Category: Barc

Spoils shared as Citroen C1 Series stars at Pembrey

Spoils were shared at Pembrey Circuit this past weekend (June 8/9) as the Distrigo Parts Distribution Citroen C1 Series served up two pulsating six-hour endurance races.

In what was the latest visit to South Wales by the British Automobile Racing Club, the C1 contingent served up another memorable weekend of competition as a total of 36 cars vied for supremacy across the weekend’s races.

Following a frenetic qualifying session, the opening six-hour race proved to be a memorable affair as Spy Motorsport triumphed. Leaving it until the final 60-minutes to make their way to the front, the trio of Scott Parkin, Joshua Potter and Peter Keen ran out as the winners.

Clocking a staggering 238 laps around the Welsh track, Spy Motorsport lapped their way all the way up to fourth by the end, taking the chequered flag by just under 50 seconds.

Race two would see the Spy Motorsport outfit unable to repeat their heroics of the day before, however they came close. Bidding to make it back-to-back victories, Saturday’s victors produced a battling performance to finish third.

Having stormed their way to pole position in qualifying, Viking duo Richard Grindrod and Jonathan Hoggarth proved to be in a league of their own as they clinched victory ahead of Amigo Motorsport.

Two races from the Welsh Sports & Saloon Car Championship also gave locals plenty to cheer about as well, with no one driver setting their stall out as the man to beat during Sunday’s pair of j pulsating encounters.

Keith Butcher, at the wheel of his Audi R8 ALMS, claimed overall honours in race one in commanding style before Mike Moss piloted his Caterham 7 to victory in the second race of the day later on.

For the full classification of results from all sessions at Pembrey, click here.

Father’s Day fun at Croft as Britain’s biggest motorsport series races north

Father’s Day this year is set to be extra-special in the north-east of the country, as the UK’s premier motorsport series – the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) – speeds into Croft Circuit for a weekend of high-octane entertainment (June 15/16).

What better way to treat dad than with tickets – still discounted until Monday morning  (June 10) – to see 30 of the finest drivers in Britain duelling doorhandle-to-doorhandle around a track that has always proven popular amongst competitors and fans alike?

If the action so far this season is any indicator, spectators are in for a superb weekend’s racing at the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) at Croft, presented by Tarmac. The circuit – situated just down the road from Darlington in North Yorkshire – invariably delivers thrills ‘n’ spills by the bucketload, and with five different winners and 15 podium-finishers from the opening nine races, unpredictability is very much the name of the game.

Just five points separate the leading four drivers in the standings at this stage, with the top two – defending champion Colin Turkington and Honda rival Rory Butcher – tied at the top of the table.

The former has earned the sobriquet ‘King of Croft’ for his spectacular success in North Yorkshire – racing to 12 wins at the track since 2005 – while for the latter, it is almost a second ‘home circuit’ hailing as he does from Kirkcaldy just north of the border. Both are eager to maintain their early-season momentum next weekend.

“I’m always excited about going to Croft,” enthused Turkington, who is chasing a fourth BTCC drivers crown in 2019. “It’s my favourite circuit on the calendar with a lot of happy memories, and I think we’re in good shape. The track has been resurfaced for this year and we’re bringing the new BMW 3 Series there for the first time so there will obviously be some learning to do, but we know what’s made us fast at Croft in the past so there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be strong again.

“The first complex is the place to watch from – that’s where the action is. Actually, Turn One is probably my favourite corner because it’s much faster than you think it should be, so you’ve really got to commit through there. There’s always a lively enthusiastic crowd at Croft, and I definitely feed off that.”

“Croft is just ace – heading up through the Jim Clark Esses into Sunny In and Out is an absolute buzz and a thrill,” echoed Butcherm who broke his BTCC duck in the Brands Hatch curtain-raiser back in April. “It’s also a bit closer to home for me than most track, so we should get some Scottish fans crossing the border to support me.

