Category: Barc

MINI CHALLENGE to run sustainable fuel development car

Organisers of the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE have announced that a special guest car will join its grid for the 2024 season to help develop new sustainable fuels as the series aims to transition to 100% sustainable fuels by 2028.

The car, which will run in the new JCW Sport category, will be used for ongoing development of sustainable fuels for use in the series, with a gradually increasing proportion of the fuel to be used in the car coming from a sustainable source.

The long term strategy for the series is to have all competing cars powered by 100 per cent sustainable fuels by the 2028 season, with a phased reduction in the amount of traditional fossil fuels used for race machinery from 2025 onwards.

The fuel development car will be run in-house by a MINI CHALLENGE UK team and will be available to drivers who want to not only sample the new JCW Sport category, but also have a desire to help make motorsport in the UK more sustainable going forwards.

“Sustainable fuels are going to be key part of the landscape in motorsport in the coming years, particularly at national level,” series promoter Antony Williams said.

“Our goal as a championship is to work towards having all cars running on 100% sustainable fuels in the next three to four years, and certainly by the start of the 2028 season.

“The first stage of this is the development car that we will run in the JCW Sport class this season, which will start the year running on a significant proportion of sustainable fuels. Over the year, we will then reduce the amount of fossil fuels required and work on introducing the new fuel for 2025 as development work continues.”

The first driver who will get behind the wheel of the car is Hannah Chapman, who has previously competed in both the Cooper and JCW categories.

Global Media Properties named exclusive commercial partner for BTCC

The British Touring Car Championship has announced the appointment of Global Media Properties (GMP) as its Exclusive Commercial Partnership Agency.

This partnership heralds a new era of strategic collaboration aimed at driving innovation, fostering new partnerships, and enhancing consumer experiences within the UK’s premier motorsport series.

In its capacity as the Exclusive Commercial Partner, GMP will spearhead the development and execution of a dynamic commercial strategy tailored to meet the evolving demands of modern businesses and audiences. This entails reimagining the BTCC’s commercial proposition to align seamlessly with contemporary content and ROI expectations while unlocking new avenues for growth and engagement.

Moreover, GMP will extend its expertise to BTCC teams, offering support in their pursuit of new partnerships and sponsorship opportunities, further enriching the competitive landscape of the championship.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “As we embark on this exciting journey with GMP, we are confident that their innovative approach and strategic insights will elevate the BTCC to new heights of commercial success and audience engagement.”

“Securing the BTCC as a client is a testament to our commitment to excellence and innovation in the field of commercial partnerships,” added Greg Albrecht, CEO of Global Media Properties. “We are eager to collaborate with Alan and his team to unlock the full potential of the championship and deliver unparalleled value to commercial partners and consumers alike.”

CNC Heads Sport/Saloons poised for Donington Park opener

The 2024 CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship kicks off this weekend, with a double header at Donington Park. Defending Champion Ian Bamber is an absentee from the opener, but runner up Roddie Paterson heads the entry in his Caterham C400.

There are three strong entries in Class A, where having raced a Seat TCR last season, Garry Wardle is due out in an Audi A3 TCR. He will be up against long time sponsor Ric Wood, who is in his Ford Capri GAA. Completing the Class line-up and a possible outright winner is Andrew Southcott, who took a number of victories last season too.

Paterson heads Class B, with no less than 13 entries. Tim Foxlow and Daz Owen are both out in their Escort Mk1 RSR’s, Owen has already been out in Modified Ford’s this season. Mark Primett is back again with his quick Banks Lotus Europa, along with former Champion Jamie Cryer in his Ginetta G20. Bod Buckby has moved up to a beefier Caterham, hence his change of class from Class C and local driver Tom Frankland will be looking for a good result in his Renault 5GT Turbo.

Richard Hall has changed his Caterham to a CSR, while having previously raced a Ginetta G40, Connor Modro is out in a Westfield Aero. Occasional visitor Tim Moll has entered his VW Golf and newcomers Paul Masters, Tom Church and Gareth John are bringing their respective Westfield, MGF and Ginetta G40.

