Author: Chris Ashby

Donington Park plays host to memorable BARC weekend

Donington Park welcomed the British Automobile Racing Club this past weekend (June 1/2) for an entertaining two days of racing which saw a total of six championships in action.

Descending on the Leicestershire venue with the Motorsport UK British Superkart GP headlining the weekend’s action, those in attendance were treated to a mouth-watering array of wheel-to-wheel action from start to finish.

Providing a slip-streaming masterclass, the British Superkart Championship offered up huge grids and plenty of thrills along the way too. In the combined F250, F450 & Division 1 races; Liam Morley and Peter Elkmann tasted victory whilst the F125 class saw Kirk Cattermole and Morley triumph.

The coveted Motorsport UK British Superkart GP served up plenty of entertainment as the weekends centrepiece with Elkmann winning the Division 1 race, Paul Platt the F250/F450 National and Morley the F125 Open category.

On Saturday, the Dunlop Endurance Championship took to the spotlight as it staged its latest two one-hour races under the flight path of East Midlands airport. Following a pulsating qualifying session, race one spoils fell the way of the MacG Racing Taranis, driven by Jonny MacGregor.

Having finished as runners-up earlier in the day, VR Motorsport bounced back in the second Britcar encounter to score victory in race two. Tim Gray and Alastair Boulton shared driving duties of the impressive Praga R1T to finish nearly half a minute of their nearest challengers.

The BARC Clubmans Sports Prototype Championship in association with King Henry’s Taverns was back in action with another pulsating triple-header. Peter Richings claimed overall honours in the opening race of the weekend as he added to his already impressive 2019 win tally.

Races two and three saw Clive Wood and Steve Dickens come to the fore as they made it three different winners from three races.

Elsewhere, the Caterham Graduates Championship welcomed one of the biggest grids of its already successful season with more 50 cars battling it out over the course of the two days.

Stephen Clark and Samuel Wilson were the victors in the combined Sigmax, Mega & Classic races whilst Luke Balmforth and Jason McCormack did the same in the amalgamated Sigma 125, 135 & 150 class encounters.

The Lancaster Insurance MG Owner’s Club Championship saw honours even between William Sharpe and Steve McDermid as they each took a win apiece at the wheel of their MG ZR’s.

Following on from a ground-breaking inaugural event at Silverstone in April, the UK Sports Prototype Cup was back in action. Encompassing both the Radical and Revolution classes, a healthy grid of 12 competitors battled it out for supremacy.

Rob Wheldon set his stall out as the driver to beat in races one and two as he romped to victory however his chances of competing a sensational hat-trick were halted by James Abbott, who ended the weekend topping the podium.

For the full classification of results from all sessions at Donington Park, click here.

Thruxton Motorsport Celebration revives the past with spectacular inaugural festival

The inaugural Thruxton Motorsport Celebration – powered by Motorsport Magazine – was a resounding success as thousands of fans enjoyed two days of historic racing, high-speed demonstrations and spectacular flypasts at the famous Hampshire venue.

Thruxton Circuit played host to a stunning display of classic cars as the UK’s fastest racetrack built on the success of last year’s hugely-popular 50th anniversary meeting, and supporters weren’t disappointed as the 15-race schedule served up a fantastic weekend of wheel-to-wheel racing.

Fans also had the opportunity to get up close and personal with priceless legendary machines in a family-friendly paddock on the iconic airfield and were treated to a number of thrilling demonstrations – both on-track and in the air.

Thruxton was bathed in glorious sunshine for much of the weekend, while a brief summer shower on Sunday did little to dampen the spirits of the motorsport enthusiasts looking to enjoy a bevy of retro races.

Motor Racing Legends’ colourful Historic Touring Car Challenge with Tony Dron Trophy grid was a firm favourite while their U2TC for pre-66 under two-litre Touring Cars also provided plenty of spills and sideways moments.

Meanwhile, their RAC Woodcote Trophy/Stirling Moss Trophy pitched the beautiful Ecurie Ecosse Jaguar XK120 and the spell-binding Frazer Nash Le Mans Replica against each other for the first time since the 1952 British Empire Trophy race on the Isle of Man, triggering memories of a by-gone era.

Elsewhere, the Sports 2000 Championship field provided the fastest cars on show this weekend with a pair of white-knuckle races culminating in Paul Streat lifting the Ian Taylor Trophy for topping the Pinto class in his Lola T87/90.

