Snetterton delivers blockbuster BARC weekend

The British Automobile Racing Club underlined that variety is the spice of life at Snetterton this past weekend (August 18/19) as a raft of categories battled it out around its shorter 1.98 mile circuit.

In what was the third visit to the Norfolk venue in the past month, spectators were treated to all-out action across both days as the 2CV Parts.com Classic Racing Championship took centre stage as it drew its 2018 campaign to a close.

As has become a tradition in recent years, the Liqui Moly 24-hour race provided the footnote to five-event campaign that was with plenty of high-octane drama taking place along the way.

After a full day’s racing, BNLL 1/GT Racing emerged as the victors after completing a mind-boggling 788 laps around the Snetterton 200 circuit. The team of Thierry de Bonhome, Laurent Jossiaux, Rudy Coppieters and Philippe Courtois proved to be in a league of their own as they underlined their domiance, finishing 24 laps ahead of their nearest challengers.

Second place went the way of Bernard Crispin, Claude Crispin, Andre Blaise and Jean-Marc Louys in the BNLL 2 – BMR whilst Team Misfits rounded off the podium with Steve Rideout, Dave Rees, Connor O’Brien and Paul Ogborn all sharing driving duties.

There was to be another twist in the tail of the Junior Saloon Car Championship at the weekend too as Lewis Saunders and Joel Wren shared the spoils.

Despite rolling his car in practice and having to get behind the wheel of a spare, Saunders took a lights-to-flag victory in the opener – despite coming under constant pressure from Ben Kasperczak and Thomas Ward.

In race two, Wren bounced back from narrowly missing out on the podium earlier in the day to score his latest triumph, little under five seconds ahead of Scott McIntyre whilst Saunders made it a day to remember with a third place finish to add to his race one win.

Benn Tilley was at the double in the Luna Logistics Classic Formula Ford 1600 Championship, however he didn’t have things his own way. Having entered the weekend as the form driver, Tilley showcased his front-running credentials to narrowly pip Rick Morris by little under two seconds in the opening encounter.

Things were to get even closer between the pair in race two as Tilley fended off the advances of Morris all the way to line, emerging as the winner by just 0.047. Mark Armstrong and Stuart Kestenbaum each notched a podium finish apiece too.

Ken Lark proved to be a tour-de-force in the Classic VW Cup as he powered his Volkswagen Corrado to a pair of wins. Elsewhere, Steve Sawley and Robert Burkinshaw scored a victory each in the amalgamated BARC Saloon Series and Dream Automotive Honda VTEC Challenge duels.

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

FIA World Endurance Championship returns to UK soil for 6 hours of Silverstone

The FIA World Endurance Championship continues is 2018-2019 Super Season this weekend (August 17/18/19), hitting British shores for the third round of the season – the 6 Hours of Silverstone.

Having not been in action since Le Mans in late June, the series is set to burst back into action with 34 competitors primed and ready to duke it out around the iconic Northamptonshire venue.

For the second season in succession the British Automobile Racing Club will play a pivotal role in the organisational side of the event, appointing officials and marshals, as well as ensuring the three-day meeting runs as smoothly as possible.

Leading the entry list are two Formula 1 World Champions in the shape of Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button. Only recently confirming that he will step away from F1 next year, Alonso is set to be the talk of the town as he bids to score another victory for Toyota Gazoo Racing.

Alongside team-mate’s Sebastian Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima, the Spaniard has enjoyed a stellar start to his endurance career after scoring two wins from two races, and he will have his sights set on making it a hat-trick at Silverstone.

The immediate fight will be taken to them by the sister Toyota TS050 Hybrid squad of Britain’s Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Jose Maria Lopez, all of whom should provide stiff competition for the series leaders.

Button heads up the privateer SMP Racing squad and as he prepares to compete at his home race for the first time since 2016, the Somerset-born driver is set to receive a rousing reception from the thousands of British fans that are set to pour through the gates.

Oliver Webb will also be one to watch in the LMP1 class as he pilots the ENSO CLM P1/01 Nismo with Rene Binder.

