Category: Barc

Goodwood Speedweek set to take place behind closed doors in October

Goodwood will play host to a celebration of speed, power, grace and beauty this autumn after confirming a one-off extravaganza; Goodwood Speedweek presented by Mastercard.

Having taken the difficult decision to postpone the 78th Members’ Meeting, Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard and the Goodwood Revival due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it looked likely that no racing would take place at the West Sussex venue in 2020.

On October 16-18 however, the peace and tranquility of the surrounding countryside will be broken by the sounds of horsepower as Goodwood Speedweek combines elements of the Festival of Speed and Revival, as well as races from the Members’ Meetings.

The three-day event will take place behind closed doors however spectators will be able to savour all of the action courtesy of a live stream on the Goodwood Road & Racing website.

A statement on the Goodwood website read: “Speedweek will be a once-in-a-lifetime event, bringing together more than a century of motorsport and motoring and celebrating the past, present and future of our shared passions.

“The three-day broadcast will be packed with supercar demonstration runs, new car launches, next-generation technology from FOS Future Lab, and an online auction of beautiful machinery by our longstanding partner Bonhams.

“Of course it is the track action we are most excited to see and Speedweek will be doing it bigger, better and louder than ever. The favourite races from the Revival and Members’ Meeting will bring you three days of wheel-to-wheel action in everything from Edwardian aero-engined monsters to glorious ‘60s GTs and gnarly ‘70s saloon cars.

“There will be action off the track as well with the first-ever Goodwood Gymkhana and a Rally Sprint bringing the action screeching sideways onto your screen. The weekend will culminate in a Speedweek-exclusive Timed Shootout round the challenging 2.4-mile Goodwood Motor Circuit.

“Nothing like Speedweek has been seen before, as Goodwood brings more than a century of world class motorsport to life to celebrate the legendary feats of speed, courage and endurance that make it the most compelling sport on earth. On the track, the most valuable cars will do battle in the closest, most competitive historic racing in the world, driven by a glittering line-up of famous faces.

“Embracing the lack of spectators, a dramatic rally competition will see cars go on, over and even under the circuit, and the inaugural ‘Goodwood Gymkhana’ will literally take over the venue, going to places that would normally be strictly out of bounds.

“Building to a climax on Sunday, a never-to-be-repeated competition will see some of the fastest cars in motorsport history vying for honours in a winner-takes-all shoot-out over one lap. Modern cars have never competed at Goodwood, so the speeds they achieve will be unlike anything previously seen at the iconic venue.

“The official Goodwood lap record has stood for 55 years, and, with modern cars never likely to return, it’s entirely possible that the times recorded at Speedweek will remain unsurpassed for the next 55…”

BTCC announces 2021 calendar

The British Touring Car Championship has today (July 20) announced the official calendar for 2021, with Thruxton most notably set to stage two events in the same season for the second time in three years.

Firmly established as the UK’s flagship motor sport category, series organisers TOCA are already in a position to confirm it’s schedule for next year’s campaign – despite the fact that the 2020 season is yet to start.

Reprising a 30- round schedule over the course of ten events, Brands Hatch will host the opening event of the championship on April 3/4 before the series then moves to Donington Park.

Back-to-back weekend’s will then take place as Thruxton hosts the first of its two events on May 8/9, with Oulton Park following a week later on May 15/16. The annual trip to North Yorkshire and Croft will then round out the first half of the season in June. 

Following the annual summer break, Snetterton will kickstart the second half of the 2021 campaign before trips to Knockhill and Thruxton follow.

Silverstone will stage the penultimate event of the season whilst the iconic Grand Prix layout of Brands Hatch will bring the curtain down on the series, with champions set to be crowned.

BTCC Chief Executive, Alan Gow, said: “Well, this is certainly a new first for the BTCC – issuing the following year’s calendar before the current season has even begun… but I’m sure everyone will agree that it’s nice to see some ‘normality’ returning to the schedule.

