Tag: BARC

The British Automobile Racing Club will install FIA High-Tech Light Panels at both Croft and Thruxton circuits this year after the confirmation of an agreement between Motorsport UK, the British Motor Sport Training Trust (BMSTT) and UK circuit owners.

Thanks to this safety initiative, all UK race circuits that have FIA International Grade 3 status and above will have the panels, from leading motorsport safety solutions provider EM Motorsport, installed as soon as possible.

Competitors and marshals will be able to participate in events safe in the knowledge that the most up to date and internationally recognised technology will be fully visible, regardless of weather conditions, to augment the traditional flag signals that marshals use to relay critical safety messages to competitors.

Ben Taylor, BARC Chief Executive, said: “The increasing use of light panels has been considered by circuits for a number of years, but this represents perhaps the single biggest step forward in circuit safety for decades. 

“It is a very sensible and welcome move from the governing body and BMSTT to support the venues to prevent a VHS/BetaMax-type situation with circuits having different systems. The benefits to the sport from a single system are likely to be felt in the coming years, as complementary solutions are developed that will be able to integrate with the technology at all circuits.”

Hugh Chambers, CEO of Motorsport UK, added: “Providing a safe environment for our sport to thrive is at the heart of Motorsport UK. It is essential we provide safety for competitors and volunteers alike who deliver the sport every weekend throughout the UK.

“The rollout of FIA High-Tech Light Panels represents a significant step forward in modernising UK race circuits by adopting the latest and most advanced technology.

“Motorsport UK is committed to improving safety and we thank BARC, MSV, Knockhill Racing Circuit, the British Motor Sports Training Trust and EM Motorsport for their engagement and commitment.”

Rod Parkin, Chair of the BSMTT, commented: “The British Motor Sports Training Trust (BMSTT) was formed as an UK Registered Charity in 1977 with the aim of supporting the training of volunteer motorsport officials and further enhancing medical and safety aspects of our sport.  

“Since that time the Trust has regularly committed significant funds annually towards such initiatives.  This new partnership support for the funding of light panels provides an ideal opportunity for the Trust to continue delivering its objectives in respect of both marshals and race circuit safety, promote our activities and raise awareness of the Trust.”

After the installation at these initial venues, it is intended, where practical, to extend the project so that all 17 Motorsport UK licenced race circuits will benefit from the increased safety the FIA High-Tech Light Panels provide.

The British Automobile Racing Club is delighted to announce that it has appointed John Hutchison to the role of Event Manager.

Working in the Competitions Department under Sporting Manager Mark Turner and alongside fellow Event Manager David Wheadon, John will play a hands-on role in the organisation of the Club’s race meetings, as well as delivering great experiences for our members, including racers, marshals, officials and others.

Boasting a wealth of motorsport experience, John joins the BARC having previously worked at the Classic Sports Car Club, Aston Martin Owners Club and most recently, the MG Car Club.

John Hutchison, BARC Event Manager, said: “I’m delighted to be joining the BARC as its new Event Manager. The Club has a long and rich history so it is special to now be playing a role in the organisation as we move forward.

“Everyone has been welcoming already and it has been great to start working alongside Mark and David; preparations are well underway for the 2022 season.

“I’ve gained plenty of experience working for motorsport clubs down the years so I’m confident I can bring that knowledge to the BARC and help play a part in the continued growth of UK national racing.”

Those wishing to contact John can do so via email: jhutchison@barc.net

Are you a good communicator? Do you work effectively as a leader and/or member of a team? Do you possess great listening and management skills?

The BARC is currently recruiting for:

• Secretaries of the Meeting

• Clerks of the Course

• Event Stewards

• Race Phones/Radio Communications

• Chief Observers/Deputy Chief Observers

• Chief Incident Officers/Deputy Chief Incident Officers

• Chief Marshals/Deputy Chief Marshals

• Safety Car Observers

• Fire Car Crew

• Scrutineers

Do you have what it takes to fulfil any of these roles?

