Category: Barc

UK Sports Prototype Cup to launch in 2019

A brand new series is set to launch in 2019 titled the UK Sports Prototype Cup, aimed at providing a multi-marque racing environment for lightweight sports prototype cars to race in a premium race weekend package.

In partnership with the British Automobile Racing Club, Dunlop and Sunoco, the UK Sports Prototype Cup is set to break new ground next year with James Bailey of Pitbox 91 heading up the project.

The inaugural calendar for the Cup is still to be announced however events alongside the Britcar-promoted Dunlop Endurance Championships at UK circuit’s such as Brands Hatch, Snetterton and Silverstone are all being formulated.

A visit to mainland Europe on the support package of the European Le Mans Series at the Autudromo International Algarve is also set to feature on the provisional calendar.

Sprint races of an estimated 25 minutes will be blended with longer endurance style encounters, featuring a compulsory pit-stop and billed to be between 45 minutes and one hour, is set to formulate the race format of the Cup.

One of the leading lights to come from the UK Sports Prototype Cup will be the exciting new V6-powered Revolution, which is set to be unveiled at Motorsport Days Live on November 2nd.

Having been under development for over a year, the Revolution is set to be one of the cornerstones of the Cup as the LMP inspired, carbon tubbed, high downforce prototype will have its own dedicated class following a multi-year agreement being confirmed.

“We believe the 440bhp per tonne performance coupled with the quality, design and technology of the Revolution will quickly establish it as one of the leading premium prototype cars on the market,” Bailey explained.

“It’s important for drivers and teams investing in the Revolution to know that they have strong race events to compete in together. We are delighted to promote the Revolution UK Trophy as a feature category with a commitment until at least 2023.”

In addition to the Revolution UK Trophy, the UK Sports Prototype Cup will also feature of a promoted category for the one of the world’s best-selling race cars, the Radical SR3.

Bailey added: “When we started planning the UK Sports Prototype Cup, we had considerable interest from teams and drivers who own Radical SR3 cars. They told us that the service level of Dunlop’s experienced Le Mans technical team and the welcoming ‘family atmosphere’ we aim to create were attractive selling points for them.”

There will be further emphasis for those competing in the 2019 season of the series too as the Cup will also be a qualifying event for the Sunoco 240 Challenge.

Drivers meeting the Sunoco 240 Challenge criteria and that enter for the full season will have the opportunity to compete for a place in a GT4 car in 240-minute endurance race which takes place the Friday before the coveted Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Further information is set to be announced at the upcoming Motorsport Days Live event, held at Silverstone on November 2/3.

For more information on the UK Sports Prototype Cup, head to their website https://www.sportsprototypecup.com/.

BTCC sets new record north of the border

On what was a dramatic weekend of racing at Knockhill, the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship hit new heights as it set a new record for the number of different race winners in a single season – with six races still left to run.

In treacherous conditions around the undulating Fife circuit, BMW Pirtek Racing’s Andrew Jordan and Motorbase Performance’s Tom Chilton became the 13th and 14th victors of the 2018 campaign, surpassing the previous record of 13 which was set in 2017.

Off the back of that record high last year, Britain’s much loved tin-top championship ensured that it wrote another chapter in its illustrious history as it continues to celebrate its 60th Anniversary.

Boasting one of the strongest line-up’s in recent memory with five former champions and 17 race-winners headlining the class of 2018, this season was one that had the makings of being a marquee campaign – such was the level of competition.

The record-breaking run of race winners began at the season-opener as Jack Goff converted pole position into victory at a sodden Brands Hatch for WIX Racing with Eurotech.

Senna Proctor came to the fore in round two at the Kent circuit in one of the races of the season as he, like a handful of drivers around him, gambled on slick tyres to scythe his way from 27th on the grid to take a maiden victory for Power Maxed TAG Racing.

Speedworks Motorsport’s Tom Ingram made it three different winners from three races on the opening weekend of the season as he piloted his Toyota Avensis to the chequered flag after overhauling Rob Austin late on.

Onto Donington Park and there was to be another new winner, also from the Power Maxed TAG Racing stable. After storming to pole position on the Saturday, Josh Cook became the fourth winner of the year as he dominated proceeding’s in his Vauxhall Astra.

