Tag: British Schools Karting Championship

The British Automobile Racing Club can confirm that it has ended its association with the British Schools Karting Championship (BSKC), bringing the curtain down on a partnership that has been in place for 11 successful years.

Despite the BARC’s decision to step away from the much-loved series, the BSKC will continue into 2020 and beyond under the stewardship of TeamSport, the UK’s number one indoor karting organisation.

Launched in 2008, the BSKC is an arrive-and-drive team-based UK-wide karting championship for school and college students aged between the ages of 13 to 18.

Aimed towards making motorsport more accessible at a grass roots level, the series has made use of the countless karting facilities around the country to open the door for a raft of aspiring racers, making their dreams a reality.

Whilst the on-track entertainment was superlative, the BARC has always ensured exclusive prizes were up for grabs; providing opportunities such as winning a place on the scholarship course in the Ginetta Junior Championship and behind-the-scenes motorsport visits to leading events.

Ian Watson, BARC General Manager, said: “After more than a decade we feel that time is right to bring our association with the British Schools Karting Championship to an end.

“Over the past 11 years we have worked to increase participation in the championship and provide a platform for hundreds of aspiring youngsters to get behind the wheel of go racing. The levels of competition we have seen have been so high and for many, the BSKC has allowed them to forge real paths into the sport.

“Although we are sad to end our partnership with the BSKC, I am more than confident that TeamSport are the right people to continue elevating the championship. I also have to give thanks to Motorsport UK for their help in making this possible.”

In what has been another fierce year of competition, the British Schools Karting Championship is set to bring the curtain down on its 2019 campaign in style with what should be a memorable National Final at the end of June.

Representing schools from across the length and breadth of the United Kingdom, 25 teams are set to descend on the popular Northamptonshire venue to battle it out for the coveted crown of BSKC champions.

Over recent months Local Finals around the country have whittled down the competition, with reigning three-time title winners Brentwood School topping the bill. Emerging from the London & South East finals, Brentwood School will look to score an unprecedented fourth successive crown.

Joining them from that block of regional finals was Chigwell School, Ethan College, Gordons School and Caterham School. From the North West, Grange School will field two teams in their bid to scale the karting mountain.

Scotland will be represented by Lesmahagow High School and Williamwood High School, whilst Northern Ireland sees two Bangor Grammar School entries as well as Belfast Royal Academy joining the fray too.

Silverstone UTC have the most teams entered into the Grand Final with three after they progressed from the Midlands & East Regional competition with Thomas Gainsborough and Wymondham College.

Rounding out this year’s list of finalists is Aspire Academy and two East Hull Wheels entrants from the North East, whilst the South West & South are represented by Kingdown School, Hanley Castle High School, Sidcot School and two teams from Peter Symonds.

As has been the case in years gone by, a host of prizes will be on offer for those competing in the National Final. The winning team will, plus one representing adult, will have the opportunity to attend a Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship round of their choice (calendar dependent).

In addition, the winners will gain access to the Renault UK Clio Cup Hospitality Centre and be given a behind-the-scenes tour of race-winning Clio outfit Westbourne Motorsport.

The highest placed competition licence holder will once again be entered into the 2019 Ginetta Junior Championship, with the chance to then go on and win a place on the 2020 Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship grid.

Finally, the driver who sets the fastest lap at the National Final will be awarded two tickets to a Michelin Clio Cup Series race meeting – with a date and venue to be determined by the BARC.

With a rich history spanning little over a decade now, the next generation of motorsport talent could well spring up from the British Schools Karting Championship this year – with Whilton Mill the perfect setting to find out just that.

The British Schools Karting Championship final had a familiar feel to it at Whilton Mill this past weekend (June 30) as Brentwood School A once again triumphed to clinch a third title in as many years.

Having seen the competition whittled down through a raft of local and regional finals, 26 schools/colleges descended on the Northamptonshire venue for ten blockbuster races.

Remaining with the same driver line-up that guided them to the crown in 2017 of Callum Brooks, Ethan Brooks and Iaroslav Kovalev, Brentwood School A proved that consistency was key during the final, notching just one victory and a string of front-running performances.

Basking in the searing sun, the action kicked off with a victory apiece for BRA A and Peter Symonds A before Brooklands College came to the fore.

Winning races three, four and five, the Surrey-based college asserted themselves as the team to beat however the reigning champions ensured that that wasn’t to be the case for long.

Sidcot and Woodmill High School brought Brooklands College’s winning streak to an end in races six and seven before Brentwood School finally struck. Dominating proceedings in race eight, the champion trio bagged vital points in the remaining two races, won by Sidcot and SHSB A, to clinch the title by four points.

Triumphing for the third year in-a-row, Brentwood School A retained their crown whilst Brooklands College and Peter Symonds A were left to round out the remaining podium positions.

