Author: Chris Ashby

Championship winners, volunteers and officials all converged on the Old Thorns Hotel in Liphook this past Saturday (February 1) for the coveted British Automobile Racing Club Championship Awards Evening – and it proved to be a night to remember.

Celebrating the accomplishments of 2024, we sat down to talk to not only a number of deserving winners but also some key personnel from the Club as well. Listen here:

Ben Taylor – BARC Chief Executive: The Club’s Chief Executive sat down to chat about the momentous season that 2024 was, honouring the champions of last year and what is to come for the organisation as preparations ramp up for the upcoming 2025 campaign.

Pat Blakeney – Thruxton Circuit: After almost four decades at the Hampshire venue, Pat is embarking on ‘semi-retirement’ at Thruxton and he was commemorated for his long-standing service with a special surprise presentation.

Simon Morris – BARC Marshal of the Year: Awarded by the BARC Marshals Core Group, Simon was a standout recipient for this accolade having volunteered for a number of events, as well as displaying great leadership and a superlative skillset.

Matt Jennings – The Peter Harris Trophy Trainee Marshal of the Year: Awarded to the trainee marshal of 2024, Matt joined the orange army in June of last year and subsequently completed 20 volunteering days – often undertaking a number of different roles as well.

Abbi Pulling – The Peter Collins Trophy: Awarded to the junior driver of the year, Abbi made history in the ROKiT British F4 Championship by becoming the first-ever female race winner before then going on to dominate in F1 Academy.

Rob Manger – The Gerry Marshall Trophy: Handed out to the person that the BARC believes to epitomise Gerry Marshall’s philosophy for motorsport, Rob has been a staple of Thruxton and the driving force behind the hugely successful Jochen Rindt Trophy.

Abbie Eaton – The Densley Trophy: Given to the leading female within the BARC in recognition of a successful year, Abbie jumped across to the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain in 2024 and made history at Silverstone by becoming the first-ever female race winner.

More interviews from the BARC Championship Awards Evening can be listened to via https://barcaudio.net/.

The British Automobile Racing Club’s annual Championship Awards Evening didn’t just see the title winners of 2024 honoured on Saturday (February 1) as a number of additional special accolades were handed to some hugely deserving winners too.

Leading the list of prestigious recipients was newly-crowned F1 Academy champion and ROKiT British F4 Championship competitor Abbi Pulling who claimed The Peter Collins Trophy; which is awarded to the junior driver of the year.

Pulling was one of the standout stars in single-seaters last year as she powered her way to nine wins from 14 races on the Formula 1 support bill, as well as becoming the first-ever female to win a race outright in British F4.

“It’s super special to be recognised for what was a tough but ultimately rewarding year in 2024; there are some great names on this trophy and to now have mine added to the list is a real honour,” said Pulling.

“Winning F1 Academy in the manner we did was amazing and then to have a win and some podiums (I’d have liked a few more if I’m honest) in British F4 was brilliant. My affiliation with the BARC is rather special because after missing out on the Ginetta Junior Scholarship I was in a bit of no man’s land and put a post out on Facebook about whether or not I’d drive again.

“Mark Carter reached out, said I could have a go in his Caterham and it has snowballed from there. I owe everyone that has played a part on this journey I’m on as it might have been over on several occasions.”

One of the biggest raptures of applause deservedly went the way of this year’s BARC Marshal of the Year, Simon Morris. In memory of Dennis Harris and designed to recognise the dedication and special efforts of the Club’s marshals, Morris was a worthy winner after being selected by the Marshals Core Group.

He said: “I’m over the moon to have received this honour. I’m from a motorsport family – my parents got together at club-level rallying – so I’ve been immersed in it since I can remember. I love the sport and I love volunteering; especially what we get out of it.

“I probably do about 60 days a year in total and a majority of them are done at Donington Park, Harewood and Curborough; although I do travel around the country as well. I just absolutely love it and to be recognised by the BARC and my fellow marshals with this award is amazing.”

Chris Davenport and Matt Jennings also represented the volunteering community on stage as they collected The Sir Clive Bossom Trophy and The Peter Harris Trophy for the Trainee Marshal of the Year respectively.

“It’s a real honour to be picking up this wonderful trophy for the second time,” stated Davenport. “I’m extremely lucky that I’ve got such a supportive wife that doesn’t want me under her feet too much so I’m able to attend all of these fantastic events and join some really special people in doing something that I love.

“The marshal community is truly special and this award is for everyone that dedicates themselves to this great sport.”

Jennings added: “I’m absolutely delighted to pick up this award. I’ve been involved in motorsport since I was a little lad and always wanted to get involved in some way.