Later that day the MAC Tools with Ciceley Motorsport Mercedes Benz A-Class of Adam Morgan would be back in the winners circle as he fended off Cook in the reverse grid encounter.

Matt Neal was to be next to stand on the top step of the podium as he showed his class to emerge victorious around the fastest circuit in the country, Thruxton, replicating the feat he had achieved 12 months earlier.

Oulton Park would serve up three different winners as the series moved north, the first being Matt Simpson who claimed a popular breakthrough triumph at the wheel of his Honda Civic Type R. Team BMW would make their mark on the remainder of the day as Colin Turkington and then Rob Collard tallied a win apiece.

Croft marked the halfway point in the season with two more drivers adding their names to the ever-growing list of race winners. Reigning champion Ashley Sutton ignited his title defence with back-to-back wins before BTC Norlin Racing and Daniel Lloyd became BTCC victors for the first time in race three.

The second BTC Norlin Honda Civic Type R of Chris Smiley would become the 12th different winner of the season as the series closed out racing at Rockingham, producing a measured drive in round 24.

With heavy rain falling throughout race day and a bumper Scottish crowd in attendance, the BTCC re-wrote the history books at Knockhill this past weekend (August 25/26) as Joran firstly inherited victory in race two to tie the 2017 record before Chilton’s triumph later surpassed it.

As records continue to tumble in the BTCC, the number of different race winners for this season could yet still rise with events at Silverstone and Brands Hatch GP still to be played out.

Next on the calendar for the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship is Silverstone, which will host the penultimate event of the season on September 15/16.

Heading into rounds 25, 26 and 27, Turkington sits atop of the Drivers’ standings holding a 43-point advantage over Ingram, who remains his nearest challenger.

BTCC set for Diamond Jubilee celebrations as battle resumes at Snetterton

After a busy summer break the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship returns to action at Snetterton this weekend (July 28/29) with its 60th Anniversary set to be celebrated in style.

Following on from events at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Silverstone Classic in recent weeks, Britain’s premier race series will continue to mark its milestone year as battle resumes in rounds 16, 17 & 18 at the Norfolk venue.

Marking the kick-off to the second half of the season, race three of the weekend is set to be the headline attraction. As opposed to the traditional reverse grid encounter, race three from Snetterton will be a unique ‘Diamond Double’ to celebrate the BTCC’s diamond jubilee.

Now a 60-mile contest, almost double the length of a traditional race distance at the circuit, and run over 20 laps, a standalone qualifying session will take place on Saturday to decide the starting positions.

In addition, all cars will compete on base weight and they will all also race on the same tyre, the Dunlop Sport Maxx Prime. Most importantly however is that round 18 of the season will see double championship points on offer. With strategy playing a greater role than usual and tyre management being key, the Diamond Double could well play a major role in the outcome of the title battle.

It has been another vintage year in the BTCC so far with the first half of the 2018 campaign underlining how highly competitive the grid and championship is. So far 11 different drivers have scored race victories whilst a further nine have ascended the second and third place spots on the podium.

Leading the standings heading into the weekend is double champion Colin Turkington. Despite only scoring one victory so far, the Team BMW driver has been a front runner consistently and holds a 19-point advantage over Speedworks Motorsport’s Tom Ingram.

Ingram is one of several driver heralded as the next wave of BTCC stars and he has been in fine form too, with two victories being the highlight. Three-time champion Matt Neal finds himself in third whilst BMW Pirtek Racing’s Andrew Jordan has real momentum on his side, elevating himself to fourth in the point’s last time out at Croft.

Tom Chilton and Adam Morgan are firmly in the title fight too whilst reigning champion Ashley Sutton can never be discounted. The Adrian Flux Subaru Racing driver ignited his title defence at Croft with a pair of wins and he will be keen to continue his fine form at Snetterton.

Jack Goff, Josh Cook and Senna Proctor all find themselves inside the top ten too. Goff led the way at the recent Dunlop tyre test held at Snetterton and will be one to watch over the course of the weekend.

Elsewhere, the likes of Croft race winner Daniel Lloyd, Sam Tordoff, Dan Cammish, Rob Collard, Rob Austin and Jason Plato, amongst others, will all be looking to shine too. Familiar faces in the shape of Dan Welch and Ant Whorton-Eales will join the fray too as they replace Jake Hill and Tom Boardman respectively.

