Tag: F4 British Championship

ROKiT British F4 announces inaugural overseas round at Zandvoort

The ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA has revealed two major additions to its 2024 calendar in the shape of the Silverstone Grand Prix and a first-ever overseas visit to Zandvoort in the Netherlands. 

After breaking new ground this year by becoming the first FIA-certified Formula 4 series to hold a race meeting on the full Grand Prix layout of Silverstone, the single-seater category is set to continue making history next season. 

Embarking on its first visit to mainland Europe, one of the standout events on the calendar next year will see the championship visit the home of the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix, Zandvoort.

The 2024 schedule takes place across ten events, featuring a total of 30 races with eight of the ten weekends once again supporting the British Touring Car Championship.

“I am very proud that we continue to innovate with the ROKiT British F4 Championship,” said Hugh Chambers, Motorsport UK CEO. “The addition to the calendar of the F1 track at Zandvoort, on top of our existing Silverstone F1 track weekend, perfectly complements our eight weekends as part of the BTCC rounds. These are held at the best of Britain’s tracks, which history shows has produced multiple world champions in the past.

“With four GP track layouts in 2024, two historic and two current tracks, our commitment to preparing and developing British F4 drivers for future single seater careers is evident. This is the reason that more than half the drivers on the 2023 grid came from international markets, as they can see how British F4 provides the perfect pathway to a career in motorsport.

“We have placed great emphasis on listening to the market, and working with the British F4 teams to refine our offering and I am certain that the shape of our 2024 calendar will prove an attractive proposition to domestic and overseas drivers alike.”

2024 ROKiT F4 British Championship Calendar

April 27/28 – Donington Park (National) 

May 11/12 – Brands Hatch (Indy)

May 25/26 – Snetterton (300)

June 8/9 – Thruxton 

June 15/16 – Silverstone (Grand Prix)

July 13/14 – Zandvoort 

August 10/11 – Knockhill 

August 24/25 – Donington Park (Grand Prix)

September 21/22 – Silverstone (National)

October 5/6 – Brands Hatch (Grand Prix)

Champions triumph on TOCA support bill at Brands Hatch

Champions weren’t just crowned in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch this past weekend (October 8/9), as titles were also decided across the four support championships that make up the TOCA support bill. 

On what turned out to be an action-packed finale around the famous Grand Prix circuit, the bumper crowd in attendance were treated to a feast of wheel-to-wheel thrills as the battle for supremacy across each of the one-make categories reached an exciting crescendo. 

In the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA, teenage sensation Louis Sharp took a huge step towards fulfilling his Formula 1 dreams by becoming the latest champion of the single-seater series.

Entering the final meeting of the year holding a one-point advantage over Will Macintyre, the Rodin Carlin driver clinched the crown in impressive fashion, starting by blasting to pole position in qualifying and subsequently converting it into a lights-to-flag victory. 

Starting towards the back for the reverse grid race, Sharp made as much progress as he could however Macintyre’s superior result meant that his lead was once again cut – leaving him with a slender points buffer heading into the finale. 

Needing only to finish ahead of Macintyre to secure the title, the Kiwi was happy to shadow fellow front row starter Deagan Fairclough throughout the final race of the season, with MacIntyre hot on his heels but unable to make up the ground he required to deny him.

Dan Zelos wrote his name into the history books of the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE JCW as he was crowned champion of the ultra-competitive tin top series for a second time in three years. 

Having been the driver to beat for much of the season, the EXCELR8 Motorsport driver arrived at Brands Hatch with a commanding 101-point lead and he wasted no time in wrapping things up as he followed winner Sam Smith to the chequered flag in race one. 

With the title in the bag, the pressure was off Zelos for the remainder of the event however he was unable to curtail his season with one more victory. The remaining spoils instead went the way of Smith and last year’s champion Sam Weller. 

Having been the cream of the crop for much of the year, Team Parker Racing’s Joe Warhurst savoured title success as he emerged victorious in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain.

Arriving at the Kent circuit in the pound seat, the rising star was wheel-perfect in races one and two, taking commanding victories, which in-turn proved to be enough to see him crowned champion. 

Warhurst came oh-so close to making it a coronation to remember as he narrowly missing out on a third win to Steve Roberts by just under two tenths of a second. 

The Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain might have already been decided prior to Brands Hatch but that didn’t stop the monstrous field of rear-wheel-drive 911 cars from putting on a show for one last time this year. 

Rosland Gold by Century Motorsport’s James Kellett secured second in the overall championship as he stormed to victory in the opening encounter and then, fittingly, newly crowned champion Adam Smalley reigned supreme in race two to end the year on the top step of the podium. 

