Tag: BARC Awards Evening

The British Automobile Racing Club Awards Evening took centre stage at the Old Thorns Hotel in Hampshire on Saturday 4th February to celebrate the achievements of champions, officials and volunteers from what was a sensational 2022 season. 

On what proved to be a night to remember, listen to some of the best interviews from key BARC personnel and winners here: 

Ben Taylor – BARC Chief Executive: The Club’s Chief Executive sits down to chat about what turned out to be a successful 2022, honouring the champions of last year and looking ahead to what 2023 has in store for the BARC.

Mark Turner – BARC Sporting Manager: The Club’s Sporting Manager looks back on the 2022 campaign, the annual BARC Awards Evening and how 2023 is shaping up for the ever-busy Competitions Department.

Paul Graham-Fielding – BARC Group Head of Marketing & Communications: Just a few weeks into his new role, we catch up with the Club’s new Group Head of Marketing & Communications – Paul Graham-Fielding – to discuss what he hopes to bring to the BARC this year and beyond.

Alan Gow – BTCC Chief Executive: The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship’s Chief Executive discusses a momentous 2022 campaign – which included the introduction of hybrid power and the crowning of a new champion – as well as what’s to come in 2023.

Hugh Chambers – Motorsport UK Chief Executive: The Chief Executive for the governing body for four-wheel motorsport in the UK joined us to discuss a number of different topics such as Environmental Sustainability, Equality and much more.

Tom Ingram – BTCC Champion: After previously coming close on a number of occasions, Tingram made his dreams a reality last year as he clinched a hugely popular maiden BTCC title. For 2023, he’s back to defend his title with EXCLER8 Motorsport in his Hyundai i30N Fastback.

Phil Davies – Pembrey Circuit Manager: Ahead of what promises to be another busy year at the venue, Pembrey’s Circuit Manager joined us to discuss everything from future events to the latest developments down in South Wales.

Jon Winter – Winner of The Gerry Marshall Trophy: Awarded to the person that the BARC believes to epitomise Gerry Marshall’s philosophy of motorsport, Jon was a standout winner having been the driving force behind the hugely successful Carbon8 Hyundai Coupe Cup with Toyo Tires series.

Maximus Hall – Winner of The Peter Collins Trophy: Awarded to the most promising newcomer competing in a BARC championship or event, Maximus was a worthy winner of The Peter Collins Trophy as he scooped the Junior Saloon Car Championship title in his rookie season.

Claire Hedley – Winner of The Densley Trophy: Awarded to the female in the Club that has enjoyed a successful year, Claire had plenty to celebrate in 2022 as she led both the Britcar Trophy Championship and all-new British Endurance Championship to new heights.

Stuart Caie – Classic Touring Car Racing Club: BARC Council Member Stuart sat down to preview what promises to be another bumper season for the Classic Touring Car Racing Club; which has seen 200 entries already confirmed and a new Super Touring event at Brands Hatch set to debut in July. 

Stuart Oliver – British Truck Racing Championship Competitor & Promoter: With ten titles to his name already, Stuart is no stranger to an Awards Evening and despite missing out on the 2022 crown, he was happy to look back on what proved to be a memorable year. As one of the promoters of the BTRC, he also provided a preview for what is in-store for 2023.

Luke Garrett – British Truck Racing Championship Division 2 Champion: Returning to British shores in 2022, Luke produced a masterful season to clinch a third Division 2 crown – doing so at what was a rain-lashed final event at Brands Hatch in November.

Miles Rudman – Legends Cars National Championship Champion: In what was one of the closest finishes in Legends Cars’ history, Miles successfully retained his title and in doing so, became just the third person to capture three championship crowns.

Wayne Marrs & Tom Jackson – British Endurance Championship Champions: Last year’s title winners recap what proved to be a groundbreaking year for the British Endurance Championship – where they ultimately reigned supreme in their Rob Boston Racing Mercedes GT3.

Dave Beecroft & Vickie MacClinton – Junior Saloon Car Championship: Dave and Vickie sat down to discuss what was a successful year for the JSCC and how 2023 is shaping up; especially as they get ready to also run the Track Attack Race Club.

The British Automobile Racing Club Awards Evening didn’t just see the champions of 2022 celebrated on Saturday, as a number of other special accolades were handed out to unsuspecting winners on what proved to be a momentous night. 