“Through marshalling I’ve been able to do that and I’m excited to continue my journey; the aim is to hopefully one day work my way up to marshalling at a Formula 1 race.”

The Densley Trophy – which is awarded to to the leading female within the Club in recognition of a successful year went the way of Abbie Eaton, who had just that in 2024 as she made the switch to the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain and made history at Silverstone by becoming the first-ever female driver to win a race outright.

She said: “It was lovely to be told that I’d be getting this trophy and now that I have it I’ve spotted some familiar names on it such as Sarah Moore, Alice Powell and a friend of mine Kelly Smith, whose son Harry Smith, is someone I coach – so I’m certainly in good company.

“It was my first year in the Carrera Cup last year so there was a lot to learn but we made progress throughout the season and it all came together at Silverstone in what were really tricky weather conditions.”

Rounding out the list of special award winners was the Classic Touring Car Racing Club’s Piers Grange, who scooped The President’s Cup after claiming a total of 15 race wins last season and Rob Manger, who lifted The G

“What a way to end what was an amazing 2024 season! Being a part of the Classic Touring Car Racing Club is really quite something and I’ve had the opportunity to race some great cars down the years, with last year being no different,” said Grange.

Manger concluded: “It’s absolutely tremendous – I had absolutely no clue that was coming so it was a massive shock when I realised the person they were describing was me.

“To be sat on a table with some of my old racing pals and then to win this award, it’s a night I’ll remember for some time. Single seaters has always been my passion and while I did ok, I quickly realised that I wouldn’t make it but continued to do club racing.

“A few years ago I bought an F3 car and realised we could make something out it. I went to the BARC to see what they thought and they absolutely got behind what is now the Jochen Rindt Trophy. It’s a pleasure to be a part of it.”

The Old Thorns Hotel in Liphook, Hampshire played host to the British Automobile Racing Club’s annual Championship Awards Evening this past Saturday (February 1) where deserving title winners, volunteers and officials converged to celebrate the year that was.

Officially bringing the curtain down on what was a momentous 2024 season, the glittering black tie event saw more than 230 guests in attendance for an unforgettable night of commemoration and recognition.

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

Champions – including Deagen Fairclough, Dan Zelos, Stephen Primett, John Powell, Harry Hickton, Paul Goldstein, Stuart Waite and Steve McDermid – all took to the stage throughout the night while a number of other honours were also bestowed on some deserving recipients.

Chris Davenport scooped The Sir Clive Bossom Trophy for conducting the most volunteering days in 2024 whilst Simon Morris was announced as the BARC Marshal of the Year, which is named in memory of Dennis Harris. Matt Jennings was named the Trainee Marshal of the Year, collecting The Peter Harris Trophy in the process.

Multiple Classic Touring Car Racing Club champion and race winner Piers Grange was another to triumph as he claimed the coveted President’s Cup.

Elsewhere, F1 Academy champion Abbi Pulling was honoured with The Peter Collins Trophy – which recognises junior drivers – while Abbie Eaton’s efforts in the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain were rewarded in the shape of The Densley Trophy.

Rounding out the winners was Rob Manger, who picked up The Gerry Marshall Trophy for his long-standing service to Thruxton and for being the driving force behind the hugely successful Jochen Rindt Trophy.

“It was a fantastic evening – as it always is,” said BARC CEO Taylor. “Although the event is to honour our champions, it’s also a great opportunity to celebrate our members and the people that play their part in making the BARC what it is.

“When you think that we organise 25 race events, ten TOCA meetings, three Goodwoods and multiple hillclimbs you realise that there are a huge number of people that are involved in making everything happen.

“It’s a massive organisation – more than 1000 marshals and 1000 competitors – so when you add everyone else into the mix and take a step back you see that we’ve got a community of more than 3000 people that make the BARC what it is.

“The 2024 season was brilliant. Of course it had its challenges along the way but it was a big success and we’ve got some exciting things lined up for 2025 too; great championships, great events and our venues will be going great guns too.”

Speaking of the venues, before the night was out a special presentation was made to Thruxton Operations Manager Pat Blakeney who, after almost four decades, is set to embark on semi-retirement from the Hampshire track.

Blakeney said: “It was a little bit of a shock so thank you for that lovely surprise. It has been an enjoyable journey at Thruxton and I’ve made so many friends along the way – I’ve done just about every job at the circuit and while I’m stepping away on the day-to-day things, I’ll still be involved with the race meetings and a few other bits.”

In addition to the prize-giving, more than £1200 was raised during the annual raffle for the BARC Marshal and Rescue Fund – which included prizes such as tickets to the British Touring Car Championship, Thruxton Driving Experiences and subscription to EVO Magazine.