Category: Barc

TCR UK set for blockbuster 2026 season opener at Brands Hatch

The TCR UK Touring Car Championship roars back into life this weekend as the 2026 season gets underway at the iconic Brands Hatch Indy circuit.

With a packed and ultra-competitive grid assembled, the opening rounds promise to set the tone for what is shaping up to be one of the most exciting campaigns in recent years.

Strength in depth across the grid

A diverse mix of race winners, experienced contenders and rising talent will line-up on the Kent grid, all aiming to make an early statement in the title fight.

Returning champions Lewis Kent and Carl Boardley will be looking to restamp their authority at Brands Hatch. Two-time champion Boardley will harness a new Honda FL5 TCR – one of five Japanese machines expected on the grid this year, while 2019 champion Kent is behind the wheel of the Chinese Lynk & Co 03.

Even more drivers are returning for more door-to-door battles. Ireland’s Barry-John McHenry, who pilots an Audi RS3 TCR Gen2 will be looking for early podiums, while fellow countryman Rod McGovern brings the ever-competitive CUPRA Leon VZ TCR to the grid as he targets the rostrum in 2026.

The Audi contingent is bolstered further by drivers such as Jac Constable and Russell Joyce, while the Hyundai camp features proven pace through Scotland’s Callum Newsham in the futuristic looking Elantra N TCR and tin-top favourite Rick Kerry in the proven i30.

Honda machinery is set to play a major role throughout the season, with multiple drivers – including Harry Bloor, Max Hart, Jenson O’Neill Going and Maximus Hall alongside Boardley in the latest Civic Type R FL5 TCR.

Elsewhere, the grid showcases the variety that has become synonymous with TCR competition. Brad Hutchison and Mark Smith unite to bring a pair of tried and trusted CUPRAs to the pack, while Jeff Alden hopes to giant kill in the Gen 1 Opel Astra. As will new recruit Luke Allen in his Gen 1 Volkswagen Golf.

This blend of youth and experience ensures that battles will take place throughout the field – not just at the sharp end – making every race a must-watch affair.

Proven format, close competition

Renowned for its close, wheel-to-wheel racing, TCR UK continues to provide one of the most competitive platforms in British motorsport.
With tightly controlled technical regulations and a balance of performance model that keeps cars closely matched, the championship consistently delivers unpredictable results and dramatic on-track action.

The short, flowing nature of the Brands Hatch Indy circuit only adds to the spectacle, placing a premium on precision, racecraft and consistency from lights out to chequered flag.

Title race begins

As ever, the opening weekend of the season offers the first real indication of form—but with such a competitive entry list, picking an early favourite is no easy task.

What is certain, however, is that the battle for supremacy in 2026 will be hard-fought from the very first lap.

With teams primed and anticipation building, the stage is set for the TCR UK Championship to once again deliver high-octane entertainment.
Brands Hatch provides the perfect backdrop—and by the end of the weekend, the first chapter of the 2026 title fight will begin. Hold onto your hats!.

BARC hatches a packed schedule for Easter spectacular at Brands Hatch

The 2026 British Automobile Racing Club season continues this weekend as the BARC descends on Brands Hatch for a blockbuster two-day meeting on the Indy circuit.

Taking place across the 4-5 April, the event marks the club’s first visit of the year to the iconic Kent venue – and with a packed timetable featuring championship openers, returning favourites and monstrous acts, all signs point towards an Easter weekend to remember.

Heavyweight Headliners

Topping the bill will be the British Truck Racing Championship, which begins its 2026 campaign in spectacular fashion.

With machines producing more than 1,000bhp and weighing in excess of five tonnes, the series delivers a unique brand of wheel-to-wheel action that has become a staple of the UK motorsport scene. Fans will be treated to five races across the weekend, ensuring plenty of opportunities to witness the big rigs in full flight.

Packed programme all weekend

Alongside the Trucks is a behemoth of a timetable – there will be no shortage of entertainment from lights out to chequered flag come Sunday evening.

The TCR UK Championship kicks off its season too, bringing ultra-competitive touring car action to the Indy layout. Meanwhile, the ever-popular MINI CHALLENGE Clubsport also gets underway, promising close, high-energy racing in the one-make formula.

The Civic Cup boasts the biggest grid of the weekend with over 30 Civics all set to buzz around the short, sharp Indy layout.

Elsewhere, fans can look forward to the return of the Pickup Truck Racing Championship to the BARC package, adding even more variety to the weekend.