There will also be a welcome return for fellow Brit and former champion Anthony Davidson, as he joins the LMP2 ranks to partner Roberto Gonzalez and Pastor Maldonado in the No. 31 DragonSpeed ORECA 07 Gibson.

Andy Priaulx, Harry Tincknell, James Calado, Sam Bird and Alex Lynn will all fly the flag on home soil in the LMGTE Pro category whilst the star-studded entry list continues in the remaining classes too.

On top of the FIA World Endurance Championship 6 Hours of Silverstone race there will also be action from the European Le Mans Series and FIA F3, both of which are bursting with driver talent and expected to deliver edge-of-the-seat thrills.

2CV 24-hour race headlines bumper BARC Snetterton weekend

The 2CV Parts.com Classic Racing Championship will bring the curtain down on its 2018 season at Snetterton this weekend (August 18/19) as it headlines a bumper British Automobile Racing Club event with the now traditional Liqui Moly 24-hour race.

In what is the third visit to the Norfolk venue in four weeks, the BARC is set for a busy weekend with a total of four categories in action around the 2.99 mile layout.

Topping the bill is the 2CV Parts.com Classic Racing Championship which will sign off another year of competition with 33 cars battling it out. Having staged events at Cadwell Park, Brands Hatch, Oulton Park and Donington Park, the destiny of the title will decided in what will likely be dramatic fashion – as is usually the case with the series.

Notable names to look out for during the race include points leader Pete Sparrow, Matthew Hollis, Nick Crispin, Tom Perry and double champion Lien Davies; all of whom have shown their class at some stage during the season.

Whilst the 2CV Parts.com Classic Racing Championship will likely take on a starring role, a host of other BARC categories will also write the latest chapter in their campaigns.

Driving the next generation of talent, the Junior Saloon Car Championship is back in action after its mid-season break and it is set to be all to play for.

Leading the way entering rounds nine and ten is Lewis Saunders, who holds a 16-point advantage. Up until last time out at Rockingham Saunders had been the epitome of consistency, but a superlative drive in round eight gave him a breakthrough victory and further strengthened his position at the summit.

Entering this weekend with momentum on his side, Saunders will be one to watch however he has a host of contenders all hot on his heels.

Heading up the chasing pack is Jemma Moore, another driver that has shown that consistency is key in the title race. Steven Chandler, Scott McIntyre and multiple race-winner Joel Wren round out the top five and all of them are not to be discounted.

If you are looking for a pulsating series that is set to take you on a spirited trip down memory lane at Snetterton then look no further than the Luna Logistics Classic Formula Ford 1600 Championship.

Winding back the clock to one of the marque eras of single seater racing, the Classic Formula Ford category is arguably as good now as it was back then.

Split into two classes, Class A is open to those competing in cars built between 1st January 1974 and 31st December 1981 whilst Class B is for those competing cars built before 1st January 1974.

Both title battles are building towards their crescendo and there are a host of names to keep a watchful eye over as they tackle the demands of Snetterton.

Ben Tinkler and Benn Tilley shared the spoils at Mallory Park a couple of weeks ago and will have momentum on their side whilst the likes of Jordan Harrison, Mark Yates, Stuart Kestenbaum, Mark Armstrong and Kevin Mansell, amongst a host of others, will also be ones to watch.

In what is its inaugural season, the BARC Saloon Series has continued to go from strength-to-strength as each round has passed, with grids growing in size and that is no different at Snetterton.

Open to all manner of tin top machines, the series has become a focal point for competitors to hone their craft and go racing at an affordable price, with the likes of Ford Fiesta’s, Citroen Saxo’s and more competing.

Sharing the grid with the BARC Saloon Series on countless occasions this year has the been the Dream Automotive Honda VTEC Challenge. Home to a variety of models from the Japanese manufacturer, this series is heaven for those that are fans of all things Honda.

Ben Rushworth, James Tracey and Chris Sparks have been some of the winners from this season already and all three, along with a host of others, will be keen to make their mark here at Snetterton.

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.

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.

BTCC signs off from Rockingham in style with memorable weekend

The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship signed off its time at Rockingham with a memorable weekend (August 11/12) with Adam Morgan, Ashley Sutton and Chris Smiley shared the spoils.