“We’ve got a new surface there that’s just been re-laid, and whilst the Honda struggled last year on the old track, that should hopefully allow us to be a bit further up the field. All the teams are effectively going to be making a fresh start, so it’s going to be interesting. It’s all to play for…”

It’s not just the headlining BTCC that will thrills the crowds at Croft, with a fast-and-furious feast of support series adding to the appeal. The Formula 1 superstars of the future will go wheel-to-wheel in the F4 British Championship, with the next-generation touring car heroes earning their spurs in the Renault UK Clio Cup. Croft shares its race date with the 87th edition of the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours, and you may just spot a future winner of the race in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, Ginetta Junior Championship and Ginetta GT4 Supercup.

Tickets to the BTCC’s only north-eastern event of the year can be purchased in advance priced at just ÂŁ12 for Saturday entry (BTCC Qualifying), ÂŁ24 for Sunday (BTCC Race Day) or ÂŁ35 for the full weekend. Accompanied children aged ÂŁ12 and under are admitted free of charge, with tickets for 13-to-15-year-olds beginning at ÂŁ3. Further details can be found at: http://croftcircuit.co.uk/racing/btcc

More information on all of Croft’s driving experiences and racing events can be found at http://croftcircuit.co.uk/

BARC heads to Pembrey for Citroen C1 Series enduros

The British Automobile Racing Club will descend on Pembrey Circuit this weekend (June 8/9) as the Distrigo Parts Distribution Citroen C1 Series takes centre stage for two six-hour endurance races.

Providing a low-cost method of going endurance racing, the Citroen C1 Series has become a smash-hit since its inaugural events in 2017, and now it heads to the home of Welsh motorsport for what should be a pulsating two days.

Having already written themselves into the history books after fielding the biggest grid in UK motorsport, 99 at Silverstone, the C1 contingent are set to make their mark once more with a pair of six-hour encounters around the flowing curves of Pembrey.

Another bumper entry list has been confirmed for the weekend with a raft of drivers all set to get behind the wheel of their Citroen C1 machines at some stage over the course of the weekend.

With a qualifying session set to decide the grid for the races, fans in attendance can look forward to plenty of thrills and spills as the C1 Series serves up a total of 12 hours worth of racing.

Fans will have plenty of local stars to cheer on as well as the Welsh Racing Drivers Association Sports & Saloon Championship joins in on the action on Sunday.

Boasting a diverse grid of cars that are all set to go wheel-to-wheel in the battle for supremacy, two races from the WRDA will likely be the cherry on top of what will be a memorable weekend of racing in South Wales.

To find out more information on this weekend’s event, including links to the timetable, entry list and live timing, click here.

Thousands lap up an automotive extravaganza at Power Maxed MotoFest Coventry

Power Maxed MotoFest Coventry served up a memorable two days this past weekend (June 1/2) as thousands turned out for the annual automotive extravaganza that celebrates Coventry’s heritage as Britain’s ‘motor city’.

Growing in size and stature as each year passes, the 2019 edition of the city centre spectacle proved to be the biggest and best yet for the ultimate summer party.

The centrepiece of the weekend proved to be the city’s road network transforming into a race track, titled the GT Radical Sprint Circuit. With major parts of Coventry’s ring road closing to form the 1.13 mile layout, all eyes were on the diverse range of machinery that was set to pit itself against the clock to see who would claim the spoils of being fastest.

Rounds 9 & 10 of the BARC Connaught Sprint Championship proved to be the main focus on the GT Radical Sprint Circuit as the category wrote the latest chapter in what has already been a memorable campaign.

Saturday would see Clive Woodster as the man to beat as he set the fastest time in his Radical SR4. On a slightly damper Sunday, Chris Edwards came to the fore at the wheel of his Mazda 323 GTX to walk away with the bragging rights.

Double BTCC champion Jason Plato was also on hand to meet fans and put on a show from behind the wheel of his Sterling Insurance Power Maxed Racing Vauxhall Astra.