Rounding out the programme are the CMMC Super Saloons and Production Saloons who join the BARC timetable this Easter, ensuring a diverse mix of machinery that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of club racing in the UK.

A fan-favourite fixture

Traditionally one of the most well-attended events on the BARC calendar, the Brands Hatch Indy weekend has become synonymous with big grids, close racing and an electric atmosphere.

Set within the natural amphitheatre of the Indy circuit, spectators are able to take in almost the entire lap from a single vantage point – making it one of the best viewing experiences in British motorsport. Even better, you will be able to walk with giants on Sunday afternoon as BARC throws open the grid walk to all race goers to get a chance of seeing these machines up close.

From heavyweight trucks to nimble touring cars and everything in between, the stage is set for a full-throttle Easter weekend in Kent.
If the opening events of the season are anything to go by, fans can expect more of the same: close competition, diverse grids and non-stop track action as the BARC season continues to gather pace.

British F4 extends Wera Tools title partnership ahead of new season

The F4 British Championship certified by FIA and Motorsport UK have announced the extension of its partnership with with Wera Tools, which will see the global tool manufacturer continue as the series’ title sponsor for the 2026 season.

Continuing to be titled the ‘Wera Tools F4 British Championship certified by FIA’ for a second successive campaign, 2026 will mark the fifth year that the international hand tool company and the UK’s premier single-seater category have been in association with each other.

Ian Walford, Managing Director of Wera Tools UK, said: “British F4 is the pinnacle single-seater series in the UK. The championship is the best proving ground for young talent on these shores, not just behind the wheel, but in the garages also.

“Wera is a brand always looking to strive towards innovation and clever ways of working, and there are clear parallels with the hard work and dedication put in by the mechanics, engineers and drivers fighting it out for the top-step of the podium. Last year was an exemptional year for Wera Tools and the championship and we can’t wait to see what the 2026 season brings!”

Eve Lake-Grange, British F4 Championship Manager, added: “We’re delighted to continue our partnership with Wera Tools and look forward to strengthening what is an already successful collaboration over the course of the coming season.

“Wera Tools has fully embraced this partnership from the very beginning and the brilliant news is that it’s showing no signs of slowing down. British F4 prides itself on being the UK’s premier single-seater series and being aligned with a brand like Wera Tools reinforces that.

“We have, and will continue, to work closely with the team at Wera Tools to ensure we are delivering the absolute maximum to our teams, drivers and also the spectators, who are such an important part of our sport.”

The 2026 Wera Tools F4 British Championship certified by FIA season begins at Donington Park on the 18-19 April.

Porsche Great Britain announce Carwow as motorsport title partner

Carwow, one of the UK’s leading online destinations for car changing, has been announced as the the official title partner of Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain and Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain for 2026.

As the new title partner, the Carwow logo will feature prominently in both championships operated by Porsche Cars Great Britain.

Furthermore, the championships will be known as the Porsche Carwow Carrera Cup Great Britain and the Porsche Carwow Sprint Challenge Great Britain.

Andy McGregor, Porsche Cars Great Britain Managing Director, said: “This collaboration marks an exciting new chapter, as we unite the rich heritage of Porsche Motorsport with Carwow’s modern approach to car changing.

“We look forward to inspiring and engaging our shared audience, as we explore the synergies between us throughout the exciting racing season ahead.”

James MacNaughton, Porsche Cars Great Britain Motorsport Manager, added: “We are delighted to welcome Carwow as title partner of Porsche Carrera Cup GB and Sprint Challenge GB, as we look forward to an important year of celebrations.

“Our championships continue to go from strength to strength, forming a crucial part of the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid, and providing a springboard for ambitious drivers to realise their racing dreams.”

Ben Carter, Carwow Chief Customer Marketing and Media Officer at Carwow, concluded: “We’ve been working with Porsche for many years across our editorial titles, and this partnership is a natural fit.

“The Carrera Cup and Sprint Challenge deliver some of the most exciting racing in the UK and we can’t wait to see the championships come to life across the 2026 season.”

Porsche Cars Great Britain begins its 2026 motorsport season at Donington Park in Leicestershire on the weekend of April 18-19, where the Porsche Carwow Carrera Cup Great Britain and Porsche Carwow Sprint Challenge Great Britain will race on the BTCC support bill.

