Author: Chris Ashby

BTCC organisers reveal 30 car entry list for 2019 season

Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship Series Organisers TOCA have revealed that an entry of 30 cars has been confirmed for the 2019 season.

Following the entry approval deadline, the maximum number of TOCA BTCC Licences (TBLs) held by teams have all been confirmed to have been entered for the forthcoming campaign.

Each team must hold a TBL for each car entered, with there being 30 TBLs controlled by teams in total and two further licences retained by TOCA for its own use.

In keeping with the aim reducing the size of the BTCC grid, TOCA have confirmed they will not be allocating its two TBLs to additional entrants, despite receiving serious applications from no fewer than three new teams wishing to participate in 2019.

Amongst the regular outfits, Excelr8 Motorsport will join the BTCC ranks for next year having firmed up their plans to take on the running of the two MG’s.

HMS Racing, the Independent squad responsible for bringing the Alfa Romeo name back to the series in 2018, has announced that it will take a year out. Motorbase Performance have subsequently taken on the running of their TBL to remain a three-car outfit.

Teams will announce driver line-ups and details of their cars and sponsorship agreements for 2019 over the coming weeks, prior to the release of the finalised entry list, set to be distributed by TOCA in March.

Confirmed entries for the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship:

Aiden Moffat Racing – 1

AMD / Cobra Exhausts – 2

AMD / Trade Price Cars – 2

BTC Racing – 2

Ciceley Motorsport – 2

Excelr8 Motorsport – 2

Motorbase Performance – 3

Power Maxed Racing – 2

Simpson Racing – 1

Speedworks Motorsport – 1

Team BMR – 2

Team Dynamics – 2

Team HARD – 4

Team Parker Racing – 1

West Surrey Racing – 3

BARC gearing up for 2019 Autosport Show International

Despite the dust barely settling on the 2018 season, the British Automobile Racing Club is already setting it’s sights on its next event by confirming its presence at the 2019 Autosport Show International.

Taking place at the NEC Arena in Birmingham between January 10-13, the Show will serve as the perfect launchpad for another year of racing with thousands of industry experts and fans set to attend the four-day extravaganza.

Following on from a hugely successful 2018 event where the BARC picked up an award for ‘Best National Motorsport Stand’, the Club will return to event and will be situated on Stand 2745.

Showcasing a variety of cars as well as an all-new eye-catching stand, information on all of the Club’s championships, marshal initiatives, venues, membership and much more will be able to be discussed at the event.

Drew Furlong, BARC Chief Operating Officer, said: “The Autosport Show International is an event that is a permanent fixture in the diary of any motorsport fan and we, like many others, are delighted to kick off the new season there in January once again.

“Coming off the back of another brilliant year for the Club and our championships, we’re heading to the Show looking forward to showcasing all that we are about with the fans and those that work or compete within motorsport.”

In addition, a raft of announcements are set to be confirmed by the BARC and its affiliated championships during the Autosport Show as well.

Kwik Fit announced as new BTCC title sponsor

TOCA has confirmed that the UK’s leading automotive servicing and repair company, Kwik Fit, is to become the title sponsor of the British Touring Car Championship for the 2019 season.

Goodyear Dunlop will remain as the sole tyre supplier to the BTCC under its current contract until at least 2022 however the championship will now be known as the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

In what is a collaborative effort between TOCA, Goodyear Dunlop and Kwik Fit, the introduction of a new title sponsor is aimed towards introducing the BTCC to more fans across the UK.

Alan Gow, BTCC Series Director, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Kwik Fit into the fold of the BTCC. This will undoubtedly enable us to introduce the BTCC to hundreds of thousands more motorists across the UK.

“It also gives Kwik Fit the ideal opportunity to further increase their brand awareness via the UK’s largest motorsport championship.”

Andy Lane, Marketing Director at Kwik Fit, added: “We are looking forward to becoming the title sponsor of the championship. It is a fantastic competition with a strong heritage which will significantly add to our marketing activities.

