Max5 Racing Championship – Page 2

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/.

Mallory Park set to stage BARC bank holiday blockbuster

The British Automobile Racing Club heads to Mallory Park this coming Bank Holiday Monday (August 31) with an action-packed day of on-track entertainment lined up courtesy of three championships.

In what is the first of two visits to the Leicestershire venue by the Club this year, a busy month of racing will draw to a close with no less than nine races scheduled to take place over the course of the day.

Home to the next generation of rising stars, the Junior Saloon Car Championship has enjoyed a sensational start to the 2020 season with former champion Lewis Saunders setting his stall out as the driver to beat.

Scoring countless victories already, Saunders’ quest to become the first driver to be crowned a two-time champion is moving in the right direction. However, with the likes of Charlie Hand, Molly Dodd, Ruben Hage and Jake Weston – amongst others – all in front-running contention, Monday’s two races are far from guaranteed to fall the way of Saunders.

The Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship roared into life at Brands Hatch at the start of the month and it didn’t disappoint. Running under a multi-class format, the single-marque category has proven to be a smash-hit down the years.

Notable names to keep an eye across the day’s trio of encounters include Fergus Campbell, a double race-winner at the Brands Hatch season-opener, as well as David Mellor, Steve McDermid and Steve Darbey.

Fresh off the back of two enthralling races at Donington Park last weekend, the Max5 Racing Championship continues to flourish with bumper grids primed to take centre stage.

Like the MGOC, the Max5 contingent runs under a multi-class system and it has already seen several star names come to the fore including the returning Jon Halliewell, Paul Roddison, Andrew Pretorius and Ian Loversidge.

Capping off the day’s action at Mallory Park will see new ground broken with the launch of an innovative set of Open Sports/Saloon Car races. Open competitors who drive open/closed roof Sports & Saloon cars, regardless of what championship or racing club they compete in, providing they meet current Motorsport UK safety regulations, the new initiative is proving to be popular.

The format guarantees that everyone will be racing against those doing similar lap times, irrespective of the car they are driving, leading to much closer competition. Classes will be changed post-qualifying and post-race if competitors run two or more laps faster in a qualifying session or race than their nominated class allowance stipulates.

To find out more information on this Monday’s bank holiday race meeting, including links to live timing and the event timetable, click here.

BARC serves up titanic two days of track action at Donington Park

Donington Park played host to a memorable two days of British Automobile Racing Club action this past weekend (August 22/23) which saw mixed conditions only add to the edge-of-the-seat drama and entertainment.

Descending on the Leicestershire venue for what would turn out to be a weekend to remember, a total of seven championships hit the track and turned on the style for the enthusiastic crowd that was in attendance.

One of the headline acts was the BTRA British Truck Racing Championship and the 1000bhp heavyweight behemoths didn’t disappoint as they served up a feast of thrills and spills across five bruising encounters.

Division 1 saw four-time defending champion Ryan Smith begin his quest for a fifth crown in emphatic fashion on the right foot as he powered his way to a brace of rain wins. Martin Gibson, David Jenkins and John Newell also triumphed, underlining that the class is set to be as wide open as ever in 2020.

Steven Powell enjoyed a solid start in Division 2 as he kicked off his quest for the title in emphatic fashion, winning four out of the five races. The MAN TGX driver was in a league of his own at times and would have completed a clean sweep had it not been for Luke Garrett scoring a win of his own.

Another category to lift the curtain on its condensed 2020 season was the Distrigo C1 Challenge, taking centre stage on Saturday for a three-hour spectacle which ended with the top two being separated by little over half a second.

The Progressive Motorsport Ltd duo of Howard Hayens and Dave Ward narrowly edged out Team Davies after a sensational 91 laps around the 1.98-mile track.

The Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres saw three drivers take home a share of the silverware following six breathless races. Saturday’s triple-header saw Daniel Clark, Will Gibson and Connor Mills take a win each before Gibson and Mill triumphed again on Sunday, the latter a brace.

There was action aplenty in the Max5 Racing Championship over the course of the weekend too as the one-make series starred. Andrew Pretorius reigned supreme in the opening encounter before Paul Roddison scooped the spoils in race two.

The BARC North West Centre’s flagship category, the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship, made its second appearance of the year with Richard Wood and Luke Armiger taking a win apiece under the flightpath of East Midlands airport.

