Category: Barc

British Schools Karting Championship victor Ethan Brooks wins Ginetta Junior Scholarship

Ethan Brooks has secured a fully-funded season in the 2019 Ginetta Junior Championship after winning the coveted Ginetta Junior Scholarship.

Taking place at Ginetta’s own circuit, Blyton Park, the three-day process saw a wealth of young drivers take on a variety of driving, media and fitness tests – with the competition being whittled down along the way.

Impressing the judging panel throughout the process, Brooks was crowned the winner to clinch one of the most coveted prizes in British motorsport.

In addition to earning himself a spot on the grid for next year and the use of a Ginetta G40 race car, Brooks will also receive insurance, consumables, tyres and fuel plus professional car preparation from an experienced team for the duration of the 2019 campaign.

Brooks’ triumph has further reinforced the importance of competing in the British Schools Karting Championship. In the past two years, the teenager racer has won the arrive-and-drive karting title with Brentwood School, using it as a springboard to continue to climb the motorsport ladder.

Brooks is set to follow in the footsteps of former BSKC victor Matt Luff, as well as former Scholarship winners James Taylor and newly crowned champion Adam Smalley by competing in the popular one-make series.

The 2019 Ginetta Junior Championship will once again take place alongside the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, travelling the length and breadth of the UK. Brands Hatch will play host to the opening round of the season on April 6/7.

Adam Smalley prevails as champion from Ginetta Junior Championship finale

The Ginetta Junior Championship crowned Adam Smalley as its champion at Brands Hatch this past weekend (September 29/30) following a dramatic final event of the season around the iconic Grand Prix circuit.

Having served up a year of thrills and spills, the Junior category had one last chapter of 2018 to write and it proved to be entertaining all the way.

After showcasing themselves to being in a league of their own against the rest of the field, Smalley, Louis Foster and Luke Browning all arrived at the Kent venue with a chance of being crowned champion.

All three would shine over the course of the weekend with Richardson Racing’s Browning being the first to do so in race one. With the lead pack bumper-to-bumper throughout, overtaking moves were being made at almost every turn and the decisive one came in the closing minutes as Browning muscled his way past Smalley into the lead.

Going on to score a pivotal victory, Browning kept his title hopes alive whilst Smalley banked solid points in second. Foster meanwhile could only salvage fourth as Patrick Kibble rounded off the podium.

Arguably the most crucial race came in the second Junior duel as Smalley prevailed to extend his points lead. In a race of attrition, the Elite Motorsport withstood a barrage of attacks from the chasing pack before a late safety car neutralised the race, and due to the clock ticking to zero, that is how things would finish.

With all three drivers heading into the final race of the season still in contention, Smalley found himself in the pound seat holding a 26-point advantage over Foster. Starting on pole position, Smalley dropped down the order early on as team-mate Foster stormed to the front of the field.

As the laps ticked by, the battle for supremacy hanged in the balance but as Foster crossed the line to record his latest victory after a back-and-forth battle with Browning, Smalley finished fifth and with it, sealed the championship crown.

“It was pretty horrific!” he said after the race. “I got passed on the first lap, and then beaten up after that. I knew I had to finish around sixth to take the title comfortably. The goal was to go out and win it, but I did what I needed to to.

“I couldn’t control the emotion, it was too overwhelming, I’m over the moon.  We’ve been unfortunate in races, coming out on top is great.”

For the full final championship standings and results from all sessions at Brands Hatch, click here.

Matt Neal hails Diamond Double win ‘one of the best of his BTCC career’

Matt Neal has hailed his victory in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship’s Diamond Double at Snetterton this past weekend (July 28/29) as one of the best of his career.

On what was a milestone weekend for the series as it continued its 60th Anniversary celebrations, the Halfords Yuasa Racing driver once again wrote his name into the history books with a 63rd BTCC victory.

Instead of the customary reverse grid format for race three at the Norfolk venue, round 18 was to be a 60-mile, 20-lap race where all cars would run without success ballast and on the same tyre. More importantly that than, double championship points were also on offer.

Having qualified in second place in the second of two qualifying sessions on Saturday, the triple-champion served up a masterful performance at the wheel of his Honda Civic Type R.

Chasing the WIX Racing with Eurotech Honda of Jack Goff, Neal took the lead on lap nine when a brief rain shower caught out Goff, sending him wide at the Wilson hairpin and allowing Neal to make the pass down the inside.

