Tag: Dunlop Endurance Championship

2020 Season Review: Dunlop Endurance Championship

New champions came to the fore in the Dunlop Endurance Championship this year following what was a hard-fought shortened campaign.

Like every other motorsport category in the UK, Britcar found themselves affected by the coronavirus pandemic and were forced to reschedule their original calendar into a more compact XX-round season.

Renowned for being at the forefront of promoting affordable and realistic multi-class endurance racing in the UK, the Dunlop Endurance Championship saw that the appetite to go racing was stronger than ever as it boasted bumper grids throughout the year.

The Endurance category provided a fierce battle towards the summit of the standings but it was to be the VR Motorsport duo of Danny Harrison and Jem Hepworth that proved too much for the opposition, running out as eventual winners.

At the wheel of the potent Praga R1T, the pair were a constant feature towards the front of the field as they paired teamwork and consistency with raw speed and

Other notable mentions from the Endurance category include the SB Engineering Ferrari trio of Paul Bailey, Ross Wylie & Andy Schulz and VR Motorsport’s other Praga pairing of Jack Fabby and Garry Townsend.

Open to cars whose performance does not match up against GT4 or TCR machinery, the new-for-2020 Trophy class welcomed a host of new and old faces for a feast of on-track entertainment.

When the dust had finally settled on the season, JC Racing’s Oliver Smith narrowly edged out Johnathan Barrett to become the inaugural champion after producing a stellar string of performances in his BMW M3 E36.

With drivers and teams already firming up plans for the forthcoming 2021 campaign, Britcar looks set for another blockbuster year next season.

Silverstone plays host to blockbuster BARC bonanza

The British Automobile Racing Club took centre stage at Silverstone this past weekend (October 10/11) to produce a spellbinding two days of action which saw champions crowned and battles lines drawn.  

Thrills and spills have been a staple of the Classic Touring Car Racing Club this year and the annual visit to the Home of British Motor Racing proved to be no different as it signed off for the year with a string of spellbinding encounters.

Simon Jeffs was in a league of his own in the combined Pre’66 and Pre ’83 races whilst Andrew Wilson showcased similar levels of dominance in the amalgamated Pre ’93, Pre ’03, Thunder and BOSS contests.

Signing off for another year, the CTCRC also celebrated its champions, with more information on them published at https://classictouringcars.com/.

The Caterhams Graduates Championship brought the curtain down on another vintage year of competition with Harry Senior missing out on completing a hat-trick of wins by a mere 0.080 of a second.

Bagging top spot in qualifying, Senior cantered to wins in races one and two before looking to complete a clean sweep in race three. Jamie Ellwood however would ultimately prevent Senior in the end as he got the nod on the line by the smallest of margins.

Alex Solley enjoyed a near perfect weekend in the Junior Saloon Car Championship as he finally halted the juggernaut form of Lewis Saunders. Bidding to become the first two-time champion in the series, Saunders had won every race up until Silverstone but Solley ended that streak in style.

Storming to pole position, the teenager edged out Saunders in both races to bolster his own hopes of lifting the coveted crown at the end of the season.

The Dunlop Endurance Championship served up a handful of pulsating contests too, boasting bumper grids and eye-catching wheel-to-wheel battles. VR Motorsport’s Danny Harrison and Jim Hepworth reigned supreme in the opening Endurance Class encounter before RAW Motorsport’s Ben Dimmack and Steve Burgess did the same in race two.

Britcar’s Trophy Class enjoyed its biggest grid of the season and it didn’t disappoint either as Amspeed’s Adam Howard and Chris Boardman powered their BMW M3 E36 to the top step of the podium in both races.

Amalgamating together to boast a bumper grid, the Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club and Max5 Racing Championship served up an abundance of entertainment over the course of the weekend, with two races on Sunday proving to be a highlight.

David Mellor and Fergus Campbell each took a win apiece in the MG category whilst Paul Roddison reigned supreme amongst the Max5 contingent, triumphing in both contests.

Rounding out the weekend’s track action was action from the BRSCC Formula Ford Championship and the Tiedman Trophy.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Silverstone, click here.

Champions to be crowned as BARC speeds into Silverstone

Champions will be crowned at Silverstone this weekend (October 10/11) as the British Automobile Racing Club takes centre stage for what should be a blockbuster two days of track action around the famous National layout.

In what has been an unprecedented year which has seen a scaled down and condensed 2020 season, several championships will bring the curtain down on their campaigns at the Home of British Motor Racing – and it is not to be missed.

The Caterham Graduates Championship kicked off their season with a taster day at Silverstone in February and it feels only right that things have come full circle for the one-make series as it caps off another stellar year of on-track entertainment.