Rounding out the weekend’s track action at Donington Park were races from both the BRSCC Mazda MX5 Championship and BRSCC Mazda MX5 Supercup.

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

BARC revved up for blockbuster weekend at Donington Park

The British Automobile Racing Club is preparing for a blockbuster two days of track action at Donington Park this weekend (August 22/23) with six championships, including the BTRA Truck Racing Championship, set to take centre stage.

In what is always a well-attended event on the national motorsport calendar, the Leicestershire venue will welcome a limited number of spectators to watch a feast of entertainment around the challenging 1.95-mile circuit.

Headlining the weekend’s action will be the five-tonne heavyweight behemoths of the BTRA. Kick-starting their 2020 campaign under the flightpath of East Midlands airport, a bumper grid of trucks will take centre stage with five races scheduled to play out.

Headlining Division 1 is four-time reigning champion Ryan Smith who is chasing a fifth consecutive title. Having been the man to beat in recent years, Smith enters the weekend as the favourite but with the likes of David Jenkins, Stuart Oliver and Simon Reid, amongst others, nothing is guaranteed.

In Division 2, Luke Garrett begins the pursuit of a third successive title and the MAN driver, like Smith, enters the weekend with a target on his back and with Steven Powell, Brad Smith and Simon Cole on the hunt, Garrett will need to be at his brilliant best.

Just over a month since their reschedule season got underway, the Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres resumes with its usual blend of wheel-to-wheel, bumper-to-bumper entertainment putting fans on the edge of their seats.

Jack Parker, Miles Rudman, Sy Harraway, John Mickel and Daniel Clark were the early pace-setters at Croft and they will all be worth keeping an eye on, as well as a host of others, across the weekend’s six races.

The Max5 Racing Championship was another category to blast into life at Croft and with grid numbers continuing to rise, the single-make series is building toward a memorable 2020 season.

Jon Halliwell made a triumphant return to the championship last time out and marked it with a double win. Paul Roddison, Sam Hicks, Ian Loversidge, Jeremy Shipley and Andrew Pretorius are just a few of the drivers that will be keen to make their mark during the weekends two encounters.

The Club’s North West Centre will be present over the course of the weekend in the shape of the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship. Running under a multi-class format, the much-loved category began its year at Cadwell Park with Paul Rose and Paul Dobson claiming a win apiece.

Expect those two to be at the sharp end of a grid which has all the hallmarks of encompassing the quote ‘variety is the spice of life’.

Another category that will be making their first appearance of this condensed 2020 season is the C1 Challenge. Providing a low-cost method of going endurance racing, the series has emerged as one of the fastest growing categories in the country since launching midway through 2017.

Armed with a capacity entry list and a three-hour race scheduled to take place on the Saturday, the action is set to be unmissable.

Bringing the curtain down on the track action at Donington Park will be action from the BRSCC Mazda Mx5 Supercup.

To find out more information on this weekend’s event, including links to live timing, timetables and entry lists, 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/

Tickets on sale for prestigious BARC Championship Awards Evening in February

Champions, marshals and officials are set to be honoured at the British Automobile Racing Club’s annual Championship Awards Evening on Saturday 8th February 2020, with the Chesford Grange Hotel in Kenilworth confirmed to once again host the prestigious event.

Celebrating the 2019 season in fine style, 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 another unforgettable night.

Whilst those who emerged victorious from their respective categories over the course of the season will take centre stage, several other ‘secret’ awards will be handed out during the evening as well – adding further excitement to the spectacle.

Hosted by Alan Hyde, the star-studded evening is set to include a three-course dinner and raffle in addition to the customary trophy presentation. Entertainment will come in the shape of popular cover band ‘The Torn Off Strips’.

Tickets for the BARC Championship Awards Evening are priced at £75.00 for BARC Members whilst £85.00 for Non-Members. Click HERE to view and complete the ticket booking form.

For more information regarding the event, please contact: Mandy Curley, BARC Ltd, Thruxton Circuit, Andover, Hants SP11 8PN | Tel: 01264 882202 (direct) | Fax: 01264 882233 | Email: mcurley@barc.net

A limited number of rooms have been allocated at Chesford Grange Hotel on a Bed & Breakfast basis at Double £112 per room and Single £98 per room.

Once allocation has gone, the full rate may be charged. To book and pre pay for your accommodation with the hotel’s central reservations line, contact 0845 074 0060 and quote ‘BARC event’.