With the BTCC celebrating its 60th Anniversary at Snetterton, it is set to be an unforgettable weekend of racing and one that could ultimately prove pivotal come the series finale at Brands Hatch GP.

Ginetta Junior trio set for championship crescendo

The destiny of the Ginetta Junior Championship will be decided at Brands Hatch this weekend (September 29/30) with three drivers set to duke it out across what is expected to be a trio of high-octane races.

This year’s crop of youngsters aged 14 to 17 have served up a feast of entertainment so far, with 23 races of blockbuster action already in the books.

Heading south to tackle the Grand Prix layout of the popular Kent venue, the trio of Louis Foster, Adam Smalley and Luke Browning look set to continue their season-long fight for supremacy.

Once penalty points are applied, Elite Motorsport’s Foster heads into the title showdown holding a 21-point advantage. On the cusp of writing his name into the history books by the winning the series at the first attempt, Foster will be keen to continue the impressive run of results that has seen him move to the top of the standings.

Having enjoyed a consistent first half of the year, six victories from the past seven races has seen the teenage sensation topple his rivals and take the lead of the championship with just three races to spare.

Former Ginetta Scholarship winner Smalley is Foster’s main protagonist in the title battle as it stands and he had been leading the standings for a majority of the season before Silverstone.

With a total of 15 podiums to his name, including six wins, Smalley has been a revelation in his second season in the championship and the Elite Motorsport driver could yet walk away as champion.

Richardson Racing’s Browning sits third on the leaderboard, albeit 48 points off the summit. Seven victories have been the peak of his season however a handful of low scoring rounds is the reason why the #11 machine will enter the weekend needing to do the most if he is to steal the title from under the noses of Foster and Smalley.

Whilst all eyes will be focused on the top three in the standings as they duke it out for the championship crown, several other drivers will be keen to end their 2018 campaigns on a high.

Patrick Kibble, James Taylor, Ruben Del Sarte, James Hedley and Greg Johnson are just a handful of drivers that have been in the mix for podium finishes this year and all of them, plus a host of others, could play a pivotal role in the outcome of the title if they throw themselves into the mix at the sharp end of the grid over the course of the weekend.

Qualifying for the Ginetta Junior Championship takes place on Saturday at 10:30 before races one and two at 14:45 and 17:45 later that day. The final round of the season takes place on Sunday at 12:55.

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.

TOCA support package ready to return for Snetterton spectacular

It is not just the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship that returns this weekend at Snetterton (July 28/29), with all five TOCA support categories also resuming battle following the customary mid-season break.

In what has already been an action-packed campaign for the variety of one-make championships, the annual trip to Norfolk will spark the second half of the season for all five – and the intensity is set to increase.

Grabbing a lot of the headlines so far this season has been the Renault UK Clio Cup, and that theme could continue across the weekend’s two races. Max Coates arrives at Snetterton as the series leader but the Team Pyro driver has stiff competition hot on his heels.

Multiple champion Paul Rivett has proved to be a continuous threat so far whilst James Dorlin will be keen to get back in the mix after a tough Croft. The Westbourne Motorsport driver won five races in-a-row earlier in the year but came unstuck at his home event.

The likes of Daniel Rowbottom, Dan Zelos, Jade Edwards, Ben Colburn, Mike Epps and last year’s Renault UK Clio Cup Junior champion Jack Young, who makes his debut this weekend, will also be ones to look out for.

There is always an abundance of entertainment in the Ginetta Junior Championship and this year’s crop of 14 to 17-year-olds have showcased that once again. Former scholarship winner Adam Smalley currently leads the way after a strong Croft event and he will be keen to extend his advantage in the weekend’s two nine-lap encounters.

On his tail however are a host of youngsters that have been in the mix from the get-go. Louis Foster, Luke Browning, Fin Green, Ruben Del Sarte, and Gus Burton are just five drivers from a stacked entry list that can stop Smalley from further strengthening his position at the top of the points.

Further Ginetta action will be on display at Snetterton in the shape of the Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup. A trio of races are set to be run around the challenging 300 circuit and the title race is set to hot up as Charlie Ladell looks to continue his run of being on the podium in every race so far.

