66 Touring Cars and Orange Aero Pre ’83 Touring Cars contests had a familiar feel to them with both podiums being occupied by the same three drivers; with Stephen Primett claiming a brace of victories ahead of Jonathan Corker and William Davidson. Further down the pack, Peter Hallford piloted his Ford Mustang to emerge as the top Pre ’66 runner.

Nobody could stop Stuart Waite in the combined Laser Tools Pre ’93 Touring Cars, Burty Haulage Pre ’03 Touring Cars and Laser Tools Super Tourer races as he charged to a pair of impressive victories in his BMW E36 M3.

Hot on his heels was Garry Prebble – the top Pre ’03 entrant – and James Everard who each claimed a second and third place finish respectively whilst Jason Hughes triumphed in the Super Tourers category in an ex-Jason Plato Vauxhall Vectra.

Rounding out the weekend’s track action at Silverstone were two races from the Edmundson Electrical Classic Thunder, Burton Power Blue Oval Saloon Series and Berkshire Jag Components Jaguar Challenge.

Boasting a grid of more than 40 flame-spitting machines, Jason West scored two more victories for the BMW E36 M3 as he led home Bryan Bransom and Sam Wilson all the way to the chequered flag.

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

Watch all of the action that was streamed live across both days on the BARC’s official YouTube channel HERE.

How To Watch BARC LIVE: Silverstone Grand Prix – March 25/26

The British Automobile Racing Club is poised to lift the curtain on a brand-new season of motorsport this weekend (March 25/26) with two-action packed days of wheel-to-wheel racing at the world-famous Silverstone Grand Prix circuit – and our cameras will be there to broadcast every race live.

Kicking off what is set to be the biggest year yet for the Club’s live stream platform – where a total 23 race meetings are scheduled to be broadcast online over the course of the year – thousands of fans are expected to flock to Facebook and YouTube to watch what promises to be an entertaining 2023 curtain-raiser.

Taking centre stage around the Home of British Motor Racing this weekend will be the British Endurance Championship, Britcar Trophy Championship, Britcar Prototype Cup and Classic Touring Car Racing Club.

Make sure you don’t miss any of the on-track entertainment by using the key timings and links below:

Saturday Race Show – Starting from 12:45 – Facebook | YouTube 

Sunday Race Show – Starting from 08:40 – Facebook | YouTube 

To find out more information on this weekend’s race meeting at Silverstone, including the official entry lists and timetable, CLICK HERE.

Don’t miss any future BARC LIVE events either by subscribing to our YouTube channel HERE.

JLM Lubricants align with Legends Cars Elite Cup

The Legends Cars Elite Cup has been given a welcome boost with the confirmation that JLM Lubricants will sponsor the category’s television coverage and become the exclusive race fuel cleansing additive supplier.

Launched this year, the Elite Cup will form part of three high-profile British Touring Car Championship events during the 2023 season – at Brands Hatch, Croft and Knockhill. 

As a part of featuring on the BTCC support package, the Elite Cup will benefit from incredible live exposure on ITV4 and the www.itv.com/btcc website. 

Launched in 2010, JLM Lubricants has become synonymous for designing, developing and manufacturing a vast range of premium products which include fuel additives and technical lubricants which are used around the world.

The agreements have been brokered by long-standing Legends competitor Mike Schlup, the UK distributor for JLM Lubricants through his Kalimex Ltd business. 

Phil Cooper, Legends Cars Elite Cup with JLM Owner, said: “It’s fantastic news to have the support of JLM Lubricants as our television sponsor for the Legends Cars Elite Cup with JLM and also as our new race fuel additive supplier. 

It’s going to be an incredible year for Legends Cars racing in the UK, to appear at three BTCC events with our new Elite Cup and have the benefit of first-class live television on ITV4 really is something very special indeed.

“I’m extremely grateful to Mike Schlup for his hard work in putting together this deal with JLM, Mike has been an integral part of the Legends family for many years and, along with his very talented son Oli, will be part of not only the Elite Cup, but also the Legends Cars Championship with MRF Tyres. We can’t wait to get the racing underway!”