BARC champions begin to be crowned as 2019 season heads towards its finale

September; the start of the autumnal season and for the British Automobile Racing Club, a month that marks the start of the title run-in for several of its championships – and several champions having already been crowned.

With the business end of the motorsport season seeing nail-biting, edge-of-the-seat entertainment being provided around the country, a host of BARC categories have already brought the curtain down on their 2019 campaigns.

The Classic Touring Car Racing Club, where variety is the spice of life, served up another exciting season and finished with a flourish at Cadwell Park. Patrick Harris reigned supreme in the Paul Inch – Classic Race Engines Pre ’66 Touring Cars whilst CTCRC Group 1 Touring Car Championship honours fell the way of Alan Wilshire.

Envirotec Hygiene Services Pre-93 Touring Cars spoils went to Graham Myers with AJ Owen triumphing in the Simply Serviced Pre-2003 Touring Cars. In the Toyo Tyres Pre-2005 Production Touring Car Championship and Burton Power Blue Oval Saloon Series, Josh Barber and Piers Grange were the respective victors.

Rounding out the CTCRC winners was Andy Robinson, who was crowned champion in the Edmundson Electrical Classic Thunder Saloons Championship.

Pete Sparrow was the driver to beat in the Classic 2CV Racing Championship once again as he recorded an unprecedented eighth title triumph. Entering the season as defending champion, nobody could ultimately stop Sparrow from writing his name further into the history books.

The Max5 Racing Championship delivered another captivating year of racing too with Paul Roddison, Aaron Bunning and Steve Kite triumphing in Classes A, B and C respectively.

Ginetta’s raft of different categories have wowed crowds wherever they have competed, with both the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge and Ginetta G40 Cup going down to the wire. Scott McKenna did enough for GT5 spoils whilst Chris Salkeld was the winner in the G40 Cup.

Whilst the Ginetta Racing Drivers Series is not recognised as a championship, Michael Kidson was declared as the winner for achieving the most successful run of results across the six-event calendar.

Outright honours in the BARC Connaught Speed Championship meanwhile went to James Hunt.

Finally, the British Schools Karting Championship once again saw another ultra-competitive year of racing however nobody was able to stop Brentwood School from scooping a fourth consecutive title.

With plenty more motorsport action taking place over the next month and a half, championship triumphs are set to come thick and fast before another year of motorsport draws to close.

To stay up-to-date with all the latest news and reports from the British Automobile Racing Club, visit www.barc.net.

In addition, you can also follow the BARC on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

All-out Anglesey action as BARC shines in North Wales

The British Automobile Racing Club celebrated 21 years of racing around Anglesey in spectacular style this past weekend (September 21/22) as a host of championships served up an entertaining extravaganza of track action.

Organised and run by the Club’s North West Centre, the two-day meeting marked more than two decades since the very first event at the Welsh venue, and the milestone was celebrated with frenetic action across both days.

The Max5 Racing Championship brought the curtain down on its 2019 campaign in blockbuster fashion with a trio pulsating encounters. Paul Roddison, who has arguably been the benchmark for a majority of the year, signed off with two more wins as Ian Loversidge also triumphed.

Roddison’s two wins clinched the Class A crown whilst Matthew Tidmarsh and Steve Kite were the champions in Class B and Class C respectively.

Scott McIntyre put himself within touching distance of the Junior Saloon Car Championship title as he powered his way to an impressive brace of race wins. Edging towards the coveted crown in his sophomore season, the Team HARD driver was however forced to work for both victories by Alex Jay.

Having been the driver to beat last time out, Jay continued his front-running momentum with a pair of stunning drives, narrowly losing out to McIntyre on both occasions by a mere six-thousandths of a second.

In the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship, the BARC NW Centre’s flagship multi-class category, Danny Bird proved to be in a league of his own as he piloted his Spire GTR 1000 to a hat-trick of race wins.

David Kirkpatrick and Neven Kirkpatrick shared the spoils in the Mighty Minis Championship whilst the KW Automotive Classic VW Cup, Uncle Luke’s BARC Saloon Series and TDi North Honda VTEC Challenge amalgamated together also, giving tin tops enthusiasts plenty to cast a keen eye over.

Steve Rothery and Chris Sparks proved too hot to handle for the rest of the competition in the end and ran out winners, taking a win apiece.

Rounding out the weekend’s track action from the picturesque venue in North Wales were a host of races from the Motorsport UK British Superkarts Championship; with Lee Harpham, Liam Morley, Matt Robinson and Mark Bramhall all scoring victory.