Daryl De Leon leads the way at official BTCC pre-season test at Croft

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship took centre stage at Croft Circuit this week (March 24-25) as thousands of fans flocked to the North Yorkshire venue for the first official pre-season test of 2026.

On what proved to be a busy couple of days on-track, where a total of 2,268 laps were amassed, West Surrey Racing’s Daryl De Leon walked away with the bragging rights as he set the ultimate pace.

The BMW 330i M Sport driver left it until Wednesday afternoon to show his hand, with his time of 1:20.417s dipping under Tom Ingram’s pole position benchmark from last season. When all was said and done, De Leon’s lap was the fastest to ever be recorded in a touring car around Croft.

Restart Racing’s James Dorlin had looked on course to claim top spot before De Leon pipped him to the post late on. The Hyundai i30N driver instead settled for second place, 0.027s shy of De Leon.

Reigning champion Ingram ended the test third on combined times having been the driver to beat on day one, while Charles Rainford and Tom Chilton completed a top five that was covered by two tenths of a second.

NAPA Racing UK’s Dan Cammish and Ash Sutton were next up in their new Ford Focus Titaniums while the second Restart Racing Hyundai of Chris Smiley also starred.

Rounding out the top ten was the lead Plato Racing Mercedes-AMG A35 Saloon of Dan Rowbottom and the first of the Toyota Corolla GR Sport’s of Josh Cook.

It must be noted of course that testing times are often treated with caution as teams and drivers carried out varying fuel load and tyre combinations throughout the two days of running.

Power Maxed Racing also wowed the crowds at Croft as Mikey Doble, Aiden Moffat and Dexter Patterson carried out extensive shakedowns on their all-new Audi S3 Saloons.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship now moves to Brands Hatch on April for the 2026 Season Launch, which will include the final pre-season test.

Click here for the final and full classification from testing.

BARC begins 2026 season in blockbuster fashion at Donington Park

The British Automobile Racing Club commenced its 2026 season in thrilling fashion at Donington Park this past weekend (March 21-22) as no less than 12 different championships lifted the curtain on their respective campaigns.

Following months of anticipation and excitement, the Club basked in the spring sunshine at the Leicestershire venue, packing in a total of 16 races across both days around the infamous Grand Prix circuit.

Headlining the action was a blockbuster 90-minute contest from the Britcar Endurance Championship; which boasted a bumper entry list made up of returning winners, credible contenders and as always, several new faces.

The opening day of the season ultimately proved to be a tale of two halves with the TrueMix Racing entry of Tom Walpole and Marc Kemp emerging as the drivers to beat during qualifying on Saturday morning.

After lighting up the timesheets in practice, the KTM X Bow GT-X duo laid down a true statement of intent as they paced the rest of the field to snare pole position, finishing almost two seconds ahead of SG Racing’s Mark Cunningham and Peter Cunningham.

Converting their front row start into an early lead as the lights went out, the TrueMix Racing squad had looked on course to put distance between themselves and their rivals in the opening exchanges however a small mistake towards the end of lap one saw them spin out of both first place and the race entirely.

Their unfortunate demise opened the door for Toro Verde GT driver Dean Burden to take control of proceedings, and he did so in emphatic fashion as he hustled his Porsche Cayman GT4 RS to the chequered flag more than a minute ahead of anyone else.

As they did in qualifying, the Cunningham’s claimed runners-up laurels in their Porsche 991.2 Cup car whilst the final spot on the podium was taken by Team BRIT’s Bobby Trundley, Aaron Morgan and their McLaren 570S GT4.

The Classic Touring Car Racing Club has become renowned for producing edge-of-the-seat entertainment down the years and that trend continued as its variety of tin top categories broke cover under the flight path of East Midlands airport.

Rolling back the years to a bygone era were the Pre-66 Touring Cars and they wowed the crowds with two action-packed contests that culminated in Piers Grange and Simon Gusterson – who were inseparable on-track throughout – tallying a win apiece.

Jonathan Corker enjoyed the perfect start to his Pre-83 Touring Cars title defence as he guided his Datsun 510 to a sublime double. Donning the mantel of defending champion, Corker was perfection personified as he charged to a pair of commanding race wins.

Closing out the Classic Touring Car Racing Club action were two races that amalgamated the Pre-93, Pre-03, Blue Oval Saloon Series and Thunder classes onto one grid. BMWs ruled the roost as Jasper Sapra and Dave Farrow each made their way to the top step of the podium.