The FJHRA/HSCC ‘Silverline’ Formula Junior Championship put on four hotly-contested events – two for front-engined and two for rear-engined cars – before the Historic Racing Drivers Club completed the package with three evocative rounds – the ‘Coys 100 Trophy’ for Touring Cars 1958-66 (including an appearance from musician Chris Rea in a Morris Minor), the ‘Alfa Challenge’ for Alfa Romeo Sports, GT and Touring Cars and the ‘Allstars’ for pre-66 Sports, GT and Touring Cars.

In-between all the racing, Thruxton provided the perfect platform to showcase the skills of British Superbike Championship star Tommy Bridewell and 2015 Moto3 Champion Danny Kent as the pair scorched around the high-speed superbowl on their gravity-defying machines.

There were also runs from the iconic Lola T70 Mk38 and the thunderous V8 Lola T332 as well as a Chevrolet-powered Cooper Monaco T61, a Formula Atlantic Chevron B49 and the Reynard 89D which had been piloted by ex-Jordan F1 driver Marco Apicella during the 1989 Formula 3000 season.

For aviation fanatics, the state-of-the-art Thruxton Centre was an ideal vantage point to see the spectacular flypasts put on by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight – with a pair of legendary Spitfires catching the eye on Saturday and a majestic Dakota C-47 sweeping over the circuit on Sunday.

Throughout the festival the bustling trade village gave families a chance to refuel at food vendors and shop for merchandise, while several car clubs including the Porsche Club GB, the GT40 Enthusiasts Club and the Mazda MX-5 Owners Club pitched up with impressive collections on the famous banking.

Thruxton Circuit Director Bill Coombs said: “It’s been a fabulous weekend and we’re delighted with the meeting as a whole. I think it’s lovely to see all these demonstrations, and it’s brilliant to have such a variety of classic supercars and the superbikes here as well.

“For me, this meeting is the highlight of the year. The Bennetts British Superbike and Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship events are stand-out dates in our calendar, but with so many classic cars on show from different decades this event holds such personal interest!

“The cars are just wonderful to watch, and they generally have more power than grip so they slide around a lot and are great fun. It’s been a wonderful meeting, with a real family atmosphere, and we hope it’s been a brilliant weekend out for everybody.

“And we’ve got a lot of big meetings to come with British Truck Racing, the second visit of the BTCC and the BSB. We’ve still got plenty of action at Thruxton for fans to enjoy!”

Tickets for the British Trucks Race Meeting on June 29-30 start at just ÂŁ12 while advance tickets for both the Bennetts British Superbike Championship and the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship are available from just ÂŁ13 for Saturday entry and ÂŁ29 for Sunday.

For more information or to buy tickets, visit thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing or call 01264 882222.

For more information on Thruxton’s race meetings and driving experiences, visit www.thruxtonracing.co.uk 

BARC championships serve up scintillating Silverstone showing

Five championships from the British Automobile Racing Club tackled the iconic sweeping curves of Silverstone this past weekend (June 1/2) as each campaign continued on their 2019 journeys.

Topping the bill were no less than eight races from the Classic Touring Car Racing Club, which showcased that variety really is the spice of life from a wide range of eras.

Alan Greenhalgh was perfection personified in the Pre 66’ Touring Cars races as he scored a brace of wins in his Ford Falcon. Elsewhere, Stephen Primett and Mike Luck shared the spoils in the Pre 83’ Group 1 Touring Cars.

In the amalgamated Pre 93’, Pre 03’ and Pre 05’ races, David Griffin and AJ Owen scored victories whilst Andrew Wilson and Lucky Khera did the same in the combined Thunder Saloons & Blue Oval Saloons races.

The Junior Saloon Car Championship saw reigning champion Lewis Saunders get himself back into the win bracket as he made a triumphant return to the top step of the podium. Saunders however could do nothing about his main title protagonist and series leader Scott McIntyre from firing back in race two as he picked up the win.

Garrie Whittaker continued his superlative start to the Kumho BMW Championship by enjoying yet more success, scoring a pair of wins. Having won every race heading into the weekend, the E36 M3 driver extended his winning streak in sensational style.

Whittaker beat Darren Fielding and Jasver Sapra in the opener before then getting the better of Khera and Fielding in race two. 

