Tag: Classic Touring Car Championship

With Mercedes currently setting the benchmark at the pinnacle of global motorsport in Formula 1 and returning to the British Touring Car Championship grid with Plato Racing, the three-pointed star is once again a force across multiple arenas in worldwide and national motorsport.

Now, that presence is extending into the Classic Touring Car Racing Club, as Andy Wilson prepares to campaign a striking and rare Mercedes C63 in the fiercely competitive Classic Thunder class.

We caught a rare glimpse of the 600bhp brute at a test event outing at Silverstone last year, Wilson’s new machine represents something genuinely different within the paddock — and comes from an unconventional background.

“I wanted another car,” Wilson explains. “But I wanted something I could race in Classic Thunder. I’ve raced in Classic Thunder since 2003 with a Mini… I’ve done it longer than anybody. I like the cars, I like the people.”

Having spent over two decades in motorsport, Wilson’s journey began in 2002, inspired by his father’s racing exploits in the 1970s.

“My dad raced in the ’70s, and it just captivated me. I always wanted to race cars. In 2002, I had enough money, so I bought a Mini… I raced Minis for four or five years, Northern Sports and Saloons is where I started.”

Since then, his garage has seen a wide variety of machinery, most notably his long-serving Holden Monaro – a car he describes as fitting “like a glove.” However, with development work ongoing on that car, the opportunity arose to bring something new – and very special – to the grid.

That opportunity came in the form of an ultra-rare Mercedes C63, originally built for Euro V8 competition.

“They made six of these… six saloons and one coupe. This is the only one in the country,” Wilson says. “I’ve always known about these, and they don’t come up very often.”

The car’s pedigree is equally impressive, with links to high-level international competition and even former Formula 1 drivers. “A lot of ex-F1 drivers drove these… Johnny Herbert drove this. It’s a proper race car – built really well. AMG had a hand in building them, and the prep work on the shell is world-class.”

Despite its credentials, Wilson’s first outing in the car – arriving only at the final event of last season after delays bringing it over from the Netherlands – was very much a learning experience.

“It’s completely different to the Monaro in the way it drives… I’m used to the Monaro. This was a bit of an eye-opener,” he admits. “I only did a couple of laps, but I’m quite happy with that.”

Mechanical gremlins limited running, but early signs were encouraging.

“I lost the brakes after two or three laps… we lost one of the ducts off the front, and the bias was set wrong. But I’m pretty sure it can be on the podium and hope to be near there this weekend.”

Under the bonnet lies serious performance potential. The V8-powered machine is expected to produce around 600 horsepower, housed in a lightweight, purpose-built chassis.

“It’s about 600 horsepower, weighs about 1,250 kilos, sequential gearbox, three-way adjustable suspension… it’s built as a racing car.”
Yet, for Wilson, the appeal goes beyond outright performance. The Mercedes represents individuality – something that stands out in a field often dominated by more familiar machinery.

“That’s what really appealed to me… the fact that it’s so different. You get a load of M3s, but you never see this. I like going against the grain, doing something a bit different.”

The challenge now lies in adapting to the car’s characteristics, which contrast sharply with his Monaro.

“The Monaro’s set up to understeer… this is all back end. The rear’s moving constantly, it wants to oversteer a lot — which is not my kind of driving. So I’ve had to adapt.”

“We’ve gone through it over the winter… getting used to its style, you will see it at certain events including Donington this weekend.”

As Mercedes continues its resurgence across top-tier motorsport, Wilson’s unique addition ensures the brand will also be one to watch in the Classic Touring Car Racing Club — where heritage, horsepower, and individuality combine in spectacular fashion.

And if early indications are anything to go by, this rare C63 won’t just be making up the numbers – it could soon be fighting right at the front.

Jason Hughes’ long association with touring car racing was never part of the original plan. In fact, his motorsport career began far from the saloon cars he is now best known for.

Hughes started racing motorcycles at the age of 10 and continued into his early twenties, but injuries brought that chapter to an end.

“I raced bikes from 10, right up to 20 or 22,” he explains. “I damaged my leg with the bike racing, and then after that I had a bad car accident.” With his time on two wheels over, Hughes found himself searching for a new challenge.

That search led him into car racing in the mid-1990s, thanks to connections forged through motocross. Introduced to Jason Minshaw at Demon Tweeks, Hughes made his competitive debut in Fiesta racing in 1995, competing as part of the TOCA support package. The move proved to be a natural fit, and after several seasons learning his craft, success followed.

“In ’99, I won the Fiestas,” Hughes recalls. That title opened the door to the next rung on the touring car ladder, with a move into the V6 Super Coupe category in a Vauxhall Vectra. Further experience came in Production Touring Cars with an ex-works Nissan Primera, although the programme was ultimately short-lived. “We only did four or five meetings in 2003,” Hughes says. “It was unreliable, and then they scrapped the production class.”