Despite coming under race-long pressure from Goff and the charging Tom Ingram, the 51-year-old used of all experience to power towards the chequered flag to take yet another famous victory.

“What a fantastic race,” Neal enthused. “To produce a result like we have done on a completely level playing field is testament to all of the hard work that everyone at Halfords Yuasa Racing has put in and underlines how strong this new Type R is.

“We qualified well but with the drizzle I wasn’t quite sure how we would fair – I was expecting us to go backwards at a million miles an hour. The car was really loose on the opening laps but it settled down soon after and I was able to push on a little bit more from then on.

“I was running halfway between a dry and full wet brake setting and that worked well for me. Both myself and Jack were strong in different areas but he was caught out a little bit by the rain at the hairpin, that opened the door for me and I was able to take the lead from there. Jack and Tom though both hounded right until the end.”

Since 1991, Neal has been a permanent fixture of the BTCC and in that time he has enjoyed some memorable moments. From becoming the first Independent driver to win a race outright and scooping ÂŁ250,000 from Alan Gow in 1999 to his trio of championship wins, Neal has continued to add to his ledger as being one of the all-time greats in the series.

Basking in the glory of winning the coveted Diamond Double, Neal admits that his latest triumph ranks right up there as one of his best BTCC wins.

“I was hoping Alan was going to present me with another cheque when I got onto the podium,” Neal joked. “I’m not to sure where I am going to put this big trophy though, I think it will go in the workshop with the boys as they have earned it just as much as me.

“The BTCC has been my life so to win this race is so special, it was our day! There have been some highs and lows down the years but this is definitely up there as being one of the best achievements I have had in the BTCC.”

Virtue of his historic victory, Neal remains third in the overall standings, trailing new leader Ingram by just 16 points.

The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship continues its 2018 campaign in under two weeks times on August 11/12, with Rockingham playing host to rounds 19, 20 & 21.

BTCC signs off 2018 season in spectacular style at Brands Hatch

The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship brought the curtain down on its Diamond Jubilee season in style at Brands Hatch this weekend with three dramatic races and champions being crowned.

Having already proven to be a record-breaking campaign, the BTCC’s 60th Anniversary was signed off in typically thrilling fashion as Colin Turkington beat season-long rival Tom Ingram to lift the coveted title for a third time.

Turkington’s championship triumph was just half the story however on a weekend that saw the series showcase why it is one of the leading categories in the world.

Qualifying kicked off proceedings with the all-important battle for pole position set to be critical in the title battle. Following a frenetic session, Brett Smith topped the timesheet as the clock ticked to zero, handing him his maiden BTCC pole position.

Behind the Eurotech Racing driver were a further four Honda Civic Type R’s as the underlined their superiority around the Grand Prix layout. Of the championship protagonists, Turkington could only manage 17th whilst Ingram languished in 19th.

Halfords Yuasa Racing wild prove to be the dominant force on race day however as they stormed to a pair of 1-2 finishes, with Dan Cammish finally scoring a breakthrough victory and with it becoming the 17th different race winner of the season.

As the lights went out for race one, Smith held the lead off the start but soon found himself at the mercy of Cammish who made his move at Clearways. Triple champion Neal followed soon after and that was to be how it finished at the chequered flag.

Drama was to follow afterwards though as Cammish was handed a 30-second time penalty after being adjudged to have made a false start. Following an appeal by the team, Cammish was later reinstated as the race winner meaning the original result stood.

For Turkington and Ingram, a handful of points for both saw the Team BMW driver extend his advantage and put him on the cusp of championship glory heading into race two.

Cammish produced a carbon copy performance in race two, despite being ladened with 75kgs of success ballast as he led home Neal for another Honda 1-2. Things were far less comfortable for Neal however as he fended off Andrew Jordan for a majority of the race.

In the title battle, Turkington found himself in the thick of the action and contact with Dan Lloyd at Paddock Hill Bend was shortly followed by a trip through the gravel trap sent him tumbling down the order.

As that happened, Ingram’s target became clear – he had to finish on the podium to keep the championship alive. Hustling his Speedworks Motorsport Toyota into fourth, Ingram tried everything he could to muscle his way past Jordan in the closing laps but was unable to do so, meaning Turkington secured an unassailable lead and was crowned champion.