There are no Class C cars, but Class D has an excellent nine car line-up, led by Oliver Thomas’ Subaru Impreza. Having missed some of the latter rounds in 2023, Marshall Groves returns in his Vauxhall Vectra, while Clive Dix will be planning to maximise the development work from last years success in his Mazda RX7.

Ric Walker’s Mini JCW will seeking to move up the order, while Paul Goodlad’s VW Scirocco is expected to challenge too. Watch out also for the Ford Focus of David Jones.

Having raced his BMW Compact in various guises, Steven Parker has entered a Ford Fiesta 1.6 Turbo. Cliff Butler is another occasional visitor to the Championship and joins us again with his Vauxhall Carlton, while CNC legends Ralph Underwood and Bob Claxton are back in their TR7 V8 and VW Golf.

Julian Wood has stepped down from his Kia Optima to a Class E BMW Compact, where he is joined by Championship regular Peter Koukoulas’ Toyota MR2. They are joined by Cavan Taylor, who debuted his Renault Clio part way through last season, and newcomer Wayne Spiller in his Mazda RX8. Son of David Jones, Matthew is entered in his Class E Ford Focus

There are no takers for Class F, but hopefully there will be before the next rounds.

All the action is on Saturday, with qualifying 11.35 to 11.55, Race 1 at 2.20 and race 2 at 6.16, both of 20 minutes duration.

BTCC officially launches 2024 season at Donington Park

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship has officially launched its 2024 season with confirmation that a stellar entry list will go wheel-to-wheel for the biggest prize in UK motorsport. 

Boasting a grid that is packed with former champions, proven contenders and young challengers, the battle for supremacy across the 30-race campaign looks to be as competitive as ever this year. 

Headlining the entry is reigning champion Ash Sutton, who remains with NAPA Racing UK and the Ford Focus ST for a third successive season. Coming off the back of clinching a record-equalling fourth crown last year, the 30-year-old could make history this year by becoming the first-ever driver to win the coveted crown five times. 

Sutton – who will have the number one adorning his front-wheel-drive machine – is once again joined at the Alliance Racing-run squad by Dan Cammish, Dan Rowbottom and Sam Osborne. 

EXCELR8 Motorsport have named an unchanged driver line-up with former champion Tom Ingram spearheading the Hyundai charge as he aims to reclaim the title he lost to Sutton last year. He’s joined once again by Tom Chilton, Ronan Pearson and Nick Halstead. 

Jake Hill and Colin Turkington – who like Sutton is also gunning for a fifth crown – will lead West Surrey Racing with their revised BMW 330e M Sport. Joining the two likely title protagonists is Adam Morgan, with a fourth driver potentially still to come.

Speedworks Motorsport have expanded its operation to four cars and in-doing so, it has enticed former FIA World Touring Car Championship title winner Rob Huff to return for his first full campaign in the BTCC in two decades. 

Piloting a Toyota Corolla GR Sport, Huff will partner Andrew Watson on the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK side of the garage while Josh Cook and Aiden Moffat will run under the LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ for the factory-run outfit. 

In the fight for Independent Championship honours, Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing will enter the year as favourites as they stick with their trusty Vauxhall Astra and the capable duo of Aron Taylor-Smith and Mikey Doble.

The front-wheel-drive pairing are set to face stiff opposition though from Restart Racing, who are new to the championship this year. Having acquired a pair of Cupra Leons, the fledgling team will run former race winner Chris Smiley and rookie ace Scott Sumpton. 

Completing the entry list is Unlimited Motorsport, who will field a Cupra Leon for Daryl Deleon.

The start of the new season will bring with it a host of revisions to the regulations including the new ‘Quick Six’ qualifying format and an increase in hybrid power that will be available for drivers. In addition, the series will also break new ground as it broadcasts every race live on TikTok. 