Fans enjoyed a slipstreaming extravaganza over the course of the weekend thanks to the Mighty Minis Championship. Marking the second event on the calendar for the iconic machines, Silverstone’s National layout proved to be the perfect backdrop for two frenetic races.

Alex Comis was the man to beat in the opening encounter as he led narrowly edged out Greg Jenkins and Neven Kirkpatrick. Jenkins would bounce back in race two as he edged out Kirkpatrick and Comis, the trio covered by less than half a second at the chequered flag.

Rounding out the weekend’s action at the Northamptonshire venue were the first-ever races from the SmarTrack Series Elite. Vic Lee wrote his name into the history books as the inaugural race winner before then doubling up his win tally later in the day.

For the full classification of results from all sessions at Silverstone, click here.

Legends UK, Pickup Truck Racing & Super Silhouettes star at American Speedfest

Brands Hatch brought a flavour of the USA to Kent in the shape of American Speedfest this past weekend (June 1/2), and three British Automobile Racing Club championships took centre stage to put on a star-studded performance.

In what is billed as the biggest celebration of American-fuelled motoring, music and racing this side of the Atlantic, the two-day event welcomed a bumper crowd – all of whom got the full stars and stripes treatment.

Alongside the likes of Euro NASCAR and Bernie V8s that all took to the track, the BARC trio of the Legends UK National Championship with MRF Tyres, Pickup Truck Racing Championship and the BARC Super Silhouettes Championship were also in action.

Having last been action just a week previous at Anglesey, the 5/8 scale Legends contingent wrote the latest chapter in what has already been storybook season for them.

Saturday saw three different winners come to the fore across the day’s three races, with a popular winner triumphing in the final. Storming to pole position in qualifying, Marcus Pett scored victory in race one before Sean Smith triumphed in race two.

Donning the mantel of defending champion and teamed up with a special level for Legends’ 25th Anniversary, John Mickel finally notched a first win of the season in race three of the weekend.

Another trio of races followed on Sunday at Brands Hatch for the Legends with Pett, Smith and Tom Grainger topping the rostrum.

The Pickup Truck Racing Championship saw two pulsating encounters played out around the Indy circuit of Brands Hatch, and both of them will likely be crucial on the outcome of who walks away as champion.

George Turiccki struck first around the 1.20 mile layout as he piloted his machine to pole position for both races. Turiccki was unable to convert his front row start into victory however as Reece Jones emerged as the man to beat in the opening race, taking victory by seven seconds ahead of Turiccki.

Race two saw Turiccki make amends however as he stole a march on his rivals to canter to victory ahead of David O’Regan and Jones.

Rounding out the action for the BARC representatives was the ever-growing BARC Super Silhouette Championship. Already reaping the benefits of a rebrand this year, the space frame category served up a mesmerising performance for those in attendance.

Qualifying saw Chris Brockhurst lay down the gauntlet to his rivals as he topped the timesheets in qualifying from behind the wheel of his Vauxhall Tigra. However, as he has done on many occasions this year already, Malcolm Blackman was the man to beat in race one as he scored yet another victory – before then repeating the feat in race two.

For the full classification of results from American Speedfest, click here.

BARC championships descend on Donington Park

The British Automobile Racing Club heads to Leicestershire this weekend (June 1/2) to tackle the sweeping curves of Donington Park as six championships continue their 2019 campaigns.

In what is the beginning of a busy summer of track action for the Club, the challenging demands of Donington Park are set to provide a stern test as many categories begin to edge towards the second half of their seasons.

Topping the bill and likely to set pulses racing under the flightpath of East Midlands airport will be the British Superkart Championship. Headlining the weekend’s action with its Superkart GP races, edge-of-the-seat entertainment is guaranteed when it comes to Superkarts.

Small in stature but able to clock eye-watering speeds, the very best karting drivers in the country will be going wheel-to-wheel in a bid to top the podium – and it is not to be missed.

From the extremes of superkarts to supercars, and the Dunlop Endurance Championship – which will hit the track once again for another two one-hour encounters. Marking the fourth event of the season for Britcar, an eclectic mix of machinery will again do battle for outright honours.

The Ferrari 488 Challenge pairing of Paul Bailey and Andy Schultz were the team to beat last time out at Brands Hatch, winning both races, and they enter the weekend at the summit of the standings. However, hot on the heels of the duo are a raft of front-running contenders all capable of throwing themselves into the fight at the front.