Carl Boardley scored a hat-trick of wins at Croft last time out and closing the gap to series leader will be his main goal whilst Harry King, Tom Roche and Carl Shield will all also be eyeing that top step of the rostrum.

Racing for the first time since Oulton Park, the Porsche Carrera Cup GB will get back on track with two races during the weekend. In what has already been a tense battle at the top of the points, Tio Ellinas currently leads the way but Dino Zamparelli, Tom Wrigley, Lewis Plato, George Gamble and Dan Harper are all in the championship conversation.

Capping off the weekend’s blockbuster action is a trio of races from the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost. Kiern Jewiss is currently the drive to beat in the single seaters series but the likes of Ayrton Simmons, Dennis Hauger, Sebastian Priaulx and Jack Doohan lead the fight into Snetterton.

Oulton Park to stage fitting finale for handful of BARC championships

Oulton Park will play host to the British Automobile Racing Club for the final time this season on Saturday (October 20) with six championships bringing the curtain down on their 2018 campaigns.

As the motorsport season reaches the business end of the year, the picturesque Cheshire venue will provide a fitting backdrop for champions to be crowned.

Topping the bill is what will likely be an enthralling three-way title showdown in the Junior Saloon Car Championship. In what has been another memorable year for the 14 to 17-year-old category, the JSCC crown will be settled over two pulsating 20-minute encounters.

Lewis Saunders, Joel Wren and Steven Chandler enter the series finale in mathematical contention for the title however it is likely set to be Saunders and Wren that will battle it out, as they have done for a majority of the season – the pair currently separated by a mere 11 points.

Things are similarly close in the Mighty Minis Championship, especially in the Mighty Mini class. Just five points is the difference between Stuart Combes and Lee Poolman and with two races to be run, edge-of-the-seat thrills are to be expected from the much-loved series as the top two duke it out for supremacy.

Elsewhere in the Super Mighty category, Connor O’Brien finds himself on the cusp of title glory although Jo Polley may yet still have something to say about that on-track. Nevan Kirkpatrick and Alex Comes also remain in contention however both will need to be in superlative form to halt O’Brien’s quest for glory.

Paul Rose is another driver that sits within touching distance of a title having enjoyed a stellar year in the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship. At the wheel of his Sakar, Rose has been one of the stand out drivers in the multi-class championship however he will still need to be at the top of his game to lift the coveted title.

James Cryer trails Rose by a mere four points and could yet overhaul the series leader to walk away as champion.

The Classic VW Cup will also brings its season to a close with after flourishing on its own. Having broken off to run by itself in 2018, all manner of models of the German marque have competed this season and delivered breathtaking action along the way.

Rounding off the day’s BARC action will be a pair of races from the BARC Saloon Series and Dream Automotive Honda VTEC Challenge, both of whom share grids.

Showcasing some of the best saloon cars from a variety of manufacturers, both series have produced plenty of scintillating racing during the course of the year and that is only set to continue at Oulton Park.

For all of the important event information for Saturday’s Oulton Park meeting, click here.

Four-way Renault UK Clio Cup title showdown beckons at Brands Hatch

The Renault UK Clio Cup is set for an enthralling climax to its 2018 season at Brands Hatch this weekend (September 29/30) as four drivers go head-to-head for championship glory.

In what has been another vintage year for the one-make series on the TOCA support package, the quartet of Max Coates, Paul Rivett, James Dorlin and Daniel Rowbottom all arrive at the Kent circuit in mathematical contention.

Tackling the iconic Grand Prix layout, a maximum of 56 points will be on offer over the course of the weekend and further twists and turns are set to keep fans on the edge-of-their-seats in the two races that are set to be run.

Pyro Motorsport’s Coates heads into the season finale in the pound seat, leading the standings but by only a slender six points. Tipped as one of the favourites for the title in pre-season, Coates has underlined his title credentials with an impressive charge to the summit of the points.

Scoring four wins, one of which a popular home victory at Croft, the Yorkshireman will arrive at Brands Hatch keen to repeat the victory he scored at the 2018 curtain-raiser.

Leading the chase for Coates is WDE Motorsport’s Rivett, hungrier than ever to add his already impressive championship tally. Notching two wins and a further seven podiums, Rivett has been a constant thorn in the side of Coates and could yet walk away as champion.