To view the full classification of results from all TOCA support championships, as well as the final standings for each, CLICK HERE.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship and TOCA support package will return in 2024, with the new season scheduled to get underway at Donington Park on April 27/28.

BARC’ing Mad Podcast: Episode 7 – September 8th 2023

Episode 7 of the British Automobile Racing Club’s new-for-2023 podcast, BARC’ing Mad, is now live and available to listen to.

In partnership with BP Fleet Solutions UK, the fortnightly podcast – which is hosted by Alan Hyde and Ian Waterhouse – is packed with full-throttle news, reviews and captivating interviews.

The series’ seventh episode sees Motorsport News Editor Matt James return to discuss the biggest topics from motorsport in the UK and around the world before the top two in the ROKiT F4 British Championship – Louis Sharp and Will Macintyre – preview their fledgling careers and the prospect of a thrilling title showdown next month.

BARC’ing Mad is available to listen to across all popular podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

You can also watch each episode via the Club’s official YouTube channel.

ROKiT British F4 announces two-day 2024 Driver Test in October

The ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA has announced a dedicated 2024 Driver Test to be held at Snetterton Circuit on 26-27 October, for drivers looking to enter the 2024 season.

The two-day event provides drivers the opportunity to sample British F4’s Generation 2 Tatuus chassis and build up test mileage around the Norfolk track’s 2.96-mile ‘300’ layout.

All of the championship’s leading teams have committed their attendance, allowing plentiful networking opportunities and first-hand insight, providing the next generation motorsport stars of the future with all the tools to plan their off season, in order maximise success of their 2024 season.

Drivers wishing to participate in the two-day test can contact teams currently registered to compete in the championship by clicking here.

Eve Lake-Grange, ROKiT British F4 Championship Manager said, “Creating opportunities and pathways into British F4 is a core part of the championship proposition.

“Last year, we ran this Driver Test for prospective 2023 season drivers and were overwhelmed for the demand it generated from drivers eager to understand first-hand about British F4 and the role it plays in delivering talent right up to Formula 1. The test offers potential 2024 season drivers the opportunity to get to grips with the latest generation British F4 car and meet each of the teams involved, all of whom are renowned for their success in the discipline.”

“The ROKiT British F4 2024 season starts here, and I am very excited to see the next cohort of talent embark on their single seater journeys.”

TOCA support championships make an entertaining splash at Knockhill

Blockbuster entertainment ran throughout the TOCA support package this past weekend (August 12/13) as four championships put on an unmissable on-track show at Knockhill.

Making the annual trip north of the border along with the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, a capacity crowd were treated to an abundance of thrills and spills in remarkable and ever-changing weather conditions.

Connor Mills wrote his name into the history books at Knockhill last weekend as he became the first-ever champion of the Legends Cars Elite Cup with JLM. 

On what – as always – was an entertaining showing from the 5/8 scale series during its last appearance of the season on the BTCC support bill, Mills held his nerve to clinch the coveted crown ahead of Robert Barrable and Jack Parker.

Arriving at the Scottish venue holding a slender advantage in the standings, the former Formula Ford driver blasted his way to victory in the Round 5 Final and second heat of Round 6 to secure an unassailable lead in the fan-favourite category. 

Barrable had bolstered his own title chances with victory in the opening encounter but it wasn’t ultimately to be enough as Mills got the job done. Home hero Ryan McLeish chalked up an impressive brace of wins whilst Marcus Pett also triumphed in the remaining races.

Will Macintyre increased his lead in the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA after claiming his second win of the year. Macintyre had originally been demoted to second in race one following a track limits penalty however the decision was ultimately reversed.

The single-seater series – which has served as a launchpad for a number of drivers including current Formula 1 stars Lando Norris and Oscar Pastry – also saw Deagen Fairclough and Dion Gowda walk away enjoying a share of the remaining spoils that were on offer.

Dan Zelos extended his lead in the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE JCW as he charged to an impressive brace of wins. On the weekend that saw him become experienced driver on the grid in terms of race starts, the EXCELR8 Motorsport was at times wheel-perfect on his march to glory.

Hybrid Tune’s Will Orton denied Joe Tanner a famous home win in the opening encounter before Zelos came to the fore in races two and three, producing a pair of commanding performances to strengthen his chances of clinching a second title. 

Rounding out the weekend’s breathtaking kerb-hopping were two races from the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain. JTR’s Gus Burton served up an imperious lights-to-flag victory in the opener before James Kellett chalked up his third win of the season in race two. 

