Author: Chris Ashby

TOCA announces licence holders for 2024 BTCC season

Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship organisers TOCA have today (December 15th) announced the confirmed TOCA BTCC Licence holders for the 2024 season. 

Following yesterday’s entry approval deadline – which had been originally extended by two weeks – the UK’s premier motorsport series is poised to stage an entry of 27 cars for the forthcoming campaign.

Teams will announce full details regarding their respective entries (drivers, team names and sponsors) over the coming weeks and months, prior to the release of the final entry list.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “Given the background of potentially having up to six entries affected within just the last three weeks, the quantity and quality of our 2024 entry further underlines the phenomenal strength and resilience of the BTCC.”

2024 TOCA BTCC License Allocation

Alliance Racing – 4

EXCELR8 Motorsport – 4

West Surrey Racing – 4

Speedworks Motorsport – 4

Power Maxed Racing – 3

One Motorsport – 3

Restart Racing – 2

Aiden Moffat Racing – 2

CBM Racing – 1

The 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship campaign is scheduled to commence on April 27/28 around Donington Park’s National circuit. 

BARC HQ 2023 Christmas & New Year closing dates

The British Automobile Racing Club headquarters at Thruxton Circuit will be closed during the following dates over the Christmas and New Year periods.

From: Wednesday 20th December 2023 at 17:00

To: Wednesday 3rd January 2024 at 09:00

We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible trackside throughout 2024; be it if you are officiating, marshalling, spectating or competing!

From everyone at the BARC and all of our venues around the country; we wish you a safe, Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

MINI CHALLENGE opens entry process for 2025 Scholarship

Organisers of the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE have confirmed that entries for the 2025 Scholarship programme have opened – two months before a winner for the 2024 competition has even been selected.

Launching its inaugural Scholarship in September of this year, the popular one-make series welcomed more than 100 drivers to battle for a host of prizes, with the winner being awarded a package worth £50,000 towards a season in the new JCW Sport class.

Such has been the popularity of the 2024 Scholarship, series organisers have moved quickly to finalise plans for the 2025 edition to provide potential entrants with as much time as possible to secure their place.

The 2025 competition will run across two days and will be run exclusively at one of the leading race circuits in the UK. Stage 1 will comprise of on-track activities alongside a motorsport quiz and media interviews; Stage 2 will then include the opportunity to drive a MINI CHALLENGE race car.

“Given the interest we had in the 2024 Scholarship, we were keen to push ahead with plans to bring it back and are delighted to now be launching entries for 2025,” said Rhea Beauchamp, Championship Co-Ordinator.

“As we did this time around, we are packing in plenty of activities as we look to uncover new talent and help them make it onto the race track.

“Seeing the way people competing in the 2024 Scholarship embraced the opening stage of the ongoing competition, we look forward to making things even bigger and better for 2025 and providing people with the opportunity to battle for a place on the grid as part of the MINI CHALLENGE family.”

The competition will run in August 2024 with the winner securing the top prize of a package worth £50,000 to compete in the JCW Sport category during the 2025 season.

CLICK HERE to enter the 2025 Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Scholarship.

Pre-66 Touring Cars secures spot on Croft BTCC support bill

The Classic Touring Car Racing Club’s Pre-66 Touring Car Championship will make a guest appearance on the support bill of the British Touring Car Championship at Croft Circuit next year.

As part of the CTCRC’s 50th Anniversary celebrations in 2024, the Pre-66 contingent – which is open for competitors participating in four-seater saloon cars marketed before 1st January 1966 – will stage a number of races at the North Yorkshire venue on July 27/28.

“We’re absolutely delighted that our Pre-’66 championship has been invited to race alongside the British Touring Car Championship at Croft,” said Classic Touring Car Racing Club Chairman Stuart Caie.

“It’s a fitting way for the club to celebrate its 50th anniversary by showcasing the kind of cars that raced in the early years of the BTCC alongside their modern counterparts. It’s fantastic recognition for our club, the drivers and all our volunteers who work hard to provide a home for touring cars of all ages to race.

“It’s also appropriate that it’s at Croft, a BARC circuit, given our long association with the club. The Pre-’66 cars always produce great racing, and we feel sure that the BTCC crowd will love the little-and-large battles of Minis versus big American V8s and everything in between. It should be a wonderful weekend.”

The BTCC’s full support programme for 2024 is due to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

ROKiT British F4 announces inaugural overseas round at Zandvoort

The ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA has revealed two major additions to its 2024 calendar in the shape of the Silverstone Grand Prix and a first-ever overseas visit to Zandvoort in the Netherlands. 

