Author: Chris Ashby

Britcar to race at Spa-Francorchamps on FIA World Endurance Championship support package

Britcar’s Dunlop Endurance Championship is gearing up to take centre stage on an international level next year after confirming that it will support the FIA World Endurance Championship at Spa-Francorchamps on April 22/23/24 2020.

In what will be the penultimate event of the 2019-2020 Super Season for the WEC, a blockbuster three days of on-track excitement is set to take place around the famous Belgian venue – with Britcar adding to the spectacle.

Continuing to go from strength-to-strength under the stewardship of Claire Hedley, competing on the global stage is the latest in a long line of achievements that Britcar has enjoyed in recent years.

Kicking off their 2020 campaign over the Easter bank holiday weekend in April, the series’ international foray will be a non-championship round.

The weekend will comprise of a qualifying session and two 50-minute encounters around the famous circuit. In addition the event will be open to all cars that comply with Britcar’s class structure; whether registered or not to the championship itself.

To find out more information regarding the event and the championship as a whole, head to https://www.britcar-endurance.com/.

Festive cheer comes early for all BARC Members

The British Automobile Racing Club is spreading some early festive cheer to all members this month courtesy of the annual Christmas Pack; which includes the latest issue of the Club’s magazine, a copy of the 2019 Season Review, a 2020 Wall Calendar and a Christmas Card.

A must-have for any motor racing fan, every member of the BARC will receive the pack through the post in time for the Christmas period, with essential reading ensuring that you’ll be able to get a motorsport fix amidst the festivities.

In what is the final issue of 2019, the Club magazine is jam-packed with all of the latest news, features and updates from our championships, venues and centres, as always.

Included is an outline of what Group Chief Executive Ben Taylor sees the future holding for the BARC, we look back on the career of Legends Championship Co-ordinator Phil Cooper and we catch up with record-equalling BTCC champion Colin Turkington.

With the dust having now settled on the 2019 season, Chris Ashby provides a comprehensive look back on the year that was via the annual BARC Season Review.

Providing a definitive guide to how the fortunes of each of the Club’s championships, series, events and venues played out during the past 12 months, the Season Review captures every pivotal moment.

Further festive treats are included in the Club’s annual December pack too with a Christmas Card that will be perfect for the mantelpiece and a striking 2020 Calendar both included as well.

If you’re not a member of the BARC then why not head to https://www.barc.net/membership/ to find out more information.

Thruxton’s Christmas Cracker: Festive discounts on 2020 BSB and BTCC tickets

Black Friday and Cyber Monday might have been and gone, but there is still time to grab a Christmas bargain at Thruxton, with a host of festive discounts on tickets to next season’s Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship and Bennetts British Superbike Championship race meetings in Hampshire.

The BTCC and BSB represent the very best in UK motorsport, and are Thruxton’s biggest two events of the year, with Britain’s most talented two and four-wheeled warriors tackling the fastest circuit in the country as they go doorhandle-to-doorhandle and fairing-to-fairing at speeds of up to 160mph.

It pays to be quick off-track, too, with special offers on advance ticket sales until 31 December. The BTCC heroes will speed back into Thruxton on 16/17 May, with tempting reductions of up to 32 per cent for early bird buyers.

Adult Weekend Super-Savers have been reduced from £92 to £63 – including two days’ admission with paddock pass, a grandstand seat throughout and a race programme. Adult Race Day Savers – again with paddock pass – are down from £45 to £34. More information can be found at thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/btcc.

Similar deals are available on BSB tickets for two-wheeled fans. Adult Three-Day Super-Savers – including three days’ admission with paddock pass, a grandstand seat throughout and a race programme – are reduced from £100 to £70. Adult Weekend Super-Savers – offering all the same benefits but over two days rather than three – have been discounted from £92 to £63, with Adult Race Day Savers (including paddock pass) £34 rather than £45.

More information can be found at thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/bsb, with accompanied children aged 12 and under admitted free of charge to all Thruxton race meetings.

Both high-octane events provide a surplus of entertainment for all ages and plenty of action-packed racing from the star-studded headline act to the many fast-paced, edge-of-the-seat support series – Christmas come early indeed.

“We are delighted to be able to offer our usual advance ticket deals to those who like to get their orders in early,” said Pat Blakeney, Group Operations Manager at Thruxton Circuit. “With significant discounts of up to 37 per cent on a wide variety of tickets for our two biggest events of the year, there is extra incentive to buy now – the perfect Christmas gift for the motorsport fan in your family.