Other machinery to wow crowds around the ring road circuit included various entrants from the MV Commercial BTRA Championship following a three-year absence and Carbon8 Hyundai Coupe Cup.

Supercars, car clubs and motorcycles also joined in on the ring road shenanigans as they too took to the tarmac to turn a wheel.

On Sunday, the ring road provided a fitting backdrop as a spectacular parade of 1,000 classic Citroens convoyed together to mark the French manufacturers centenary celebrations.

Away from the time trial course, the Skydome Fueltopia Arena saw plenty of thrills and spills take place across both days with modern classic, modified and custom cars both in action and on display, setting pulses racing.

In addition, the Formula G Championship had fans on the edge-of-their-seats too whilst there were also drift demos from Michelle Westby, stunt bikes and more.

Away from the circuit and arena, spectators also lapped up hundreds of classic motorbikes and cars that were on display, family fun area, fairground rides and attractions, food stalls and plenty of entertainment – including three music stages.

For more information on the 2019 Power Maxed MotoFest Coventry, head to https://www.coventrymotofest.com/.

To view the full classification of results from the BARC Connaught Sprint Championship, click here.

Donington Park plays host to memorable BARC weekend

Donington Park welcomed the British Automobile Racing Club this past weekend (June 1/2) for an entertaining two days of racing which saw a total of six championships in action.

Descending on the Leicestershire venue with the Motorsport UK British Superkart GP headlining the weekend’s action, those in attendance were treated to a mouth-watering array of wheel-to-wheel action from start to finish.

Providing a slip-streaming masterclass, the British Superkart Championship offered up huge grids and plenty of thrills along the way too. In the combined F250, F450 & Division 1 races; Liam Morley and Peter Elkmann tasted victory whilst the F125 class saw Kirk Cattermole and Morley triumph.

The coveted Motorsport UK British Superkart GP served up plenty of entertainment as the weekends centrepiece with Elkmann winning the Division 1 race, Paul Platt the F250/F450 National and Morley the F125 Open category.

On Saturday, the Dunlop Endurance Championship took to the spotlight as it staged its latest two one-hour races under the flight path of East Midlands airport. Following a pulsating qualifying session, race one spoils fell the way of the MacG Racing Taranis, driven by Jonny MacGregor.

Having finished as runners-up earlier in the day, VR Motorsport bounced back in the second Britcar encounter to score victory in race two. Tim Gray and Alastair Boulton shared driving duties of the impressive Praga R1T to finish nearly half a minute of their nearest challengers.

The BARC Clubmans Sports Prototype Championship in association with King Henry’s Taverns was back in action with another pulsating triple-header. Peter Richings claimed overall honours in the opening race of the weekend as he added to his already impressive 2019 win tally.

Races two and three saw Clive Wood and Steve Dickens come to the fore as they made it three different winners from three races.

Elsewhere, the Caterham Graduates Championship welcomed one of the biggest grids of its already successful season with more 50 cars battling it out over the course of the two days.

Stephen Clark and Samuel Wilson were the victors in the combined Sigmax, Mega & Classic races whilst Luke Balmforth and Jason McCormack did the same in the amalgamated Sigma 125, 135 & 150 class encounters.

The Lancaster Insurance MG Owner’s Club Championship saw honours even between William Sharpe and Steve McDermid as they each took a win apiece at the wheel of their MG ZR’s.

Following on from a ground-breaking inaugural event at Silverstone in April, the UK Sports Prototype Cup was back in action. Encompassing both the Radical and Revolution classes, a healthy grid of 12 competitors battled it out for supremacy.

Rob Wheldon set his stall out as the driver to beat in races one and two as he romped to victory however his chances of competing a sensational hat-trick were halted by James Abbott, who ended the weekend topping the podium.

For the full classification of results from all sessions at Donington Park, click here.

Thruxton Motorsport Celebration revives the past with spectacular inaugural festival

The inaugural Thruxton Motorsport Celebration – powered by Motorsport Magazine – was a resounding success as thousands of fans enjoyed two days of historic racing, high-speed demonstrations and spectacular flypasts at the famous Hampshire venue.