Another bumper entry list has been confirmed for the Caterham Graduates Championship with four races scheduled to be run over the course of the weekend. Renowned for producing close wheel-to-wheel action, the multi-class series will undoubtedly be one to watch.

Notable names to keep an eye on to challenge towards the sharp end include Samuel Wilson, Mark Carter, Jamie Ellwood, Kevin Barnett and Luke Balmforth, amongst many more.

The BARC Clubmans Sports Prototype Championship in association with King Henry’s Taverns have been hugely entertaining so far this year and that theme is set to continue at Donington.

In cars that boast a rich history, Clubmans are prototype front-engined sports racing cars that are not only easy to drive but are also affectionately known as ‘slicks and wings’ machines.

Peter Richings, Morris Hart, Clive Wood and Barry Webb are just four of the drivers to keep an eye on over the course of the weekend having already starred.

All eras of MG will be showcased at the weekend too as the Lancaster Insurance MG Owner’s Club Championship takes centre stage for the third time this year. Spanning several decades, some of the most iconic tin top machines from the manufacturer will be out on track.

With events at Silverstone and Brands Hatch already in the books, the battle for supremacy is set to rage on even further within the multi-class category.

Rounding out the weekend’s action at Donington Park will be a pair of races from the UK Sports Prototype Cup. Breaking cover at Silverstone in late April, the series – which encompasses both the Radical and Revolution classes – will be keen to write another chapter in its ever-developing story.

To find out more information on this weekend’s event including the timetable, click here.

Power Maxed MotoFest Coventry primed to get city centre pulses racing

The streets of Coventry City Centre are set to be transformed this weekend (June 1/2) as Power Maxed MotoFest Coventry puts on a show like no other in the heart of the UK’s Motor City.

Combining thrilling motorsport, heritage displays, global street food, live music and more; MotoFest Coventry is set to be the ultimate summer party.

One of the highlights of the weekend will undoubtedly be surrounding competitive motorsport taking place around the ring road of Coventry. Cars, motorbikes, supercars and classics will take to the track over the course of both days to set pulses racing in the crowds.

Headlining the action will likely be a variety of machines that will be competing in the latest round of the BARC Connaught Speed Championship. Pitting driver and car against the stopwatch, all eyes will be on the championship to see who comes out on top.

Double Kwik Fit British Touring Car champion Jason Plato will be in attendance too to meet the thousands of fans set to line the pavements and also get behind the wheel of his Sterling Insurance Power Maxed Racing Vauxhall Astra.

Following a three-year absence, some of the stars from the MV Commercial BTRA Championship will return to action to showcase their 1000bhp heavyweight behemoths. Multiple champion Stuart Oliver will be joined by Ray Coleman, John Bowler, Brad Smith and more.

Elsewhere, the Skydome Fueltopic Arena will be the place to be for modern classic, modified and custom cars to be found, both in action and on static display. The arena will also play host to Formula G Championship and London Cartel as well.

As part of its centenary celebrations, more than 1000 Citroen cars will line the streets for a display like no other whilst the world’s first ever urban inter-varsity drone race, including Coventry, Warwick, Oxford, Cambridge and Aston Universities will take place in the action arena on Saturday.

Across the whole weekend, there will also be kids go-karts in the Interactive Motor World; mini Land Rovers in the JLR Zone and a fire station open day.

To find out more information on this weekend’s event, head to https://www.coventrymotofest.com/

Silverstone revved up for BARC spectacular around National layout

The British Automobile Racing Club heads to Silverstone this weekend (June 1/2) for what should be a memorable two days of track action as several championship continue their 2019 campaigns.

In what is the latest visit to the Northamptonshire venue by the Club, the National layout will play host to a selection of categories – all of which are keen on taking centre stage as the battle for supremacy rages on.

Variety has always been the spice of life in the Classic Touring Car Racing Club and an eclectic mix of saloon cars from all eras will roll back the years across eight blockbuster encounters.

Racing will come from the Paul Inch – Classic Race Engines Pre ’66 Touring Cars, CTCRC Group 1 Touring Car Championship, Envirotec Hygiene Services Pre-93 Touring Cars, Simply Serviced Pre-2003 Touring Cars, Toyo Tyres Pre-2005 Production Touring Car Championship, Burton Power Blue Oval Saloon Series and Edmundson Electrical Classic Thunder Saloons Championship.