The turning point came later that year when two MG ZS touring cars became available. Hughes purchased one from West Surrey Racing at the end of 2003, a decision that would define the next phase of his racing career. “That was it, basically,” he explains. “We went into the BTCC with the MG and stayed there until about 2009, until the car went out of date.”

Although the MG’s competitive lifespan was limited, its popularity was anything but. The car attracted one of the most passionate fanbases of the era, something Hughes remembers fondly. “There was a massive following,” he says. “All the MG fans, the X-Power lot – it was brilliant. You’d go to Brands Hatch and there’d be 50 or maybe 100 of them all camped out together, and it was nice to have that support even as a privateer at the end of the cars life.”

Two decades on, those memories still resonate. When Hughes returned to Brands Hatch in 2025 for the Super Touring Power event, he was reunited with familiar faces from the MG faithful. “One of the lads, Jerry, who was one of the main MG supporters back in the day, was there. It was really good to see him again. You don’t realise it’s 20 years ago until you think about it. It only feels like five or six years not 20!”

The MG’s return to action in the Classic Touring Car Racing Series also allowed Hughes to share the car with a driver who has a deep personal connection to the marque – Colin Turkington. “I’ve known Colin since the Fiesta days,” Hughes explains. “The MG was his first touring car, and he’s still got his original one at home with the V6 engine in it.”

Allowing Turkington to drive the car was an easy decision. “It’s a big part of his history,” Hughes says. “And he can drive, can’t he?” he adds with a smile.
Alongside the MG, Hughes has also fulfilled a lifelong ambition by owning and racing a Super Touring car. In 2018, he acquired a Triple Eight Vauxhall Vectra – a life long held moment finally arrived. The chance to experience the pinnacle machinery of the era he grew up watching. “From when I started in ’95, Super Tourers were the ultimate,” he says. “That was always the dream.”

The experience has lived up to expectations. “They’re just totally different cars,” Hughes explains. “They’re actually easier to drive than the MG, but they’re so much quicker. Around the full Silverstone circuit, the Vectra is seven seconds a lap quicker can you believe!.”

Even today, the Super Touring car remains remarkably competitive. “We’ve matched times that Plato did back in the day,” Hughes says. “So it’s still on the ball and has plenty of life.”

With Jason Plato’s name also adorning the side of the car, the idea of seeing another BTCC legend back behind the wheel has been discussed. “We’ve talked about it,” Hughes admits. “He’s always been mega busy, but never say never.”

From his early days on bikes to his enduring presence in historic touring car racing, Jason Hughes’ story is one of perseverance, passion and a deep-rooted love for classic touring cars – one of many stories continuing to unfold in the BARC paddock.

We meet Andy Foyle who has turned his boyhood dream into automotive reality

One of the joys of perusing around the British Automobile Racing Club paddocks, is stumbling across a gem of a story. The chatter from the owner, unearthing fabled and feel good stories that makes the BARC community so very special. And there are so many of them!

Whether it’s telling us about their own motor racing history, how they obtained their pride and joy, meeting their idols, a milestone completed or bucket list item ticked, or the strenuous hurdles of getting to the grid.

All of the above can be used to sum-up Andy Foyle – who made his first foray onto the Classic Touring Car Racing Club grid at Silverstone this season, using the home of British motorsport as a test event in his head-turning Audi 80.

Ahead of that early October race meeting at Silverstone, the entry list showed a new name and more intriguingly a new car. An Audi 80 – racing in this country again… surely not? Well on the Pre ‘83 grid, the German saloon was down in writing – we had to go and find out more.

To read the full article, members can find the interview in the latest edition of the Apex Magazine.

To become a member of the BARC and to receive a copy of the magazine, head to https://www.barc.net/membership/ today to join the ever growing motorsport community.

The Classic Touring Car Racing Club is set to make a triumphant return to the support bill of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship in 2026, with the Pre-83 Group 1 Touring Cars competing at Oulton Park on June 6/7.

Following on from the successful appearance of the Pre-66 Touring Cars contingent on the BTCC package at Croft in 2024, the Pre-83 Group 1 ranks – which has seen bumper grid numbers this year – will now take centre stage alongside the UK’s premier motorsport series.

“We’re thrilled to have secured another guest slot on the British Touring Car bill,” said Stuart Caie, Classic Touring Car Racing Club Chairman. “This is testament to the fantastic show our Pre-’66 Touring Cars put on at Croft last year, and the hard work of all our club members and volunteers.

“It’s only fair that we share around the opportunities to race at such a high-profile event. This time it’s the Group 1 Touring Cars that have a chance to race in front of the BTCC crowd at Oulton Park and we just know they’ll provide superb entertainment.”

At least one race from the series will be broadcast live on ITV4 and ITVX over the course of the event, making it a landmark outing for the popular multi-class category.