CLICK HERE for the full 2024 British Touring Car Championship entry list. 

The 2024 campaign officially commences at Donington Park on the 27-28 April.

Glorious Goodwood stages spectacular 81st Members’ Meeting

Goodwood Motor Circuit wound back the clock in style this past weekend (April 13/14) as the West Sussex venue kicked off its 2024 motor racing season with the 81st Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport.

Bringing together some of the biggest names and iconic machines in the sport, the two-day event marked the start of another unmissable year of full-throttle thrills on the famous grounds. 

Open to members and fellows of the Goodwood Road Racing Club, the Members’ Meeting is staged to recapture the intimacy and camaraderie of the race weekend’s in Goodwood’s heyday – with the British Automobile Racing Club responsible for all sporting organisational duties.

Among the countless highlights was the Gordon Spice Trophy, which saw Group 1 Touring Cars race into the Saturday evening sunset. As expected, V8s were the dominant force and a tight top-five battle ended with four-time BTCC champion Ash Sutton and Craig Davies reigning supreme in a Ford Mustang Boss 302.

After missing out on outright victory in the coveted two-driver race the day previous, Fred Shepard was able to call himself a Members’ Meeting winner as he triumphed in the Gordon Spice Sprint.

The Ken Miles Cup lived up to its billing as a full grid of 30 Ford Mustangs roared into battle and that too saw another former touring car champion, Andrew Jordan, soak up the spoils of victory as he raced alongside Michael Whitaker. 

Monstrous GT machines took centre stage for the Graham Hill Trophy with the TVR Griffiths and AC Cobras proving difficult to live with. The appropriately named Miles Griffiths took victory in a TVR ahead of Alex Buncombe. 

Sleek sportscars provided a momentous sight in the Peter Collins Trophy as Richard Wilson piloted his Maserati 250S to a relatively comfortable victory – more than six seconds in fact – over Frederic Wakeman.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Bugatti Type 35 and in true Goodwood style a celebration was had as a glittering array of 1920s grand prix cars graced the tarmac. Julian Majzub was the star of the show as he beat Duncan Pittaway to top spot. 

One of the fastest races of the weekend was the Surtees Trophy, where sports prototypes of the early 1960s delivered a mesmerising showcase of all things speed. Both John Spiers and Alex Brundle starred towards the sharp end but it was Ben Mitchell that ultimately triumphed.

It wouldn’t be the Members’ Meeting without the Derek Bell Cup and this year’s edition was one to remember as a bumper grid of Formula 3 racers didn’t disappoint. Despite having to contend with a short stoppage, Michael O’Brien produced a daring overtake to beat Andrew Hibberd to the win.

Elsewhere, grand prix and voiturette cars featured in the Parnell Cup which was won by William Nuthall while Majzub and Mark Walker scored a wine apiece in the S.F. Edge Trophy. 

Rounding out the 81st Members’ Meeting track action was the Hailwood Trophy, where Phil Atkinson proved to be in a league of his own on two wheels as he claimed victory in both races aboard his Yamaha TZ350G.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at the Goodwood 81st Members’ Meeting, CLICK HERE.

Snetterton delivers all-action BARC race weekend

The British Automobile Racing Club put on a show around Snetterton’s 300 circuit this past weekend (April 13/14) as a number of championships continued, as well as started, their 2024 campaigns with two days of exceptional action-packed racing. 

On was the first of several visits the Club will make to the Norfolk venue over the course of this year, four categories took centre stage to write the latest chapter of their stories for the crowd watching in attendance and at home via YouTube.

The British Endurance Championship in association with Motorsport UK saw PB Racing with JMH maintain their 100% winning record in 2024 as Peter Erceg and Marcus Clutton charged to a dominant lights-to-flag victory.

After reigning supreme at the series’ Donington Park curtain-raiser last month, the Audi GT3 duo were among the favourites to star at Snetterton and they didn’t disappoint as they quickly showcased that they were in a league of their own.