Thruxton Circuit played host to a stunning display of classic cars as the UK’s fastest racetrack built on the success of last year’s hugely-popular 50th anniversary meeting, and supporters weren’t disappointed as the 15-race schedule served up a fantastic weekend of wheel-to-wheel racing.

Fans also had the opportunity to get up close and personal with priceless legendary machines in a family-friendly paddock on the iconic airfield and were treated to a number of thrilling demonstrations – both on-track and in the air.

Thruxton was bathed in glorious sunshine for much of the weekend, while a brief summer shower on Sunday did little to dampen the spirits of the motorsport enthusiasts looking to enjoy a bevy of retro races.

Motor Racing Legends’ colourful Historic Touring Car Challenge with Tony Dron Trophy grid was a firm favourite while their U2TC for pre-66 under two-litre Touring Cars also provided plenty of spills and sideways moments.

Meanwhile, their RAC Woodcote Trophy/Stirling Moss Trophy pitched the beautiful Ecurie Ecosse Jaguar XK120 and the spell-binding Frazer Nash Le Mans Replica against each other for the first time since the 1952 British Empire Trophy race on the Isle of Man, triggering memories of a by-gone era.

Elsewhere, the Sports 2000 Championship field provided the fastest cars on show this weekend with a pair of white-knuckle races culminating in Paul Streat lifting the Ian Taylor Trophy for topping the Pinto class in his Lola T87/90.

The FJHRA/HSCC ‘Silverline’ Formula Junior Championship put on four hotly-contested events – two for front-engined and two for rear-engined cars – before the Historic Racing Drivers Club completed the package with three evocative rounds – the ‘Coys 100 Trophy’ for Touring Cars 1958-66 (including an appearance from musician Chris Rea in a Morris Minor), the ‘Alfa Challenge’ for Alfa Romeo Sports, GT and Touring Cars and the ‘Allstars’ for pre-66 Sports, GT and Touring Cars.

In-between all the racing, Thruxton provided the perfect platform to showcase the skills of British Superbike Championship star Tommy Bridewell and 2015 Moto3 Champion Danny Kent as the pair scorched around the high-speed superbowl on their gravity-defying machines.

There were also runs from the iconic Lola T70 Mk38 and the thunderous V8 Lola T332 as well as a Chevrolet-powered Cooper Monaco T61, a Formula Atlantic Chevron B49 and the Reynard 89D which had been piloted by ex-Jordan F1 driver Marco Apicella during the 1989 Formula 3000 season.

For aviation fanatics, the state-of-the-art Thruxton Centre was an ideal vantage point to see the spectacular flypasts put on by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight – with a pair of legendary Spitfires catching the eye on Saturday and a majestic Dakota C-47 sweeping over the circuit on Sunday.

Throughout the festival the bustling trade village gave families a chance to refuel at food vendors and shop for merchandise, while several car clubs including the Porsche Club GB, the GT40 Enthusiasts Club and the Mazda MX-5 Owners Club pitched up with impressive collections on the famous banking.

Thruxton Circuit Director Bill Coombs said: “It’s been a fabulous weekend and we’re delighted with the meeting as a whole. I think it’s lovely to see all these demonstrations, and it’s brilliant to have such a variety of classic supercars and the superbikes here as well.

“For me, this meeting is the highlight of the year. The Bennetts British Superbike and Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship events are stand-out dates in our calendar, but with so many classic cars on show from different decades this event holds such personal interest!

“The cars are just wonderful to watch, and they generally have more power than grip so they slide around a lot and are great fun. It’s been a wonderful meeting, with a real family atmosphere, and we hope it’s been a brilliant weekend out for everybody.

“And we’ve got a lot of big meetings to come with British Truck Racing, the second visit of the BTCC and the BSB. We’ve still got plenty of action at Thruxton for fans to enjoy!”