“We are very excited about connecting with the fans and teams during the season ahead as well as helping raise the profile of the championship with our customers across the country.”

Andy Marfleet, Goodyear Dunlop Marketing Director, concluded: “We have been supplying motorists with Goodyear and Dunlop tyres through the Kwik Fit network for decades and we are delighted to continue our connection as they take on the sponsorship of this fantastic championship.

“We will continue to be tyre supplier and an integral supporter of the BTCC; our association with TOCA has run continuously since 2003 and is stronger than ever before.”

Five BARC marshal training days confirmed for early 2019

The British Automobile Racing Club can confirm that it will run a total of five marshal training days prior to the 2019 motorsport season roaring into life.

Pembrey, Croft and Thruxton, all BARC venues, as well as the infamous Chateau Impney will provide the backdrop to the training days between the end of January and early 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 heading trackside for the forthcoming season.

For more information on how to take part and be involved regarding marshal training for 2019 (dates listed below) then please contact BARC Marshals Secretary Paula Brown via pbrown@barc.net.

2019 MARSHAL TRAINING DATES

Pembrey – January 27

Chateau Impney – February 2

Croft – February 16

Thruxton – March 16/17

More information on each respective training day is expected to be confirmed in due course.

Providing an outlet to become actively involved and contribute to the sport, marshalling has become an integral part of motorsport within not only the BARC but also around the world with several UK marshals being selected for worldwide events.

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

Blockbuster Brands Hatch weekend brings BARC year to a close

Brands Hatch provided the backdrop for a thrilling final race meeting of the 2018 season for the British Automobile Racing Club this past weekend (November 17/18) as six championships brought the curtain down on their campaigns.

Despite there being a chill in the air, the BARC basked under the Kent sunshine throughout both days as those in attendance were treated to a feast on-track entertainment.

Racing into the darkness on both nights, the Dunlop Endurance Championship lit up the Indy circuit with a spellbinding array of machines. Honours fell the way of Alan Purbrick and David Brise in the first 50-minute encounter as they piloted their Saker RAPX to victory.

In the longer two-hour endurance race, Ferrari 458 duo Ross Wylie and David Mason were the winners of the Sprint category before the Team HARD duo of Simon Rudd and Tom Barley went on to score victory in the Endurance class.

With the final races being decided, Sarah Moore and Matt Greenwood were declared Endurance champions whilst Jon Watt and Kristian Prosser claimed the Sprint title.

James Hedley wrote his name into the history books as he lifted the coveted Ginetta Junior Winter Series crown. With familiar and new faces duking it out for the final championship on offer from the Yorkshire manufacturer, Hedley made his mark in style.

Ruben del Sarte scored victory in race one however nobody could stop Hedley on day two as he stormerd to a pair of wins from behind the wheel of his G40 to scoop the title and follow in the footsteps of Adam Smalley.

Wayne Rockett and Steve Kite signed off the Hyundai Coupe Cup season in dominant fashion as they powered their way to a race win, the latter adding cementing his status as the man to beat throughout the year.

Spoils were shared in the BARC South East Tin Tops Championship as Alfie Brooker and Kamran Tunio took a win apiece. Elsewhere Rod Birley was back to his brilliant best as he wrapped up victory in the two BARC South East Modified Saloon Car Championship races.

Capping off the weekend’s action was two races from the Scrapco Metal Recycling / Avon Tyres Intermarque Championship, with Chris Brockenhurst and Steve Burrows each topping the podium.

For the full classification of results, click here.

BARC launches Officials Recruitment Drive

The British Automobile Racing Club has launched a recruitment drive to bring in more marshals and officials, with a variety of roles available to be fulfilled.

With the 2018 season drawing to a close, the focus has already switched to 2019 and another bumper events programme being run.