The final race of the weekend and the season proved to be a fitting end to the BTCC’s Diamond Jubilee as outgoing champion Ashley Sutton and Josh Cook engaged in a ding-dong battle for the honours.

Going bumper-to-bumper for a majority of the race and dicing for the lead, the pair kept fans on the edge of their seats and they were soon out of them as Sutton drew alongside Cook on the run to the line – snatching victory by a mere 0.032 of a second.

Rob Austin rounded out the final podium of the season as he finished third in his HMS Racing Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

As Turkington celebrated becoming a three-time BTCC champion, BMW and West Surrey Racing also successfully retained their BTCC Manufacturer/Constructor Championship and BTCC Teams Championship respectively.

Ingram and Speedworks Motorsport did the same in the Independents’ categories whilst the Toyota Avensis driver was also the winner of the Dunlop Forever Forward award for the most overtakes over the course of the season.

Capping off the list of title winners was two-time race winner Cammish who lifted the Jack Sears Trophy.

For the final championship standings as well as the full classification of results from the weekend, click here.

Junior Saloon Car Championship announces Brands Hatch Winter Series

The Junior Saloon Car Championship will pay its second visit to Brands Hatch this year on November 3/4 to hold a Winter Trophy for the first time.

As part of the popular British Truck Racing Association Championship season finale at the Kent venue, which encompasses two days of racing and fireworks, the one-make series will look to add further excitement in front of what is expected to be a bumper crowd.

With the current 2018 season set to draw to a close at Oulton Park in late October, the JSCC plans to run three races at the meeting with the highest point’s scorer from those encounters being crowned the overall winner of the Winter Trophy.

On top of the British Truck Racing Association Championship and Junior Saloon Car Championship, the Pickup Truck Racing Championship and UK National Legends Cars Championship with MRF Tyres.

In addition to the Winter Trophy, entries for the 2018 Junior Saloon Car Championship Scholarship are now opened, with limited plenty of interest already being shown.

The next wave of driving talent aged between 14 to 17-years-old will take part in an assessment day at Croft on October 25th.

Drivers competing for the prize will take to the circuit, face the media, have a fitness test and also take part in an auto test. A judging panel made up of the championships organisers and partners will then whittle down the competition to select the winner that will receive a funded season in the category next year.

Battle lines drawn as British Superbike title fight powers into Thruxton

Thruxton sets the stage for round seven of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship next weekend (3-5 August), with the high-speed Hampshire battleground awaiting the nation’s most fearless two-wheeled warriors in what promises to be another gripping all-action encounter.

Among the fastest motorcycle racing venues in the world, the Thruxton round of BSB represents arguably the most exhilarating challenge for Britain’s premier biking heroes as they battle handlebar-to-handlebar at eye-watering speeds in excess of 170mph in Britain’s tightest and most keenly contested racing series.

Indeed, with precision passes, multiple changes for the lead and races decided by mere thousandths of a second proving the rule rather than the exception in this thrilling championship, BSB is one of the many dazzling highlights of Thruxton’s 50-year Golden Anniversary celebrations.

JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s Leon Haslam tops the table heading to Thruxton as he bids to maintain forward momentum in his quest for a long-awaited maiden BSB title. The Superbike stalwart is one of the series’ most successful racers with 37 victories to his name, six of which he has accumulated in 2018 alone.

However, while Haslam is no stranger to title fights at the pinnacle of Superbike racing both in Britain and on the world stage, many his main rivals for 2018 represent the best of a growing group of promising young talents seemingly destined along the path for success.

Leading this exciting new wave is Jake Dixon, who has forged a relentless route towards the sharp end of the standings in 2018 following a breakout race-winning 2017 campaign. At just 22-years old, Dixon is quickly establishing himself as a Superbike star having amassed no fewer than 12 podiums – including three wins – in little over 12 months aboard the RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki ZX-10R.

In third place overall, Glenn Irwin has dutifully stepped up to lead the Be Wiser Ducati team in the absence of Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne. The defending champion remains on the road to recovery for injuries sustained in a testing crash just as his quest for another record-breaking seventh BSB title was gathering momentum. Nevertheless, the mantle could well remain in the team’s hands courtesy of Irwin who has featured towards the front all year.