Tickets for the British Trucks Race Meeting on June 29-30 start at just ÂŁ12 while advance tickets for both the Bennetts British Superbike Championship and the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship are available from just ÂŁ13 for Saturday entry and ÂŁ29 for Sunday.

For more information or to buy tickets, visit thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing or call 01264 882222.

For more information on Thruxton’s race meetings and driving experiences, visit www.thruxtonracing.co.uk 

BARC championships serve up scintillating Silverstone showing

Five championships from the British Automobile Racing Club tackled the iconic sweeping curves of Silverstone this past weekend (June 1/2) as each campaign continued on their 2019 journeys.

Topping the bill were no less than eight races from the Classic Touring Car Racing Club, which showcased that variety really is the spice of life from a wide range of eras.

Alan Greenhalgh was perfection personified in the Pre 66’ Touring Cars races as he scored a brace of wins in his Ford Falcon. Elsewhere, Stephen Primett and Mike Luck shared the spoils in the Pre 83’ Group 1 Touring Cars.

In the amalgamated Pre 93’, Pre 03’ and Pre 05’ races, David Griffin and AJ Owen scored victories whilst Andrew Wilson and Lucky Khera did the same in the combined Thunder Saloons & Blue Oval Saloons races.

The Junior Saloon Car Championship saw reigning champion Lewis Saunders get himself back into the win bracket as he made a triumphant return to the top step of the podium. Saunders however could do nothing about his main title protagonist and series leader Scott McIntyre from firing back in race two as he picked up the win.

Garrie Whittaker continued his superlative start to the Kumho BMW Championship by enjoying yet more success, scoring a pair of wins. Having won every race heading into the weekend, the E36 M3 driver extended his winning streak in sensational style.

Whittaker beat Darren Fielding and Jasver Sapra in the opener before then getting the better of Khera and Fielding in race two. 

Fans enjoyed a slipstreaming extravaganza over the course of the weekend thanks to the Mighty Minis Championship. Marking the second event on the calendar for the iconic machines, Silverstone’s National layout proved to be the perfect backdrop for two frenetic races.

Alex Comis was the man to beat in the opening encounter as he led narrowly edged out Greg Jenkins and Neven Kirkpatrick. Jenkins would bounce back in race two as he edged out Kirkpatrick and Comis, the trio covered by less than half a second at the chequered flag.

Rounding out the weekend’s action at the Northamptonshire venue were the first-ever races from the SmarTrack Series Elite. Vic Lee wrote his name into the history books as the inaugural race winner before then doubling up his win tally later in the day.

For the full classification of results from all sessions at Silverstone, click here.

Legends UK, Pickup Truck Racing & Super Silhouettes star at American Speedfest

Brands Hatch brought a flavour of the USA to Kent in the shape of American Speedfest this past weekend (June 1/2), and three British Automobile Racing Club championships took centre stage to put on a star-studded performance.

In what is billed as the biggest celebration of American-fuelled motoring, music and racing this side of the Atlantic, the two-day event welcomed a bumper crowd – all of whom got the full stars and stripes treatment.

Alongside the likes of Euro NASCAR and Bernie V8s that all took to the track, the BARC trio of the Legends UK National Championship with MRF Tyres, Pickup Truck Racing Championship and the BARC Super Silhouettes Championship were also in action.

Having last been action just a week previous at Anglesey, the 5/8 scale Legends contingent wrote the latest chapter in what has already been storybook season for them.

Saturday saw three different winners come to the fore across the day’s three races, with a popular winner triumphing in the final. Storming to pole position in qualifying, Marcus Pett scored victory in race one before Sean Smith triumphed in race two.

Donning the mantel of defending champion and teamed up with a special level for Legends’ 25th Anniversary, John Mickel finally notched a first win of the season in race three of the weekend.

Another trio of races followed on Sunday at Brands Hatch for the Legends with Pett, Smith and Tom Grainger topping the rostrum.