If you’re a good communicator, work effectively as a leader or in a team, possess great listening and management skills, and much more – one of the following roles could be a match made in heaven:

Race Phones / Radio Communications 

Chief Observers / Deputy Chief Observers

Chief Incident Officers / Deputy Chief Incident Officers

Chief Marshals

Clerks of the Course

Club Stewards

Safety Car Observers

Fire Car Crew

Scrutineers

For those believing they have what it takes to fulfil any of the roles listed above, a letter outlining what roles you would like to be considered for and why should be sent to officials@barc.net with BARC Officials Recruitment Drive in the subject matter.

BARC confirms return to Chesford Grange Hotel for Championship Awards Evening

The British Automobile Racing Club’s prestigious Championships Awards Evening will return to the familiar surroundings of Chesford Grange Hotel early next year where the champions of 2018 will be celebrated.

Taking place on Saturday 9th February 2019, race suits and overall will be swapped for black ties and ball gowns at the Warwickshire-based venue.

Hosted by Alan Hyde, champions from across nearly all BARC categories will be honoured on the night whilst appreciation will be shown to officials and marshals for their help and efforts over the course of the year.

In addition to the traditional trophy presentation; dinner, a raffle and entertainment from 2tone will ensure that it is a night that will live long in the memory.

Tickets are priced at £72.00 for BARC Members whilst £82.00 for Non-Members. Click HERE to view 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 £109 per room and Single £95. 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 set to bring the curtain down on 2018 season at Brands Hatch

Starting the year on a chilly Saturday at Oulton Park in March, the British Automobile Racing Club will bring the 2018 season to an end this weekend (November 17/18) as a host of championships compete at Brands Hatch.

In what has been another memorable year across all BARC categories, the Indy layout of the Kent venue will provide the backdrop for the final set of champions to be officially crowned.

Topping the bill will be the Dunlop Endurance Championship, which will race into the night during the weekend. Home to some of the most illustrious and jaw-dropping cars from around the world, Britcar has once again delivered another spellbinding year of racing.

With a brace of 50-minute encounters as well as the customary longer two-hour race closing the show, there will be plenty of track time over the course of the weekend for the likes of Matt Greenwood & Sarah Moore and Jon Watt & Kristian Prosser – both of whom sit at the summit of the individual standings.

The Ginetta Junior Winter Series will make a triumphant return as the familiar and new faces duke it out for the final title that is awarded by the Yorkshire manufacturer in 2018.

Amongst the bumper entry list includes Ruben Del Sarte, James Hedley, Harry Dyson Lorcan Hanafen and Gus Burton, all of whom competed during the main Ginetta championship this past year.

With a total of two races per day taking place, the battle for supremacy is set to keep fans on the edge-of-their-seats all the way to the final lap of the weekend.

Following a lengthy break, the Hyundai Coupe Cup will bring the curtain down on their season, which has been an overwhelming success, with another feast of entertainment for spectators.

This season has seen Steve Kite at times be in a league of his own in the one-make series and the Misty Racing driver will be keen to add to his already impressive winning tally, whilst Alex Cursley and Wayne Rockett lead the chasing pack.

Capping off a blockbuster two days of action will be races from the BARC South East Modified Saloon Car Championship, BARC South East Tin Tops Championship and Scrapco Metal Recycling / Avon Tyres Intermarque Championship.

All part of the Club’s South East Centre, titles are up for grabs in all three with Adrian Bradley, Rikki Taylor and Lewis Smith in the pound seats in their respective categories.

However, with an array of talented drivers hot on their heels, nothing is set to be guaranteed at Brands Hatch until the checkered flag is waved for the final time in 2018.

2019 BTCC tickets for Thruxton and Croft now on sale

Tickets for the Thruxton and Croft rounds of the 2019 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship are now on sale, with discounted prices confirmed in the run up to Christmas.

With the festive period rapidly approaching, BTCC tickets at British Automobile Racing Club circuits are set to be the perfect present for the petrolhead in your life.