“Having said that, with our first 2020 event now less than two weeks away at Donington Park, there is phenomenal enthusiasm for getting this season underway amongst our teams, supporters and partners.”

2021 British Touring Car Championship Calendar

Rounds 1/2/3 – Brands Hatch (Indy) – April 3/4

Rounds 4/5/6 – Donington Park – April 17/18

Rounds 7/8/9 – Thruxton – May 8/9

Rounds 10/11/12 – Oulton Park (Island) – May 15/16

Rounds 13/14/15 – Croft – June 12/13

Rounds 16/17/18 – Snetterton (300) – July 31/August 1

Rounds 19/20/21 – Knockhill – August 14/15

Rounds 22/23/24 – Thruxton – August 28/29

Rounds 25/26/27 – Silverstone (National) – September 25/26

Rounds 28/29/30 – Brands Hatch (Grand Prix) – October 9/10

UK Sports Prototype Cup continues to grow in stature ahead of sophomore season

The UK Sports Prototype Cup is aiming to hit new heights during its sophomore season with the British Automobile Racing Club in 2020, and the signs already look promising following the latest sign-up of two more experienced race teams.

Having debuted in 2019, the series provides a multi-marque racing environment for lightweight sports prototype cars to compete in a premium race weekend package.

Competing within the category is the ever-growing Revolution A-One; an LMP inspired, carbon tubbed, high downforce prototype. Forming the backbone of the UK Sports Prototype Cup, the Revolution Race Cars outfit has become a popular draw for new and existing teams.

The latest editions to the grid for this season have been Greensall Motorsport and competitive Kwik Fit British Touring Car outfit Excelr8 Motorsport.

Excelr8 Motorsport’s Daniel Bishop said: “Prototype racing has always been a huge interest to me personally and also to other members of the team. Within Excelr8 we have the capacity to operate in one more discipline and this fits the bill perfectly.

“We have only had the car for a few days, but there is a huge buzz in the team and following this press launch we cannot wait to get on track with the car to start our programme and select drivers to race with us.”

Nigel Greensall added: “We were delighted to receive the Revolution at our Bruntingthorpe workshop last week and our technicians are very impressed with the car. We are excited for the start of the season and look forward to many years of working with the great team at Revolution.”

The 2020 edition of the UK Sports Prototype Cup is scheduled to begin with a double-header at Brands Hatch on August 1/2 before further events take place at Spa Francorchamps, Snetterton and Paul Ricard.

BARC championships serve up scorching weekend of racing at Croft

The British Automobile Racing Club’s second race meeting in as many weeks since UK motorsport restarted proved to be a resounding smash-hit this past weekend (July 11/12), as six championships served up a feast of entertainment at Croft.

As the sun beamed down on the North Yorkshire venue across both days, competitors and officials continued to adjust to the ‘new normal’ due to the COVID-19 pandemic; with temperature checks, wearing of face masks and social distancing all being carried out.

Spoils were shared in the opening two rounds of the Dunlop Endurance Championship as a bumper entry list took centre stage around the challenging 2.1-mile circuit.

Race one saw the RAW Motorsport pairing of Steve Burgess and Ben Dimmack power their Radical RXC Coupe to the chequered flag before VR Motorsport’s Danny Harrison did the same in race two at the wheel of his Praga R1T.

The Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres delivered six spellbinding encounters and produced three deserving winners.

Saturday’s action saw Jack Parker take an impressive brace before Sy Harraway closed out proceedings with a win of his own. On Sunday, defending champion Miles Rudman opened his account for the season before Harraway returned to winning ways once again, netting another two victories.

Lewis Saunders maintained his advantage at the summit of the Junior Saloon Car Championship as he bagged another pair of wins. The former champion swept the opposition in the opener before narrowly edging out Charlie Hand in race two to maintain his perfect record.

The Mighty Minis Championship saw a dominant double-winning display produced as well as Neven Kirkpatrick reigned supreme to kick-start his 2020 campaign in fine style; getting the better of Ian Clark and Steven Rideout in both races.