The Pickup Truck Racing Championship saw two pulsating encounters played out around the Indy circuit of Brands Hatch, and both of them will likely be crucial on the outcome of who walks away as champion.

George Turiccki struck first around the 1.20 mile layout as he piloted his machine to pole position for both races. Turiccki was unable to convert his front row start into victory however as Reece Jones emerged as the man to beat in the opening race, taking victory by seven seconds ahead of Turiccki.

Race two saw Turiccki make amends however as he stole a march on his rivals to canter to victory ahead of David O’Regan and Jones.

Rounding out the action for the BARC representatives was the ever-growing BARC Super Silhouette Championship. Already reaping the benefits of a rebrand this year, the space frame category served up a mesmerising performance for those in attendance.

Qualifying saw Chris Brockhurst lay down the gauntlet to his rivals as he topped the timesheets in qualifying from behind the wheel of his Vauxhall Tigra. However, as he has done on many occasions this year already, Malcolm Blackman was the man to beat in race one as he scored yet another victory – before then repeating the feat in race two.

For the full classification of results from American Speedfest, click here.

BARC championships descend on Donington Park

The British Automobile Racing Club heads to Leicestershire this weekend (June 1/2) to tackle the sweeping curves of Donington Park as six championships continue their 2019 campaigns.

In what is the beginning of a busy summer of track action for the Club, the challenging demands of Donington Park are set to provide a stern test as many categories begin to edge towards the second half of their seasons.

Topping the bill and likely to set pulses racing under the flightpath of East Midlands airport will be the British Superkart Championship. Headlining the weekend’s action with its Superkart GP races, edge-of-the-seat entertainment is guaranteed when it comes to Superkarts.

Small in stature but able to clock eye-watering speeds, the very best karting drivers in the country will be going wheel-to-wheel in a bid to top the podium – and it is not to be missed.

From the extremes of superkarts to supercars, and the Dunlop Endurance Championship – which will hit the track once again for another two one-hour encounters. Marking the fourth event of the season for Britcar, an eclectic mix of machinery will again do battle for outright honours.

The Ferrari 488 Challenge pairing of Paul Bailey and Andy Schultz were the team to beat last time out at Brands Hatch, winning both races, and they enter the weekend at the summit of the standings. However, hot on the heels of the duo are a raft of front-running contenders all capable of throwing themselves into the fight at the front.

Another bumper entry list has been confirmed for the Caterham Graduates Championship with four races scheduled to be run over the course of the weekend. Renowned for producing close wheel-to-wheel action, the multi-class series will undoubtedly be one to watch.

Notable names to keep an eye on to challenge towards the sharp end include Samuel Wilson, Mark Carter, Jamie Ellwood, Kevin Barnett and Luke Balmforth, amongst many more.

The BARC Clubmans Sports Prototype Championship in association with King Henry’s Taverns have been hugely entertaining so far this year and that theme is set to continue at Donington.

In cars that boast a rich history, Clubmans are prototype front-engined sports racing cars that are not only easy to drive but are also affectionately known as ‘slicks and wings’ machines.

Peter Richings, Morris Hart, Clive Wood and Barry Webb are just four of the drivers to keep an eye on over the course of the weekend having already starred.

All eras of MG will be showcased at the weekend too as the Lancaster Insurance MG Owner’s Club Championship takes centre stage for the third time this year. Spanning several decades, some of the most iconic tin top machines from the manufacturer will be out on track.

With events at Silverstone and Brands Hatch already in the books, the battle for supremacy is set to rage on even further within the multi-class category.

Rounding out the weekend’s action at Donington Park will be a pair of races from the UK Sports Prototype Cup. Breaking cover at Silverstone in late April, the series – which encompasses both the Radical and Revolution classes – will be keen to write another chapter in its ever-developing story.

To find out more information on this weekend’s event including the timetable, click here.

Power Maxed MotoFest Coventry primed to get city centre pulses racing

The streets of Coventry City Centre are set to be transformed this weekend (June 1/2) as Power Maxed MotoFest Coventry puts on a show like no other in the heart of the UK’s Motor City.