Leading the list of prestigious recipients was Steve McDermid who claimed The President’s Cup; which is awarded to the most successful driver competing under international level within the BARC.

Defending his Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship title in supreme style – where he scooped 13 wins along the way – McDermid was chosen to be a worthy recipient for the glittering crown.

“I’m pretty speechless,” said McDermid. “It’s a real honour to be able to receive this award and share the stage with some many great champions. Last year was very competitive in the MGOC but things came together for me and that ultimately is what contributed to not only winning the title again but also picking up this special accolade.”

Jon Winter’s contribution to the continued growth and success of the Carbon8 Hyundai Coupe Cup with Toyo Tires made him a worthy recipient of the coveted Gerry Marshall Trophy, having epitomised the philosophy of motorsport that Gerry once had.

“This one really does mean a lot,” Winter enthused. “Gerry was a real friend of the family and as I was growing up around motorsport, he was a constant presence so this award has real poignance for me and is really nice to receive. 

“I’m honoured to have been joined by my 85-year-old father tonight and nothing is going to make me happier than sitting this award on his mantelpiece at home for the next 12 months.”

After a short hiatus, The Densley Trophy – which is awarded to the most successful female in the BARC – was back on stage and being handed to Britcar Managing Director Claire Hedley. 

Having played a critical role in Britcar’s resurgence over several years, Claire had an instrumental part in the Motorsport UK-sanctioned British Endurance Championship’s launch, and under her stewardship it went on to enjoy a sensational inaugural season in 2022.

“I’m absolutely shocked,” said Hedley. “There are some fabulous names on this trophy – many of them remarkable drivers – and to now see mine there is, as a Championship Co-ordinator, is quite something.

“Motorsport is my life but it isn’t just me at Britcar, we have a great team that have all contributed to this as well. We’re growing all the time and I’m sure 2023 will be another fantastic year for us all. I’d like to thank everyone at the BARC that chose me for this award, I really appreciate it.”

Maximus Hall’s remarkable maiden season in the Junior Saloon Car Championship didn’t go unnoticed as he was honoured with The Peter Collins Trophy, which is awarded to the most promising newcomer competing in a BARC championship or event. 

In the ultra-competitive one-make category, Hall produced a stellar campaign to become just the second driver in the series’ history to lift the overall title at the first time of asking – doing so with an impressive ten victories to his name.

Hall beamed: “I’m so happy! It’s a total surprise because there are so many other great competitors that could have won it. When you see the names that are already on this trophy it’s amazing to see that mine is now with them.

“It’s the perfect way to cap off what was an incredible season. We had lots of wins and ultimately was able to bring home the title at the final round.”

Drivers and championship organisers weren’t the only one to be celebrated however as a number of marshals and officials were also recognised for their contributions to what was a successful year for the Club.

Ian Seager picked up The Sir Clive Bossom Trophy after conducting the most volunteering days – 33 – over the course of the season with his total being 33. Elsewhere, the BARC Marshal of the Year – which is designed to recognise the dedication and special efforts of the Club’s marshals – went the way of Joshua Mendelsohn.

Seager said: “Thank you to everyone at the BARC for this award. Being able to play a part in the sport is something I cherish and hopefully I’ll be able to continue doing so for some years to come as well.”

“It was a really busy year,” added Mendelsohn. “Being a part of the BTCC start-line team was very special and to now be standing here as the BARC Marshal of the Year is the icing on what was an amazing season for me as a marshal.”

The final award to be handed out on the night was one that hasn’t been awarded in over a decade, the John Martin-Lewis Trophy. Given to outstanding marshals and officials that have gone above and beyond in their roles, this year’s victors were the Club’s North West Rescue Unit team.

The British Automobile Racing Club’s annual Awards Evening delivered a star-studded night of celebrations on Saturday 4th February, as some of the biggest names in British motorsport came together to look back on what proved to be a successful 2022 season.

Staged at the Old Thorns Hotel in Hampshire for a second successive year, the glittering evening saw more than 250 guests attend to celebrate the achievements of last year’s champions, officials and volunteers.

Hosted by the superlative Alan Hyde, guests not only had the opportunity to look back on the year that was but they also heard from BARC Chairman Tony Scott Andrews, BARC Chief Executive Ben Taylor and Motorsport UK Chief Executive Hugh Chambers. 