Following the announcement earlier in the year that the Corby venue would not be part of the 2019 calendar, the series’ latest visit added yet another plot twist in what is turning out to be an intriguing title battle.

Qualifying on Saturday proved to be a frenetic affair as a host of drivers all held provisional pole position at some stage during the 30-minute session. As the clocked ticked to zero however it was the MAC Tool with Ciceley Motorsport Mercedes of Morgan who scored his maiden pole in the series, setting a blistering time of 1:22.835.

Joining Morgan on the front row was the series’ top qualifier Sam Tordoff, whilst Dan Cammish, Mike Bushell, Daniel Lloyd and Chris Smiley rounded out the top six as the chequered flag fell to mark the end of the session.

Morgan converted his pole position in a comfortable lights-to-flag victory in the Rockingham opener; meanwhile behind there were plenty of major moments. The first came on the run down to the Deene hairpin as Cammish spun Tordoff, causing a chain affect that involved Matt Neal, Andrew Jordan, Ollie Jackson, Daniel Lloyd, Chris Smiley, Tom Oliphant and Sam Smelt.

Tordoff’s race was ended on the spot but Cammish continued, however his mirrors were filled by reigning champion Sutton following a brief safety car period. With Tom Chilton having rocketed into second, Cammish conceded third shortly after racing resumed but stayed on the back of the Subaru Levorg.

Catching the Ford Focus RS of Chilton, Sutton produced his latest spectacular move at the Tarzan hairpin – sending the Motorbase driver a dummy before diving down the inside of him. From there the positions remained as they were with Morgan scoring his third win of the season and Sutton and Chilton bringing themselves further into title contention with podiums.

Tom Ingram and Colin Turkington, the top two in the standings heading into race one, had been locked in an almighty battle towards the back of the top ten. Holding an advantage over the Team BMW driver, Ingram looked on course to extend his points lead until a throttle issue struck on the final lap, causing him to slow and ultimately cross the line in P24.

A heavy rain shower in-between races one and two added further spice to the action with many drivers questioning what tyres to go for, all of them in the end opting for slicks.

Launching off the outside of the front row, Sutton took the lead as the lights went out and was never troubled from then on. Despite having to manage two safety car periods, the Adrian Flux-backed driver controlled the race to notch his fourth victory of the season and bring himself firmly into title contention.

Behind Sutton, race one winner Morgan enjoyed a quiet race as he managed 75kgs of success ballast to second place. It was to be the battle for third that would captivate everyone however as Ingram produced another scintillating performance to charge scythe through the field and collect more silverware.

Just as he did at Snetterton, the Speedworks Motorsport driver started P27 and over the course of the next 18 laps he picked his way through the field, ultimately deposing Senna Proctor of third to reclaim his championship lead toward the end. Proctor finished fourth whilst Turkington was the footer of the top five.

BTC Norlin Racing’s Smiley became the latest driver to enter the winners circle in the reverse grid encounter, producing a perfect drive to become the 12th different victor of the year. Starting fifth, the Northern Irishman survived an early scare in mixed conditions on the opening tour to jump into the lead. From there he was never headed and powered his way to a popular win, joining his team-mate Dan Lloyd who won at Croft.

Behind, Turkington used all of his experience to get the better of Matt Simpson on the final lap to steal second, the Honda driver settling for third having pipped a charging Tordoff and Ingram for it on the line.

In the wake of Rockingham’s three high-octane races, Turkington returns to the summit of the standings although just four points separate himself and Ingram. Sutton remains in contention albeit 32 points further back.

BMW and Team BMW continue to lead the BTCC Manufacturer/Constructors Championship and BTCC Teams Championship respectively whilst Ingram and Speedworks are doing the same in both Independent categories. Smiley’s breakthrough win draws him closer in the Jack Sears Trophy standings although he continues to trail Halfords Yuasa Racing’s Cammish.

Knockhill returns to Renault UK Clio Cup calendar for 2019

The Renault UK Clio Cup has confirmed that it will make a welcome return to Knockhill next year after unveiling its 2019 calendar.