As a reward for their victory, Brentwood School A will be given a Heritage Tour of the Williams Grand Prix Collection, which is home to a multi-million pound Grand Prix Collection that has more than 40 Williams Formula One cars on display.

There was a further prize for Ethan Brooks too as he was the recipient of a spot on the Ginetta Junior Scholarship. Set to battle against a host of other 14 to 17-year-old’s, if Brooks is successful at the Scholarship then he will be given a free entry into 2019 Ginetta Junior Championship.

Barnet & Southgate College’s Taylor Norton rounded out the list of winners as he set the fastest lap of the day. Norton was presented with tickets to a British GT meeting for setting a blistering pace.

Information on how your school or college can get involved in the 2019 British Schools Karting Championship can be found by visiting the BSKC website.

The British Schools Karting Championship have confirmed another bumper set of prizes for the most successful teams and drivers competing in the 2018 National Final, staged at Whilton Mill on June 30.

Following a host of regional finals, spanning the length and breadth of the UK, a total of 26 teams are set to battle it out for supremacy in what is set to be a highly competitive event.

Ten races stand between a variety of schools and colleges and their respective students from walking away with what could be argued as the biggest set of prizes that have been on offer for winning the championship.

The three students from the winning team and one representing adult will be given the opportunity to enjoy a Heritage Tour of the Williams Grand Prix Collection. Touring the state-of-the-art, multi-million pound Grand Prix Collection, the winners will be able to walk around the interactive museum that houses around 40 Williams Formula One cars dating from 1978 onwards.

Seminal race cars that carried World Champions such as Alan Jones, Keke Rosberg, Nelson Piquet, Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve to victory over three decades of racing are all on display.

Ginetta Cars will also offer the entry onto the prestigious 2019 Ginetta Junior Scholarship for the highest placed competition licence holder [whose date of birth falls between 1st January 2003 and 21st March 2005, and who has not previously competed in an MSA circuit car race].

Giving them the opportunity to battle for free entry onto the 2019 Ginetta Junior Championship grid, the prize is one that can spring board any junior race onto great things.

Super Green Racing’s Howard and Ben Green will also continue their support of the BSKC by offering a pair of tickets to an event that Ben competes at later in the year. Now riding high in the British GT Championship, Green is a former winner of the event having triumphed with Debden Park High School in 2014.

For more information on the BSKC and how you can get involved in 2019, head to www.bskc.co.uk to find out more.

The destiny of the 2018 British Schools Karting Championship will be decided at Whilton Mill this Saturday (June 30) as 26 schools and colleges battle it out for the coveted title across what are set to be ten high-octane races.

Following months of local and regional finals that have whittled down the competition, the fastest teams and drivers from around the country are primed to hit the track for one last time.

Of the finalists competing, many will have their sights set on stopping Brentwood School A from completing what would be a sensational hat-trick of wins. Triumphing in 2017 and 2017, the Essex school has been the benchmark for the past two years and were impressive on their path to this year’s final.

Other teams that have come to the fore in the run up to the final include Southend High School, Peter Symonds A and Wymondham College, who picked up victory in the Midlands and East Regional on their first appearance.

Beyond those that have been mentioned, this year’s crop of teams boasts a wealth of talent, all of which is set to be showcased at the Northamptonshire venue.

As has been the case in years gone by, a raft of prizes will be up for grabs for the winners this year. The three students from the winning team and one representing adult will be given the opportunity to enjoy a Heritage Tour of the Williams Grand Prix Collection.

Touring the state-of-the-art, multi-million pound Grand Prix Collection, the winners will be able to walk around the interactive museum that houses around 40 Williams Formula One cars dating from 1978 onwards.

Ginetta Cars will also offer entry into the prestigious 2019 Ginetta Junior Scholarship for the highest placed competition licence holder [whose date of birth falls between 1st January 2003 and 21st March 2005, and who has not previously competed in an MSA circuit car race].

Giving them the opportunity to battle for free entry onto the 2019 Ginetta Junior Championship grid, the prize is one that can spring board any junior race onto great things.

Super Green Racing’s Howard and Ben Green will also continue their support of the BSKC by offering a pair of tickets to an event that Ben competes at later in the year. Now riding high in the British GT Championship, Green is a former winner of the event having triumphed with Debden Park High School in 2014.

BSKC 2018 Finalists:

BGS A

BGS B

BRA A

Bancroft’s A

Barnet & Southgate College A

Bolton School

Brentwood A

Brentwood B

Bristol Grammar School

Bushey A

FHS A

George Heriot’s School

Gordon’s School A

Grange A

Grange B

Grange D

Hanley Castle A

Kingdown A

Kingham Hill A

Peter Symonds A

SHSB A

Sidcot

Williamwood

Woodmill High School

Wymondham College

Information on how your school or college can get involved in the 2019 British Schools Karting Championship can be found by visiting the BSKC website.