Jon Halliwell completed a fairytale comeback in the Max5 Racing Championship as he also claimed a sensational two wins. Having watched from the sidelines for a few years, Halliwell was back behind the wheel and back at the front to lead Paul Roddison home.

Rounding out the weekend were a trio of races from the Caterham Graduates Championship, which boasted a bumper entry list throughout each of its classes that added up to an impressive 34-car starting grid.

Henry Heaton proved to be the driver to beat throughout the weekend however as he was perfection personified, taking victory in all three races and by some margin as well.

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

Pickup Truck Racing Championship, Super Silhouette Championship poised for solitary appearance in 2020

The Pickup Truck Racing Championship and the Super Silhouette Championship are both poised to make just a solitary appearance on-track in 2020, scheduled at Brands Hatch on November 7/8.

With the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic still being felt, organisers of the two categories – SHP Promotions – have elected to press pause on running multiple events for the remainder of the season.

Prior to the suspension of motorsport, the two championships were set to feature alongside the BTRA British Truck Racing Championship at a number of events during the course of the year.

Despite a revised calendar being put together which would have seen them compete at the likes of Donington Park and Snetterton.

As it stands, both the Pickup Truck Racing Championship and Super Silhouette Championship will join the BTRA British Truck Racing Championship, Legends National Championship and Junior Saloon Car Championship at Brands Hatch on November 7/8.

BTCC offers glimpse into the future as TOCA Hybrid car breaks cover

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship offered a glimpse into the future this past week at Snetterton as the Cosworth-developed Toyota Corolla TOCA Hybrid car broke cover and hit the track for the first time.

Built and run by front-running team Speedworks Motorsport, the front-wheel-drive machine kicked off an extensive testing and development programme before the full introduction of hybrid technology comes in 2022.

Joining the 26-car grid that will battle for the UK’s premier motorsport crown on-track at the Norfolk venue, former BTCC race winner Darren Turner clocked valuable mileage across both days in mixed weather conditions.

The BTCC’s Hybrid System will be used by each driver for either passing or defending and will introduce new competitive strategies and opportunities during each race.

Performance simulations carried out by Cosworth Electronics show that the most significant gains will be achieved at the low engine RPM ranges; the hybrid power burst bringing the engine up into the turbo ‘window’ more quickly.

Drivers will have a steering wheel mounted button to engage the hybrid once full traction has been achieved whilst the system will deactivates on a second button press, the use of brakes, on reaching the time or energy limit, a reduced throttle pressure or sudden acceleration/deceleration.

Following the first foray for the TOCA Hybrid car, Turner said: “It is a great initiative and I am delighted to be a part of it. I fully aware it’s an historic moment for the series and we are all delighted to have completed an extremely successful test.

“The BTCC is the biggest and best championship in the UK and it’s right that it should be leading the way in this technology. The BTCC is leading from the front yet again, and this will be a great addition to the racing. We have regularly deployed the system on-track and it works really well – it will undoubtedly add an extra and exciting dimension to both the defensive and attacking aspects of the racing.

“We will of course be developing the system and integration further and further – this is just the beginning of the car’s track life – and we’ll be getting more and more miles in the car over the coming months.

“The project is going extremely well, it is on schedule and there is no need to rush things – every bit of information is vital at this point to ensure we have a robust system that enhances what the BTCC is all about, and I’m absolutely convinced we will achieve that.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, added: “It’s an extremely proud moment for everyone involved in the BTCC and the TOCA Hybrid project itself. The BTCC was the first major touring car series to confirm its intentions and pathway for introducing hybrid technology and this is clearly another hugely significant milestone as part of that.

“This is obviously just the start of the extensive programme ahead, prior to the full introduction of hybrid technology into the BTCC in 2022, but Cosworth, Speedworks and all of the technical partners involved should be congratulated for the professionalism, expertise and efficiency shown.

“Despite these challenging times the BTCC and its partners have worked extremely hard to ensure that the TOCA Hybrid car made its track debut as originally planned and it has been an extremely positive and successful test.”