Having not staged an event at the picturesque Scottish venue since 2015, the popular TOCA support series will descend on battle it out around the undulating Fife circuit on September 14/15.

In addition to the return of Knockhill, the Clio Cup will instead compete at just one of the two Thruxton events that are pencilled in as part of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship’s schedule.

The championship will instead descend on the fastest circuit in the UK on August 17/18 whilst there will also be trips to Brands Hatch top and tailing the calendar and visit Donington Park, Croft, Oulton Park, Snetterton and Silverstone.

Renault Sport’s UK Motorsport Championship Manager, Will Fewkes, said: “We are very pleased that Knockhill is back on our calendar for 2019 following a four-year absence.

“Knockhill has produced some of the Clio Cup’s most exciting moments throughout the years – its circuit lay-out is like no other and the welcome the championship has always received there means it is also much liked by our teams and drivers.

“Furthermore, Scotland has historically been an important marker for Renault and also boasts an enthusiastic community of Renault Sport owners. We look forward to seeing many of them at Knockhill next year.

“Another reason for moving away from a spring date at Thruxton creates an ‘early breather’ in the calendar for teams and drivers – importantly this gives them an opportunity to spread their costs further across the season.”

2019 Renault UK Clio Cup Calendar

Rounds 1 & 2 – Brands Hatch Indy – April 6/7

Rounds 3 & 4 – Donington Park – April 27/28

Rounds 5 & 6 – Croft – June 15/16

Rounds 7 & 8 – Oulton Park – June 29/30

Rounds 9 & 10 – Snetterton – August 3/4

Rounds 11 & 12 – Thruxton – August 17/18

Rounds 13 & 14 – Knockhill – September 14/15

Rounds 15 & 16 – Silverstone – September 28/29

Rounds 17 & 18 – Brands Hatch GP – October 12/13

All for to play for in TOCA support championships at Rockingham

The battle for supremacy across the TOCA support championships will continues this weekend (August 11/12) with Rockingham playing host to the latest stop on the 2018 calendar.

In what has been another memorable season across the board thus far, four categories will continue their campaigns on the popular partial-oval circuit based in Northamptonshire.

Arriving at every weekend bar one as the points leader, Adam Smalley remains firmly in control of the Ginetta Junior Championship and is still the teenager to beat currently. Further success at Snetterton last time out maintained his healthy advantage at the summit of the standings however a host of contenders are all still within touching distance.

Virtue of his two wins at Snetterton, Luke Browning has moved up into second place in the standings, and along with leading rookie Louis Foster, could still wrestle the lead from former Scholarship winner Smalley. Tipped as the drivers to beat, those drivers could steal the show although there are plenty more youngsters all keen to make their mark too.

Whatever the outcome, three high-octane races from the Junior category is certain to get fans on the edge-of-their-seats and will also likely play a pivotal role in deciding the destiny of this years title.

In the Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup, Charlie Ladell and Carl Boardley look set to renew their rivalry as they battle for championship glory. At one stage the pair were split by just a single point at Snetterton, that changed however when Ladell notched his latest victory in race three at the Norfolk venue.

Now separated by 20 points, all eyes will be on Boardley to see if he can close the deficit to Ladell over the weekend’s three encounters. Tom Roche, Harry King and Jac Constable will also be one’s to watch as they bid to catch the top two as well.

Six races remain in the Renault UK Clio Cup, including the two here at Rockingham, and there are still no less than 11 drivers in contention of lifting the coveted title. It is likely that that number will come down this weekend although the question by how many and who is yet to be answered.

Max Coates, Paul Rivett and James Dorlin have proved to be the leading protagonists this season and the top three have pulled away from the chasing pack; all should be battling it out towards the front once again as they bid to better each other.

Off the back of scoring his maiden victory, Daniel Rowbottom will look to continue his pursuit of the top three with more success whilst the likes of Mike Epps, Lee Pattison and Jack McCarthy can’t be counted out either.

Capping off the weekend’s racing around Rockingham will be three races from the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost. The single seater category has had many gripped this year with a raft of drivers all s taking their claim to being the one to lift the iconic title at the end of the year.