Then there is Bradley Ray – aged just 21 – who stunned the paddock at the start of the year with a double victory on the distinctive Buildbase Suzuki GSX-R1000 and has been touted for future success, while Danny Buchan has been the model of consistency riding the FS-3 Kawasaki ZX-10R.

That’s not to say familiar fan favourites won’t be out in force for more Thruxton silverware this weekend. Former champion Josh Brookes arrives on the back of a triumphant double victory aboard the McAMS Yamaha R1, while the charismatic Australian has reason to be confident around a circuit he has enjoyed immense success at in previous years. Indeed, Thruxton marked his first-ever BSB win back in 2010, while he was a double victor in both 2014 and 2015, and topped the podium again last season.

With everything still to play for ahead of the ‘Showdown’ – where the top six riders go forward to battle it out for the coveted title over the final three rounds – don’t rule out the likes of Smiths Racing’s Peter Hickman, who was a race winner at Thruxton in 2017, and fellow BMW contenders Christian Iddon and Michael Laverty on the Tyco Racing-prepared S1000RRs.

Moreover, fans will have every reason to get behind the local brigade this year as Etchilhampton’s Tommy Bridewell teams up with Winchester-based Moto Rapido Ducati in the ultimate regional ‘dream team’.

Beyond the British Superbike Championship races, the packed Thruxton itinerary features a superb support programme delivering electrifying action worthy of a headline act. The Dickies British Supersport, Pirelli National Superstock 1000 and 600 in association with Black Horse, HEL Performance British Motostar and the Hyundai Heavy Industries British Sidecars in association with Molson are all in action to keep visitors entertained from the first green light to the final chequered flag.

As well as three days of back-to-back track action, fans have the chance to meet the riders and grab their autographs and selfies with the Pit Walk at 09.30 on Sunday morning, while the addition of two more big screens at the first corner Allard and in the paddock will ensure not a single moment of the action is missed this weekend.

“It is a truly awe-inspiring spectacle to witness these masters of the discipline racing so hard and fast in breathtaking encounters,” remarked Group Managing Director, Bill Coombs. “With riders getting their knees and elbows down at staggering speeds as they jostle for position just inches from one another, it’s little wonder this annual Thruxton highlight draws such passionate bumper crowds each-and-every year.

“The British Superbike Championship has been the cornerstone of our racing calendar for decades now and we’re proud it is regarded as one of the most challenging, yet rewarding, venues among the most accomplished Superbike riders in the country – indeed, some of the finest riders in the world! Together with an action-packed support programme and a wealth of entertainment, exhibitions and activities for the entire family to enjoy, there really will be something for everyone!”

In addition to the on-track action, Thruxton has also launched an exclusive competition that will see one lucky advanced ticket holder experience a high-speed pillion ride around the UK’s fastest circuit on BSB race day. This once-in-a-lifetime prize can be won by anyone who makes or has already purchased an advanced race day or advanced weekend ticket.

Advanced tickets for the BSB’s visit on 3-5 August are priced at £28 for Sunday (race day) but only until tomorrow (31 July). Tickets are available on arrival priced £5 for Friday (practice), £16 for Saturday (qualifying and support races) and £33 for Sunday. Accompanied children aged 15 and under will be admitted free of charge.

For further information, see www.thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/bsb or call 01264 882200 and select Option 1.

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

Series Elite unveils new car ahead of inaugural season

The striking Jaguar XE SV Project 8 has been unveiled at the International Property Awards in London as the new car that will be campaigned in the inaugural season of Series Elite in 2019.

Aimed at high net worth individuals with a minimum age of 50 years, the newly launched category is aimed at providing novice drivers who never had the opportunity to go racing in their youth, as well those more experienced drivers who raced in their younger days and still wish to compete.

Since launching in March the series has garnered plenty of interest, with work progressing behind the scenes to put together the correct package to ensure the one-make category continues to flourish.

Having received high acclaim from the automotive industry and media, the Jaguar XE SV Project 8 is set to become a thoroughbred race car in the series, with development of the car already well underway before testing commences in early 2019.

Series Elite founder, Graeme Glew, said: “The opportunity to develop this awesome car into a fully fledged racer was one that I jumped at. Not only will our drivers own a fantastic race car, when they finally hang up their race boots, they can if they wish, convert their Project 8 back to a road going version, one of no more than 300 will be made by Jaguar Special Vehicle Operations.”