Croft set to play host to bumper BARC weekend

The British Automobile Racing Club speeds into North Yorkshire this weekend (July 11/12) with six championships all set to take centre stage at Croft Circuit.

One week on from what proved to be a hugely successful season-opener at Cadwell Park for the Club since lockdown restrictions were eased, a total of 17 races are set to take place around the challenging 2.1-mile circuit across both days – with edge-of-the-seat entertainment guaranteed.

Having taken on a starring role last weekend, the Junior Saloon Car Championship is back in action with another bumper entry list of talented 14 to 17-year-old’s and two high-octane encounters scheduled to be run.

After notching two wins at Cadwell Park, all eyes will be on former champion Lewis Saunders as he bids to extend his early points lead over the rest of the field. Leading the chase for the Mac Tools-backed ace will be the likes of Charlie Hand, Ben Greenhill and Ruben Hage, amongst others.

Kickstarting their campaign at Croft will be the Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres. Small in stature but packing a real punch under the bonnet, these 5/8 scale machines are renowned for producing breathtaking wheel-to-wheel moments.

Miles Rudman returns as defending champion but the threats to his throne come from all angles, with multiple title winner John Mickel, Connor Mills and Sy Harraway set to be the lead protagonists across the weekend’s six races.

The Dunlop Endurance Championship boasts a coveted entry list too with all manner of jaw-dropping machines revved up to launch their season with a pair of 50-minute spectacles.

Elsewhere, the Caterham Graduates Championship has continued on its upward trajectory of recent years and with a blend of experienced and new drivers, it is set to be quite the display on-track.

This weekend will also mark the start of a new season for the Max5 Racing Championship, which looks set to showcase one of its biggest grids in some time.

Paul Roddison has proven to be the driver to beat in recent years in the one-make series however the return of Jon Halliwell could well make it an intriguing weekend for the formidable race-winner.

Rounding off what is set to be a blockbuster weekend’s action at Croft will be races from the Mighty Minis Championship, with the usual thrills and spills likely to be delivered.

Please note that this event will be run behind closed doors and spectators will not be permitted to attend.

To view more information on this weekend’s event, such as the full entry list and timetable, click here.

BTCC returns to the track at Snetterton ahead of season-opener

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship has ramped up its preparations for the start of the revised 2020 campaign this week by conducting a two-day test at Snetterton, with all teams and drivers present to clock valuable mileage ahead of next month’s season-opener.

With it being 112 days since the series’ Season Launch at Silverstone, the annual Goodyear tyre test served as a much-needed second pre-season group test following the delays caused to the schedule by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the news that Andrew Jordan, Jason Plato and Mat Jackson won’t race as originally planned, 26 cars took to the challenging Norfolk venue.

Mixed weather conditions greeted teams on the opening day of track action as Rory Butcher recorded the fastest time in his Motorbase Performance Ford Focus.

Despite a small electrical issue hampering his running early on, the Scotsman made the most of the dry conditions to set a 1:56.504 benchmark – narrowly pipping BTC Racing’s Tom Chilton and Speedworks Motorsport’s Tom Ingram.

Times wouldn’t improve in the afternoon as a heavy rain shower during the lunch break and continuing drizzle put pay to a majority of the running.

Of those that did battle the challenging conditions, Team HARD’s Jack Goff got the best out of Goodyear’s wet compound to top the times ahead of Chilton and Carl Boardley.

Wet weather continued to batter the circuit on the second and final day of running, where 2017 champion Ashley Sutton topped the times across both sessions.

Making the jump to Laser Tools Racing to pilot the rear-wheel-drive Infiniti Q50 this year, Sutton showcased his wet weather prowess to master the greasy conditions and underline his credentials as one to watch once racing begins.

Alongside the protagonists competing for the biggest prize in UK motorsport, the two-day test also provided an opportunity to see the TOCA Hybrid Toyota Corolla hit the track for the first time.

Piloted by former BTCC race winner Darren Turner, the car began an extensive test and development programme before the competitive introduction of hybrid technology in 2022.

