Blockbuster weekend awaits the BARC at Brands Hatch

Brands Hatch beckons for the British Automobile Racing Club this weekend (June 5/6) for what should be an unmissable race meeting around the Indy circuit, headlined by no less than five races from the British Truck Racing Championship.

In what is one of the must-see events on the UK motorsport calendar, the titans of truck racing will lift the curtain on a brand-new season whilst a number of other championships will also take centre stage to continue their 2021 campaign.

Having not raced at the Kent venue since 2019, this weekend’s BTRC opener is a homecoming of sorts and the expectation that neither Division 1 or Division 2 is going to disappoint those in attendance and watching live online.

Boasting an ultra-competitive entry list throughout, many eyes will be on Ryan Smith in Division 1 as he bids to clinch a sixth consecutive title. Cementing his status as the driver to beat in the premier class over the past five years, Smith has his sights set on making more history however he faces stiff competition.

Former champions David Jenkins and Stuart Oliver are stalwarts of the championship and know what it takes to win. Having run Smith close in recent years, both will be confident that they can string together a season-long challenge to dethrone the current king.

In Division 2, Steven Powell will don the mantel of defending champion. Having narrowly missed out on the crown on a number of occasions, Powell made no mistake in 2020 as he stormed to the title in style.

Now aiming to clinch back-to-back crowns, Powell will be eager to pick up where he left off last year however he too faces competition from a raft of challengers. Former champion Adam Bint, Brad Smith, John Powell, John Bowler and Paul Rivett have all triumphed in the past and will be worth keeping an eye on.

The Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres has proven to be a fan favourite down the years and they will look to steal the show as always. Former champion Miles Rudman holds the early advantage as the pocket rockets descend on the Indy circuit however he will need to be in top form to remain there.

As always, the battle for supremacy is as fraught as ever and with the likes of John Mickel, Daniel Clark, Jack Parker, Steve Whitelegg and Nick Bridgeman, to name but a few, all racing, all bets are off.

Towards the end of the lunchbreak on Sunday there is to be a special two-lap parade in memory of late Legends racer Gerard McCosh. The popular competitor, who tragically lost his life in February after a battle with cancer, will be celebrated by all of his friends within the paddock.

After a year on the sidelines, the Pickup Truck Racing Championship made a popular return at Mallory Park last month and is now revved up to produce more edge-of-the-seat entertainment.

Two pulsating encounters around the Mallory Oval saw Reece Jones triumph to grab the early initiative and he will be hoping for more of the same at Brands. With two races scheduled to play out though, the likes of George Turiccki, Dale Gent, Michael Smith, Daniel Petters, Dean Tompkins and Mark Willis will all undoubtedly be in contention towards the front.

Vintage thrills will be offered up by the Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship as they write the latest chapter in their season. Steve McDermid scored a sensational hat-trick at the MGOC curtain-raiser and he will be keen to continue his fine form.

Meanwhile, Simon Kendrick, Stephen Amphlett, Stuart Plotnek and Chris Millard have underlined their credentials towards the sharp end of the grid in the past and any one of them could stake their claim around the Indy circuit.

Also taking fans on a spirited trip down memory lane will be the 2CVParts.com Championship. Steeped in more than 30 years of history, the championship has established itself as one of the most exciting single-make categories that runs today.

Multiple champion Pete Sparrow has his sights set on regaining the crown he lost to Alec Graham last year and he made the perfect start by tallying a brace of wins around the undulating twists and turns of the Lincolnshire-based venue. Whether or not he can continue his fine form remains to be seen.

Fresh off the back of their Bank Holiday Monday showing at Donington Park, the Kumho BMW Championship has a quick turnaround to return to the action. Home to all models that run the iconic Bavarian brand logo, the series enjoyed a superlative start a few days ago and

Rounding out the weekend’s track action at Brands Hatch will be contests from the MINI CHALLENGE Trophy and Avon Tyres Intermarque Silhouettes.

To find out more information on this weekend’s two-day event at Brands Hatch, such as the Entry List and Timetable, CLICK HERE.