Combining thrilling motorsport, heritage displays, global street food, live music and more; MotoFest Coventry is set to be the ultimate summer party.

One of the highlights of the weekend will undoubtedly be surrounding competitive motorsport taking place around the ring road of Coventry. Cars, motorbikes, supercars and classics will take to the track over the course of both days to set pulses racing in the crowds.

Headlining the action will likely be a variety of machines that will be competing in the latest round of the BARC Connaught Speed Championship. Pitting driver and car against the stopwatch, all eyes will be on the championship to see who comes out on top.

Double Kwik Fit British Touring Car champion Jason Plato will be in attendance too to meet the thousands of fans set to line the pavements and also get behind the wheel of his Sterling Insurance Power Maxed Racing Vauxhall Astra.

Following a three-year absence, some of the stars from the MV Commercial BTRA Championship will return to action to showcase their 1000bhp heavyweight behemoths. Multiple champion Stuart Oliver will be joined by Ray Coleman, John Bowler, Brad Smith and more.

Elsewhere, the Skydome Fueltopic Arena will be the place to be for modern classic, modified and custom cars to be found, both in action and on static display. The arena will also play host to Formula G Championship and London Cartel as well.

As part of its centenary celebrations, more than 1000 Citroen cars will line the streets for a display like no other whilst the world’s first ever urban inter-varsity drone race, including Coventry, Warwick, Oxford, Cambridge and Aston Universities will take place in the action arena on Saturday.

Across the whole weekend, there will also be kids go-karts in the Interactive Motor World; mini Land Rovers in the JLR Zone and a fire station open day.

To find out more information on this weekend’s event, head to https://www.coventrymotofest.com/

Silverstone revved up for BARC spectacular around National layout

The British Automobile Racing Club heads to Silverstone this weekend (June 1/2) for what should be a memorable two days of track action as several championship continue their 2019 campaigns.

In what is the latest visit to the Northamptonshire venue by the Club, the National layout will play host to a selection of categories – all of which are keen on taking centre stage as the battle for supremacy rages on.

Variety has always been the spice of life in the Classic Touring Car Racing Club and an eclectic mix of saloon cars from all eras will roll back the years across eight blockbuster encounters.

Racing will come from the Paul Inch – Classic Race Engines Pre ’66 Touring Cars, CTCRC Group 1 Touring Car Championship, Envirotec Hygiene Services Pre-93 Touring Cars, Simply Serviced Pre-2003 Touring Cars, Toyo Tyres Pre-2005 Production Touring Car Championship, Burton Power Blue Oval Saloon Series and Edmundson Electrical Classic Thunder Saloons Championship.

Small in stature but packing a real punch under the bonnet, those in attendance are set to witness a slipstreaming battle like no other as the Mighty Minis Championship hit the track for the second time this year.

Mini racing is renowned for putting spectators on the edge of their seats and competitors from both the Mighty Mini and Super Mighty Mini classes will likely live up to that mantel in the weekend’s two races.

The next generation of racers will be in action too as the Junior Saloon Car Championship returns from an in-season break to pick up where they left off last. Scott McIntyre and Lewis Saunders have proven to be the benchmark

Garrie Whittaker will look to extend his winning streak in the Kumho BMW Championship as he bids to carry out a perfect season. Having won six outright races on the bounce, Whittaker has been the man to beat in the lone manufacturer series.

Showcasing some of the most iconic models produced by BMW from down the years, the championship has hit new heights this year with grid sizes continuing to swell.

Rounding off the weekend’s action from the BARC will be a pair of races from the SmarTrack Series Elite. Breaking cover at Brands Hatch earlier this month, the single-make Jaguar category will look to rev up the crowd as it stages its inaugural two races of the season.

Despite a relatively small grid being confirmed for the curtain-raiser, expect plenty of wheel-to-wheel action from the thunderous 600bhp machinery around the iconic curves of Silverstone.