Set to offer a turnkey racing opportunity and designed to appeal to both amateurs and more experienced racers, drivers will be provided with all the relevant training, testing and race experience needed to compete in the new series, with their cars stored and prepared at a centralised team facility.

With visits to Silverstone, Donington Park, Brands Hatch and Portimao all set to feature on the calendar next year, preparations are in full swing for the category to make its mark early next year.

“The last six months have been an intensive period of developments and it’s another milestone for us with the showcasing of the Project 8 car at the International Property Awards event this week,” Glew continued.

“We’ll be introducing the Series to a vey affluent, driven audience and offer them the chance to re-ignite an old passion or achieve an unfulfilled ambition.

“Our original plan was to hold a one-off ‘taster’ race weekend later this year. However, the car development and series preparation has led us to focus on an early 2019 test programme ahead of the inaugural race calendar.

“We’ll be giving our drivers even more track time and an opportunity to be race-ready and fully prepared for what promises to be a very exciting addition to the options for the more mature driver to go racing.

“We’ve also partnered with a number of luxury brands that will be joining us at the event, like-minded businesses who work within the HNWI industry and meet their demands for exclusivity and enriching their lives.”

Those wanting more information on Series Elite should head to https://www.serieselite.com/

Charlie Ladell seals Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup title in dominant fashion

Charlie Ladell was perfection personified in the Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup at Brands Hatch to seal the coveted championship title in fine style.

Having topped the standings since the opening event of the season, the Rob Boston Racing wrapped up the one-make series crown with one race to spare after dominating proceedings around the Grand Prix layout.

Arriving at the season finale in a commanding position at the summit of the points, ahead of chief rival Carl Boardley, Ladell laid down his marker by storming to pole position in qualifying after originally losing his fastest time.

Launching off the front row in race one, the 22-year-old took a significant step closer to championship glory with a lights-to-flag victory ahead of Angus Fender and Harry King.

Starting on pole position for race two, Ladell underlined his title credentials with another superlative drive from behind the wheel of his #32 machine. Holding off King as the lights went out, Ladell settled into a rhythm and maintained the gap to the Elite Motorsport driver all the way to the chequered flag to score his tenth win of the season.

“This is an incredible feeling, it won’t sink in for a while,” Ladell said as celebrations began. “To do it with two wins is amazing, I can’t thank everyone around me enough. Everyone has worked so hard and it’s all come together.

“It was just a case of counting down the laps. Harry kept close, it wasn’t easy but I brought it home!”

Tom Roche capped off the season as he cantered to the victory in the final race of the weekend and the 2018 campaign, finishing ahead of Carl Boardley and Adam Shepherd.

In the Am class, Michael Crees recovered from a first lap spin in race two to charge through the field and ensure he secured title honours.

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

Snetterton serves up blockbuster weekend of TOCA support championship action

All five TOCA support package championships returned to action at Snetterton this past weekend (July 28/29) and there were edge-of-the-seat thrills all the way.

Resuming battle following the annual mid-season break, the Norfolk venue provided a fitting backdrop to two full-throttle days of high-octane entertainment.

The Ginetta Junior Championship produced a host of thrills and spills, with Luke Browning and Adam Smalley sharing the spoils. Races one and two belonged to Richardson Racing’s Browning as he took back-to-back victories, both on Saturday as the Norfolk venue basked in the sunshine.

Championship leader Smalley, who had to look on as Browning cleaned up, ensured he claimed the final bragging rights of the event with a win of his own in race three. The Elite Motorsport driver was made to work for his sixth victory of the season though as he was hounded to the chequered flag by Browning, the pair seemingly in a league of their own.

Harry King and Charlie Ladell emerged as the stars of the Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup with King bagging a pair of race wins too. The Elite Motorsport hotshot proved to be the man to beat early on in the weekend and he solidified that fact with two perfect drives in races one and two.

Ladell meanwhile added yet another victory to his 2018 record as he maintained his lead in the championship heading into the business end of the season.

There was an emotional first win in the Renault UK Clio Cup for Daniel Rowbottom during the weekend too. In treacherous conditions, Rowbottom scythed his way from ninth into second on the opening tour, and then was involved in an almighty scrap for the lead with James Dorlin. After several laps of going back and forth, Dorlin out-braked himself at Wilson, giving the Cattaclean driver a lead he ultimately never went on to lose.