Clinching a commanding pole position during qualifying, the only challenge that Erceg ended up facing was the hustle and bustle of the opening lap, where he was briefly put under pressure by the Porsche’s of Team Tasman and Road & Competition Engineering through turns one and two. 

Once clear, Erceg built up a steady advantage throughout his stint before handing the car over to Clutton, who was wheel-perfect to the finish. In the end the pair took the chequered flag five clear laps ahead of their nearest challengers.

Behind the eventual race winners, Team Tasman – which was made up of David Harrison and Nathan Luckey in a Porsche 991.2 Cup – secured a spot on the second step of the podium after holding off the race-long charge of Chris Murphy in his BMW E46 GTR, who finished third. 

Caterham Motorsport began their 2024 season in style with four of their five championships producing a plethora of thrills and spills across an unmissable 11 races. 

In the Mission Motorsport Caterham Seven 270R Championship, spoils were shared between Nick Bryant, Toby Ballard and Ben Timmons whilst Hugo Bush, Harry Cook and Lars Alexander Hoffman did the same in the Motul Caterham Seven 310R Championship.

More than 40 cars lined up to battle for supremacy in the Bilstein Caterham Roadsport Championship however there was one name that stood head and shoulders above the rest to win both races, Jonathan Emery. 

There was virtually nothing to separate defending champion Lewis Thompson and William Smith in the Vertex Caterham Seven UK Championship. Thompson laid down his marker with victory in the opener however try as he might, he couldn’t overhaul Smith in the remaining two bouts. 

Harry Hickton emerged as one of the leading lights from the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Trophy as he produced a near-perfect display to claim the early bragging rights at the top of the championship standings. 

Kicking off a brand-new campaign with three action-packed races, Hickton reigned supreme in the popular one-make series as he claimed victory in two of the three contests, while Sam Gornall secured the remaining honours that were up for grabs.

After shadowing Gornall to the chequered flag in race one, Westbourne Motorsport’s Hickton was a tour-de-force in race two as he went from ninth to first in just over a lap and once out front, he was uncatchable as he pulled clear to claim a long-awaited maiden win. 

The Hampshire-based racer didn’t have to wait too long for a second win in the championship as he utilised another of his demon starts to jump into the lead at the start and then control proceedings while Alex Solley and Reece Lycett trailed him in second and third.  

Concluding the weekend’s track action around Snetterton were two races from the Britcar Trophy Championship which, like the British Endurance Championship, was back competing following a pulsating season-opener a couple of weeks’ back. 

Simon Mason and Chris Bialan picked up where they left off a few weeks ago by chalking up their second consecutive victory in their Cupra Gen 1. After qualifying inside the top three, the duo were in scintillating form as they carved their way to the front to ultimately triumph.

Maurizio Sciglio then led home a Datum Motorsport 1-2-3 in the weekend’s finale as he led home Axel van Nederveen and Marco Anstasti. Sciglio’s victory means that three driver entries have now stood on the top step of the podium across the opening four races.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Snetterton, CLICK HERE. 

Watch all of the action back from both days via the BARC’s official YouTube channel HERE.

Job Vacancy: BARC Marketing Executive

The British Automobile Racing Club is currently recruiting for the role of Marketing Executive at its headquarters at Thruxton Circuit.

An exciting and creative role, the Marketing Executive will be responsible for delivering the digital marketing output and communications for the BARC Group, including the club and its membership, the five venues and their events, as well as on-site activities including: driving experiences, karting, skid pan, 4×4 and corporate offerings.

Reporting to the Group Head of Marketing and Communications, the Marketing Executive will bring a fresh, creative and consistent tone to the company’s online presence, capture and engage prospective experience/event day purchasers across our digital channels and help to shape how the BARC presents itself to new audiences. 

The role will be predominately based at the Club’s HQ at Thruxton Circuit, but travel to other circuits and events will be necessary. 