After breaking new ground this year by becoming the first FIA-certified Formula 4 series to hold a race meeting on the full Grand Prix layout of Silverstone, the single-seater category is set to continue making history next season. 

Embarking on its first visit to mainland Europe, one of the standout events on the calendar next year will see the championship visit the home of the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix, Zandvoort.

The 2024 schedule takes place across ten events, featuring a total of 30 races with eight of the ten weekends once again supporting the British Touring Car Championship.

“I am very proud that we continue to innovate with the ROKiT British F4 Championship,” said Hugh Chambers, Motorsport UK CEO. “The addition to the calendar of the F1 track at Zandvoort, on top of our existing Silverstone F1 track weekend, perfectly complements our eight weekends as part of the BTCC rounds. These are held at the best of Britain’s tracks, which history shows has produced multiple world champions in the past.

“With four GP track layouts in 2024, two historic and two current tracks, our commitment to preparing and developing British F4 drivers for future single seater careers is evident. This is the reason that more than half the drivers on the 2023 grid came from international markets, as they can see how British F4 provides the perfect pathway to a career in motorsport.

“We have placed great emphasis on listening to the market, and working with the British F4 teams to refine our offering and I am certain that the shape of our 2024 calendar will prove an attractive proposition to domestic and overseas drivers alike.”

2024 ROKiT F4 British Championship Calendar

April 27/28 – Donington Park (National) 

May 11/12 – Brands Hatch (Indy)

May 25/26 – Snetterton (300)

June 8/9 – Thruxton 

June 15/16 – Silverstone (Grand Prix)

July 13/14 – Zandvoort 

August 10/11 – Knockhill 

August 24/25 – Donington Park (Grand Prix)

September 21/22 – Silverstone (National)

October 5/6 – Brands Hatch (Grand Prix)

Goodwood Revival to race exclusively with sustainable fuel in 2024

Goodwood has announced that the 2024 Goodwood Revival will become the world’s first historic motorsport event that will use entirely sustainable fuel in all of its races.

Coming off the back of testing the use of sustainable fuels at this year’s Revival event in the Fordwater Trophy race, the 2024 edition of the world-famous meeting will see each event conducted on sustainable fuel.

Competitors will be required to use a fuel which has a minimum of 70 per cent advanced sustainable components, but no modification or changes will be required for vehicles to use this fuel.

At this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, four-time Formula 1 champion Sebastian Vettel drove his ex-Nigel Mansell 1991 Williams FW14B and ex-Ayrton Senna 1991 McLaren MP4/8 on sustainable fuels

“I enjoyed sharing my ‘Race Without Trace’ initiative with the fans at the Festival of Speed and having the opportunity to show that sustainable fuels are a fantastic way to ensure a possible future pathway for the sport that we love,” said Vettel. “It’s great that Goodwood is leading the way in promoting the use of sustainable fuels at historic racing events.”

The 2024 Goodwood Revival is scheduled to take place on the 6-8 September.

Champions crowned across all BARC categories for 2023

The British Automobile Racing Club revelled in a momentous year of motorsport in 2023 and with the dust having now settled, we’re delighted to be able to reveal who reigned supreme across our wealth of championships:

2CVParts.com Championship – Kris Tovey

BARC Connaught Speed Championship – Matt Bramall

British Endurance Championship – Bradley Thurston & Daryl Deleon

British Truck Racing Championship – Division 1 – Ryan Smith

British Truck Racing Championship – Division 2  – Paul Rivett

Mission Motorsport Caterham Seven 270R Championship – Freddie Chiddicks

Motul Caterham Seven 310R Championship – Jack Sales

Adrian Flux Caterham Academy Championship – Green Group – Nick Highton

Adrian Flux Caterham Academy Championship – White Group – Daniel Neale

Vertex Caterham Roadsport Championship – Ben Timmons

Avon Tyres Caterham Seven UK Championship – Lewis Thompson

Classic Touring Car Racing Club: Poultec Pre-66 Touring Cars – Billy Kenneally

Classic Touring Car Racing Club: Orange Aero Pre-83 Touring Cars – Stephen Primett

Classic Touring Car Racing Club: Laser Tools Pre-93 Touring Cars – Stuart Waite

Classic Touring Car Racing Club: Burty Haulage Pre-03 Touring Cars – Gary Prebble

Classic Touring Car Racing Club: Burton Power Blue Oval Saloon Series – James Dunkley