A disqualification at Silverstone last time out for Rivett for an on-track incident however have had a bearing on the points as it stands. With the WDE Motorsport outfit having lodged an appeal against the decision – which will be heard by the MSA National Court at a later date – Rivett’s challenge for the title could yet be decided away from the track.

Trailing Rivett by a single point in third place is Westbourne Motorsport’s Dorlin. In just his second Clio Cup season, the BRDC Superstar has put his stamp on the series and a run of five wins in the early stages of the year have proven to be the cornerstone of his championship charge.

Whilst the top three are covered by a mere seven points, DRM’s Rowbottom sits as the outsider in the title battle, 49 markers behind Coates. A resurgent run of results has vaulted Rowbottom into the picture and the two-time race winner can’t be discounted from contention either.

As the top four get set to duke it out for the title, several other drivers will be looking to sign off their campaigns in style. Bradley Burns, Mike Epps, Lee Pattison, Jack McCarthy and Dan Zelos, amongst many others, will be ones to watch as the weekend unfolds.

Qualifying for the Renault UK Clio Cup weekend of the season is scheduled to take place at 10:55 on Saturday before race one beginning at 16:00 later that day. The final round of the season will be screened live on ITV4 on Sunday, with lights out set for 13:30.
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BARC produces all-out action at Anglesey

A trio of British Automobile Racing Club championships travelled to North Wales this past weekend (May 26/27) for what turned out to be a memorable two days of frenetic action at Anglesey Circuit.

Renowned for its picturesque views and the unique challenge it provides driver and car, Anglesey proved to be a fitting backdrop to the latest chapter of several categories.

As the BARC North Western Centre’s flagship series, the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship was back on track and boasting another capacity entry list, this time fielding grids of more than 20 cars.

Despite a variety of machines making up the grid, there was no change at the top of the timesheet as Paul Rose further asserted himself as the man to beat.

At the wheel of his Saker RAPX S1-400, Rose scored a sensational hat-trick whilst Steve Harris could only look on in awe, unable to stop the championship leader. David Harvey and Oliver Thomas were the other competitors to make their way to the rostrum, albeit they struggled to keep on terms with the unstoppable Rose.

There was no shortage of drama from the Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres, with six races keeping fans on the edge of their seats.

Stephen Whitelegg and John Mickel shared the spoils in Saturday’s two races before multiple champion Mickel went on to win the final, further strengthening his position at the summit of the championship standings.

On Sunday, the day arguably belonged to Jordan O’Brien who hounded Miles Rudman in the opening race to finish second. From then on however, O’Brien couldn’t be stopped as he charged to victory in race two before replicating his performance in the final.

With the Scottish and Irish Legends also competing over the course of the weekend, the battle

Rounding off the BARC action was a pair of races from the Max5 Racing Championship. Having dominated every round that had been run so far, Paul Roddison took yet another race win in the opening 20-minute encounter before Jeremy Shipley stopped the latters run with a win of his own.

In addition to the BARC championships, there was also on-track action from the Scottish Mini Championship and Scottish Fiesta Championship.
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Dino Zamparelli leads Porsche Carrera Cup GB into season finale

Dino Zamparelli heads into the final weekend of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at Brands Hatch this weekend (September 29/30) looking to avenge the heartache he suffered at the Kent circuit one year ago.

The Redline Racing driver scored the exact same amount of points as eventual champion Charlie Eastwood at the 2017 season finale but lost the title due to scoring one less win than the Northern Irishman over the course of the campaign.

Fast forward 12 months and Zamparelli descends on Brands Hatch sitting at the summit of the standings, holding an eight-point LEAD over his nearest challenger Tio Ellinas once dropped scores and penalties have been applied.

Having been tipped by many to be amongst the championship protagonists come the end of the season, the Nationwide-backed driver has been at the fore of the series since the opening round. Four victories, one of which was scored around the iconic Monza, have proven to be the cornerstone of Zamparelli’s challenge up to now.

Triumphing at Silverstone last time out, last year’s runner-up will need to be at the top of his game around the Grand Prix circuit this weekend to hold off the charging Ellinas however.