Bumper entry lists have produced enthralling wheel-to-wheel battles throughout the field this year and that theme is set to continue as champions are decided in Classic, Sigmax, 135 and 150 classes.

Titles will also be decided in the Classic Touring Car Championship as the battle for supremacy comes to a head between the main protagonists across each category.

Action from the Classic Race Engines Pre ’66 Touring Cars, Shell Oil Pre 83′ Touring Car Championship, Laser Tools Pre-93 Touring Cars Championship, Simply Serviced Pre-2003 Touring Cars Championship, Toyo Tyres Pre-2005 Production Touring Car Championship, Burton Power Products Blue Oval Saloon Series and the Edmundson Electrical Classic Thunder Saloons Championship will undoubtedly set pulses racing.

Silverstone could see Lewis Saunders take a step closer to title glory in the Junior Saloon Car Championship as well. Looking to become the first double champion in the series, Saunders has been perfection personified this year – winning every race so far.

Leading the chase for Ciceley Motorsport-backed teenager is Charlie Hand, Alex Solley, Benjamin Greenhill and Molly Dodd, to name but a few.

Edge of the seat entertainment will be provided by the Dunlop Endurance Championship across both days as its Endurance and Trophy categories take centre stage with a pair of races eacg. Marking the penultimate round of the season, every point is set to be crucial in deciding the destiny of each title come the end of the year.

Notable names to look out for during the course of both days include Paul Bailey in his Ferrari 488, VR Motorsport’s Jack Fabby and Garry Townsend, Barry McMahon and the Peugeot RCZ duo of Rob Smith and Charlie Campbell – amongst many more.

Sunday will also see the Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship and Max5 Racing Championship join forces and amalgamate their grids for two all-action contests around the challenging 1.64-mile circuit.

Joining the BARC over the course of the weekend will also be the BRSCC Formula Ford Championship and the Tiedman Trophy.

To view more information on this weekend’s race meeting at Silverstone, including where to follow live timing and to view the event timetable, click here.

BARC publishes COVID-19 guidelines for Competitors and Officials

With the restart to racing in the UK now well underway the British Automobile Racing Club has updated its guidelines on how events will be run for both Competitors and Officials.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to adjust some of our practices and procedures in order to satisfy the requirements laid down by the government and most importantly to provide the safest environment possible for everyone involved.

In line with the guidance provided by Motorsport UK, the BARC will operate their race meetings as follows:-

BARC Competitors Guidance (v3 21 July) – CLICK HERE

BARC Officials Guidance (v2 22 July) – CLICK HERE

These guidelines have been put in place with the well-being of staff, competitors, officials and all potential visitors to our venues and events remaining at the forefront of our considerations at all times.

As it stands, all race meetings and events remain provisional and subject to change in accordance with the latest directives from the UK government.

To view the remaining post-lockdown 2021 events schedule, head to https://www.barc.net/events/.

Four championships put on a Saturday show at Oulton Park

The British Automobile Racing Club took centre stage at Oulton Park this past Saturday (September 12) where four championship basked in the Cheshire sunshine to serve up a feast of entertainment.

Organised and run by the Club’s North West Centre, the one-day meeting had a host of thrills and spills as each category continued their condensed 2020 campaigns.

Headlining the day’s action was the much-loved Dunlop Endurance Championship, which was home to all manner of eye-catching pieces of machinery. Two races, one for the Endurance class and the other for the Trophy class set pulses well and truly racing.

In the hour-long Endurance encounter, VR Motorsport’s duo of Jack Fabby and Garry Townsend reigned supreme in their Praga R1T to triumph whilst the Honda Integra Type R pairing of Danny Casser and Nigel Ainge did the same in the Trophy category.

Harry Senior enjoyed a near-perfect weekend in the Caterham Graduates Championship as he tallied two wins from three races. Senior controlled proceedings in races one and two before missing out on the hat-trick in race three, where Andrew Whitton ran out as the victor.

The North West Centre’s flagship category – the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship – boasted a near 30-car entry list for its two races and close-quarter, wheel-to-wheel battles were present throughout the field.

Paul Woolfitt was to be the driver to beat, powering his Lotus Exige to an impressive pair of wins ahead of Luke Armiger. The spoils for third place were ultimately shared between Jon Woolfitt and Danny Bird.

Capping off the day’s action were two races from the Kumho BMW Championship, which showcased some of the best machines that have been produced by the Bavarian manufacturer from down the years.

Michael Pensaville proved too much for the competition at the wheel of his BMW M3 E36 to score an impressive brace of race wins whilst Brad Sheehan finished hot on his heels in both encounters. Lucky Khera and James Card each took a podium apiece as well.