To view the full classification from both test days, click here.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship is set to kick off a condensed 27-race season at Donington Park on August 1/2.

Successful first weekend on-track as BARC embraces ‘new normal’

Face masks, social distancing and revised protocols; they were just some of the new measures put in place at Cadwell Park this past weekend (July 4/5) as the British Automobile Racing Club made a triumphant return to the track. 

More than 100 days since motorsport in the UK was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, four of the Club’s championships visited the picturesque Lincolnshire venue to mark the start of what is now a condensed 2020 season.

Whilst spectators were not permitted to attend; competitors, teams and officials all got to grips with what is being dubbed as the ‘new normal’ for the foreseeable future – and it proved to be a successful first outing for all involved.

Prior to the event, the Club issued its own guidelines for Competitors and Officials which outlined the adjustments that had been made to the practice and procedures in order to continue providing the safest possible environment.

With driver and marshal sign-on completed online, Personal Protective Equipment such as face masks were a mandatory requirement once at the venue to whilst social distancing was implemented wherever possible in the paddock and pit-lane.

In the absence of paperwork being distributed over the course of the weekend, a ‘Virtual Noticeboard’ was also created on the Club’s website to ensure that competitors and officials were being kept abreast with the latest updates.

Commenting on the success of the weekend as a whole, David Wheadon, BARC Competitions Secretary, said: “I just want to thank all the competitors for an outstanding meeting at Cadwell this weekend just gone.

“Apart from all the brilliant racing we experienced at the meeting, I was equally impressed with our competitors, their guests and all of our Marshals & Officials attitudes towards the new COVID safety regulations with regards to social distancing, PPE and personal hygiene.

“Motorsport UK had sent representatives to the event on the Saturday and they were equally impressed with their observations of everything as a whole.

As one of the first Motorsport UK permitted events happening in the post lockdown era, BARC understood that how our event performed would have a knock on effect on future events held throughout the remainder of the 2020 season.

“The phrase “start as you mean to go on” has never been more appropriate! Well done to all involved.”

The British Automobile Racing Club now heads to Croft this weekend (July 11/12), with several more championships set to kick off their own condensed 2020 campaigns.

Cadwell Park serves up blockbuster action on season-opening BARC weekend

Cadwell Park provided a fitting backdrop for the British Automobile Racing Club’s long-awaited 2020 season-opener this past weekend (July 4/5); with plenty of edge-of-the-seat, blockbuster action being served up by each championship over the course of both days.

With motorsport having been suspended since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, racing finally roared back into life and in style too as new protocols were introduced whilst spectators were unfortunately not permitted.

Lewis Saunders’ quest to make history in the Junior Saloon Car Championship got off to the perfect start as he took a pair of race wins around the tight, twisty Lincolnshire venue.

Aiming to become the first two-time champion in the teenage series, the 2018 title winner powered his way to victory in race one ahead of Charlie Hand and Benjamin Greenhill. Saunders replicated his superlative performance in race two, leading home Hand and Alex Solley.

In the 2CV Parts.com Classic Racing Championship, a 15-car grid kicked off what is set to be another memorable year of on-track action with two entertaining encounters.

Alec Graham narrowly beat Sandro Proietti in race one to take the spoils before Luca Proietti turned the tables on Graham in race two, taking the chequered flag by just under a second.

The Classic Touring Car Championship boasted big grids and a wide variety of machinery across its eight scheduled races – with several drivers taking centre stage as well.

Guy Smith was the driver to beat in the Poultec – Classic Race Engines Pre ’66 Touring Cars, powering his Ford Lotus Cortina to a brace of race wins – with Roger Stanford and Peter Smith hot on his heels on both occasions.

The Shell Oil Pre 83′ Touring Car Championship saw a familiar name at the helm across both days as Stephen Primett notched two wins. Setting his sights on yet another CTCRC crown, the Ford Escort MK1 driver proved unstoppable all weekend.