Race two from the Clio Cup saw championship leader Max Coates bounce back from his race one woes to notch another win. Losing the lead at the start, the Team Pyro driver battled back to pass Dorlin and then pull away from his rivals, taking victory ahead of the aforementioned Dorlin and Lee Pattison.

Spoils were shared in the two Porsche Carrera Cup GB races with Dino Zamparelli and Tom Wrigley each toping the podium. In wet conditions, Zamparelli controlled proceedings in race one as he grabbed an early lead and was ultimately never headed.

The second race of the day saw the circuit substantially drier, giving Wrigley the opportunity to showcase his talents and stake his claim to the title with a measured performance, taking the chequered flag by a mere eight tenths of a second ahead of Lewis Plato.

Finally, the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost produced three exhilarating races to kickstart the second half of their season. With another bumper grid of single seater machines primed for battle, Snetterton provided the perfect backdrop for rounds 16, 17 & 18.

Dennis Hauger came out on top in a dramatic opening encounter, leading home an Arden 1-2 with Sebastian Priaulx hot on his heels. Race two saw a new driver come to the fore as Paavo Tonteri scored his maiden F4 victory, taking the lead at the start and then never being challenged from there.

The final race of the weekend from the F4 contingent saw Jack Doohan make it three different winners from three races, pipping fellow race winners Hauger and Tonteri.

For the full classification of results from all of the weekend’s session from each championship, click here.

The action continues for the TOCA support package on August 11/12 as the Renault UK Clio Cup, Ginetta Junior Championship, Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup and F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost head to Rockingham.

BARC championships serve up thrilling Donington Park race day

The British Automobile Racing Club served up a breathtaking day of racing at Donington Park on Saturday (September 29) as three championships continued on the road towards the end of the season.

Tackling the challenging Leicestershire venue, the Junior Saloon Car Championship, Classic Touring Car Championship and CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship were all in action.

Showcasing the next generation of racing drivers, the Junior Saloon Car Championship delivered its customary blend of wheel-to-wheel thrills and excitement with spoils being shared between two drivers.

With the title battle set to go down to the wire, Joel Wren maintained his recent run of front-running form with a fourth consecutive victory. Starting from fourth on the grid, Wren charged to the front of the field and was declared the winner after five laps following a red flag stoppage. Thomas Ward and Lewis Saunders joined Wren on the podium, finishing second and third respectively.

Saunders made a triumphant return to the summit of the rostrum in race two as he narrowly edged out Wren to continue his charge towards the championship title.

In the Classic Touring Car Championship, six high-octane encounters left fans sitting on the edge-of-their-seats. The amalgamated Pre 93 Touring Cars, Pre 2003 Touring Cars & Pre 05 Production Saloon Cars races saw a dominant display by Ian Bower in his BMW M3, winning both races.

Stephen Primett produced a similar dominating performance in the combined Pre 66 Classic Saloon & Historic Touring Cars & Pre 83 Group 1 Touring Cars races as he piloted his Ford Escort Mk1.

The CTCRC action came to a close with the Classic & Historic Thunder Saloons & Blue Oval Saloon Series sharing the track, with Dave Cockell prevailing, sweeping to two victories in his Ford Escort Cosworth.

Rounding out the BARC action was the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship which saw series leader Paul Rose and Danny Bird take a win apiece.

For the full classification of results from all championships and sessions, click here.

TOCA support championships produce all-out action at Rockingham

There was action all the way on the TOCA support package this past weekend (August 11/12) as four championships continued their campaigns at Rockingham.

The Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup delivered three different winners as the title battle took another twist around the partial oval circuit. Tom Roche was the man to beat in race one as he converted pole position into a flawless win.

Championship leader Charlie Ladell won on the road in race two but he wouldn’t step on the top step of the podium, that would fall to Carl Boardley. Ladell was hit with a ten-second time penalty after being adjudged to have started out of position, dropping him to fourth overall.

Harry King signed off the weekend for the Supercup paddock by sweeping to a comfortable victory in race three ahead of Ladell and Angus Fender.