Small in stature but packing a real punch under the bonnet, those in attendance are set to witness a slipstreaming battle like no other as the Mighty Minis Championship hit the track for the second time this year.

Mini racing is renowned for putting spectators on the edge of their seats and competitors from both the Mighty Mini and Super Mighty Mini classes will likely live up to that mantel in the weekend’s two races.

The next generation of racers will be in action too as the Junior Saloon Car Championship returns from an in-season break to pick up where they left off last. Scott McIntyre and Lewis Saunders have proven to be the benchmark

Garrie Whittaker will look to extend his winning streak in the Kumho BMW Championship as he bids to carry out a perfect season. Having won six outright races on the bounce, Whittaker has been the man to beat in the lone manufacturer series.

Showcasing some of the most iconic models produced by BMW from down the years, the championship has hit new heights this year with grid sizes continuing to swell.

Rounding off the weekend’s action from the BARC will be a pair of races from the SmarTrack Series Elite. Breaking cover at Brands Hatch earlier this month, the single-make Jaguar category will look to rev up the crowd as it stages its inaugural two races of the season.

Despite a relatively small grid being confirmed for the curtain-raiser, expect plenty of wheel-to-wheel action from the thunderous 600bhp machinery around the iconic curves of Silverstone.

Action from the Historic 750 Motor Club and CALM 4-Pot Porsche Trophy will be races to watch too.

To find out more information on this weekend’s event, click here.

Thruxton ready to race down memory lane

The wait is almost over. Twelve months on from the circuit’s hugely successful 50th birthday party, the Thruxton Motorsport Celebration – powered by Motor Sport Magazine – will rev into life this weekend (1/2 June), bringing with it an air of nostalgia and ‘days gone by’ to the popular Hampshire venue.

Appropriately enough for a festival honouring the very best in motoring, motorsport and one of the golden eras of aviation, the rapidly approaching Thruxton Motorsport Celebration will take place at Britain’s fastest racetrack, which previously served as an RAF airfield.

A mouth-watering array of sensational sportscars, flame-spitting saloons and evocative single-seaters will thrill the crowds, with no fewer than 15 races on the bill as the past comes back to life for the weekend.

Boasting all-round family appeal, the event truly does have something for everyone, with a tremendous variety of high-octane activities across the two days. Both modern and historic cars will take to the circuit for races and high-speed demonstration runs, offering spectators the opportunity to reminisce about bygone eras and marvel at cutting-edge motorsport technology.

One of the most compelling stories will be told in the RAC Woodcote Trophy/Stirling Moss Trophy races, in which two old rivals will go head-to-head for the first time in almost seven decades. Piloted respectively by Roy Salvadori and James Scott-Douglas, the Frazer Nash Le Mans Replica and Ecurie Ecosse Jaguar XK120 finished fourth and sixth in the 1952 British Empire Trophy race on the Isle of Man’s Douglas street circuit. Sixty-seven years later, the cars will be reunited in the hands of father-and-son duo, Steve and Josh Ward.

Flashbacks to yesteryear will continue with a ‘Battle of Britain’ flypast scheduled for both days, which will undoubtedly grab the attention of aviation fans. This magical moment will feature one of just six Hawker Hurricanes left in the country as well as the legendary Douglas C-47 Dakota military transport aircraft.

Back down on terra firma, local motorcycling hero Tommy Bridewell (Devizes) will wow spectators aboard his 2019 Bennetts British Superbike Championship challenger – the potent Oxford Racing Ducati. Accompanying the Wiltshireman on-track will be a host of iconic racing cars, including some of Lola’s most successful designs such as the rip-roaring V8 T332 and the T70.

A variety of car clubs will make the journey from across the UK, from the MX-5 Owners Club – celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2019 – to the Porsche Club GB and the GT40 Enthusiasts Club, all of whom will be exhibiting stunning examples of truly classic cars. Thruxton’s impressive collection of resident supercars will similarly take pride of place.

Add into the mix coach rides around the circuit, sideways skid pan experiences, axe-throwing for the ultimate thrill-seeking experience and live music on Saturday evening from classic rock tribute band ‘The Cellarats’, and all the ingredients are firmly in place for another retro-themed blockbuster.