In the amalgamated Laser Tools Pre-93 Touring Cars Championship and Simply Serviced Pre-2003 Touring Cars Championship races, Alexander Owen and his trusty Honda Civic Type R proved too hot to handle as he also claimed a pair of wins.

Rounding out the CTCRC action was the combined Burton Power Products Blue Oval Saloon Series and Edmundson Electrical Classic Thunder Saloons Championship. Andy Robinson and Michael Pensaville took a win apiece following two frantic encounters.

Representing the Club’s North West Centre, the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship had those in attendance on the edge of their seats as Paul Rose and Paul Dobson topped the rostrum after two pulsating races.

Bringing the curtain down on the weekend’s entertainment were races from the British Superkarts Championship, where Liam Morley clinched a sensational hat-trick of wins.

To view the full classification of results from all championships competing at Cadwell Park, click here.

The British Automobile Racing Club will be back in action this coming weekend (July 11/12) at Croft as several other championships kick off their 2020 campaigns.

Thruxton Circuit announces five-event post-lockdown calendar

Thruxton Circuit is making preparations for a busy second half of the 2020 motorsport season after announcing a post-lockdown schedule comprising of five events.

With UK motor racing having been suspended since late March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the much-loved Hampshire track has worked hard to piece together a calendar.

The Classic Sports Car Club will kick off what is set to be a feast of on-track entertainment over the coming months with its eclectic mix of infamous racers going wheel-to-wheel on July 25/26.

On August 15/16, the high-speed venue will then take a trip down memory lane as a bygone era of machinery takes centre stage for the coveted ‘Thruxton Historic’ meeting.

One week later on August 22/23, attention will turn to the British Racing & Sports Car Club as it makes a welcome return with multiple Caterham categories and Fun Cup Championship topping the bill.

Moving from its traditional May date, the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship and TOCA support categories will speed into the fastest circuit in the country on September 19/20.

As the 2020 campaign begins to edge towards its conclusion, three high-octane races from Britain’s premier race series will provide plenty of tin top thrills and spills.

Rounding out Thruxton’s revised schedule will be a two-day event hosted by the British Automobile Racing Club on October 24/25.

Unfortunately, both the Bennetts British Superbike Championship and the BTRC British Truck Racing Championship meetings have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will now return in 2021.

All dates and events remain provisional and subject to change in line with the latest government guidelines.

The CSCC race meeting will be run behind closed doors (no spectators) but the venue is hopeful that spectators will be able to attend the remaining events. Confirmation is expected in the next few weeks.

Thruxton Circuit – Revised Provisional 2020 Calendar

July 25/26 – Classic Sports Car Club

August 15/16 – Thruxton Historic

August 22/23 – British Racing & Sports Car Club

September 19/20 – Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship

October 24/25 – British Automobile Racing Club

Gurston Down cancels remaining 2020 events

Gurston Down Speed Hillclimb has confirmed that it has cancelled its remaining events that were scheduled to take place in 2020.

Operated by the Club’s South West Centre, the Salisbury-based venue had been set to play host to the likes of the British Hillclimb Championship, amongst other meetings, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

A statement on Gurston Down’s website read: “After an exhaustive Committee meeting on the 29th June 2020, BARC South West Centre have to announce that we will not be running an event on 30th August 2020.

“As many of you already know, as a consequence, there will be no hill climb events at Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb for the 2020 season. The Turbo Dynamics Gurston Down Hill Climb Championship and the Cavendish Ships Store BARC SW Top Ten Challenge have both been cancelled as has our Annual Awards Dinner in November.

“The Committee heard from all of those involved in the running of the event, discussed the safety and financial implications, as well as views from each of the committee members.

“The primary concern of the Committee was driver and stakeholder safety. The Committee, by majority vote, decided that the event could not be run taking into account all of the current guidance issued by Motorsport UK, BARC, HM Government and the other stakeholders.

“Our Competition Secretary, Nick Revels will be in touch with all competitors over the next few weeks to arrange refunds. These refunds will be processed as quickly as possible.”