The growing team will develop and promote events and activities across the BARC portfolio, playing a large part in marketing new and exciting BARC experiences.

To view the full Marketing Executive Job Description, CLICK HERE. 

All applicants should provide CV and Covering Letter to Ben Norton: ben.norton@barc.net 

BARC TV: What’s On This Weekend // April 13-14

The British Automobile Racing Club sets course for Norfolk this weekend (April 13-14) for a full-throttle weekend of racing around Snetterton’s challenging 300 layout.

Two weeks on from a packed 2024 curtain-raising weekend, the Club is back with a bumper two days of track action which is headlined by the British Endurance Championship in association with Motorsport UK.

Elsewhere, four Caterham Motorsport categories – as well as the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Trophy – will be in action for the first time this year whilst the Britcar Trophy Championship also makes an appearance.

Make sure you don’t miss any of the on-track entertainment by using the key timings and links below:

Saturday 13th April – Snetterton 300 – 12:20 – WATCH HERE

Sunday 14th April – Snetterton 300 – 09:15 – WATCH HERE

To find out more information on this weekend’s race meetings at Snetterton, including the official entry lists and timetable, CLICK HERE.

Don’t miss any future BARC LIVE events either by subscribing to our YouTube channel HERE.

British Hillclimb Championship postpones 2024 season-opener

The British Hillclimb Championship presented by Nova Motorsport has announced that its opening rounds of the 2024 season at Prescott have been postponed due to extreme wet weather.

Originally scheduled to take place on April 20/21, the recent torrential rain that has battered large parts of the United Kingdom has made it unviable for the meeting to proceed as planned.

With Prescott being moved back to a later date in the season, the 2024 campaign will now commence in Northern Ireland at Craigantlet on Saturday 4th May.

“We appreciate this decision will cause disappointment, but would like to reassure everyone that it has not been taken lightly,” read a statement from championship organisers.

“Considering the importance of this event being the opening round of both the British and Midland Hill Climb Championships and having assessed the ground conditions in conjunction with the long-range weather forecast, we felt there was no choice other than to postpone the meeting.
“The new rescheduled date has been set for 17th & 18th August. All Competitors and General Admission ticket holders have automatically been transferred to this new date and notified directly of this change.”
For more information on the British Hillclimb Championship presented by Nova Motorsport, visit https://www.britishhillclimb.co.uk/.

Nova Motorsport signs five-year deal with British Hillclimb Championship

Nova Motorsport has announced the signing of a landmark five-year strategic partnership with the Motorsport UK British Hillclimb Championship, which has in-turn secured the future of the premier hillclimb series in the United Kingdom.

Inspired by heritage and dedicated to technical excellence, Nova Motorsport has acquired the assets of Avon Motorsport from Cooper Tire – who have been long-term tyre suppliers for the championship.

Supported by BMTR, that partnership is set to continue moving forward this year with Nova Motorsport committing themselves as official tyre suppliers and also developing new products for the future.

Jack Price, Product Category Manager at Nova Motorsport, said: “Hillclimbing holds a very special place in the hearts of everyone at Nova Motorsport.

“We are honoured to uphold the legacy of Avon Motorsport and continue its support for the Motorsport UK British Hillclimb Championship with the announcement of Nova Motorsport as the title sponsor of the series for five years.

“This partnership not only reaffirms Nova Motorsport’s dedication to the sport; it also underscores our mission to provide the highest quality products and services to drivers and teams competing at the highest level.”

Tim Wilson, Championship Co-ordinator of the British Hillclimb Championship, added: “Nova Motorsport’s commitment to the Motorsport UK British Hillclimb Championship is instrumental in helping us to drive towards a bright future for the sport.

“We are delighted to collaborate with a company that shares our passion for excellence and innovation.”