If yes, then please send a brief email to officials@barc.net using BARC Officials Recruitment Drive as the Subject Line, stating which of the roles you would like to be considered for and why.

The Club does not expect successful candidates to jump into these roles immediately – The relevant training and mentoring will be provided.

The British Automobile Racing Club headquarters at Thruxton Circuit will be closed during the following dates over the Christmas and New Year periods.

From: Thursday 23rd December 2021 at 17:00

To: Tuesday 4th January 2022 at 09:00

We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible trackside throughout 2022; be it if you are officiating, marshalling, spectating or competing!

From everyone at the BARC and all of our venues around the country; we wish you a safe, Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

The British Automobile Racing Club can confirm that it will run a total of four training days for marshals prior to the start of the 2022 motorsport season.

Croft, Pembrey and Thruxton will stage the training days, which take place across February and March.

Every event organised and run by the BARC needs marshals and all marshals, whatever they are doing, are contributing to the success and smooth running of the meeting.

With training provided to cover a wide range of topics such as fire safety to pit lane operation and teamwork; marshal training covers a wide variety of key attributes in preparing those that are heading trackside for the forthcoming season.

More information is to be confirmed in due course but for those interested in taking part in 2022 marshal training, please contact BARC Marshals Secretary Paula Brown via email at pbrown@barc.net.

2022 BARC MARSHAL TRAINING DATES

Saturday 12th February – Croft

Sunday 20th February – Pembrey

Saturday 12th March – Thruxton

Sunday 13th March – Thruxton

To find out more about marshalling with the BARC and how to get involved, click here.

With the curtain having fallen on another spectacular year of motorsport, the British Automobile Racing Club is delighted to confirm the list of 2021 title winners from its championships.

Congratulations to all of our winners!

CHAMPIONSHIP	CHAMPION
2CV Championship	Pete Sparrow
BARC Connaught Speed Championship	Taras Andrusin
Britcar Endurance Championship – Endurance	Will Powell & Dave Scaramanga
Britcar Endurance Championship – Trophy	Simon Baker, Kevin Clarke & Ollie Reuben
British Truck Racing Championship – Division 1	Ryan Smith
British Truck Racing Championship – Division 2	Craig Reid
Carbon8 Hyundai Coupe Cup	Alex Cursely
Caterham Graduates Championship – Sigma 135	James McCall
Caterham Graduates Championship – Sigma 150	Jamie Ellwood
Caterham Graduates Championship – Sigmax	Harry Senior
Classic Touring Car Racing Club – Pre ‘66	James Ibbotson
Classic Touring Car Racing Club – Pre ‘83	Stephen Primett
Classic Touring Car Racing Club – Pre ‘93	Ian Bower
Classic Touring Car Racing Club – Pre ‘03	Gary Prebble
Classic Touring Car Racing Club – Thunder	Jason Hughes
Classic Touring Car Racing Club – BOSS	Martin Reynolds
Classic Touring Car Racing Club – JEC	Michael Seabourne
CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship	Jamie Cryer
Ginetta G40 Cup	Marc Warren
Ginetta GT Academy	Toby Trice
Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb Championship	Tim Pitfield
Junior Saloon Car Championship	Charlie Hand
Kumho BMW Championship – Class A	Brad Sheehan
Kumho BMW Championship – Class B	Kevin Denwood
Kumho BMW Championship – Class C	Jeff Nixon
Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship	Ashley Sutton
Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club – Class A	David Amphlett
Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club – Class B	Anthony Bate
Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club – Class F	Mark Baker
Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club – Class Z	Steve McDermid
Legends Cars National Championship	Miles Rudman
Max5 Racing Championship	Paul Roddison
Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship	Aston Millar
Mighty Minis Championship – Mighty Minis	Dan Heywood
Mighty Minis Championship – Super Minis	Ian Slark
Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup	Adam Smalley
Motorsport UK British Hillclimb Championship	Wallace Menzies
Pickup Truck Racing Championship	George Turiccki
Porsche Carrera Cup GB	Dan Cammish
Porsche Carrera Cup GB – Pro Am	Ryan Ratcliffe
Porsche Carrera Cup GB – Am	Justin Sherwood
Porsche Sprint Challenge GB	Theo Edgerton
Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge	Josh Steed
Quaife MINI CHALLENGE	Dan Zelos

Saturday 26th February 2022

Old Thorns, Longmoor Road, Liphook GU30 7PE

Dress Code: Black Tie, Lounge Suit or Probans

EVERYONE WELCOME!