To view the full classification of results from all TOCA support sessions at Knockhill, CLICK HERE.

The British Touring Car Championship and TOCA support categories continue their campaigns in less than two weeks’ time, returning to Donington Park to tackle the Grand Prix layout on August 26/27.

Blockbuster entertainment runs throughout TOCA support bill at Croft

Croft Circuit provided the backdrop to a thrilling two days of action this past weekend (July 29/30) as the TOCA support package blasted back into life.

Making the annual trip to North Yorkshire following the traditional mid-season summer break, a quartet of categories served up an unmissable show alongside the British Touring Car Championship for a capacity trackside crowd.

Hot on heels of confirming that they will remain on the TOCA bill until at least the end of 2026, the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA underlined its status as being the first step on the road to Formula 1 by providing three frenetic races.

After setting the pace early on in the season, Louis Sharp made a welcome return to the top step of the podium by claiming a commanding lights-to-flag victory in the weekend’s opener before Sonny Smith reigned supreme in an action-packed reverse grid contest. 

Sharp then doubled his account for the weekend with a clinical display in race three as he cruised to victory ahead of Will Macintyre and Deagen Fairclough.

Having dazzled crowds with scintillating overtakes and close-quarter racing at Brands Hatch back in May, the Legends Cars Elite Cup with JLM made a triumphant return to the TOCA support bill and as expected, they didn’t disappoint. 

Round three on Saturday saw the trio of Marcus Pett, Jack Parker and Will Gibson claim a win apiece before Connor Mills and Robert triumphed across round four’s double-header on Sunday.

Blockbuster entertainment was around nearly every corner when it came to the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE Trophy, as they too returned to the BTCC billing, having not featured since Thruxton. 

Tom Ovenden strengthened his championship challenge with an assertive performance in the weekend’s opening bout however he could do nothing to stop Jack Byrne from triumphing in a pulsating finale. 

Concluding the weekend’s action around the British Automobile Racing Club-operated venue were two contests from the Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain. 

Team Parker Racing’s Joseph Warhurst edged out Matthew Armstrong and Max Coates in the opening encounter before  Armstrong and Toby Trice reigned supreme in Sunday’s second and third bouts.

To view the full classifications of results from all competing championships over the course of the weekend at Croft, CLICK HERE.

ROKiT British F4 extends partnership with TOCA until 2026

The ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA has today (July 26) announced that it will remain on the TOCA package – supporting the British Touring Car Championship – until the end of 2026.

Providing the first step on the road to Formula 1, the single-seater series has established itself as one of the UK’s premier one-make categories and is set to continuing reaping the benefits of racing on the BTCC support bill for a further three years.

Eve Lake-Grange, ROKiT British F4 Championship Manager, said: “Being on the TOCA package is very much part of the DNA of British F4. Our drivers really appreciate showcasing their skills both to a massive free-to-air terrestrial TV audience at home and in front of the enormous crowds that BTCC and the support package generate.

“The benefit of the reach and profile of the TOCA package, combined with a festival atmosphere at each and every round is very special. It made sense to be able to announce the continuity of the package for the next three years and give certainty for our teams, championship partners and prospective drivers alike.”

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, added: “We are delighted to extend our partnership with the F4 British Championship that will see it remain on the TOCA package until at least the end of the 2026 season.

“Having been on the bill since its inception back in 2015, the F4 British Championship has already helped shape some of the talent on the current Formula 1 grid, as well as entertain the millions of fans that have tuned in to watch the action.

“The F4 British Championship will continue to benefit from the huge trackside audience that the TOCA package attracts as well as the many hundreds of thousands more that enjoy ITV’s live free-to-air coverage. I am sure this will be another hugely successful period ahead and we look forward to continuing our partnership for many years to come.”

BARC delivers Silverstone scorcher on Grand Prix layout

The sun shone on the British Automobile Racing Club this past weekend (June 24/25) as a number of championships continued their 2023 campaigns around the world-famous Silverstone Grand Prix circuit.

Returning to the Home of British Motor Racing for the second time this year, the BARC took centre stage under the bright blue skies for a 13-race schedule across two days that was just as scorching on track as it was off it. 

Less than a week on from staging its milestone 250th race at Oulton Park, the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA was back in action and the latest instalment of their season saw more history made as the series competed around Silverstone’s 3.66-mile layout for the first time.

Ahead of its annual summer break, the single-seater series – which is the first step on the road to Formula 1 – served up a pulsating trio of races where slip streaming and wheel-to-wheel battles had those watching trackside and online on the edge of their seats.