Spearheading the Slidesports Engineering squad, Ellinas has been the epitome of consistency in 2018 and is good value for where he sits in the championship standings. Despite his only race win coming in round three at Donington Park, the Cypriot has been a regular fixture on the rostrum – scoring a further ten podiums in total.

Needing to make up more than eight points on Zamparelli across both 17-lap encounters, Ellinas will be one to watch from the get-go.

Whilst many will be focused on the top two in the title battle, Tom Wrigley can’t be discounted from proceedings either. Sitting third in the points, the JTR driver is only 19 points off the summit once all dropped scores and penalties are taken into consideration.

Riding a crest of momentum having won last time out at Silverstone, the former Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup could yet add another TOCA title to his impressive racing CV if the top two encounter trouble.

Such has been the high level of competition in the Carrera Cup GB this season that the top three won’t be the only drivers challenging for victory at Brands Hatch. Scholarship winner Daniel Harper has been a tour-de-force at times in his maiden season whilst Lewis Plato and George Gamble have also taken on starring roles throughout the year too.

In the Pro-Am category, Seb Perez and Dan Vaughan are set to take their battle for title honours down to the wire with Peter Mangion and Peter Kyle-Henney doing the same in the Am class.

The Porsche Carrera Cup GB’s final qualifying session of the season takes place on Saturday at 13:35 before rounds 15 & 16 take place on Sunday at 10:40 and 16:20 respectively.

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.”

BARC delivers blockbuster two days of racing at Donington Park

Five British Automobile Racing Club championships served up a feast of high-octane entertainment and drama at Donington Park this past weekend (July 21/22), as a bumper crowd soaked up the sun at Convoy in the Park.

Headlining the weekend were ten races from the British Truck Racing Association Championship, all of which left fans on the edge of their seats. Division 1 had a familiar feel to it as reigning champion Ryan Smith underlined his excellence with a trio of victories.

Storming to pole position in qualifying, Smith dominated proceedings in race one to take a lights-to-flag victory. He backed it up with a pair of wins from the back of the grid soon after before seeing his winning run come to an end.

Jamie Anderson and David Jenkins then came to the fore in races four and five as they notched a win apiece, rounding off an exhilarating weekend of Division 1 race.

In Division 2, Luke Garrett was in a league of his own as he powered his way to an unprecedented clean sweep. Setting the pace from the opening session on Saturday morning, the MAN driver was not to be denied as he scored five wins from five races, extending his championship lead in the process too.

The Pickup Truck Racing Championship saw two frenetic encounters deliver plenty of heart stopping moments right up until the chequered flag. As they have done for a majority of the season, Scott Bourne and Lea Wood continued their duel by scoring a win apiece under the flightpath of East Midlands airport.

Race one saw reigning champion Bourne emerge as the victor following a tense battle. Duking it out from lights-to-flag, Bourne pipped Wood to the chequered flag by a mere 0.025 to win. The roles were reversed in race two as Wood led Bourne, this time by more than seven seconds. David O’Reagan and Michael Smith bagged a podium each as the top two squabbled.

Six races from the Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres delivered some memorable moments too, as the title battle intensified. Miles Rudman, Ben Power and Sam Smith scored a win apiece on Saturday, each encounter bettering the one that went before it.

Sunday’s trio of races from the 5/8 scale machines saw Power come out swinging in heat one as he stormed to the front to win. Reigning champion John Mickel showcased he has lost none of his guile in race two as he stormed through the field to take another win.

The third and final race from the weekend proved to be an all-time classic from the Legends as Paul Simmons claimed his maiden victory in the series, with the top three being covered by just 0.081 seconds.

In the Britcar Endurance Championship, Jonny MacGregor piloted his MacG Racing Taranis to victory in the 50-minute sprint race before doing the same in the sprint section of the longer two-hour race too.

As MacGregor celebrated his Donington double, race two of the weekend continued and ended with the Team HARD duo of Simon Rudd and Sam Randon driving their Ginetta G55 GT4 to the top step of the podium.

Rounding out the action from Convoy in the Park was two races from the 2CV Parts,com Classic Racing Championship. Spoils were shared as Pete Sparrow and Simon Clarke took a win each, whilst there were podiums for Matthew Hollis, Nick Crispin, Tom Perry and Brian Heerey.

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