Ollie Smith laid down his marker as serious contender for the coveted Junior Saloon Car Championship title this year after producing a wheel-perfect display over the course of the weekend.

Having lifted the Rookie Cup last season, Smith entered the new campaign as one to watch and he duly lived up to all expectations as he swept his way to a hat-trick of pole positions. The talented youngster then underlined his credentials by converting them into three flawless wins.

Behind Smith, Leon Holly twice finished in second place whilst there were also podiums for fellow sophomore racers Matthew Swatton, Martin Wright and Max Scharfeggar.

Over in the Adrian Flux Insurance MG Owners Club Championship, small margins proved to be the deciding factor in who walked away savouring the spoils of victory following two sublime races.

Jake McDermid opened his account for the season in a pulsating opener as he narrowly beat Robb Addison and Scott Bugner before Addison then turned the tables to prevail in race two after an almighty battle with McDermid.

Elsewhere, a potential star was born in the OT Coupe Cup with Toyo Tires as Nathan James Boyle announced himself in emphatic fashion. The youngster wasted no time in charging to pole in qualifying before claiming back-to-back wins ahead of Matthew Watson and Hazeem Zaki.

Completing the weekend’s on-track entertainment at Donington Park were two races from the Track Action Racing Club, where variety was the spice of life. Adam Croft and his Volkswagen Scirocco proved to be the class of the field as they bagged a brace of race wins.

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

You can also re-watch all the action from the BARC’s opening race meeting of the 2026 season by visiting the Club’s official YouTube channel HERE.

BARC is Back – racing resumes this weekend!

The moment has arrived. The first event on the 2026 British Automobile Racing Club calendar has arrived and what a weekend we have lined-up to kick-start our season.

The first race of the year honour goes to the Classic Touring Car Racing Club with their exciting Pre ’66 grid packed full of Mini’s, Cortina’s, Imp’s and the odd American Muscle car thrown in for good measure.

Track Action is back for a two-day event this weekend with a mix of cars gathered for two encounters over the weekend – look out too for the Peugeot 206 Cup which features in this grid.

BARC’s premier endurance racing series – the Britcar Endurance Championship will feature a 90 minute enduro to kick-start the season with well timed driver swaps and strategy a big part of the race result.

The CTCRC have pulled together a mouth watering collection to take to Donington with Pre ‘93, Pre ‘03, BOSS and Thunder Saloons all mixed together for an epic encounter, while the Pre’83 grid will round out the proceedings on Saturday with a grid pull of seventies and early eighties icons.

The Junior Saloon Car Championship is back and a new intake will all be jostling for position as the close quarters hot hatch formula always produces excellent racing.

As Britcar depart Saturday evening, joining us for even more racing on the Sunday will be the MG Owners Club with a massive 34 car grid, while the door-to-door racing in the Coupe Cup will bring down the curtain on a 16 race weekend.

When is the next BARC weekend?
This weekend: Saturday 21 March and Sunday 22 March
Where are the events being held? Donington Park
Address: Donington Park, Castle Donington, Derby DE74 2RP
What is racing this weekend?
We have a jam-packed schedule for you this weekend with something for every taste. From the Briticar Endurance Championship, Coupe Cup, MG Owners Club Championship, Track Action, Junior Saloon Car Championship and multiple Classic Touring Car Racing Club grids including Pre ‘66, Group 1/ Pre ‘83, Pre ‘93, Pre ‘03, BOSS and Thunder Saloons.

If I can’t get trackside or I am outside of the UK?
If you can’t make it to the first weekend of the year at Donington… fear not… we have you covered! You can follow everything. The BARC YouTube channel will be broadcasting all the racing action live and for free – no matter where you are around the world on Saturday or Sunday. Be sure to subscribe for the latest streams – www.youtube.com/@britishautomobileracingclub

How can I watch in person?
To go trackside at Donington, tickets start from £17 for an adult ticket for either day online and £19 on the gate. £26 for a weekend ticket, with discounts for teens and senior citizens available and children aged 13 and under go free.

Tickets can be purchased here: https://tickets.msv.com/calendar/donington-park/2026/march/classic-touring-car-weekend/default

What time are things happening on track at Donington?
Free Practice heads the order on Saturday with on track action from 09:10 with the first race at 14:10.
On Sunday Qualifying begins at 09:10 with racing starting at 10:20.