Classic Touring Car Racing Club: Berkshire Jag Components Jaguar Challenge – Guy Connew

Classic Touring Car Racing Club: Edmundson Electrical Classic Thunder – Nick Vaughan

Classic Touring Car Racing Club: Laser Tools Super Tourers – Jason Hughes

CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship – Ian Bamber

Ginetta GT Academy – Nick White

Junior Saloon Car Championship – Daire Flock

Kumho BMW Championship  – Kevin Denwood

Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Ash Sutton

Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship – William Sharpe

Legends Cars Championship – Will Gibson

Legends Cars Elite Cup with JLM – Connor Mills

Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship – Freddie Slater

Mini Challenge Clubsport with Airtec Motorsport – Stephen Berry

Morphmy Caterham Graduates Championship – Sigma 135 – Ben Wheatley 

Morphmy Caterham Graduates Championship – Sigma 150 – Harry Senior

Morphmy Caterham Graduates Championship – Sigmax – Daniel Livingstone

Motorsport UK British Hillclimb Championship – Wallace Menzies

OT Publishing Coupe Cup with Toyo Tires – Luca Staccini Anzanello 

Pickup Truck Racing Championship – Reece Jones

Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain – Adam Smalley 

Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain – Joe Warhurst

Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT Championship – Luke Reade

ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA – Louis Sharp

ROWE Britcar Trophy Championship – Rhys Lloyd & Jack Meakin

Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE JCW – Dan Zelos

Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE Trophy – Tom Ovenden

Croft Circuit unveils 2024 race calendar

Croft Circuit is revved up for another action-packed year of motorsport with no less than 13 race meetings confirmed for 2024 at the popular North Yorkshire venue.

Hot on the heels of what has been a blockbuster campaign, which saw capacity crowds flock through the gates throughout the year, the 2.12-mile circuit is already beginning its preparations for the new year. 

In line with the venue’s new hospitality building – situated in the pit lane towards the Complex – nearing completion, 2024 is set to be a big one for the British Automobile Racing Club operated venue as it plays host to a plethora of spectacular events. 

The British Touring Car Championship will once again headline the billing as the UK’s premier motorsport series makes its annual visit on July 27/28; however that won’t be the only tin top action that takes centre stage as TCR UK is also lined up to make a triumphant return. 

Vintage thrills will come in the shape of the Historic Festival Weekend & Show while other standout events include two visits from the 750 Motor Club, No Limits Racing, a BARC Mini Festival and much more.

2024 Croft Circuit Calendar

April 6/7 – North East Motorcycle Racing Club

April 20/21 – 750 Motor Club

May 4/5 – British Racing & Sports Car Club

May 18/19 – Darlington & District Motor Club

June 1/2 – Classic Motorcycle Racing Club 

June 22/23 – No Limits Racing

July 13/14 – British Racing & Sports Car Club (TCR UK)

July 27/28 – Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship

August 10/11 – Historic Sports Car Club (with Show)

August 24/25 – Darlington & District Motor Club

September 7/8 – BARC Mini Festival 

September 21/22 – 750 Motor Club

November 24 – Winter Stages Rally

Tickets for all 2024 race meetings will be on sale in due course via the Croft Circuit website: https://croftcircuit.co.uk/croft-events 

BARC’ing Mad Podcast: Episode 12 – November 17th 2023

Episode 12 of the British Automobile Racing Club’s official podcast, BARC’ing Mad, is now live and available to listen to.

In partnership with BP Fleet Solutions UK, the fortnightly podcast – which is hosted by Alan Hyde and Ian Waterhouse – brings its inaugural series to a close with

Joining Alan – who is in Macau – and Ian on the final episode is former World Touring Car champion and tin top extraordinaire Rob Huff and Driven International’s Matt Birkett.

BARC Event Manager David Wheadon is also back to sign off the season and also help Alan and Ian select some winners for the first-ever BARC’ing Mad Awards.

BARC’ing Mad is available to listen to across all popular podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

All episodes of the BARC’ing Mad podcast are also available to watch via the Club’s official YouTube channel.

MotoFest Coventry to celebrate 10-year anniversary in 2024

MotoFest Coventry will return to its traditional fixture on the calendar of early June (1/2) next year as it celebrates its 10-year Anniversary.

Dedicated to the city of Coventry’s motoring heritage, the two-day festival will feature a unique blend of racing demonstrations, static displays, live music and anything else with a connection to Coventry, transport and the city’s motoring ties. 

The 2024 edition will once again see the British Automobile Racing Club’s Midlands Centre oversee the running of unique Sprint Circuit, which is carved out of the City Centre Ring Road.