There were plenty of twists and turns in the Ginetta Junior Championship at Rockingham as it too staged a trio of races over the course of the weekend. Saturday belonged to rookie Louis Foster, who vaulted himself firmly into title contention with a brace of wins.

Foster’s first win came after a breathtaking move down the inside of Patrick Kibble at the Tarzan hairpin on lap six. From there, the pair diced all the way to the chequered flag with Foster pipping Kibble whilst Adam Smalley finished third. Foster’s second win of the weekend came after he emerged from a titanic tussle in the lead to win, Luke Browning and James Taylor rounding out the rostrum.

Treacherous conditions greeted the Junior contingent for their final race of the weekend and Foster almost made it a hat-trick of wins. Running Browning close throughout the ten-lap encounter, he could do nothing to stop the Richardson Racing driver scoring his latest win, whilst Smalley scored another podium in third.

In the Renault UK Clio Cup, spoils were shared between Daniel Rowbottom and Jack McCarthy. Off the back of his maiden victory in the series at Snetterton, Rowbottom was at it again as he stormed to a commanding win in race one. Taking the lead on lap three, the Cataclean-backed racer was unstoppable as he headed Paul Rivett and McCarthy. Elsewhere points leader Max Coates found himself out of luck and out of the race, forced into retirement following contact.

McCarthy became the latest winner in the series in a wet race two as he controlled proceeding’s to take a memorable first triumph. Getting the better of Bradley Burns early on, the Pyro Motorsport driver edged out the chasing duo of Mike Epps and Coates, both of whom capped off the podium.

The F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost served up plenty of entertainment across its three races, with a host of drivers coming to the fore. In a lively opening encounter, Patrik Pasma delivered a scintillating performance to score his maiden victory in the single seater series, leading an Arden Motorsport 1-2-3 ahead of Red Bull Junior duo Jack Doohan and Dennis Hauger.

Johnathan Hoggard was back in the winners circle for race two as he narrowly pipped Kiern Jewiss in a thrilling 14-lap race, with Doohan third. Pasma added a second victory to his CV in the final race of the weekend, producing another superlative drive to top the podium.

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

Next stop for the TOCA support package will be north of the border at Knockhill, where the Ginetta Junior Championship, Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge, Porsche Carrera Cup and the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost will all do battle on August 25/26.

Julian Godfrey wins at Croft to take British Rallycross Championship points lead

Julian Godfrey propelled himself to the top of the standings in the Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship this past Sunday (July 29), taking victory at Croft Circuit in round six.

Visiting North Yorkshire for the second time this season, the series battled it out in contrasting conditions to last time, with heavy rain added further spice to the action in front of a hearty crowd.

Entering the weekend third in the points, five-time champion Godfrey produced a stellar performance to take a maximum score, vaulting himself to the summit of the leaderboard.

Kevin Proctor led the way in two of the three heats in the run to the final, with Godfrey the other pace setter. Come the end of the day however nobody could stop the Spencer Sport Mitsubishi Mirage as he got a good start and converted his front row start into a lead that he ultimately never lost.

Behind, Ollie O’Donovan saw his hopes of a podium disappear whilst giving chase to Godfrey and Proctor. The Ford Focus driver suffered broken right front suspension and finished the contest sixth, leaving him tied for second overall with Mark Higgins, a point off Godfrey.

Higgins benefitted from O’Donovan’s woes to round off the podium with Steve Hill and Liam Manning rounding out the top five.

Elsewhere reigning MSA Supernational Rallycross champion Tristan Ovenden overcame the challenging conditions to clinch his fourth victory of the season ahead of local star Paige Bellerby and Paul Coney.

Solberg Hansen recorded his second win in the MSA Junior Rallycross Championship as it boasted a record 12 drivers that started. As others lost their way during the final encounter, Hansen held his nerve to thread his way into the lead and power to victory ahead of Patrick O’Donovan and Ben Sayer.

Morgan Bailey delivered a champions performance in the Swift Sport Rallycross Championship to pip Tom Llewellin and Simon Ovenden after a race-long battle.

There were two attempts to run the BMW Mini Rallycross Championship final but when it came to a close, David Bell emerged as the victor and in-doing so took the lead of the points too.

Rounding out the list of winners from a wet and wild weekend was Gary Dixon in the Retro Rallycross Championship final following a monumental scrap with James Harrold, Gary Simpson, Jason Bowes and Ian Biagi.