Do you have any more information?
We have a few other handy links that might be useful to help you enjoy the first event of the year

Donington Park – Key Links

Live Timing and Commentary: https://www.tsl-timing.com/event/261263
Information*: https://www.barc.net/event/barc-race-meeting-donington-park-grand-prix-march-21-22/
Entry List: www.barc.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/HQ01-DON-Entry-List-for-WEB-V2.pdf
Live Coverage Saturday: https://www.youtube.com/live/othzQYHPuqg?si=mlG5ynOlYHdfZn-S
Live Coverage Sunday: https://www.youtube.com/live/bqRRuK_GIb4?si=Kmr2720u1zjFyCEF

* Timetable – Subject to adjustments prior and during the race meeting

It’s so good to be back!

2026 Britcar Endurance Championship Grid Taking Shape

As preparations and excitement build for the 2026 season, the grid for the BARC-supported Britcar Endurance Championship is developing into one of the most diverse and competitive line-ups seen in recent years.

Since mid-December, a steady stream of driver and team announcements has underlined the championship’s continuing appeal, bringing together proven race winners, emerging young talent and an increasingly broad range of machinery across the GT, GT4 and Trophy categories. Here’s a recap as we arrive into the first round.

Experience Meets New Blood

The winter announcement period opened with a blend of established Britcar names and exciting new entrants. Among the first to confirm was rookie Neville Voss, who will embark on on a campaign alongside Ali Topley in a Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo with 24-Racing by Team BRIT – adding both fresh talent and the unmistakable GT presence of the Prancing Horse to the grid in selected rounds this season.

At the opposite end of the experience scale, Datum Motorsport announced the return of Maurizio Sciglio and Marco Anastasi – a pairing long associated with consistency and front-running pace in Britcar competition. Their presence once again underlines the championship’s competitive appeal, with the Scottish-domiciled Italians targeting further silverware in 2026.

Porsche representation will also be strong in 2026, with SG Racing confident of mounting a title challenge in their 991 Cup car with Mark and Peter Cunnigham at the wheel, while Full Throttle Motorsport will have a 992 variant at their disposal this year. Torro Verde add to the Porsche presence with two fresh GT4 Cayman models.

Continuity is further reinforced by the return of reigning Trophy class champion Chris Murphy, who remains with Woodrow Motorsport in BMW M3 machinery. His reappearance immediately sets a benchmark for the Trophy field.

Team BRIT return with a two-car effort in 2026 and, after missing out on the title by the narrowest of margins, the disability-led racing programme is determined to fight at the front once again. Bobby Trundley steps up into the McLaren GT4 car alongside Aaron Morgan, while Asha Silva – Trundley’s 2025 team-mate – partners Noah Cosby in the BMW M4.

Strength and Variety in the GT Field

BMW continues to be the most numerically represented manufacturer so far, with M3, M2 and M4 GT4 Evo entries spread across multiple teams. UBIQ Brookspeed’s BMW M4 GT4 Evo pairing of Andrew Dawber and Nathan Wright adds significant strength to the GT4 ranks, while further BMW-powered entries run by Ian Lawson and Geoff Steel Racing – including Julian McBride, Pete Moulsdale, Steve Kent and Toad Motorsport-backed William Lynch – underline the brand’s ongoing popularity within the paddock.

At the same time, McLaren representation is growing in 2026. Richard and Michael Wheeler will contest a full season in a McLaren 570S GT4 following their late-season debut in 2025, while Simon Clark’s move into McLaren machinery brings additional experience and pedigree to the expanding McLaren contingent.

Manufacturer diversity is further boosted by Martin Addison’s step into the GT category with an Aston Martin Vantage, reinforcing the championship’s reputation for welcoming a wide range of competitive GT platforms.

Speaking of diversity – the Austrian brand KTM known mostly for its two-wheel products will be represented on the grid with Robert Taylor bringing the unique KTM XBOW GT4 EVO SPX to the Briticar fold this year. There will be two KTM cars on the grid with Tom Walpole and Marc Kemp harnessing a unique Reiter GT4 version as well. Look out too for the gorgeous Ligier JS2R making its Briticar debut, in the hands of Ashley Woodman this weekend.

Going for Trophy Honours

The Trophy class once again demonstrates Britcar’s strength as a proving ground for both family pairings and emerging drivers.
Ginetta remains the car of choice in the Trophy field, with multiple G56 GTA and G55 entries already confirmed. Michael Knibbs and Aidan Hills team up in a G55, while Elliot and Ian Wilson continue their father-and-son partnership in the G56 after a promising rookie season. Project 29:7 Racing also commits to a full campaign with similar machinery.