Rodin Carlin’s Josh Irfan became the tenth different winner in a pulsating opener as his lightning start from row two saw him charge into a lead that he would ultimately never lose – with the rookie driver controlling proceedings out front to triumph ahead of Will Macintyre and James Piszcyk.

Race two then saw Irfan’s team-mate Noah Lisle strengthen his championship challenge with an impressive third victory of the season before James Piszcyk rounded things off by leading a Hitech Pulse-Eight top four lockout in race three.

The British Endurance Championship headed back to Silverstone with another strong entry list however nobody was able to stop the PB Racing Audi R8 GT3 duo of Peter Erceg and Marcus Clutton – who reigned supreme in commanding style.

Arriving at the Northamptonshire venue as the team to beat, Erceg and Clutton quickly established themselves out front as they blasted to pole position in qualifying by little under a second.

As the lights went out on Saturday afternoon’s two-hour bout, the striking black and orange R8 GT3 wasted no time in establishing an advantage out front. The multiple race winners soon broke clear of the chasing pack and began to stretch their legs, ultimately taking victory by two laps.

Best of the rest was the Scott Sport Lamborghini Super Trefeo Evo of Mikkel Mac and Keith Frieser in second and the Team HARD duo of Brad Thurston and Daryl de Leon in their Porsche 991 Cup in third.

Datum Motorsport’s Axel van Nederveen headed Ginetta dominance in the ROWE Britcar Trophy Championship as he charged victory in Sunday’s two-hour race. 

Having missed out on pole position in qualifying to the Assetto Motorsport duo of Jade Edwards and Mike West, van Nederveen had looked on course to follow the pole sitters to the finish – who were largely dominating proceedings – before a gearbox issue sadly scuppered their chances during the pit stop phase.

Going on to inherit top spot in the latter stages, van Nederveen was wheel-perfect for the remainder of the contest to take victory ahead of SVG Motorsport’s Neil Wallace and Ian Astley and his Datum team-mate Marco Anastasi.

Elsewhere, three of Caterham Motorsport’s five championships continued their 2023 campaigns by producing a quite sensational show of close-quarter racing.

Just 0.011 split the top two in the opening Vertex Caterham Roadsport Championship bout as Edward Cozzi edged Ben Timmons TO the chequered flag. Timmons would have his moment on the top step of the podium however as he charged to victory in race two.

Freddie Chiddicks took a clean sweep of victories in the Mission Motorsport Caterham Seven 270R Championship whilst Domenique Mannsperger, Harry Cook and Lars Alexander Hoffman shared the spoils in the Motul Caterham Seven 310R Championship.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Silverstone, CLICK HERE. 

Both race days around the Grand Prix layout can also be re-watched on the BARC’s official YouTube channel HERE.

BARC TV: What’s On This Weekend – June 24/25

The British Automobile Racing Club takes centre stage at the Home of British Motor Racing, Silverstone, this weekend (June 24/25) for a blockbuster two days of track action around the world-famous Grand Prix circuit.

On what promises to be a weekend to remember in Northamptonshire, the British Endurance Championship and its monstrous array of GT cars is poised to headline proceedings as it serves up a two-hour spectacular.

Elsewhere, the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA – which is fresh off the back of a milestone outing at Oulton Park – will continue its 2023 campaign with a trio of single seater contests.

Also in action across Saturday and Sunday is the ROWE Britcar Trophy Championship, Vertex Caterham Roadsport Championship, Mission Motorsport Caterham Seven 270R Championship and Motul Caterham Seven 310R Championship.

Below is all the information you’ll need to know to keep up-to-date with all the action that is being broadcast live:

Silverstone

Saturday 24th June // 13:00 – WATCH HERE

Sunday 25th June // 09:20 – WATCH HERE

TOCA support package enjoys party in the park at Oulton

Oulton Park provided the backdrop to a memorable two days of TOCA support championship action this past weekend (June 17/18) as the 2023 campaign reached the halfway marker. 

Sharing the bill with the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship in Cheshire, four one-make categories wrote the latest chapter in their seasons as they served up a feast of entertainment for the bumper crowd that was in attendance.

One of the headline acts came in the shape of the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA, which reached its milestone 250th race on Sunday afternoon.

Kenato Le and Sonny Smith claimed a win apiece in races one and two however it was Fortec Motorsport’s James Higgins that etched his name into the history books as he cruised to victory from pole position in the series’ prestigious encounter LIVE on ITV4.

Spoils were shared in the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE JCW as Dan Zelos maintained his advantage at the top of the championship standings; ensuring he remains on course for what could be a second Drivers’ title this year.