Alongside the customary championship awards – which were handed out to the likes of Tom Ingram, Alex Dunne, Wayne Marrs, Luke Garrett and many more – a number of secret accolades were also presented to some unsuspecting winners on the night as well. 

Ian Seager scooped The Sir Clive Bossom Trophy for conducting the most volunteering days in 2022 whilst Joshua Mendelsohn was announced as the BARC Marshal of the Year.

The John Martin-Lewis Trophy – which hasn’t been awarded in more than a decade – made a welcome return to the stage and was bestowed to the Club’s North West Rescue Unit for their work both on and off the track. Another returning award was The Densley Trophy, which went the way of Claire Hedley after she enjoyed a stellar 2022 leading Britcar and the British Endurance Championship. 

Maximus Hall was a deserving winner of The Peter Collins Trophy, which is awarded to the most promising newcomer competing in a BARC championship, with Jon Winter picking up the coveted Gerry Marshall Trophy.

Double Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship title winner Steve McDermid was the final secret award recipient as he was handed The President’s Cup after a flawless season which included 13 victories.

Elsewhere, more than £1600 was raised during the annual raffle for the BARC Marshal and Rescue Fund whilst further funds were added to the pot by way of an auction – which included prizes such as VIP days to the Goodwood Festival of Speed and BTCC at Thruxton.

Ben Taylor, BARC Chief Executive, said: “It’s been a fantastic evening! Although this event is to honour our champions, it’s also for our members and the people that play their part in making the BARC what it is.

“Last season was a really successful one for the Club, right the way through; we had a full calendar of events, full grids and packed bankings of spectators. There were many things we developed too and built upon – one of which was the hugely successful live stream platform.

“We’re now in a really good place ahead of the 2023 season too. We’re going to run more race meetings than we did last year and that is because the demand is there; plus we have a number of new arrivals too which is exciting.”

To view the full photo gallery from the BARC Awards Evening, CLICK HERE.

Full list of award winners:

The John Martin-Lewis Trophy: BARC NW Rescue

The Densley Trophy: Claire Hedley

The Peter Collins Trophy: Maximus Hall

The Sir Clive Bossom Trophy: Ian Seager

BARC Marshal of the Year: Joshua Mendelsohn

The Gerry Marshall Trophy: Jon Winter

The President’s Cup: Steve McDermid

2022 Kumho BMW Champion: James Card

2022 2CVParts.com Champion: David O’Keeffe

2022 Caterham Graduates Sigmax Champion: Max Haynes

2022 Classic Touring Car Racing Club Pre ’66 Champion: Luc Wilson

2022 Classic Touring Car Racing Club Pre ’83 Champion: Stephen Primett

2022 Classic Touring Car Racing Club Pre ’93 Champion: Andy Cripps

2022 Classic Touring Car Racing Club Pre ’03 Champion: Cavan Grainger

2022 Classic Touring Car Racing Club Jaguar Challenge Champion: Tom Robinson

2022 Michelin Ginetta Junior Champion: Josh Rowledge 

2022 Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge Champion: Mikey Doble

2022 Ginetta GT Academy Champion: Marc Warren

2022 Junior Saloon Car Champion: Maximus Hall

2022 Connaught Competition Engines BARC Speed Champion: Damien Bradley

2022 Lancaster Insurance MGOC Class A Champion: David Amphlett

2022 Lancaster Insurance MGOC Class B Champion: Anthony Bate

2022 Lancaster Insurance MGOC Class Z Champion: Steve McDermid

2022 Legends Cars National Champion: Miles Rudman 

2022 Carbon8 Hyundai Coupe Cup Winner: Wayne Rockett

2022 Britcar Trophy Champions: Chris Overend & James Whitley

2022 Porsche Visit Cayman Islands Sprint Challenge GB Champion: Harry Foster

2022 Porsche Carrera Cup GB Champion: Kiern Jewiss

2022 Quaife MINI CHALLENGE Trophy Champion: Nelson King

2022 Quaife MINI CHALLENGE JCW Champion: Sam Weller

2022 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Champion: Tom Ingram

2022 British Endurance Champions: Wayne Marrs & Tom Jackson

2022 British Truck Racing Division 1 Champion: Ryan Smith

2022 British Truck Racing Division 2 Champion: Luke Garrett

2022 ROKiT British F4 Champion: Alex Dunne