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

The BARC is set to pay one last visit to Anglesey in 2019 on November 8/9/10 as it once again joins forces with Mission Motorsport for Race of Remembrance. Click here for more information.

Anglesey to play host to pivotal weekend of racing for BARC categories

The picturesque delights of Anglesey Circuit is the destination for six British Automobile Racing Club categories this weekend (September 21/22). with the fight for championship glory set to continue.

Organised and run by the Club’s North West Centre, this latest visit to North Wales will undoubtedly serve up two days of full-throttle entertainment, with it still all to play for across the board.

Bringing the curtain down on their 2019 campaign, the Max5 Racing Championship will sign off its year with a trio of 20-minute encounters and all three class titles being decided. In what has been another vintage season for the one-make series, more twists and turns are predicted.

Paul Roddison, Matthew Tidmarsh and Steve Kite find themselves in the pound seats at the summit of each class as it stands but with 150-points up for grabs, it could all change within a blink of an eye around the International layout.

In the Junior Saloon Car Championship, Scott McIntyre will look to take a crucial step closer to being crowned champion. With one round to go following this weekend, the tin top series for drivers aged between 14 to 17 is heading towards a nail-biting finale and it is McIntyre who holds the advantage.

Being the form driver for a majority of the season, the former Scholarship winner is on the cusp of glory but the likes of reigning champion Lewis Saunders and Alex Jay will undoubtedly have something to say before the final chequered flag flies.

Anglesey will also provide the backdrop for the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship’s penultimate event of the season. As the North West Centre’s flagship series, the multi-class championship is open to all manner of machinery and has become staple of the UK motorsport landscape.

Notable names to look out for include Danny Winstanley, Luke Armiger, Rob Burkinshaw, Paul Dobson and Dave Harvey; all of whom have been in the thick of the action towards the sharp end of the grid.

Small in stature but packing a real punch on-track, the British Superkart Championship will also be in action with several encounters its variety of classes, all of which are based on engine capacity.

Rounding out the weekend’s running on track will be amalgamated races from the KW Automotive Classic VW Cup, Uncle Luke’s BARC Saloon Series and the TDi North Honda VTEC Challenge.

Showcasing some of the best saloon car machines, from Volkswagen and Honda in particular, all three categories are set to take centre stage as they battle for overall honours.

For the KW Automotive Classic VW Cup in particular, this weekend will be pivotal in deciding the outcome of crowning a first-ever champion after championship status was granted at the start of the year.

To find out more information on this weekend’s event at Anglesey, including entry lists and the race timetable, click here.

Cadwell Park plays host to memorable BARC race day

Cadwell Park played host to be a memorable British Automobile Racing Club race day this past Saturday (August 31) as a range of championships continued their 2019 campaigns in thrilling fashion.

Faced with changeable conditions throughout what proved to be an action-packed event, the undulating challenges of the Lincolnshire-based venue served up a feast of entertainment for those in attendance.

In the Max5 Racing Championship, Paul Roddison continued his march towards retaining his Class A title as he once again produced another superlative performance. Having emerged as the form driver from the beginning, Roddison once again reigned supreme as he bagged another brace of victories.

Powering his way to pole position by more than a second in qualifying, Roddison converted his front-row start into a visit to the top step of the podium – beating Andrew Pretorius by a slender two tenths of a second after a back-and-forth scrap for outright honours.

Race two proved to be a little more comfortable for Roddison as he claimed the chequered flag ahead of Pretorius, albeit this time by more than three seconds.

The breathtakingly fast British Superkart Championship delivered a host of thrills and spills across all classes, with eye-watering speeds being clocked around the 2.18-mile layout.

Liam Morley tallied a memorable hat-trick in the Formula 125 Open / F450 National whereas the F250 National / Division 1 spoils were shared between Andy Bird, Tom Rushforth and Ross Allen.

Wheel-to-wheel entertainment came in the shape of the Mini 7 Racing Club and both classes didn’t disappoint. The Mini Miglia Championship saw Aaron Smith and Rupert Death claim a win apiece whilst the Mini Se7en Championship saw victories for Jeff Smith and Joe Thompson.

The Darlington & District Motor Club’s Northern Saloon & Sports Car Championship capped off the days racing with spoils being shared between Paul Woolfitt and Paul Brydon.

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