Leading the way as it stands is Kiern Jewiss, who will be hoping for better fortunes after a gruelling Snetterton event which yielded just 12 points. Ayrton Simmons remains Jewiss’ nearest challenger but the likes of Dennis Hauger, Sebastian Priaulx, Patrik Pasma and Jack Doohan are all also zeroing in too.

Tom Ingram leads BTCC battle into Rockingham as title fight gets set to intensify

The fight to decide the destiny of the 2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship is set to further intensify this weekend (August 11/12) as the series heads to Rockingham for rounds 19, 20 and 21.

Following on from a weekend of Diamond Jubilee celebrations at Snetterton last time out, the annual visit to the Corby-based circuit will likely play a pivotal role as drivers battle to stamp their authority heading into the title run-in.

Since the BTCC’s first visit in 2003, Rockingham has continued to deliver a feast of entertainment on its partial-oval 1.94-mile layout. Whilst this weekend marks the seventh stop on the BTCC calendar, it is also set to be the last for at least one year after it was announced that Rockingham would not be part of the 2019 BTCC schedule.

Leading the way to Northamptonshire is Speedworks Motorsport’s Tom Ingram who is six points clear of double-champion Colin Turkington. Ingram produced a stellar performance at Snetterton last time out, salvaging his race day with a storming driver from P27 to third in the second encounter, before adding another podium in the Diamond Double.

With two wins to his name and momentum on his side, Ingram has shown no signs of wavering at the moment and his hunt for a maiden BTCC title could well pick up steam at a venue that holds fond memories for himself and the team.

Turkington’s consistency has been second to none this year and the Team BMW driver will be focused on recapturing the points lead he lost last time out.

Halfords Yuasa Racing’s Matt Neal currently sits in third and he emerged as the big winner from Snetterton as he closed the gap to summit with victory in the double points race at the Norfolk venue.

Jack Goff, another winner from Snetterton, trails Neal by a single point – meaning the top four are covered by a mere 17 points and that it is all to play for as the title battle heats up.

Beyond the top five sit a host of drivers that are all also on the fringe of the championship battle and one good result away from throwing themselves into further contention. BMW Pirtek Racing’s Andrew Jordan has yet to win but has been in the mix at each event and will be keen to repeat his winning performances of Rockingham from one year ago.

Defending champion Ashley Sutton has the most victories this season, three, but no points in the Diamond Double saw him lose crucial ground in the title race. Tom Chilton, Adam Morgan and Sam Tordoff round out the championship top ten and all three could yet have their say on the title fight too.

Whilst the likes of Daniel Lloyd, Dan Cammish, Senna Proctor, Brett Smith and Jason Plato, amongst others, have all also starred this year and will be focused on adding further strong results.

The BTCC will see three new faces join the fray this weekend too as Ricky Collard replaces father Rob Collard at Team BMW, Glynn Geddie returns to fill the vacant MG seat at AMD Tuning and Ollie Pidgley completes Team HARD’s Volskwagen driver line-up.

With a total of 11 different race winners already and a title race seemingly wide open, the BTCC is for another ultra-competitive weekend as Rockingham signs off.

Thousands lap up vintage fun in the sun at Croft Nostalgia Festival

A bumper crowd numbering thousands of eager spectators headed to Croft Circuit this past weekend (4-5 August) to lap up the sunshine, an irresistible feast of 1940s-70s retro-themed entertainment and the highest quality historic racing at the ninth annual Croft Nostalgia Festival.

Visitors were treated to Nostalgia’s time-honoured combination of top-tier historic motor racing from the Historic Sports Car Club, alongside an irresistible blend of off-track attractions from classic cars to military displays, aero-acrobatics, evocative music and period dress – as well as a selection of showcase track parades and vintage stalls, for those looking to bestow themselves with period regalia.

The venue’s outfield was bulging at the seams with rows upon rows of pristine classic cars, with everything from BMWs and Bristols to Volkswagens and Vauxhalls – and, this year, a celebratory display marking the 50thanniversary of the Mk1 Ford Escort.