“The British Touring Car Championship and British Superbike Championship never fail to entertain, and with only one opportunity per year to catch the stars of the show on-track here at Thruxton, you really don’t want to miss out. So don’t delay – because our special Santa savings won’t be around forever!”

More information about all of Thruxton’s race meetings can be found at www.thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing or by calling 01264 882222.

Pembrey Circuit reveals action-packed 2020 events calendar

Pembrey Circuit is set to once again absorb the sights, sounds and smells of high-octane motorsport in 2020 with the South Wales-based venue boasting a bumper events calendar for the forthcoming season.

Celebrating what will be its 30th anniversary in association with the British Automobile Racing Club, the home of Welsh motorsport will hit new heights as it stages no less than 15 race meetings over the course of the year.

Kicking the season off in late March, two-wheeled thrills and spills from the NGRR Motorcycle Championship will set the scene for a frenetic feast of entertainment in the months to follow.

With the picturesque hills surrounding circuit set to reverberate to the sounds of horsepower, Pembrey will welcome the likes of the BARC, BTRDA Rallycross Championship, British Minibike Championship and Welsh Tarmac Rally’s also.

Arguably two of the headlines acts of the year will come in the shape of the MV Commercial BTRA Championship and British Rallycross Championship. Huge crowd pleasers in recent years, both categories will make two visits during the course of the season and will undoubtedly deliver unrivalled action.

The Historic Sports Car Club will take those in attendance on a spirited trip down memory as it makes a long overdue return to Pembrey in June; whilst the likes of the British Sprint Championship, Welsh Drifting Championship and Classic Motorcycle Racing Championship will also star.

PEMBREY CIRCUIT 2020 CALENDAR

March 28/29 – NGRR Motorcycle Championship

April 12 – Welsh Drifting Championship

April 25/26 – Toyo Tires BTRDA Clubmans Rallycross Championship

May 9/10 – British Truck Racing (Pembrey Spring Truckfest)

May 24/25 – British Rallycross Championship

May 30/31 – British Minibike Championship

June 6/7 – British Sprint Championship

June 13/14 – Classic Motorcycle Racing Championship

June 27/28 – Historic Sports Car Club

July 25/26 – VMCC Historic Motorcycle Championship

August 8/9 – Toyo Tires BTRDA Clubmans Rallycross Championship

August 16 – British Sprint Championship

August 29/30 – ACU British Supermoto Championship

September 6 – Welsh Drifting Championship

September 12/13 – BARC Citroen C1 Endurance

October 3/4 – British Truck Racing (Pembrey Autumn Truckfest)

October 11 – Welsh Tarmac Rally Championship

October 18 – British Rallycross Championship

December 28 – ‘Jaffa’ Christmas Rally Stages

All 2020 dates listed at Pembrey Circuit are provisional and subject to change.

Tickets for the 2020 season will be available to purchase in the coming weeks. Head to https://pembreycircuit.co.uk/racing to find out more.

Croft Circuit announces blockbuster events calendar for 2020 motorsport season

Croft Circuit is set for another blockbuster season of top-draw racing thrills and spills in 2020 following the confirmation of a 13-event schedule at the home of motorsport in the north east of the United Kingdom.

Welcoming capacity crowds trackside throughout 2019, the North Yorkshire venue is set to continue to hit new heights as it opens its doors for an action-packed year of motor racing.

Kicking off the season at the start of February, the annual Jack Frost Rally will lift the curtain on the 2020 campaign before the North East Motor Cycle Racing Club ends the peace and tranquility of a two-month break at the beginning of April.

The Darlington & District Motor Club will make the first of two visits during the year at the end of the month before further two-wheeled action is provided courtesy of the No Limits Racing contingent.

Captivating entertainment is likely to be provided by the 750 Motor Club at the end of May, before the Scottish Motor Racing Club makes a long overdue return to Croft to serve as the catalyst for what is being billed as an unforgettable summer showcase.

Visits from the British Racing & Sports Car Club and British Automobile Racing Club will soon follow before the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship takes centre stage in August.

Taking place slightly later in the year, Britain’s premier race series will descend on the much-loved 2.1-mile circuit for three frenetic encounters; with a bumper bill of support championships also starring.

Secondary visits from the Darlington & District Motor Club and British Automobile Racing Club will  be held in the wake of the BTCC spectacle before the Christmas Stages Rally in December closes out the year at Croft.