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

BARC heads to Oulton Park for one-day meeting

The British Automobile Racing Club heads to Oulton Park this weekend (September 12) for a one-day meeting that will is bound to get pulses racing, as four championships continue their 2020 campaigns.

Organised and run by the Club’s North West Centre, the Cheshire venue is set to play host to a breathtaking day of high-octane autumnal action in front what will undoubtedly be a bumper crowd of enthusiastic spectators.

Headlining the day’s timetable will be two pulsating encounters from the Dunlop Endurance Championship. Showcasing an eclectic mix of jaw-dropping machinery across multiple classes, the series has starred at Croft and Brands Hatch already this year and that theme is only set to continue.

VR Motorsport’s Danny Harrison and Jem Hepworth hold the early initiative in the Endurance Category whilst Barry McMahon holds a slender advantage in the Trophy Class. Keen to extend their leads respectively, the duo will need to be in top form as the list of contenders that are hot on their heels continues to grow.

Boasting bumper grids and producing blockbuster wheel-to-wheel entertainment, the Caterham Graduates Championship has been at its brilliant best this year and Saturday’s visit to Oulton Park is set to be no different.

The Kumho BMW Championship will be back in action after starring at Mallory Park, with two races scheduled to take place. Home to all manner of models that have been produced by the Bavarian manufacturer, rear-wheel-drive rules the roost and is a sight to behold across all classes.

Notable names to look out for include James Card, Brad Sheehan, Darren Morgan-Owen and Rick Kerry, amongst many others.

Rounding out Saturday’s action will be two races from the North West Centre’s flagship category, the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship.

Open to all manner of machinery, the multi-class championship has seen its fair share of excitement and drama already this year, with events taking place at Cadwell Park and Donington Park. With the likes of Paul Rose, Paul Dobson and Danny Bird battling for supremacy, it’s all to play for at the top.

To find out more information on this weekend’s event at Oulton Park, head to https://www.barc.net/event/barc-race-meeting-oulton-park/.

BARC championship serve up Brands Hatch thrills and spills

Brands Hatch played host to a memorable two days of British Automobile Racing Club track action this past weekend (August 1/2) as six championships took centre stage in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

Whilst some categories continuing their 2020 campaigns and others starting them, the Indy configuration of the Kent venue proved to be smash-hit for competitors and spectators alike.

The Classic Touring Car Championship was one that was continuing its condensed season having starred at Cadwell Park last month. With bumper grids of tin top machines from a bygone era, there was something for everyone across the multiple races that took place around the 1.2-mile layout.

James Card and James Janicki took a win apiece in the amalgamated Thunder Saloons and Blue Oval Saloons whilst Alan Greenhalgh was unstoppable across both Pre 66’ Touring Car races in his Ford Falcon.

In the Pre 83’ category, Mike Luck enjoyed a trouble-free two races to cater to victory with Rod Birley doing the same in the two Pre 93’ & Pre 03’ spectacles.

The Dunlop Endurance Championship served up a feast of entertainment as it staged races in both its Endurance and Trophy classes. VR Motorsport duo of Danny Harrison and Jem Hepworth were the victors in the Endurance category whilst Trophy Class spoils were split between Charlie Campbell and Barry McMahon.

Lewis Saunders continued his relentless march towards a second Junior Saloon Car Championship title, sweeping to another brace of race wins to take his tally for the season to six.

Saunders didn’t have things his own way however as the Ciceley Motorsport-backed former champion fended off the race-long advances of Charlie Hand in both encounters, whilst Alex Solley clinched a pair of third place finishes.

James Card was another driver to leave the Kent venue with plenty of silverware, claiming both wins in the opening round of the Kumho BMW Championship. At the wheel of his E46 M3, Card dominated proceedings to kick-start the new season in fine style.

The Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship was another category to see one driver take centre stage as Fergus Campbell lifted the curtain on the new season with a double-winning performance.

Piloting his MG ZR, Campbell led a bumper entry list throughout Sunday’s two races as David Mellor, Steve McDermid and Steve Darbey filled the remaining podium positions.

Rounding out the weekend’s track action at Brands Hatch were two races from the UK Sports Prototype Cup. Having debuted in 2019, the multi-marque series boasted a bumper entry list for the start of its sophomore season and it put on quite the show.

Alex Kapadia narrowly edged out Scott Mansell in the opener before Mansell struck back in race two, getting the better of Bradley Ellis to take home a share of the spoils.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Brands Hatch, click here.