Crowds lapped up the vintage shopping opportunities surrounding the showpiece classics on display, while the festival’s centrepiece marquee jived to the tune of The Daisy Belles, The Evernotes and George Formby (aka Colin Bourdiec). Afternoon tea and its accompanying dance is a popular staple at Nostalgia, and this year was no exception, with lessons for those less confident of their footwork when it comes to Swing ensuring no willing participant was left behind.

Wartime spirit and camaraderie was in evidence across the event – and not only in the music and entertainment on offer. An ever-increasing and comprehensive range of militaria and military machinery was showcased from tanks to personnel carriers and jeeps of all shapes, forms and functions. An unmistakable Supermarine Spitfire took up pride of place, and there is no more iconic and evocative silhouette than that of the famed World War II fighter.

A fully-functioning 14-cylinder Bristol Hercules aero engine, the like seen in Avro’s iconic Lancaster Bomber, as well as the unmistakable Merlin from the aforementioned and equally unmistakable fighter plane fired up regularly over the course of the weekend – the former airfield reverberating once more with the sound of World War II aero engines..

Further aero interest came in the shape of the Twister Aerobatics team, which drew eyes to the skies at lunchtime on both days with a dazzling pair of displays, while the on-track action either side of lunch was every bit as exciting – with no fewer than 18 races over the course of a packed weekend schedule.

Saturday set the scene on-track with practice and qualifying preceding an afternoon of racing action, but Sunday provided a packed timetable of the highest order.

The single-seaters never fail to provide spectacular racing and plenty of heroics and the Historic Formula Fords comprised the biggest field of the weekend split over three action-packed encounters, with Cameron Jackson securing a stunning win double in his Lola.

Recognisable classics from TVR to Triumph and Austin to Alfa Romeo lined up on the grid in the HSCC’s enthralling 70s Road Sports & Historic Road Sports races. Charles Barter strode to a pair of victories in the former in his Datsun 240z while John Davison sealed both encounters in the latter, wielding a Lotus Elan S1.

The prized HSCC Guards Trophy was taken by Charles Allison in his Chevron B8, while another ever-competitive centrepiece, in the Historic Touring Cars, proved, as usual, no less competitive in the battle than its modern-day counterpart. The Ford Lotus Cortina transpired as the throwback tourer to beat ahead of the Hillman Imps, Austin A40s and Morris Minis, with Richard Belcher winning races one and two.

“It’s been a fantastic weekend at the Croft Nostalgia Festival,” said Circuit Manager Tracey Morley. “I’d like to thank everyone involved in making the event the success it was, and of course to the thousands of spectators we were delighted to welcome through the gates here at Croft.

“Each year we enjoy some of the best historic racing you’re likely to see in Britain, and it’s always accompanied by a super atmosphere away from the track itself – with the Festival offering so much to see and do for families and people of all ages.

“With its tenth anniversary next year, plans are afoot to go one better still and celebrate in style. We really want to push on for 2019 and we feel sure that it’ll be even bigger and better still than the weekend we’ve just enjoyed.”

Leon Haslam and Josh Brookes share the Thruxton spoils in Superbike showstoppers

Enthusiastic spectators turned out in force to enjoy a sensational seventh round of the 2018 Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Thruxton Circuit as epic track action fuelled a high-octane day of tremendous two-wheeled racing.

With the vast numbers packing the grandstands and banking being treated to a veritable visual and acoustic feast as the nation’s premier motorcycle masters gave no inch in several breathtaking battles, Thruxton affirmed its reputation for riveting racing with two dazzling Superbike races around the UK’s fastest circuit.

Leon Haslam and Josh Brookes were the day’s top trophy winners, the pair strengthening their title aspirations with sublime performances in race one and two respectively.

While victory for Haslam is the first of his illustrious career to be achieved at Thruxton, Brookes’ success in race two is his eighth around the ‘Hampshire speedbowl’ to bring the charismatic Australian level with Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne at the top of the circuit’s all-time winners’ list.

In race one, JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s Luke Mossey led initially off the line from second position, but after building up a sizeable advantage he’d be reeled in by the chasing pack as the fight for victory swelled to seven evenly-matched riders over the second-half.