CROFT CIRCUIT 2020 CALENDAR

February 2 – Jack Frost Rally

April 4/5 – North East Motor Cycle Racing Club

April 25/26 – Darlington & District Motor Club

May 9/10 – No Limits Racing

May 23/24 – 750 Motor Club

June 6/7 – Scottish Motor Racing Club

June 27/28 – British Racing & Sports Car Club

July 11/12 – British Automobile Racing Club

August 15/16 – Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship

September 5/6 – Darlington & District Motor Club

October 3/4 – Classic Racing Motorcycle Club

October 17 – British Automobile Racing Club

December 13 – Christmas Stages Rally

Tickets for all 2020 race meetings at Croft Circuit will be available to purchase in due course from http://www.croftcircuit.co.uk/racing or by calling 01325 721815.

BARC brings 11-year association with British Schools Karting Championship to an end

The British Automobile Racing Club can confirm that it has ended its association with the British Schools Karting Championship (BSKC), bringing the curtain down on a partnership that has been in place for 11 successful years.

Despite the BARC’s decision to step away from the much-loved series, the BSKC will continue into 2020 and beyond under the stewardship of TeamSport, the UK’s number one indoor karting organisation.

Launched in 2008, the BSKC is an arrive-and-drive team-based UK-wide karting championship for school and college students aged between the ages of 13 to 18.

Aimed towards making motorsport more accessible at a grass roots level, the series has made use of the countless karting facilities around the country to open the door for a raft of aspiring racers, making their dreams a reality.

Whilst the on-track entertainment was superlative, the BARC has always ensured exclusive prizes were up for grabs; providing opportunities such as winning a place on the scholarship course in the Ginetta Junior Championship and behind-the-scenes motorsport visits to leading events.

Ian Watson, BARC General Manager, said: “After more than a decade we feel that time is right to bring our association with the British Schools Karting Championship to an end.

“Over the past 11 years we have worked to increase participation in the championship and provide a platform for hundreds of aspiring youngsters to get behind the wheel of go racing. The levels of competition we have seen have been so high and for many, the BSKC has allowed them to forge real paths into the sport.

“Although we are sad to end our partnership with the BSKC, I am more than confident that TeamSport are the right people to continue elevating the championship. I also have to give thanks to Motorsport UK for their help in making this possible.”

All I want for Christmas is… High-speed thrills in Hampshire!

Searching for inspiration for what to buy the petrol-head in your life? Then search no further… Thruxton Circuit in Hampshire has a Santa’s sackful of Christmas gift ideas, all of which involve high-speed high-jinks around Britain’s fastest racetrack.

Catering to all ages and abilities, Thruxton’s hugely popular driving experiences guarantee a high-octane day out of the very highest order – both on and off-road – where the cars are most definitely the stars.

The latest Ford Mustang – the ultimate American muscle car – is the newest addition to Thruxton’s impressive fleet and perfectly complements the other offerings in the stable, which houses an awful lot of horses indeed.

There is an Italian stallion in the shape of Ferrari’s 458 Spider – scarlet red, naturally – as well as a bevy of quintessentially British beauties. The elegant Jaguar F-Type SVR looks quick just sat still, while the carbon-fibre McLaren 570S is a magnificent piece of machinery that boasts the highest power-to-weight ratio in its class.

If James Bond is more your style, the speed and sophistication of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage N430 awaits. Around Thruxton’s flat-out sweepers, it’ll be sure to leave you feeling shaken, not stirred.

Teutonic engineering perfection can be found in both the Porsche Cayman and Audi R8, or for budding Lewis Hamiltons, a Formula Renault single-seater racing car – similar to that in which the six-time Formula 1 World Champion first earned his motorsport spurs – offers an edge-of-the-seat glimpse of life in the fast lane.

Juniors – aged 12 and above and at least 4ft10in (1.47m) tall – can learn all the essential skills and basic techniques required to stay safe on the road, whilst Thruxton’s state-of-the-art skid pan and purpose-built 4×4 facility pose an altogether different challenge when it comes to car control.

Experiences start from as little as ÂŁ69 right up to the all-encompassing Ultimate Supercar Driving Experience, which includes driving time in a range of supercars, sportscars and racing cars plus high-speed passenger blasts. Whatever you choose, an unforgettable white-knuckle ride is guaranteed.

All experiences begin with expert tuition from fully-qualified racing instructors – with the option to jump in alongside former F1 and Le Mans racer and Top Gear TV star Tiff Needell in his ‘sideways special’ BMW M4.