Action from the Historic 750 Motor Club and CALM 4-Pot Porsche Trophy will be races to watch too.

To find out more information on this weekend’s event, click here.

Thruxton ready to race down memory lane

The wait is almost over. Twelve months on from the circuit’s hugely successful 50th birthday party, the Thruxton Motorsport Celebration – powered by Motor Sport Magazine – will rev into life this weekend (1/2 June), bringing with it an air of nostalgia and ‘days gone by’ to the popular Hampshire venue.

Appropriately enough for a festival honouring the very best in motoring, motorsport and one of the golden eras of aviation, the rapidly approaching Thruxton Motorsport Celebration will take place at Britain’s fastest racetrack, which previously served as an RAF airfield.

A mouth-watering array of sensational sportscars, flame-spitting saloons and evocative single-seaters will thrill the crowds, with no fewer than 15 races on the bill as the past comes back to life for the weekend.

Boasting all-round family appeal, the event truly does have something for everyone, with a tremendous variety of high-octane activities across the two days. Both modern and historic cars will take to the circuit for races and high-speed demonstration runs, offering spectators the opportunity to reminisce about bygone eras and marvel at cutting-edge motorsport technology.

One of the most compelling stories will be told in the RAC Woodcote Trophy/Stirling Moss Trophy races, in which two old rivals will go head-to-head for the first time in almost seven decades. Piloted respectively by Roy Salvadori and James Scott-Douglas, the Frazer Nash Le Mans Replica and Ecurie Ecosse Jaguar XK120 finished fourth and sixth in the 1952 British Empire Trophy race on the Isle of Man’s Douglas street circuit. Sixty-seven years later, the cars will be reunited in the hands of father-and-son duo, Steve and Josh Ward.

Flashbacks to yesteryear will continue with a ‘Battle of Britain’ flypast scheduled for both days, which will undoubtedly grab the attention of aviation fans. This magical moment will feature one of just six Hawker Hurricanes left in the country as well as the legendary Douglas C-47 Dakota military transport aircraft.

Back down on terra firma, local motorcycling hero Tommy Bridewell (Devizes) will wow spectators aboard his 2019 Bennetts British Superbike Championship challenger – the potent Oxford Racing Ducati. Accompanying the Wiltshireman on-track will be a host of iconic racing cars, including some of Lola’s most successful designs such as the rip-roaring V8 T332 and the T70.

A variety of car clubs will make the journey from across the UK, from the MX-5 Owners Club – celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2019 – to the Porsche Club GB and the GT40 Enthusiasts Club, all of whom will be exhibiting stunning examples of truly classic cars. Thruxton’s impressive collection of resident supercars will similarly take pride of place.

Add into the mix coach rides around the circuit, sideways skid pan experiences, axe-throwing for the ultimate thrill-seeking experience and live music on Saturday evening from classic rock tribute band ‘The Cellarats’, and all the ingredients are firmly in place for another retro-themed blockbuster.

“The Thruxton Motorsport Celebration really does offer fun for the whole family,” enthused Thruxton Director, Bill Coombs. “There will be so much to do across the two days and something for everyone. For me, particular highlights will be the Frazer Nash / Ecurie Ecosse Jaguar face-off, and seeing Tommy Bridewell on his 2019 BSB bike – a nice little teaser for fans ahead of the summer race meeting in a couple of months’ time.

“The Battle of Britain flypasts will similarly be great to watch and will I’m sure bring back some memories, while the sheer number of classic cars going on display will unquestionably be a sight to behold. Both on and off-track, the weekend promises to be a flat-out thrill ride from start to finish.”

Tickets for the Thruxton Motorsport Celebration are still available to purchase on the gate, priced at just ÂŁ15 for Saturday entry and ÂŁ25 for Sunday. Accompanied children aged 15 and under will be admitted free of charge. For further information, visit thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/celebration or call 01264 882222.

For more information on Thruxton’s race meetings and driving experiences, visit: www.thruxtonracing.co.uk