The EXCELR8 Motorsport driver underlined his credentials as being the driver to beat as he charged to a commanding pole-to-flag victory in the opening encounter before NAPA Racing UK’s Jamie Osborne repeated the feat in race two ahead of Nelson King and Will Orton.

Adam Smalley strengthened his stranglehold at the summit of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB leaderboard with an impressive win in race two. James Kellett reigned supreme in the opener before the Porsche GB Junior driver came to the fore in style with a storming drive to stand on the top of the rostrum.

It was to be a weekend to forget for Smalley’s main title protagonist Robert de Haan though as a number of time penalties scuppered his chances of closing the gap to the Team Parker Racing ace.

Making their second – and final – guest appearance on the BTCC support bill was the Hagerty Radical Cup UK. As they did at Snetterton, the single-make series served up three pulsating contests; two of which were won by Daryl De Leon.

Despite narrowly missing out on pole position to James Lay in qualifying, De Leon was wheel-perfect to narrowly edge out Lay in race one before he then repeating the feat in races two and three as well. The weekend’s final bout was won by Abdelmajeed Khateeb. 

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Oulton Park, CLICK HERE.

Both the MINI CHALLENGE and Porsche Carrera Cup GB will continue their campaigns at the end of July whilst its now a quick turnaround for the F4 British Championship, which takes centre stage next weekend (June 24/25) on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit. 

BARC TV: What’s On This Weekend – June 17/18

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship reaches the halfway point in the 2023 campaign this weekend (June 17/18) as it speeds into Cheshire for Rounds 13, 14 & 15 around Oulton Park.

Bringing the curtain down on what has been a frenetic first half of the season for the UK’s premier motorsport series, the BTCC is poised to take centre stage on the Island layout for what promises to be an action-packed Sunday.

Joining them on the support bill will be races from the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE JCW, ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA and Hagerty Radical Cup UK.

Below is all the information you’ll need to know to keep up-to-date with all the action that is being broadcast live:

Oulton Park

Saturday 17th June // BTCC Qualifying – 15:30 – WATCH HERE

Sunday 18th June // ITV – 12:00 to 14:00 // ITV4 – 14:00 to 18:15 // ITV Website – WATCH HERE

All-action TOCA support championships star at Brands Hatch

Brands Hatch provided the backdrop to a thrilling two days of TOCA support championship action this past weekend (May 6/7) as four categories served up an abundance of edge-of-the-seat entertainment on the Indy circuit.

Taking centre stage alongside the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at the Kent venue, a bumper trackside crowd – as well as many more watching on ITV4 – were treated to a feast of thrills and spills in contrasting weather conditions. 

One of the undoubted highlights of the weekend proved to be debut of the Legends Cars Elite Cup with JLM; however it wasn’t to be without its fair share of drama as both Saturday and Sunday’s grand finals were hampered by multi-car accidents. 

In the remaining races that did take place, Jack Parker – who was filling in for the injured John Mickel – blasted his way to a brace of wins whilst there were also victories for Will Gibson, Miles Rudman and Robert Barrable. 

Three new faces stood on the top step of the podium in the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA over the course of the weekend however that didn’t stop Louis Sharp from extending his advantage in the points standings. 

The weekend’s opening contest – which took place in damp conditions – saw Kenato Le capitalise on a frantic front-running battle to score victory before Dion Gowda came to the fore to win a much drier race two on Sunday, inheriting the win from Deagen Fairclough who was penalised for gaining an unfair advantage.

Fortec Motorsport’s James Higgins then produced a commanding lights-to-flag victory in the weekend’s third and final contest to vault himself into second in the standings and more importantly, title contention.

Spoils were shared in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB as Robert de Haan and James Kellett claimed a win apiece on Sunday. 

In what is proving to be a sensational rookie campaign, Richardson Racing’s de Haan reigned supreme in a pulsating opener and then had looked to have repeated the feat in race two before he was hit with a post-race penalty, which gave Kellett a maiden win in the one-make series.

Rounding out the weekend’s support race action were three high-octane races from the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE JCW, won by Dan Zelos and Will Orton. 

EXCELR8 Motorsport’s Zelos didn’t put a wheel wrong in Saturday’s opener to master the wet conditions and take victory. However, he could do nothing to stop Orton the following day as the Hybrid Tune driver produced a virtuoso display out front to take a brace of race wins.

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

Both the Hagerty Radical Cup UK and Porsche Sprint Challenge GB will feature alongside the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA and Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE JCW when the BTCC support bill competes next at Snetterton 300 on May 20/21.