It’s not everyday we get to see somebody’s last ever motor race. At Silverstone earlier this month, we got to see just that. New Zealander Allan Scott who at 75 years young brought down the curtain on his time behind the wheel, and has hung up his helmet for good – electing a British Automobile Racing Club event to take his final laps.

The Kiwi is the current custodian of the fabled – lesser spotted Mazda 323F Super Tourer. The halcyon days of Super Touring will be perhaps remembered with the examples from Ford, Vauxhall, Renault – maybe even Volvo and Nissan. Mazda was there and played a part in the mystique of the era. Patrick Watts campaigned the early Shell-backed 323F before Ian Cantwell took it into private hands in ‘93.

In that same season Watts was tasked to develop the ‘Rhubarb and Custard’ coloured Xedos which included a maiden pole position at Snetterton. While Watts was drafted into the Peugeot fold for 1994, David Leslie and Matt Neal stepped up to drive for the Japanese manufactuer, but the project folded halfway through the season. Ex F1 driver and ABBA drummer Slim Borgudd was lined up to race the new compact Mazda 323F in the BTCC 1995 – but the car never raced in Britain despite lapping at the media preview day.

Fast forward 30 years, the car with its current owner was taking to the track – for a special occasion as Allan’s family travelled from different places around the world to watch him take part in his final race weekend. We sat down with Allan to talk about the car and his fascinating career in motor racing.

Let’s go back to the beginning. Where did it start?

“Well, I’m from New Zealand, so we were basically special stage rallying. Then I came to the UK thinking I would do some rallying but I decided maybe it was better to actually work in this situation! I ended up staying in the UK for 16 years and I was involved in engine design and I worked for a company called TWR and helped set-up their engine division. So I did all of the Jaguar Group A and Group C engines. The last thing I did here was the first year of the Volvo in the BTCC, and then I returned to New Zealand.”

You come back across to compete in events here?

“I came over for Brands Hatch in June and now back for my final motor race at Silverstone. This was going to be the last race I ever do and then I am going to sell the car. I’m 75, the cars are quite a handful, as far as they’re quite physical – but it was something I wanted to own and drive and wanted to just enjoy it all in 2025. I’ve owned a few cars back in New Zealand. I’ve owned two of the factory Rovers. and I bought this about seven years ago and made some friends over here many years ago and they helped me run the car. I’ve got three grandchildren now and my youngest daughter has a business in Cambodia. She’s come over for the race. This is the first time she’s seen me race – so it’s all come full circle!”

Was there a particular reason which drew you to the Mazda 323 – because it’s got quite an interesting history hasn’t it?

“I knew Roger Dowson from Roger Dowson Engineering who built the car, he actually was a weekend warrior at TWR. The car came up for sale, I thought, yeah, okay – I’ll buy it. I’d owned two Rovers before, one remains in New Zealand and I sold one that came back to the UK. So it was just one of those things you do and the connection with Roger and it’s a lovely wee car, I love it.

“It was built at the end of 1994. I think it was the last Mazda that Roger built. It was built for Slim Borgudd, the ex F1 driver and session drummer at ABBA. And then something happened, the money never turned up. So the car sat for a long time. I think there was a court case over it, unfortunately. Bills not being paid, etc. Then it’s been raced probably by three or four other people in historic racing over the time. And I’ve owned it for seven years.”

You mentioned your time at TWR. You must have had some great experiences with Jaguar in Group C and the like. What was that like to be a part of that project?

“It was obviously tough at the beginning, but then the rewards came at the end. TWR was a company that grew rapidly. I started in 1979 when they were racing one car. So Tom was always probably one year ahead of where you felt you were even uncomfortable with doing something! Group C was quite a challenge because there was a fuel formula, there were a lot of differing opinions on how and where to go. I really wasn’t supportive of the V12 engine to start with, but we didn’t have many options either. Tom had someone else in Europe working on a turbo six cylinder but that never actually saw the light of day and by that time I’d been working with Zytec, and when we got to 1985 we had a fairly advanced engine management system and I think that was the key to turning the V12 into a decent engine. It was definitely the right thing because people think about and talk about the V12 to this day. It is quite the iconic engine… and sound!”

It’s an honour for the British Automobile Racing Club to have you compete in our events, especially your last one. What was the feeling, what’s the emotional state like now?

“Well, truly, I mean, six years ago, I was going through the right hander at the end of the Hamilton straight in fifth gear, and I started the weekend going through fourth. So that says it all perhaps! By the end of the race I was just about having the confidence to grab fifth however!

“I said to my friends at the beginning of the year, I never thought that I would ever, as a 75 year old, come to Britain to race at Brands Hatch and race at Silverstone and that’s the way I’ve decided to sign my racing life off. It mightn’t be very fast, but not many people can say they’ve driven one of these amazing cars at these circuits. Silverstone means more to me than say Buckingham Palace in terms of iconic British locations. I’m lucky to be able to do this with friends and family.