Brands Hatch beckons for BARC championships

The British Automobile Racing Club makes the first of two scheduled visits to Brands Hatch this weekend (August 1/2) for what should be a spectacular two days of on-track entertainment, with no less than six championships in action.

Following on from successful events at Cadwell Park and Croft last month, this weekend will be a notable one for the Club as it will be the first for spectators to watch in person since motorsport resumed in the UK following the COVID-19 lockdown.

With a total of 20 races set to take place around the iconic Indy layout of the Kent venue across both days, thrills and spills will be all-but guaranteed across each category. 

In the Junior Saloon Car Championship, Lewis Saunders has proven to be the benchmark driver thus far having scored an impressive three wins from four races. Bidding to become the first two-time champion in the series, Saunders has been in fine form but hasn’t had things all his own way.

Charlie Hand has been the other race winner and alongside the likes of Molly Dodd, Ruben Hage and Jake Weston, things are far from a forgone conclusion – especially with two more encounters taking centre stage this weekend.

Variety has always proven to be the spice of life in the Classic Touring Car Championship and that was on full show last month as a bumper entry list of tin top titans lifted the curtain on the new season.

Featuring cars built in 1966 through to the early noughties, the CTCRC has something for everyone. Expect the likes of Guy Smith, Stephen Primett, Alexander Owen and Andy Robinson to be some of the names dicing towards the front for outright honours.

The Dunlop Endurance Championship starred at Croft several weeks ago and it is set to do so once again in Kent as a feast of GT machinery will do battle across a pair of 50-minute races.

At Croft, the RAW Motorsport duo of Steve Burgess and Ben Dimmack, as well as VR Motorsport’s Danny Harrison, shared the spoils and while both will be keen to replicate that feat once again this weekend, the competition is likely to make it a tough fight to do so.

Whilst several championships will be back in action this weekend, Brands Hatch will also represent the opening event of what is now a condensed 2020 season for some.

One category which will be making its first appearance of the campaign will be the Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship. Home to some of the most famous cars to ever be built, the cost-effective category has been much-loved for a number of years.

Notable drivers to cast a watchful eye over at Brands Hatch include series stalwarts Jim Baynam, Stuart Plotnek, Steve McDermid and Will Sharpe – to name but a few.

Fans of all things BMW will be well-catered for over the course of the weekend as the Kumho BMW Championship roars into life for another year.

Home to all manner of models that have been produced by the Bavarian manufacturer, rear-wheel-drive rules the roost and is a sight to behold across all classes.

Rounding out the weekend will be action from the UK Sports Prototype Cup, which is embarking on its sophomore season in 2020. Looking to build on the foundations that it laid down last year, the multi-marque series boasts an ultra-competitive grid so expect fireworks to fly.

To view all of the important information ahead of this weekend’s event at Brands Hatch, such as links to the entry list and timetable, click here.

BARC championships serve up scorching weekend of racing at Croft

The British Automobile Racing Club’s second race meeting in as many weeks since UK motorsport restarted proved to be a resounding smash-hit this past weekend (July 11/12), as six championships served up a feast of entertainment at Croft.

As the sun beamed down on the North Yorkshire venue across both days, competitors and officials continued to adjust to the ‘new normal’ due to the COVID-19 pandemic; with temperature checks, wearing of face masks and social distancing all being carried out.

Spoils were shared in the opening two rounds of the Dunlop Endurance Championship as a bumper entry list took centre stage around the challenging 2.1-mile circuit.

Race one saw the RAW Motorsport pairing of Steve Burgess and Ben Dimmack power their Radical RXC Coupe to the chequered flag before VR Motorsport’s Danny Harrison did the same in race two at the wheel of his Praga R1T.

The Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres delivered six spellbinding encounters and produced three deserving winners.

Saturday’s action saw Jack Parker take an impressive brace before Sy Harraway closed out proceedings with a win of his own. On Sunday, defending champion Miles Rudman opened his account for the season before Harraway returned to winning ways once again, netting another two victories.

Lewis Saunders maintained his advantage at the summit of the Junior Saloon Car Championship as he bagged another pair of wins. The former champion swept the opposition in the opener before narrowly edging out Charlie Hand in race two to maintain his perfect record.

The Mighty Minis Championship saw a dominant double-winning display produced as well as Neven Kirkpatrick reigned supreme to kick-start his 2020 campaign in fine style; getting the better of Ian Clark and Steven Rideout in both races.

Jon Halliwell completed a fairytale comeback in the Max5 Racing Championship as he also claimed a sensational two wins. Having watched from the sidelines for a few years, Halliwell was back behind the wheel and back at the front to lead Paul Roddison home.