Youth development remains a key theme, highlighted by Archie Buttle and Freddie Ingram stepping into full-season programmes following selective outings in 2025. Alongside them, experienced Trophy regulars Dennis Storey and Alan McCullough (No Pressure Racing, BMW 130), as well as the returning JLC Group Motorsport SEAT León Supercopa of brothers Chris and Jamie Hayes, combine ambition with hard-earned endurance know-how as they look to challenge at the front of their respective classes. Race Car Experiences will also bring the distinctive Peugeot 308 Racing Cup back to the grid, with Henry Swanson leading their charge.

The grid already reflects Britcar’s defining strength: a healthy mix of returning champions, ambitious rookies and long-standing partnerships, all contributing to depth and unpredictability across the field. With further announcements still expected, the foundations are firmly in place for a compelling 2026 Britcar Endurance Championship season which gets underway at Donington Park on the 21st March.

Wilson ready to unleash unique Mercedes in Classic Thunder Charge

With Mercedes currently setting the benchmark at the pinnacle of global motorsport in Formula 1 and returning to the British Touring Car Championship grid with Plato Racing, the three-pointed star is once again a force across multiple arenas in worldwide and national motorsport.

Now, that presence is extending into the Classic Touring Car Racing Club, as Andy Wilson prepares to campaign a striking and rare Mercedes C63 in the fiercely competitive Classic Thunder class.

We caught a rare glimpse of the 600bhp brute at a test event outing at Silverstone last year, Wilson’s new machine represents something genuinely different within the paddock — and comes from an unconventional background.

“I wanted another car,” Wilson explains. “But I wanted something I could race in Classic Thunder. I’ve raced in Classic Thunder since 2003 with a Mini… I’ve done it longer than anybody. I like the cars, I like the people.”

Having spent over two decades in motorsport, Wilson’s journey began in 2002, inspired by his father’s racing exploits in the 1970s.

“My dad raced in the ’70s, and it just captivated me. I always wanted to race cars. In 2002, I had enough money, so I bought a Mini… I raced Minis for four or five years, Northern Sports and Saloons is where I started.”

Since then, his garage has seen a wide variety of machinery, most notably his long-serving Holden Monaro – a car he describes as fitting “like a glove.” However, with development work ongoing on that car, the opportunity arose to bring something new – and very special – to the grid.

That opportunity came in the form of an ultra-rare Mercedes C63, originally built for Euro V8 competition.

“They made six of these… six saloons and one coupe. This is the only one in the country,” Wilson says. “I’ve always known about these, and they don’t come up very often.”

The car’s pedigree is equally impressive, with links to high-level international competition and even former Formula 1 drivers. “A lot of ex-F1 drivers drove these… Johnny Herbert drove this. It’s a proper race car – built really well. AMG had a hand in building them, and the prep work on the shell is world-class.”

Despite its credentials, Wilson’s first outing in the car – arriving only at the final event of last season after delays bringing it over from the Netherlands – was very much a learning experience.

“It’s completely different to the Monaro in the way it drives… I’m used to the Monaro. This was a bit of an eye-opener,” he admits. “I only did a couple of laps, but I’m quite happy with that.”

Mechanical gremlins limited running, but early signs were encouraging.

“I lost the brakes after two or three laps… we lost one of the ducts off the front, and the bias was set wrong. But I’m pretty sure it can be on the podium and hope to be near there this weekend.”

Under the bonnet lies serious performance potential. The V8-powered machine is expected to produce around 600 horsepower, housed in a lightweight, purpose-built chassis.

“It’s about 600 horsepower, weighs about 1,250 kilos, sequential gearbox, three-way adjustable suspension… it’s built as a racing car.”
Yet, for Wilson, the appeal goes beyond outright performance. The Mercedes represents individuality – something that stands out in a field often dominated by more familiar machinery.

“That’s what really appealed to me… the fact that it’s so different. You get a load of M3s, but you never see this. I like going against the grain, doing something a bit different.”

The challenge now lies in adapting to the car’s characteristics, which contrast sharply with his Monaro.

“The Monaro’s set up to understeer… this is all back end. The rear’s moving constantly, it wants to oversteer a lot — which is not my kind of driving. So I’ve had to adapt.”

“We’ve gone through it over the winter… getting used to its style, you will see it at certain events including Donington this weekend.”