“The Thruxton Motorsport Celebration really does offer fun for the whole family,” enthused Thruxton Director, Bill Coombs. “There will be so much to do across the two days and something for everyone. For me, particular highlights will be the Frazer Nash / Ecurie Ecosse Jaguar face-off, and seeing Tommy Bridewell on his 2019 BSB bike – a nice little teaser for fans ahead of the summer race meeting in a couple of months’ time.

“The Battle of Britain flypasts will similarly be great to watch and will I’m sure bring back some memories, while the sheer number of classic cars going on display will unquestionably be a sight to behold. Both on and off-track, the weekend promises to be a flat-out thrill ride from start to finish.”

Tickets for the Thruxton Motorsport Celebration are still available to purchase on the gate, priced at just ÂŁ15 for Saturday entry and ÂŁ25 for Sunday. Accompanied children aged 15 and under will be admitted free of charge. For further information, visit thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/celebration or call 01264 882222.

For more information on Thruxton’s race meetings and driving experiences, visit: www.thruxtonracing.co.uk

BARC trio set pulses racing at Anglesey

Anglesey Circuit provided a fitting backdrop for a memorable two days of British Automobile Racing Club action this past weekend (May 25/26) as three championships took centre stage in North Wales.

In what was the first of a handful of visits to the picturesque venue this year, challenging and changeable conditions greeted the Distrigo Parts Distribution Citroen C1 Series, CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship and Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres – adding to the spectacle.

Coming off the back of their history-making weekend at Silverstone where a brand new record for the largest grid was set, the C1 Series fielded a 25-car grid for four-hour encounter.

In what proved to be an action-packed 240 minutes, the PrepTech UK team came to the fore to ultimately cross the line and clinch a popular victory, Having qualified tenth, the duo of Colin Lewis and Nicole Drought powered their way up the order

Rounding out the podium was Team Davies, made up of John Davies and Matthew Davies, and Majestic Motorsport; which housed the trio of Greg Richardson, Geoff Richardson and Jonathan Taylor.

The Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres saw plenty of wheel-to-wheel action over the course of the weekend as Sy Harraway moved to the top of the points.

Underlining the unpredictable nature of the championship, the action proved to be frenetic over the course of both days. Harraway emerged as one of the big winners as he bagged himself a pair of wins alongside with the points lead.

Marcus Pett also secured a double of his own whilst Sean Smith and Miles Rudman weren’t to be denied the spotlight either as they each topped the podium too.

Alongside the British contingent, fans were also treated to Scottish and Irish Legends action too.

Capping off the weekend’s action from Anglesey was a pair of races from the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship. Open to all manner of cars and running under a multi-class format, non-stop entertainment is part of the norm with the series, and it didn’t disappoint in North Wales.

However, despite a bumper 29-car entry list nobody was able to stop Danny Bird from stealing the show. At the wheel of his Spire GTR, Bird was unstoppable as he romped to pole position in qualifying and then took a hat-trick of race wins.

For the full classification of results from each session, click here.

2CV’s and Hyundai Coupe Cup star at Mallory Park

The British Automobile Racing Club served up a pulsating day of track action at Mallory Park this past Bank Holiday Monday (May 27), with two categories taking centre stage.

Spoils were shared in the 2CV Parts.com Classic Racing Championship as three different drivers topped the podium over the course of the day, underlining the competitiveness of the iconic one-make series.

Staging a triple-header as it moves ever-closer to its finale, the 2CV contingent saw David O’Keeffe come to the fore first as he beat reigning champion Pete Sparrow and Tom Perry.

O’Keeffe nearly made it two-from-two in the second encounter had it not been for Brian Heerey. Capping off the day’s action was an exhilarating third race, won by Perry who backed up his race one podium performance with a first win of the year.

Wayne Rockett continued his stellar start to the season in the Carbon8 Hyundai Coupe Cup as he notched a pair of race wins around the challenging Leicestershire venue.

Having been the man to beat at the Brands Hatch season-opener in April, Rockett maintained his unbeaten start to 2019 with another virtuoso performance. Narrowly pipping Alex Cursley to pole position in qualifying, Rockett found himself embroiled in a day-long duel with Cursely.

The pair proved to be inseparable in the opening encounter as they made their escape from the chasing pack to power into the distance. More than ten seconds clear of Nick Moore in third place, Rockett and Cursely went back-and-forth for outright honours, with less than a second covering them at the flag.