BARC delivers Brands Hatch blockbuster on Easter Sunday and Monday

The British Automobile Racing Club concluded its blockbuster Easter bank holiday weekend at Brands Hatch on Sunday and Monday (March 31/April 1) with seven more championships bursting into life to kick-start their 2024 campaigns in action-packed style.

Taking centre stage in front of a bumper crowd at the Kent venue, no less than 21 races played out around the challenging 1.2-mile Indy circuit – each of which were packed with the traditional thrills (and occasional spills) that fans have become accustomed to. 

Headlining the action were five heavyweight contests from the British Truck Racing Championship, which this year again boasted another ultra-competitive grid across both of its classes. 

In Division 1, reigning eight-time champion and title favourite Ryan Smith dominated proceedings on the first day of running as he powered his Daimler Freightliner to pole position and back-to-back race wins in commanding fashion. 

Unfortunately Smith was unable to repeat the feat on Easter Monday as windscreen issues plagued him in a handful of races. Instead, local driver Steven Powell would score a brace of his own whilst David Jenkins also opened his account for the year with a win in the finale.

Division 2 was ultimately all about one driver; defending champion Paul Rivett. Returning with NAPA Racing UK for a second successive season, Rivett enjoyed a dream weekend as he scooped all five Division 2 wins and even scored the overall victory in race four. 

The Junior Saloon Car Championship launched its 10th Anniversary season in superlative style with second-year racer Harry Smith showing his class by taking a clean sweep of pole positions and race wins.

Continuing to serve as a launchpad for drivers aged 14 to 17, the one-make series demonstrated why it remains on the UK’s premier junior championships with two entertaining bouts. 

Smith, who was one of the leading lights last year, underlined his credentials as being a star for the future as he charged to victory ahead of Jonathan Moore and James Sherrington, who each claimed a brace of podiums. 

Matt Simpson began his pursuit of the Pickup Truck Racing Championship on the right foot as he claimed two of the three race wins that were up for grabs, while Allen Cooper scored the remaining victory. 

Following the news that two-time champion Reece Jones will not be competing this year, the battle for supremacy in the series is set to be wide open, and Simpson wasted no time in establishing himself as the lead contender to possibly capture the crown.

Near capacity grids and close-quarter racing was the story of the SIM Motorsport Caterham Graduates Championship, which served up no less than four races during the weekend – each of which proved to be as captivating as the previous one.

Tom McEwing and Paul Goldstein claimed a win apiece in the two Sigma 135 races whilst Jamie Ellwood and reigning double champion Harry Senior emerged victorious from the remaining two thrilling Sigma 150 contests. 

Andy Preece made a flying start to life in the Adrian Flux Insurance MG Owners Club Championship – which was boasting one of its most competitive entries in recent years – as he opened his 2024 account with two narrow victories. 

At the wheel of his MG ZR, Preece fended off Mark Baker and Martin Willis in a pulsating opening encounter before then repeating the feat in race two, this time with Steve McDermid and Ryley Price as his main protagonists. 

Elsewhere, Ross Alexander was wheel-perfect in the MINI CHALLENGE Clubsport with Airtec Motorsport as he claimed a clean sweep of race wins.

Looking to build on an encouraging 2023 campaign, the MINI Cooper S driver had the measure of last year’s overall victor Stephen Berry and the rest of the field to comfortably romp to a hat-trick of victories, laying his marker down as the one to beat in the process. 

Rounding out the bank holiday action at Brands Hatch were two races from Track Action, which is previously went by the name of the Track Attack Race Club. Gareth Porter and Paul Roddison proved to be the cream of the crop from the budget-conscious category as they each snared a win apiece.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Brands Hatch, click here. 

Donington Park plays host to thrilling BARC 2024 season-opener

The British Automobile Racing Club kicked off its 2024 season in action-packed style at Donington Park this past bank holiday weekend (March 29/30) with no less than 12 different championships taking centre stage on the world-famous Grand Prix circuit.

Following months of excitement, anticipation and preparation, a bumper crowd flocked to the Leicestershire venue to witness an Easter extravaganza of wheel-to-wheel entertainment and high drama. 