As Mercedes continues its resurgence across top-tier motorsport, Wilson’s unique addition ensures the brand will also be one to watch in the Classic Touring Car Racing Club — where heritage, horsepower, and individuality combine in spectacular fashion.

And if early indications are anything to go by, this rare C63 won’t just be making up the numbers – it could soon be fighting right at the front.

New for 2026! BARC: Beyond the Chequered Flag

There are so many fascinating stories up and down the British Automobile Racing Club paddock — so many that we just don’t get to hear about or celebrate. Personal milestones rather than race wins; personal ambition and enjoyment perhaps over a title campaign.

New for 2026 will be the Beyond the Chequered Flag series, which will follow five drivers from different BARC disciplines — from single-seaters and sports cars to saloon cars and hillclimbing.

Throughout the season, the BARC team will check in with our five drivers, sharing their pre-season news, build-up preparations and race-weekend journeys across our social media channels, website, BARC LIVE streams, newsletters and, of course, our magazine Apex.

Let’s introduce our drivers… Ladies first…

Daniella Sutton — British F4

Heading into single-seaters for the first time is 17-year-old Daniella Sutton, who will make the big jump from Fiestas into the Wera Tools F4 British Championship certified by FIA. Britain’s premier single-seater series will see a full-capacity grid in 2026, and Daniella will be driving one of the Chris Dittmann Racing machines.

The F4 rookie already has many accolades, including the Total Karting Zero UK North Championship title, the BRSCC Junior Scholarship Championship in 2024, as well as the British Women’s Racing Drivers Club Gold Star and BRDC Rising Star honours.

Despite living with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Daniella’s influence extends far beyond the racetrack. As a proud representative of the Juvenile Arthritis Research charity, she uses her platform to inspire others to overcome adversity, demonstrating that determination and resilience can help conquer even the toughest challenges when the season starts in April.

 


Credit: SnappyRacers.com

 

Sam Parker — Caterham

Sam Parker is a well-known face in the BARC paddocks, having been involved in the Caterham pathway for a number of years as well as on screen — presenting the live coverage for the past two seasons.

Sam started her lightweight sportscar journey, like many others, in the Caterham Academy class before stepping up into the Roadsport series in 2025. Her pace developed with each round, and at the season finale at Silverstone last October she took her first ever podium after an intense front-of-the-field scrap.

For 2026, Parker will take two steps forward as she prepares to harness the 310R version of the British machine — putting everything she has learned over the past two seasons into practice for the more powerful iteration in April.

 

 

Project 29:7 Racing — Britcar Endurance Championship

In the exciting Britcar Endurance Championship, BARC will be keeping tabs on one of the young, upcoming teams on the grid — Project 29:7 Racing. Led by Alex Miller and Paul O’Neill, the Northamptonshire-based outfit is set to field a two-driver line-up in its Ginetta G56 GTA. Balancing driver feedback, the stresses of first-time competition and running a race team will hopefully be offset by some season highlights and maybe even some class silverware. You never know!

The new team will field Carl Garnett and Alex Miller as their driver pairing in the eagerly anticipated multi-car Britcar series, which gets underway at Donington on 21 March.

 

 

Richard Andrews and Cathy James — British Hillclimb Championship

Perhaps the biggest championship in terms of driver registrations is the British Hillclimb Championship. The series travels the length and breadth of the British Isles and sees run-offs won or lost by just hundredths of a second. From standard road cars to single-seater hillclimb thoroughbreds, there is a class for almost everything.

This year we will be following Richard Andrews and partner Cathy James who will be using a Porsche Cayman GT4 RS to tackle most of the mainland hills. A record holder at BARC’s very own Harewood, Richard will be looking to lower his personal bests while also putting the spotlight on this point-to-point motorsport discipline.

 

 

Ralphie-Joe Branscombe – Junior Saloon Car Championship

Our final driver brings great excitement… embarking on his first steps into car racing – Ralphie-Joe Branscombe.
Announced moments before APEX went to print – former British Kart Champion in the Honda Cadet class – Ralphie-Joe Branscombe will be the final driver the BARC follow in 2026.

The Junior Saloon Car Championship Scholarship selection process took place at Pembrey at the end of February, with the day consisting of competitors taking part in everything from driving assessments and media interviews to pit-stop challenges and fitness tests; all while an esteemed judging panel whittled down the contenders. As the competition entered its final stages, Branscombe established himself as one of the leading lights and was subsequently declared the winner of a fully-funded season with Orex Competition in the competitive hatchback category for young drivers.