Coming off the back of a pulsating and successful 2018 season, Britain’s premier race series will once again travel the length and breadth of the country, with an expected capacity entry list battling it out across 30 races.

Thruxton, the fastest circuit in the UK, will stage two stops on calendar in 2019 having picked up a round following the demise of Rockingham. The additional date means Thruxton will now stage two rounds of the championship in a single season for the first time since 2007.

The BTCC will first visit the high-speed Hampshire venue on May 18/19 before returning later in the year as the title race gathers momentum during the second half of the season on August 17/18.

Croft meanwhile has an earlier spot on the calendar for next year as it plays host to the fourth event of the 2019 campaign, taking place on June 15/16.

Thruxton – May 18/19 2019

Visit http://thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/btcc to view full ticket offers

Croft – June 15/16 2019

Visit http://croftcircuit.co.uk/racing/btcc to view full ticket offers

Thruxton – August 17/18 2019 

Visit http://thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/btcc-aug to view full ticket offers

BTCC rule changes ratified for 2019 season

British Touring Car Championship organisers TOCA have ratified a number of minor amendments to its regulations following an end-of-season consultation with the championship’s teams.

Following on from a record-breaking 60th Anniversary season that saw Colin Turkington crowned champion for a third time, the series is set to scale new heights in 2019 under the same ten-event, 30-race format.

In addition to the revised changes (listed below) it has also been decided that the introduction of hybrid power – initially outlined for introduction from the 2022 season – may be brought forward to 2021 if all key parameters relating to the supply, engineering, costs, performance and testing of the hybrid units can be achieved in good time for an earlier launch.

One of the biggest changes to be implemented will be to success ballast, which has been reduced due to the incredibly closely matched performance of the current cars.

For 2019, the maximum amount of success ballast will see the championship leader or race winner gaining 54 kilograms of additional weight and the increments thereafter being adjusted downwards slights.

Success ballast for next year in the top ten is as follows: 54kgs – 48kgs – 42kgs – 36kgs – 30kgs – 24kgs – 18kgs – 12kgs -6kgs – 6kgs.

As has been the case in recent years, some on-track driving offences will continue to receive ‘reprimands’ and in 2019 three reprimands will now constitute a ‘strike’.

Strikes will continued to be automatically applied for more serious offences, an example being if a driver is found to be wholly to blame in an incident that causes another driver to be unable to finish the race. In this case the recipient of the Strike will also receive the additional  penalty of a minimum 20 seconds added to their race time.

Having been introduced last year, the strike system will remain as it is with a third strike resulting in a driver being demoted to the back of the grid, a fourth resulting in a race ban and so on. A reprimand or strike will continue to remain recorded against a driver for 12 months.

Qualifying will see a tweak too with drivers causing a red flag losing their fastest lap time to that point and taking no further part in the session.

Option tyres will continue to be selected prior to Saturday’s qualifying session with teams still limited to how many times they can run a certain compound in a race.

Brands Hatch Indy, Oulton Park, Silverstone and Brands Hatch GP will see drivers run the ‘soft’ tyre as an option, Donington Park and Croft the ‘hard’ tyre and Knockhill the ‘medium’ compound (with the ‘soft’ tyre being the standard tyre). Snetterton meanwhile will run each compound once.

All six races that are staged at Thruxton next year will see all drivers run the ‘hard’ tyre.

Finally, following an extensive testing programme an entirely new wet tyre will be introduced for the 2019 season by Dunlop.

All regulation changes will take effect from the opening round of the 2019 campaign which takes place at Brands Hatch Indy on April 6/7.

Legends vice-champion Steve Whitelegg left ‘speechless’ following BTCC prize test

Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres runner-up Steve Whitelegg was left speechless at Silverstone on Monday (November 12) after getting behind the wheel of Rob Austin’s Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship HMS Racing Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

Having a topped a special prize table which runs separately to the overall championship throughout the 2018 campaign, the Bury-based racer experienced a once in a lifetime opportunity and impressed those in attendance.