Headlining the two-day meeting was the coveted British Endurance Championship in association with Motorsport UK, which lifted the curtain on its brand-new campaign with a spectacular two-hour contest. 

Boasting a monstrous grid of GT3 and GT4 machines, battles took place up and down the field however there was no denying PB Racing with JMH at the front of it – as Peter Erceg and Hugo Cook teamed up to claim a commanding victory in their Audi R8 GT3.

After coming close to the coveted crown last year, Erceg entered the campaign as one of the title favourites and he duly lived up to the hype as he punched in a superlative lap in qualifying to net pole position. He did so on his own too due to Cook travelling down from Oulton Park at the time of the session. 

Sharing the front row of the grid with the Lamborghini GT3 of John Seale and Jamie Stanley, Erceg wasted no time in making his escape from the chasing pack as the lights went out, carving out a substantial advantage during his stint before handing the reigns over to Cook.

When Cook took over at the wheel, the Audi outfit were relatively untroubled for the remainder of the contest with Seale and Stanley trailing by a lap at the finish. Completing the overall podium was the impressive Xentek Motorsport entry of Josh Steed and Ban Sidhu in their Porsche GT4. 

Further endurance thrills and spills were also provided over the course of the weekend by the Britcar Trophy Championship, which staged two frenetic 50-minute races under the flightpath of East Midlands airport. 

Race one proved to be an all Ginetta affair at the front as Seb Dubois survived a chaotic opening few laps to eventually take a comfortable victory over Datum Motorsport. Avoiding a number of clashing cars on the opening tour, Dubois showcased his talents as he carved his way to the front and ultimately triumph by more than 11 seconds in his G56 GTA. 

Behind, Maurizio Sciglio and Marco Anstasi – two of last year’s benchmark drivers in the series – enjoyed a superlative scrap to round out the remaining positions on the podium.

Britcar Trophy’s second bout proved to be just action-packed as the Sim Dynamics with Jabbasport SEAT Cupra Gen 1 of Chris Bialan and Simon Mason edged out Axel van Nederveen to claim a famous victory. 

Bialan and Mason battled their way to the front of the field from the second row of the grid and looked an irresistible force however all eyes would be focused on van Nederveen as he carved his way from dead-last to finish a couple of seconds away from the top step of the rostrum. 

Action aplenty best characterised the Classic Touring Car Racing Club – which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in association with the BARC this year – across the weekend.

Joe Ferguson made a wheel-perfect start to the new season in the Everard Garage Equipment Pre-66 Touring Cars as he claimed victory by more than eight seconds in race one. Things were a lot closer in race two however as Peter Mutlow Smith triumphed following a time-penalty for Tom Bell. 

Stuart Waite was perfection personified as he claimed overall honours in both amalgamated Pre-83, Pre-93 and Super Tourer races. Back behind the wheel of his BMW M3, last year’s Pre-93 champion reigned supreme in style whilst the Super Tourers in particular faced mechanical heartache.

The Edmundson Electrical Classic Thunder showcased another flame-spitting grid once again and two familiar names, Bryan Bransom and Kevin Clarke – tallied a win apiece. Capping off the CTCRC action were a pair of races from the Pre-03 Touring Cars and Blue Oval Saloon Series, both of which were won by Piers Grange.

Concluding the weekend’s action at Donington Park were also races from the Mini 7 Racing Club and British Superkart Racing Championship. 

Former British Touring Car Championship title winner Andrew Jordan was unstoppable in the Dunlop Mini Se7en Championship race to take two wins whilst Jeff Smith and Endaf Owens shared the spoils in the Dunlop Mini Miglia Championship.

In the Super Series by the British Superkart Racing Club, Liam Morley visited the top step of the rostrum twice whilst Tom Rushforth claimed the remaining victory that was up for grabs.

To view the full classification of sessions results from Donington Park, click here.