Follow their journey’s this season across our social media platforms, on barc.net and in APEX magazine. Good luck to everyone!

BARC in the Park opens the 2026 racing season

The British Automobile Racing Club racing season fires into life this weekend at Donington Park, with a packed two-day programme set to launch the 2026 season in style.

After a long off-season, anticipation is high across the paddock-and the opening meeting delivers a hugely varied line-up that blends modern endurance machinery with some of the UK’s most promising upcoming drivers, close clubman racing and historic tin-top racing.

At the top of the bill on Saturday is the Britcar Endurance Championship, kicking off its campaign with a 90-minute contest featuring an eclectic mix of GT and endurance machinery. Expect everything from brands such as Aston Martin, Ferrari, McLaren and Porsche as well as more production-based entries, all sharing the track in an exciting classic multi-class format.

Joining the Britcar action is a mix of tin-top, hatchback and coupe racing. The Classic Touring Car Racing Club (CTCRC) provides a plethora of classes to the weekend race programme.

With grids split across multiple eras – Pre-66, Pre-83, Pre-93, Pre-03, BOSS and Classic and Historic Thunder – fans can expect packed fields, close racing, and a nostalgic journey through touring car history.

Also in action on the Saturday is the Junior Saloon Car Championship – one to always watch at a season opener, with a grid full of teenage racers taking their first steps into circuit racing. Donington Park’s demanding layout provides a stern early test, and with many drivers arriving from karting, the racing is typically close, energetic, and occasionally unpredictable as they adapt to racing in the Citroen Saxo hot hatches.

Joining the BARC season opener on the Sunday is the MG Owners Club Championship. Offering up a mix of historic MGs from the fifties and sixties through to the new millennium – the tightly matched machinery ensures slipstream battles and photo-finish results are never far away.

These races often hinge on consistency and momentum, particularly around a flowing circuit like Donington, where maintaining speed through the Craner Curves and the Old Hairpin can make all the difference. It’s a category known for producing some of the closest racing of the weekend.

Variety continues with the Track Action Racing Club, which brings a real mixed flavour to the meeting on both days. Featuring a wide mix of cars and driver experience levels, it embodies club racing at its purest – competitive, accessible, and unpredictable. Speaking of accessible, another series growing in popularity is the one-make Coupe Cup which has quickly built a reputation for close, hard-fought racing.

With evenly prepared cars and a growing grid, the focus is firmly on driver ability, and that tends to produce tight qualifying sessions and races where small mistakes can cost multiple positions. It’s a category that continues to grow in stature and should provide plenty of action on the Sunday of the meeting.

With a huge variety of machinery and race formats on offer, the opening weekend promises to set the racing tone for the months ahead. Get to the circuit or get the live stream on! We cannot wait!

Lights, Camera, Action! BARC to broadcast more events than ever before in 2026

The British Automobile Racing Club will be back on the big screen again this year, building on its long-standing association with leading sports production company 247.TV.

This season will once again see a number of race meetings – no less than 19 in fact – be broadcast live across the globe for free on the Club’s official YouTube channel.

The Club’s ever-growing appeal was there for all to see last year as events amassed almost 700,000 views.

Continuing to showcase some of the best edge-of-the-seat racing that the UK national motorsport scene has to offer, the 2026 promises to be bigger and better than ever.

Just some of the categories that will headline the coverage include the British Truck Racing Championship, TCR UK Championship, Classic Touring Car Racing Club, Caterham Motorsport, and Britcar Endurance Championship.

BARC 2026 Live Stream Schedule

March 21/22 – Donington Park (Grand Prix)
April 4/5 – Brands Hatch (Indy)
April 11/12 – Cadwell Park
April 25 – Oulton Park (International)
May 2/3 – Croft
May 16 – Oulton Park (International)
May 16/17 – Thruxton
June 20 – Donington Park (National)
June 20/21 – Pembrey
July 4/5 – Thruxton
July 11/12 – Snetterton 300
July 18 – Oulton Park (Island)
August 1/2 – Brands Hatch (Indy)
August 8/9 – Donington Park (National)
August 29 – Snetterton 300
September 12 – Snetterton 300
October 3 – Oulton Park (Island)
October 3/4 – Silverstone (International)
October 31/November 1 – Brands Hatch (Indy)