With the iconic heavy-braking Club chicane – positioned at the end of the full throttle slipstream-inviting back straight – setting the stage for many of the race’s awe-inspiring overtakes, the leading order changed with nearly every lap as the riders ducked and dived for position.

This was especially true of the leaders as Jake Dixon on the RAF Regular and Reserves Kawasaki and Leon Haslam riding for the Bournemouth-based JG Speedfit Kawasaki team tussled all the way to the wire, the latter pulling off a decisive pass on the final lap to snatch his seventh victory of the season.

“It is always tough coming here,” a delighted Haslam enthused. “The JG Speedfit boys have done a mega job this weekend. It wasn’t easy from row three but the battle with Jake was fantastic. You’re always trying to play a game of chess and hopefully at the end you come out on top, which we did. I have always struggled here so to get my first win here is fantastic.”

The biggest cheer of the day, however, was to be saved for the man in third position as a gutsy ride from Peter Hickman saw him dig deep to go from hospital bed to podium in little more than two hours. The Smiths Racing BMW rider was admitted to Royal Hampshire County Hospital overnight and placed on an IV after being diagnosed with a kidney infection but after missing warm-up he was back on his BMW S1000RR in time for race one.

Despite the physical nature of Thruxton, Hickman steadily worked his way into contention from 11th on the grid to get involved in the lead group during the latter stages before pouncing for third on the final corner when Brookes and Honda’s Jason O’Halloran came to blows. With their clash demoting one another to fourth and sixth respectively, pole sitter Glenn Irwin also scythed between them for fifth.

A race of attrition for many of the front-runners, title showdown contenders Bradley Ray, Danny Buchan and Michael Laverty came down together at the Club chicane, while Andrew Irwin – who qualified on the front row alongside his brother Glenn – also failed to reach the chequered flag.

With the race two grid determined by the fastest laps from the first race, Mossey held P1 at a standstill but it was Dixon who snatched the hole-shot into the opening turns to assume a lead he’d retain for six of the encounter’s 20 laps.

However, after missing the podium in race one, a determined Brookes began to make his presence felt as he picked his way past his rivals culminating in him moving to the front on lap seven at Club. From here he wouldn’t be caught, the McAMS Yamaha rider producing an imperious ride to affirm his status as a ’Master of Thruxton’.

“It has actually been a difficult weekend for us, we normally expect to race well here,” he said. “We played our cards wrong in race one but we had a stronger package in race two and I am thrilled we at McAMS Yamaha can celebrate another victory, it is so important to score these points with the title at stake.”

Behind Brookes, Hickman starred once more with an adrenaline-fuelled ride to second position, in turn collecting a large haul of points and earning immense admiration from both spectators and his fellow riders.

“On Saturday I woke up feeling really bad,” he explained. “I went to bed straight after qualifying, next thing I know the paramedics are round because I was in and out of consciousness. I was taken to hospital in an ambulance and I was there until midday today. I was not 100% but I have been on an IV last night and this morning and I felt OK. I was just happy to make the podium. It was the weekend we needed apart from the ill bit!”

Dixon notched up a second podium of the weekend in third place, heading off the threat of Haslam who was forced to settle for fourth place this time. Tarran Mackenzie completed the top five from O’Halloran.

Devizes’ Tommy Bridewell registered a strong double points finish on the Ducati Panigale prepared by Winchester-based Moto Rapido. After finishing 11th in race one, Bridewell stormed to a popular seventh place in race two.

While Superbikes wrote the headlines, a packed itinerary of racing on the support programme nonetheless allowed a cavalcade of two-wheeled talent to enjoy their moment in the spotlight over the day, with the Dickies British Supersport Championship, Pirelli National Superstock 1000 and 600 Championships, HEL Performance British Motostar and the Hyundai Construction Equipment British Sidecars with Molson ensuring the action came thick and fast for fans.