All driving experiences can be purchased as an open gift voucher valid for one year, allowing the lucky recipient to book a date convenient to them. Not sure what to buy? Monetary gift vouchers – beginning at just £50 – allow the recipient to choose the driving experience themselves.

More information can be found at www.thruxtonracing.co.uk/experiences or by calling 01264 882222

Thruxton Circuit revved up for spectacular summer of motorsport in 2020

Thruxton Circuit is gearing up for another packed programme of motorsport action in 2020 after unveiling a blockbuster events schedule which will see some of the biggest championships and clubs headline at the Hampshire venue.

Coming off the back of memorable 2019 season, six events will take place at the home of the British Automobile Racing Club over the course of the year, starting in mid May and ending in late August.

Kicking off the season around the fastest circuit in the UK will be the annual TOCA test day on April 16, which will see the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship and support categories provide a taster of what is to come around the fastest motor racing circuit in the country.

One month later, the BTCC will return for the fourth event of its 2020 campaign with three high-octane races headlining what will undoubtedly be an unforgettable weekend of tin top thrills and spills. 

The start of June will see Thruxton take a trip down memory lane as a bygone era of machinery takes centre stage for the ‘Thruxton Historic’ meeting before the heavyweight behemoths of the MV Commercial BTRA Championship top the bill at the end of the month.

July will see Thruxton welcome the Classic Sports Car Club once again before the adrenaline-pumping two-wheeled heroes of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship make their traditional summer visit.

Bringing the curtain down on an unforgettable summer of motorsport at Thruxton will be the return to the British Racing & Sports Car Club at the end of August.

THRUXTON CIRCUIT 2020 CALENDAR

April 16 – TOCA Test Day

May 16/17 – Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship

June 6/7 – Thruxton Historic

June 27/28 – British Truck Racing

July 25/26 – Classic Sports Car Club

August 7/8/9 – Bennetts British Superbike Championship

August 22/23 – British Racing Sports Car Club

Tickets to all 2020 Thruxton race meetings are now available to purchase online from https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing or call 01264 882200 (option 1).

Tickets on sale for prestigious BARC Championship Awards Evening in February

Champions, marshals and officials are set to be honoured at the British Automobile Racing Club’s annual Championship Awards Evening on Saturday 8th February 2020, with the Chesford Grange Hotel in Kenilworth confirmed to once again host the prestigious event.

Celebrating the 2019 season in fine style, race suits and overalls will be swapped for black ties and ball gowns as the great and good of UK motorsport come together for what should be another unforgettable night.

Whilst those who emerged victorious from their respective categories over the course of the season will take centre stage, several other ‘secret’ awards will be handed out during the evening as well – adding further excitement to the spectacle.

Hosted by Alan Hyde, the star-studded evening is set to include a three-course dinner and raffle in addition to the customary trophy presentation. Entertainment will come in the shape of popular cover band ‘The Torn Off Strips’.

Tickets for the BARC Championship Awards Evening are priced at £75.00 for BARC Members whilst £85.00 for Non-Members. Click HERE to view and complete the ticket booking form.

For more information regarding the event, please contact: Mandy Curley, BARC Ltd, Thruxton Circuit, Andover, Hants SP11 8PN | Tel: 01264 882202 (direct) | Fax: 01264 882233 | Email: mcurley@barc.net

A limited number of rooms have been allocated at Chesford Grange Hotel on a Bed & Breakfast basis at Double £112 per room and Single £98 per room.

Once allocation has gone, the full rate may be charged. To book and pre pay for your accommodation with the hotel’s central reservations line, contact 0845 074 0060 and quote ‘BARC event’.

BARC Marshal Training dates confirmed for 2020

The British Automobile Racing Club can confirm that it will run a total of five training days for marshals prior to the start of the 2020 motorsport season.

Chateau Impney, Croft, Pembrey and Thruxton will stage the training days which take place between the months of February and March.

Every event organised and run by the BARC needs marshals and all marshals, whatever they are doing, are contributing to the success and smooth running of the meeting.

With training provided to cover a wide range of topics such as fire safety to pit lane operation and teamwork; marshal training covers a wide variety of key attributes in preparing those that are heading trackside for the forthcoming season.

More information is to be confirmed in due but for those interested in taking part in 2020 marshal training, please contact BARC Marshals Secretary Paula Brown via email at pbrown@barc.net.