Headlining the action will be two rounds of the BARC Connaught Speed Championship whilst the new drift arena, dynamic and static vehicle displays, music and entertainment will also add to the spectacle. 

James Noble, MotoFest Coventry Festival Director, said: “We are delighted to announce the new date for MotoFest 2024, which will be a particularly special year as we celebrate ten years of MotoFest Coventry.

“From its humble beginnings in 2014, MotoFest Coventry has developed into the UK’s largest free-to-attend motoring festival, with over 200,000 visitors at this year’s event, and we are very proud of our achievements.

“As well as providing a showcase for Coventry’s motoring heritage, we will also be working with event partners such Coventry City Council to demonstrate the best in sustainable transport, low carbon motoring and advanced automotive and electric vehicle technology at next year’s show.

“We look forward again to the electrifying prospect of a special anniversary MotoFest Coventry in 2024, with our Past, Present and Future theme providing the foundation for the spectacular return of the UK’s biggest and best, free to attend, motoring festival.”

For more details about MotoFest Coventry, visit https://www.coventrymotofest.com/. 

James Wallis named as 2024/2025 Porsche Carrera Cup GB Junior Driver

James Wallis has been named as the 2024/2025 Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain Junior driver, clinching £85,000 towards his budget in each of the next two seasons as well as receiving a wealth of support and opportunities from the German manufacturer.

The 18-year-old – who started his career in the Junior Saloon Car Championship – was announced as the latest winner of what is arguably one of the most coveted prizes in UK motorsport at Porsche’s Night of Motorsport event on Saturday  (November 11) night.

More than a dozen candidates were interviewed by series organisers in October before the competition was whittled down to a final four; with Joe Warhurst, Josh Rowledge and Tom Edgar joining Wallis on the shortlist.

At the start of November the quartet faced a range of driving, fitness and media assessments at Silverstone to determine who would follow in the footsteps of outgoing Junior driver Adam Smalley, who this year netted the Carrera Cup Great Britain title.

Wallis emerged as the standout candidate across all disciplines at the shootout to triumph and he is now set to embark on two consecutive campaigns in one of the leading categories on the British Touring Car Championship undercard.

“Creating our shortlist of four drivers to take part in our shootout was tougher than ever,” said Porsche GB motorsport manager James MacNaughton. “The finalists each performed with grit and determination on the day, justifying why they deserved their place. 

“James nosed ahead of the competition and we’re excited to begin working with him. You only have to look to our most recent Porsche Carrera Cup GB Juniors to see evidence that the role has become a proven route to international motor racing success.

“I’m certain that James will thrive as he seeks to emulate those who have gone before him, representing Porsche both on and off the track over the next two years – we look forward to seeing him grow and progress.”

More details revealed about new MINI CHALLENGE JCW Sport class

Organisers of the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE have confirmed more details on the new JCW Sport class that will debut next season, with entries having now opened for 2024 for both the new category and the headline JCW class.

Introduced to act as a steeping stone for drivers that are looking to graduate from the entry-level Cooper grid, the JCW Sport category will run alongside the headline JCW class at seven British Touring Car Championship rounds next year.

Cars will be based on the F56 variant of the MINI Hatch and although visually similar, the front-wheel-drive machine will feature a number of revisions under the skins that are all designed to reduce cost whilst maintaining the identity of the series. 

Running slightly lower levels of power – 225bhp in total – to their JCW counterparts, JCW Sport cars will also be fitted with a genuine OE-pattern six-speed gearbox. There will be tighter restrictions on the use of tyres and control parts; again to reduce the budgets required to compete.

Whilst teams and drivers will be able to build new JCW Sport cars from scratch if they wish, existing JCW cars available in the marketplace can be down-specced to meet the required specifications, thereby removing the need to invest in a brand-new car to compete in the class.

Cars can then be converted back to full JCW specification should a driver wish to move up a level in future.

“We’ve had a lot of interest in JCW Sport both from drivers who have been competing in the Cooper class but haven’t had the budget to move straight up into JCWs, and also from drivers who have been competing elsewhere,” said Antony Williams, Championship Director. 

“We’re pleased to now be able to release more information about the specification of the car, which we are confident will provide fantastic racing on track when the 2024 season rolls around.

“With a lot of people also interested in being part of the main JCW grid, we are looking forward to a strong season for the MINI CHALLENGE in 2024 and would urge anyone looking to compete to register their interest to fully benefit from the early bird discounts in place.”