The British Automobile Racing Club’s annual Championship Awards Presentation Evening will take place on Saturday 26th February 2022 at a prestigious new venue: Old Thorns Hotel in Liphook, Hants.  

Celebrating the 2021 season in style, the great and good of UK motorsport will come together for an unforgettable night to honour drivers, marshals and officials for their endeavours this year. Hosted by Alan Hyde, the star-studded evening will include a drinks reception and three course dinner, followed by the customary trophy presentations, charity raffle and dancing.  

Tickets for the BARC Championship Awards have been held at the same price as 2019:

£75.00 for BARC Members and £85.00 for Non-Members.  Marshals can redeem 12 stamps in exchange for a free ticket. Tables are available for up to 10 people.

All tickets can be bought online here or by completing the booking form here.

Timings

6.30pm – Drinks Reception

7.30pm – Dinner, followed by the Awards presentation, raffle and disco

1.00am – End

Hotel and overnight accommodation – discounted prices valid until 8^th January 2022

Old Thorns offers an impressive range of accommodation, including access to the state-of-the-art health club and spa facilities. A limited number of Superior Rooms have been allocated on a Bed & Breakfast basis at a discounted rate of £129/£139 per room (Single/Double).  In order to obtain this reduced rate, you must book direct with Old Thorns on 01428 724555 quoting ‘BARC event’.  Please note these rates will only be valid until 8^th January 2022, after which the best available rate will apply. 

Alternative accommodation is available for those not wishing to stay at Old Thorns:   

Premier Inn: Petersfield Hotel, 7 miles away, £39 at time of going to publication

Travelodge: Alton or Aldershot, both 12 miles away. £38 at time of going to publication

Please note: Marshals may redeem their marshals’ stamps against the cost of accommodation. Please book direct with the hotel, then contact Paula Brown to obtain a refund or partial refund.

BARC Charity Golf Day

We have secured 32 places for the 2022 BARC Charity Golf Day at the impressive Peter Alliss-designed championship golf course at Old Thorns, starting at 10am on the Saturday morning. Teams of 4 are priced at £200; individual entries are £60 per person, which includes green fees, a pre-event coffee and bacon roll, as well as the usual prizes. If you would like to book your place/team, please email David Wheadon: dwheadon@barc.net 

The British Automobile Racing Club’s prestigious Championship Awards Evening will make a glittering return in 2022, taking place at the Old Thorns Hotel in Liphook on Saturday 26th February.

On what is always one of the biggest prize-giving nights of the year, race suits and overalls will be swapped for black ties and ball gowns as the great and good of UK motorsport come together for what should be an unforgettable evening.

Hosted by Alan Hyde, the star-studded evening will include a three-course dinner, entertainment and raffle, in addition to the customary trophy presentations that celebrate the achievements of drivers, officials and marshals. There will also be a number of ‘secret awards’. 

The evening will be preceded by the inaugural BARC Charity Golf Day around Old Thorns’ Peter Alliss-designed championship golf course, competing for the Graham Hill Memorial Trophy that was last presented in 1978!

Tickets for the 2022 BARC Championship Awards Evening will be on sale shortly, and more information will follow in due course. 

The British Automobile Racing Club is delighted to announce that a number of its championships will have a presence at the upcoming MotorsportDays LIVE (MsD LIVE) event at Silverstone on November 5/6. 

Heading into its fourth year of running, MsD LIVE has established itself as a world-class trade event with a unique focus of providing on-track experiences for genuine track day enthusiasts, amateur and professional racing drivers. 