Riding high off of his third win in succession, Rockett added another triumph in race two of the day as he once again dominated proceedings to lead Cursely and Moore across the line.

Alongside the day’s BARC action were races from the MGCC Lackford Engineering MG Midget & Sprite Challenge.

For the full classification of results from all sessions, click here.

Timmy Hansen claims FIA World Rallycross Championship victory at Silverstone

The FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy made an emphatic mark at Silverstone this past weekend, with the Dayinsure World RX of Great Britain headlining the hugely popular SpeedMachine Festival.

As has been the case in previous years, the British Automobile Racing Club played its part in the event as it appointed marshals and officials, as well as ensuring the meeting ran as smoothly as possible.

In what proved to be a pulsating two days of adrenaline-fuelled sideways thrills and spills, Timmy Hanse came to the fore to claim victory in a gripping final ahead of Andreas Bakkerud and Anton Marklund.

Having emerged as the man to beat across the weekend’s four qualifying heats, Hansen was in fine form as he made his way through the semi-finals. The Team Hansen MJP Peugeot 208 driver then became embroiled in a titanic battle with Bakkerud before coming out on top.

Virtue of his success on British soil, Hansen became the first double winner of the current season and moved to the summit of the championship standings after his brother, Kevin Hansen, found himself in strife during his own semi-final.

“Today Andreas (Bakkerud) found some more pace and he was able to win both qualifying sessions,” Hansen said. “In the final, he had about a half a car better launch than me, it was tight going in to the first corner.

“Coming out second I knew I had to stay super close. I was absolutely on his bumper just before my joker lap which was a perfect lap.

“I kept on pushing, he went in to the joker a lap later, and when we merged I saw that I had a bit more speed and seeing him behind as we hit the finish line was a great feeling. I definitely had to work very hard to day to get this result.”

British fans would see Liam Doran make the final but the Audi driver was unable to make an impression whilst Oliver Bennett provided plenty to cheer about as he made his first FIA World RX semi-final in his Mini.

Elsewhere, Mark Higgins made his first rallycross appearance since winning the British title late last year to star with Albatec Racing.

Aside from the FIA World Rallycross Championship there was also action from the RX2 Series and FIA European Rallycross Championship, won by Oliver Ericsson and Robin Larsson respectively.

Alongside the edge-of-the-seat rallycross entertainment, SpeedMachine Festival also played host to plenty of high-speed demonstrations from a variety of disciplines including the MV Commercial BTRA Championship.

Live music, street food and car displays were also encompassed throughout the weekend, making it an event to remember at the home of British motorsport.

BARC trio heads to picturesque North Wales to tackle Anglesey

The British Automobile Racing Club will head to North Wales this weekend (May 25/26) for what is set to be a spectacular two days of competition around the picturesque Anglesey Circuit.

Organised and run by the Club’s North West Centre, the picturesque venue – which overlooks the Irish Sea – will play host to a selection of BARC categories, all of which will continue what are proving to be captivating 2019 campaigns.

Coming off the back of a history-making event at Silverstone where a new record for the largest starting grid in the UK was set, the Distrigo Parts Distribution Citroen C1 Series is back in action – this time for a four-hour race.

Staging a 99-car 24-hour race at the home of British motorsport last month, the popular one-make series now has a place in the record books, although it is showing no signs of slowing down with another bumper entry list has been confirmed for this weekend.

The weekend will also see the Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres continue its 25th Anniversary campaign with a host of races. Roaring into life at Brands Hatch over the Easter bank holiday, the pocket rocket series is a smash-hit wherever it goes.

Connor Mills sits on top of the standings heading into the second event of the season courtesy of his Brands Hatch hat-trick however the competition is proving be to fierce with reigning champion John Mickel, Sy Harraway, Jack Parker and James Hall-Morton leading the chasing pack.

With six heats scheduled across the weekend, the Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres is a spectacle that is not to be missed.

Both the Scottish and Irish Legends Championships will also take to the track too, combining together for their own block of heats.

Capping off the weekend’s track action will be two races from the BARC North West Centre’s flagship category, the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship. Open to all manner of machinery, the multi-class series showcases variety of the highest order, with Anglesey marking the third stop on the calendar.

Andrew Southcoott, David Harvey and Jon Woolfit are just three drivers that will be in contention for outright honours during Saturday’s two encounters.

To find out more information on this weekend’s event at Anglesey, click here.