2020 BARC MARSHAL TRAINING DATES

Saturday 1st February – Chateau Impney

Saturday 22nd February – Pembrey

Saturday 7th March – Croft

Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th March – Thruxton

To find out more about marshalling with the BARC and how to get involved, click here.

Race of Remembrance scales new heights at Anglesey Circuit

One of the highlights of the UK motorsport calendar every year, Race of Remembrance took centre stage this past weekend (November 9/10) to produce a memorable three days of top-level motor racing and commemoration, both in equal measure.

Taking centre stage at Anglesey Circuit for the sixth consecutive season, the marque event provided the perfect blend of on-track entertainment whilst also commemorating the sacrifices made by all service personnel and their families.

Run by the Forces’ charity Mission Motorsport, more than 40 teams journeyed to the picturesque coastline circuit in North Wales to duke it out for supremacy across 12 hours of racing; with star names such as Tom Ingram, Mike Conway and Dario Franchitti all starring.

Despite it being a 12-hour endurance encounter, the uniqueness of RoR meant that the track action was paused throughout the weekend.

Most notably, Sunday morning saw track action come to a halt at 10:45 and the venue fell silent for a special remembrance service to take place in the pit lane. With all drivers, teams, marshals, officials, service personnel and families in attendance, it served as timely reminder as to the importance of the meeting.

In the battle for victory throughout day and night, nobody would ultimately be able to stop Rob Boston Racing as they claimed overall victory. Completing 351 laps, the duo of Rob Boston and Peter Mansfield proved too much for the opposition and took the chequered flag ahead of GPW Racing by a single lap.

Whilst Rob Boston Racing triumphed at the front of the field and in Class D, there were still plenty of other category honours to be decided. TrackScotland with Full Circle Cooling 2 ran out as victors in Class A while RABsport Racing did the same in Class B.

Class E belonged to TWP Racing: MX5parts.com & MRF Tyres, with the list of class winners from the event being capped off by the aforementioned GPW Racing.

BARC signs off 2019 season in spectacular style at Brands Hatch

The British Automobile Racing Club set pulses racing for one final time in 2019 this past weekend (November 9/10) as it brought the curtain down on a memorable year of track action at Brands Hatch, with several championships taking centre centre.

In what has been another action-packed season of top-draw motorsport from the Club’s categories, the famous Kent venue provided a fitting backdrop to end a pulsating campaign which began back in March.

Going wheel-to-wheel into the night, the Dunlop Endurance Championship had fans on the captivated from start-to-finish as a bumper grid of eye-catching cars went wheel-to-wheel around the challenging Indy circuit.

On its eagerly-anticipated debut, the Brabham B62 was a success straight out of the blocks as David Brabham and Will Powell stormed to victory in the opening encounter of the weekend. Mechanical issues would unfortunately cost them a chance of repeating the feat in race two.

Instead, spoils fell the way of Mike Moss and Ollie Hancock in their BMW 1M – the pair exerting their dominance to lap almost the entire field and take the chequered flag by more than 30 seconds in the end.

James Taylor took a clean sweep of victories to be crowned the Ginetta Junior Winters Series champion. Heading an ultra-competitive entry list of teenage racers, Taylor asserted his dominance across both days to lift the coveted title.

Powering his way to pole position on Saturday, the Elite Motorsport driver tallied a pair of race wins to hold the overnight lead in the points. On Sunday, two more wins were added to his record, guaranteeing him the highly sought after crown.

There were similar levels of dominance in the Carbon8 Hyundai Coupe Cup too as Wayne Rockett was perfection personified, taking a brace of wins. Having won ten of the 12 races that had been staged heading into the weekend, Rockett lived up to his mantel of being the driver to beat.

Setting an impressive time during qualifying, the multiple race-winner cemented his status as the most successful driver in the series for 2019 with a pair of spellbinding performances.

The Distrigo Parts Distribution Citroen C1 Challenge delivered two hours of enthralling action on Sunday, culminating in the MSAR Old Hat Motorsport duo of Daniel Bruce and Callum Hutchings taking victory by little over nine seconds.

Niall Bradley and Rod Birley were the winners of the weekend’s two CMMC Tin Tops & Amusetime Production Saloons races whilst Colin Peacock rounded the list of race winners, claiming a sensational hat-trick in the Dunlop Mini Se7en & Mini Miglia Championship.

To view the full classification of results from the weekend’s action at Brands Hatch, click here.