Rounding out the weekend were a trio of races from the Caterham Graduates Championship, which boasted a bumper entry list throughout each of its classes that added up to an impressive 34-car starting grid.

Henry Heaton proved to be the driver to beat throughout the weekend however as he was perfection personified, taking victory in all three races and by some margin as well.

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

Croft set to play host to bumper BARC weekend

The British Automobile Racing Club speeds into North Yorkshire this weekend (July 11/12) with six championships all set to take centre stage at Croft Circuit.

One week on from what proved to be a hugely successful season-opener at Cadwell Park for the Club since lockdown restrictions were eased, a total of 17 races are set to take place around the challenging 2.1-mile circuit across both days – with edge-of-the-seat entertainment guaranteed.

Having taken on a starring role last weekend, the Junior Saloon Car Championship is back in action with another bumper entry list of talented 14 to 17-year-old’s and two high-octane encounters scheduled to be run.

After notching two wins at Cadwell Park, all eyes will be on former champion Lewis Saunders as he bids to extend his early points lead over the rest of the field. Leading the chase for the Mac Tools-backed ace will be the likes of Charlie Hand, Ben Greenhill and Ruben Hage, amongst others.

Kickstarting their campaign at Croft will be the Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres. Small in stature but packing a real punch under the bonnet, these 5/8 scale machines are renowned for producing breathtaking wheel-to-wheel moments.

Miles Rudman returns as defending champion but the threats to his throne come from all angles, with multiple title winner John Mickel, Connor Mills and Sy Harraway set to be the lead protagonists across the weekend’s six races.

The Dunlop Endurance Championship boasts a coveted entry list too with all manner of jaw-dropping machines revved up to launch their season with a pair of 50-minute spectacles.

Elsewhere, the Caterham Graduates Championship has continued on its upward trajectory of recent years and with a blend of experienced and new drivers, it is set to be quite the display on-track.

This weekend will also mark the start of a new season for the Max5 Racing Championship, which looks set to showcase one of its biggest grids in some time.

Paul Roddison has proven to be the driver to beat in recent years in the one-make series however the return of Jon Halliwell could well make it an intriguing weekend for the formidable race-winner.

Rounding off what is set to be a blockbuster weekend’s action at Croft will be races from the Mighty Minis Championship, with the usual thrills and spills likely to be delivered.

Please note that this event will be run behind closed doors and spectators will not be permitted to attend.

To view more information on this weekend’s event, such as the full entry list and timetable, click here.

BARC announces revised provisional 2020 calendar for remainder of the year

The British Automobile Racing Club can today (June 22) reveal its revised provisional calendar for the remainder 2020; kicking off on July 4/5 and running right the way through until November 22.

Following on from the suspension of UK motorsport in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Club has worked tirelessly to put together a calendar with the dates available that will suit each individual championship.

Unfortunately, both the British Hillclimb Championship and BARC Connaught Speed Championship have elected to cancel their 2020 campaigns, with the focus now on 2021.

To view the full revised list of 2020 British Automobile Racing Club race meetings, CLICK HERE.

All dates remain provisional and subject to change in line with the current and ever-evolving government guidelines. Spectators are currently not permitted to attend events at this moment in time.

Those wishing to enter a race meeting can do so via the BARC Competitor Entry System.

For those that do not have a Username to access the BARC Competitor Entry System or if you have a general enquiry, please contact BARC Competitors secretary David Wheadon via 01264 882209 or dwheadon@barc.net.

Guidelines for Competitors and Officials have also been published in relation to how BARC race meetings will operate moving forward. They can be viewed by heading to https://www.barc.net/barc-publishes-covid-19-guidelines-for-competitors-and-officials/ 

Britcar to race at Spa-Francorchamps on FIA World Endurance Championship support package

Britcar’s Dunlop Endurance Championship is gearing up to take centre stage on an international level next year after confirming that it will support the FIA World Endurance Championship at Spa-Francorchamps on April 22/23/24 2020.

In what will be the penultimate event of the 2019-2020 Super Season for the WEC, a blockbuster three days of on-track excitement is set to take place around the famous Belgian venue – with Britcar adding to the spectacle.

Continuing to go from strength-to-strength under the stewardship of Claire Hedley, competing on the global stage is the latest in a long line of achievements that Britcar has enjoyed in recent years.

Kicking off their 2020 campaign over the Easter bank holiday weekend in April, the series’ international foray will be a non-championship round.

The weekend will comprise of a qualifying session and two 50-minute encounters around the famous circuit. In addition the event will be open to all cars that comply with Britcar’s class structure; whether registered or not to the championship itself.

To find out more information regarding the event and the championship as a whole, head to https://www.britcar-endurance.com/.