“I’m a massive fan of the Legends Cars so supporting these racers will enable us to really go all out and amplify the profile of the JLM brand in the UK,” added Mike Sclup, Kalimex Managing Director. It’s a partnership that complements our brand values too, given JLM products are all about pushing the limits of performance and delivering the best results.

“We know that our customer base of technicians and motorists will be happy to see the JLM brand in action, supporting British motorsport. I’m also proud to announce that JLM additives will be used as part of the official Legends Cars race fuel blend to help reduce harmful emissions and protect the race engines.

“We’re really taking the JLM brand into the heart of the audience by raising awareness of the brand and what it stands for. Motorists and mechanics alike can give their vehicles a race ready treat with a comprehensive range of JLM additives including Emissions Reduction Treatments and GDI cleaners, plus world class leading diesel and DPF cleaning products. 

“JLM’s range of trade trusted products help to reduce emissions and improve performance which can only be a good thing.”

MGOC renews long-standing partnerships ahead of new season

The MG Owners Club has announced that it has renewed a number of key partnerships ahead of the 2023 season, which is scheduled to get underway at Brands Hatch in less than three weeks on April 9.

As one of the world’s largest one-make car clubs, the MGOC has been promoting all-out wheel-to-wheel racing for all varieties of production-based MG’s since 1981 – with the forthcoming edition set to be the 43rd in its history. 

In what promises to be another high-octane campaign, the MGOC has confirmed that Lancaster Insurance – a major provider for the insurance of Classic Cars – will continue its title sponsorship for an impressive 20th consecutive year.

That isn’t the only partnership that has been strengthened either as Toyo Tyres have reaffirmed their continued support as an associate sponsor and supplier of the championship’s Proxes 888R control tyre.

Long-time competitor and title contender William Sharpe will once again line up on the grid and his company, Wayside Adhesives, will provide trophies for each Driver of the Day during the course of the season.

With no less than 35 drivers already signed up for seven-round season, the Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship looks to be in great shape before a wheel has even turned.

To find out more information on the single-manufacturer series, visit https://www.mgocchampionship.co.uk/. 

Pickup Truck Racing Championship ready to make its mark with new format

The Pickup Truck Racing Championship will once again look to make its mark this season as preparations continue for the British Automobile Racing Club series to blast into life next month.

Bringing a flavour of America to British shores, the unique tubular spaceframe chassis series has been a staple of UK motorsport for a number of years and 2023 looks to be no different.

Running predominantly alongside the British Truck Racing Championship this season and benefiting from extensive live stream coverage, the action-packed category not only boasts a bumper entry list but also a blend of high-octane circuits to race on – making it a must-watch attraction.

“We’re shaping up to have a grid of between 20 and 25 drivers,” said Championship Co-ordinator Sonny Howard. “We’ve attracted some new names such as Matt Moore and Russell Smith whilst also retaining some of the established contenders which include reigning champion Reece Jones as well as race winners Matt Simpson and Dale Gent.

“It’s also great to see that we’ve got two father-son teams out there as well. Matt and his Dad Jeff are going to be sharing the track and the same can be said for Paul and Dean Tompkins, who have been mainstays for a number of years. Having a strong mix of tracks to race on is important too and something we’re very much proud of.”

Embarking on another full-throttle year of competition, this year will also see a change in format for the championship.

Howard added: “We’ve changed the format so that there are now two heats and then a grand final. Qualifying will remain as a 20-minute session which is split into two and then competitors will race in two heats where the points they attain will decide the starting grid for the final.

“In essence we have a 24-race season and with there being points for qualifying as well, every moment out on-track will be pivotal in deciding who ultimately walks away as champion.”

The 2023 Pickup Truck Racing Championship campaign commences at Brands Hatch on April 8/9 before then heading to Mallory Park in late May for its one and only oval event of the year.

A second visit to Brands Hatch followed by trips to Thruxton, Donington Park, Lydden Hill and Pembrey proceed that before a third and final outing at Brands Hatch in early November brings the curtain down on the season.

To find out more information on the Pickup Truck Racing Championship, visit https://www.pickuptruckracing.com/main.html