The British Automobile Racing Club served up a bank holiday blockbuster at Brands Hatch this past weekend (April 19-20) as the British Truck Racing Championship rumbled into life for the first time this season.

In front of a packed crowd at the world-famous Kent venue, the heavyweight behemoths lifted the curtain on a brand-new campaign with five colossal contests that had everyone perched on the edge of their seats.

Reigning nine-time champion Ryan Smith entered the weekend as the serial favourite and he duly lived up to all expectations as he underlined his credentials by powering his Worldwide Truck Racing Daimler Freightliner to pole position in qualifying.

Smith converted his front-row start into an impressive lights-to-flag victory in race one however he far from had things his own way as he was pushed all the way by fellow former title winners Stuart Oliver and David Jenkins.

While Smith would go on to triumph twice more over the course of the weekend, ten-time champion Oliver also made a welcome return to the top step of the podium as he chalked up a brace of his own.

Further back, fans were treated to plenty of breathtaking moments as the likes of Tom O’Rourke, Martin Gibson, David Smith and John Bowler all found themselves in the thick of the action across both days.

In Division 2, youthful exuberance and wily experience was on full display as debutant Jake Evans and last year’s runner-up Simon Cole enjoyed a share of the spoils. Evans reigned supreme on Saturday by triumphing twice before Cole came to the fore on Sunday, tallying a hat-trick of wins.

The Classic Touring Car Racing Club made its second appearance of the campaign and the first of three trips to Brands Hatch this year. Armed with a bumper grid of iconic saloon cars, a trip down memory lane proved captivating for all involved.

Defending Pre-66 Touring Cars champion Ian Thompson was wheel perfect in his Lotus Cortina as he claimed two wins while Jonathan Corker ruled the roost in his Datsun 510 in the weekend’s two Pre-83 Touring Car contests.

Elsewhere, Piers Grange proved too hot to handle in the amalgamated Pre-93 Touring Car, Pre-03 Touring Car and Blue Oval Saloon Series races, winning both in impressive fashion from behind the wheel of his monstrous Ford Escort.

Rounding out the CTCRC entertainment were two races from the flame-spitting Classic Thunder and Historic Thunder categories. Colin Voyce showcased why he was the driver to beat last year as he followed suit and guided his Ford Escort to a clean sweep of race wins.

Variety was the spice of life when it came to the Milltek Civic Cup – which was back in action after a pulsating curtain-raiser at Donington Park last month – as three different drivers stood on the top step of the rostrum.

Former TCR UK champion Lewis Kent clinched the bragging rights in the opening bout however he was unable to repeat his heroics in race two as Jack Ruddell edged out Jake Hewlett to win. Liam McGill then added his name to the honours list with a commanding race three victory.

The Junior Saloon Car Championship wrote the latest chapter of its 2025 season with a thrilling two races around the 1.2-mile Indy layout. Unfortunately, the series’ third race was abandoned on Sunday due to barrier damage from a previous race.

In the contests that were run, Josh Selvadorai took the chequered flag on the road in race one however a ten-second penalty for exceeding track limits dropped him down the order and in-turn, handed Luca Masarati a maiden victory.

Fuelled by the disappointment of missing out in race one, Selvadorai made no mistake in race two as he came out on top of an almighty battle with Wilf Butler to claim a hard-fought victory.

Rounding out the weekend at Brands Hatch were also races from the moobob Caterham Academy Championship and the Track Action Racing Club.

Home to drivers that are taking their first steps into motorsport, the Caterham Academy delivered its traditional close-quarter racing that culminated in Max Richardson beating Kyle Townend by just a tenth of a second.

In Track Action, TCR UK race winner Adam Shepherd got behind the wheel of a Honda Integra DC5 to win in somewhat commanding fashion. Like the JSCC, the series’ second race was unfortunately abandoned due to barrier damage on Sunday.

To view the full classification of results from Brands Hatch, CLICK HERE.

Every single race is also available to watch at the click of the button on the BARC’s official Youtube channel, HERE.