Beyond the captivating competition on course, audiences attending Thruxton took the opportunity to savour the many family-friendly activities and exhibitions on offer across the venue. The BMW Bahnstormer pop-up showroom lured visitors with its display of Baron von Grumble’s HP4 race Superbike alongside a stunning Smokin’ Customers R 100 R along with Bahnstormer’s R Nine T Track, while the numerous merchandise stands and the ever-popular paddock access and pit-walk autograph sessions ensured day-long entertainment.

Visitors were also treated to accessing the state-of-the-art Thruxton Centre, the venue’s contemporary new centrepiece which is available now for hospitality and conferences bookings.

Thruxton Circuit will resume racing action on four wheels on 18-19 August with action from the Classic Sports Car Club (CSCC).

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

Action aplenty at Snetterton as BARC championships shine

It proved to be a scorching two days both on and off the track at Snetterton this past weekend (August 4/5) as a host of British Automobile Racing Club categories produced mesmerising action.

Back on track and providing plenty of entertainment at the top of the race programme was the Trade Team Citroen C1 Challenge, which staged a four-hour endurance race around the 2.99 mile circuit.

Boasting another bumper entry list, a staggering 53 cars lined up for the start of the 240-minute race which saw plenty of high drama and memorable moments. Come the end of what was a gruelling race in scorching conditions, McAttack Racing emerged as the winners, little under a minute ahead of their nearest challengers Absolute Alignment.

Notching an impressive 76 laps, the team of Declan McDonnell, Joe Wiggin and Simon Walker-Hansell topped the podium in their trusty #347 machine. With Absolute Alignment finishing second, Old Hat Motorsport rounded off the rostrum and ended the race as the final team to finish on the lead lap.

Ben Palmer continued his march towards defending his title in the Michelin Clio Cup Series, maintaining his perfect record with two more races wins. Blasting his way to pole position for both races, the reigning champion once again underlined his title credentials with his latest set triumphant performances.

Palmer narrowly pipped Ronan Pearson in race one whilst Ben Colburn was also hot on the heels of the pair too. Race two proved to be an equally tense affair as Pearson and Colburn produced a carbon copy performance, hounding Palmer to the chequered flag but ultimately being unable to overhaul him.

In the Road Class, defending champion Nic Harrison continued his fine run of recent form to score a double of his own.

Garrie Whittaker was another driver to score a brace of victories at Snetterton, dominating proceedings in the Kumho BMW Championship. Just three laps were completed in race one but come the end of it, Whittaker was the man to beat – finishing little over a second ahead of Colin Wells whilst Darren Fielding rounded off the podium.

Race two would go the distance later in the day but Whittaker was again leading the way, with Wells and Fielding continuing to give chase but unable to gain the upper hand over the BMW E63 M3 driver.

The APL Health Caterham Graduates Championship was in action with its raft of classes, many of them amalgamated together to produce an array of on-track thrills.

A bumper 30-car grid made up the Sigmax races where the spoils were shared between two drivers. Jamie Winrow led a tense opener in which the top three were covered by less than half a second, pipping Mark Johnson across the line whilst Samuel Wilson rounded out the podium.

Wilson was to make his mark in the weekend’s second Sigmax encounter as he got the better of Winrow to prevail, with Johnson this time propping up the podium in third.

Declan Dolan was at his brilliant best in the combined Sigma/Mega/Classic races, charging to a pair of race wins to further strengthen his position at the top of the standings.

Rounding out the racing at Snetterton where a flurry of races from the Classic Touring Car Championship. Famed for its blend of iconic tin top machines from all eras, the championship descended on Norfolk with a bumper entry list that didn’t disappoint.

Pre 83 Group 1 Touring Cars had a familiar feel to it as David Howard and Stephen Primett took a win apiece whilst Matthew Evans and Stuart Day did the same in the Classic Thunder & Blue Oval Saloon Series races.

Pre 93 Touring Cars, Pre 03 Touring Cars and Pre 05 Production Touring Cars came together for a pair of races over the course of the weekend too, with David Griffin in unstoppable form as he notched wins in both.

Capping off the list of race winners was David Hall and Michael Sheraton, both of whom scaled to the top step of the podium in the two Paul Inch Classic and Historic Touring Car races.

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