Taking place at the Home of British Motor Racing, the two-day spectacle is expected to garner plenty of attention from drivers, championship co-ordinators, engineers, industry leaders, motorsport investors, spectators and more. 

This year, the BARC will be situated in Garage 34 with vehicles from the MINI CHALLENGE, Caterham Graduates Championship and Classic Touring Car Racing Club all taking to the track.

Furthermore, Britcar will be on hand to showcase the new-for-2022 British Endurance Championship, as will Praga and Ginetta whilst the Sports Prototype Cup will be lifting the covers off the new specification Revolution A-One that will compete in the series next year. 

Staff from all championships, as well as the Club, will be on hand to speak to visitors on a variety of topics. 

Those wanting to find out more information on how to drive a car on-track at the event should contact one of the aforementioned championships. 

For more information on MotorsportDays LIVE and how to purchase tickets, visit https://www.motorsportdays.live/.

The British Automobile Racing Club is saddened to confirm that as a result of an accident that occurred during a race meeting at Brands Hatch circuit on Saturday 31 July, Rob Foote, a volunteer marshal and BARC member, tragically lost his life. The rest of the day’s racing activity was cancelled.

The meeting resumed on Sunday morning with a moving tribute on the grid attended by marshals, officials, drivers, teams and staff. Similar tributes were held across the country on Sunday and at events around the world as the motor sport family came together to mark their fallen colleague.

On behalf of everyone connected with the BARC, we are devastated by loss of one of our amazing volunteer marshals who do so much to enable the sport to take place. Our thoughts and best wishes are with Rob’s family and friends at this time, as well as those of the other people involved.

ENDS

Racing came second at Brands Hatch this past weekend (July 31/August 1) as part of the British Automobile Racing Club’s latest visit to the Kent venue.

Sadly, the Club was saddened to confirm that a major accident took place on the Saturday and a volunteer marshal tragically lost their life. A full statement on the incident can be viewed here.

On Sunday, the mood at the track was a sombre one as a fitting tribute was paid on the grid before racing got back underway.

The Classic Touring Car Racing Club delivered a bulk of the action throughout what was a frenetic day around the Indy circuit, with Jason West kicking off proceedings with a win in the Edmundson Electrical Classic & Historic Thunder Saloons Championship.

Malcolm Harding claimed an impressive brace in the combined Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club and Blue Oval Saloon Series contests whilst Gary Prebble reigned supreme in the Laser Tools Pre 93 Touring Car Championship / Simply Serviced Pre 2003 Touring Cars bout.

Spoils were shared between Barry Sime and Alan Greenhalgh in the Pre 66 Touring Cars ranks as Mark Lucock rounded out the list of winners by triumphing in the Shell Oil Pre 83 Touring Car Championship.

The Britcar Endurance Championship’s Trophy Class staged two one-hour races with Axel Van Nederveen and Adriano Medeiros stormed to victory in the opener before Simon Barker

There was a breakthrough win for Ruben Hage in the Junior Saloon Car Championship too as he strengthened his title challenge. Niall Bradley meanwhile dominated proceedings in the Kumho BMW Championship to net two impressive wins.

To view the full classification of results from all completed sessions at Brands Hatch, CLICK HERE.

On behalf of everyone connected with the BARC, we are devastated by loss of one of the amazing volunteer marshal community who do so much to enable the sport to take place. Our thoughts and best wishes are with the family and friends of all those involved.

The British Automobile Racing Club is saddened to confirm that a fatal accident occurred at Snetterton race circuit on Sunday 4 July, during the C1 Racing Series race.

The BARC has been working with the national governing body, Motorsport UK, and the police to understand the circumstances of the incident.

The C1 Racing Club has quickly grown into a strong and close-knit community since its creation in 2017 and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the well-known and much-loved member of the series.

Our thoughts are also with the volunteer marshals and rescue crews who were involved in the event and we are offering them all our support at this difficult time.