Tackling the Northamptonshire venues Grand Prix layout for the first time, Whitelegg also got his first taste of a front-wheel-drive race car by firstly experiencing a number of passenger laps with BTCC race-winner Austin before being unleashed behind the wheel himself.

“This test has been, in a word, awesome!” Whitelegg said. “In every sense of the word the whole experience was awesome, absolutely brilliant. I’m lost for words to be honest, everything was better than I could have even imagined. The braking of the car, the acceleration, the handling and balance, everything was superb.

“I had a spin on my first lap, at The Loop, but I got going again without any problems and then just continued to build and build every lap. Rob [Austin] had told me the left-rear tyre would be cold and, sure enough, it was! I just played myself into it steadily, built up the speed, and by the end I really felt I was on it. The Alfa was handling superbly, the HMS Racing guys have done an amazing job.

“The Becketts sequence is unbelievable in a top-line touring car, I’ve no idea how the F1 drivers go through there like they do. I’d never driven the GP track before, so the experience was incredible – I had visions of Mansell passing Piquet!

“I’m so grateful to Simon [Belcher – DUO Motorsport with HMS Racing team principal], Rob [Austin] and the entire team who were fantastic all day, plus Phil Cooper at Legends of course, for an amazing day I’ll always remember.”

HMS Racing’s Belcher added: “The day went really well and everyone had a great time. Obviously, Steve has been in Legends for a long time and he’s continued to up his game every year, he’s done a great job and really deserved this prize. There were a couple of runs at the start as a passenger, to get a feel for everything and take advice from Rob, and then he had his run.

“He doesn’t have any front-wheel drive experience at all, so to get behind the wheel of a podium-finishing BTCC car for the first time Steve had a lot to learn but got up to speed quickly and did a very good job. He did everything we could have asked, brought the car back in one piece and had a huge smile on his face!”

Also joining Whitelegg at Silverstone to experience a handful of passenger laps with Austin were fellow Legends competitors Sean Smith, Jack Parker and Nathan Anthony who finished second, fourth and fifth in the prize table respectively.

Newly crowned five-time champion John Mickel, who ended the year third in the BTCC prize test table, was unable to attend the event due to work commitments.

Ginetta reveals 2019 championship calendars

Ginetta has revealed a bumper events calendar for 2019 with all five of its categories once again returning to the track to crown the latest set of champions.

Consisting of 92 individual races and participating at nine different venues around the UK and mainland Europe, the forthcoming 2019 campaign is set to be the biggest yet for the manufacturer.

Both the Ginetta Junior Championship and Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup will fly the flag for the Yorkshire brand as they take their place on the TOCA support package.

Supporting the British Touring Car Championship, both categories flourished in 2018 with Adam Smalley and Charlie Ladell savouring title glory and the two championships will crown new victors next year.

Juniors will feature at all ten BTCC events whilst the Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup will miss two events, the first of two visits to Thruxton in May and then later in the season at Snetterton as the second half of the campaign roars into life.

The Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge will also make fleeting visits on the TOCA support package too, filling in the gaps of the Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup. The remaining rounds of the GT5 Challenge will be played out on the British GT support package

Alongside the GT5 Challenge on the SRO package is the road-based Ginetta G40 Cup, which in recent years has continued to flourish.

Capping off what is shaping up to be a blockbuster year of track action for Ginetta will see a grid of complete novices begin their journey towards becoming fully-fledged racing drivers, taking the plunge as part of the Ginetta Racing Drivers Club (GRDC).

Ashley Gallagher, Ginetta Championship Manager, said: “2018 was a brilliant year for Ginetta Championships, with over 130 drivers racing with us across the five grids, and with the announcement of another exciting calendar of events coupled with the current high level of interest already for next season, there is no doubt that 2019 will see an even busier season across all the grids!”

To view the full 2019 championship calendar for each Ginetta category, click here.