Tag: Pembrey Circuit

Pembrey Circuit reveals full-throttle 2023 race meeting calendar

Pembrey Circuit is gearing up for a full-throttle season of motorsport next year after unveiling what is a bumper schedule of race meetings for 2023.

With the dust settling on what has been a memorable year of track action at the home of Welsh motorsport, 2023 is shaping up to be even bigger and better at the picturesque Pembrokeshire venue – with tickets for many events set to go on sale in the coming weeks.

Drift League GB will kick off the action in early April next year before the BMCRC Motorcycle Racing Championship and BTRDA Clubmans Rallycross Championship add to the edge-of-the-seat entertainment in the weeks that will follow.

May is poised to begin with the Classic Motorcycle Racing Club before the Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy and British Truck Racing Championship each make the first of two visits to South Wales.

For the second year in succession, the British Truck Racing Championship will be the headline act on the billing for Convoy Cymru – which is billed as the ultimate festival of all things trucking; with a feast of attractions set to wow those in attendance both on and off the track.

As the months continue to tick by; the likes of the British Sprint Championship, VMCC Historic Motorcycle Racing, NGRR Championship Motorcycle Racing and CMC Welsh Summer Tarmac Rally will all take centre stage.

Returning thrills and spills from the Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy, Drift League GB and BTRDA Clubmans Rallycross Championship are the headline acts of August and early September before a second BARC Wales Sprint and BRSCC C1 Endurance contest star. 

Bringing the curtain down on the season is the annual October meeting for the British Truck Racing Championship; which is then followed by some Christmas fun as the Jaffa Stages Rally closes out the year on December 27.

Pembrey Circuit 2023 Race Meeting Calendar 

April 1/2 – Drifting Championship

April 8/9 – BMCRC Motorcycle Racing Championship

April 22/23 – BTRDA Clubmans Rallycross Championship

May 6/7 – Classic Motorcycle Racing Club

May 13/14 – Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy

May 20/21 – Convoy Cymru including British Truck Racing Championship

June 3/4 – British Sprint Championship

June 10/11 – VMCC Historic Motorcycle Racing

June 24/25 – NGRR Championship Motorcycle Racing

July 23 – CMC Welsh Summer Tarmac Rally

August 12/13 – Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy

August 28 – Drifting Championship

September 2/3 – BTRDA Clubmans Rallycross Championship

September 9/10 – BARC Wales Sprint Championship

September 23/24 – BRSCC C1 Endurance Championship

October 7/8 – British Truck Racing Championship

December 27 – Jaffa Stages Rally

Pembrey confirms British Truck Racing Championship event cancellation

Pembrey Circuit regrets to announce that the two race meetings scheduled for June – the British Truck Racing Championship and the Classic Racing Motorcycle Club – have had to be cancelled as a result of the on-going restrictions imposed by the Welsh Government.

The current regulations place a limit of just 50 people on organised outdoor activities, even those that take place on a 200-acre site such as Pembrey Circuit and which have already been designated as Covid-secure.

The circuit has been working closely with the Local Authority to try to understand what is possible, but despite the assistance of Carmarthenshire County Council, it is clear that there is no sign of movement from the Welsh Government at this point. This left no option but to abandon these two meetings in order to provide people as much notice as possible to alter their plans.

The British Truck Racing Championship is set to race at Pembrey later this year on the weekend of October 9/10 and we very much hope that spectators will be able to attend. More information on this, and the remaining events due to be held in 2021, will be communicated in due course.

We share in the frustrations of our customers and supporters, and very much appreciate the inconvenience and disruption that this will cause to existing plans, but we are grateful for everyone’s continued understanding at this challenging time.

Pembrey Circuit abandons remaining race meetings for 2020 season

It comes with great disappointment to announce that Pembrey Circuit has cancelled its entire race programme for the remainder of 2020.

Due to the regulations imposed by the Welsh Government regarding the organisation of outdoor sporting activities, Pembrey has not yet been able to host a competitive race meeting this year.

The worsening coronavirus picture has now led to the cancellation of the remaining events that were still scheduled to visit the Carmarthenshire circuit this season.

The following events have therefore been cancelled:

26/27 September – Classic Racing Motorcycle Club

3/4 October – BTRA British Truck Racing Championship

10/11 October – NGRR Championship

In addition, the Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy event on 18 October has been postponed to a date yet to be confirmed.

The British Automobile Racing Club, owner of Pembrey, is currently investigating the possibility of moving the BTRA British Truck Racing Championship meeting to Thruxton instead. Further details on this will be announced as soon as possible.

Ben Taylor, Chief Executive of the British Automobile Racing Club, said: “This is bitterly disappointing news for our competitors, fans, staff, and the whole local community, particularly as we were hoping to rescue some income from the end of this disastrous year.

“2020 was meant to be the 30th anniversary of a venue that generates more than £10m annually for the local economy, but instead we haven’t managed to host a single race meeting this season.”

Phil Davies, Pembrey Circuit Manager, added: “We appreciate the disappointment that cancelling these events will bring to our loyal supporters, but sadly it is out of our hands.

“We are grateful for everyone’s understanding at this difficult time and look forward to welcoming our visitors back to Pembrey again very soon.”

Customers who purchased tickets in advance will be refunded in full, in line with the policy across all BARC venues.

BARC race meeting at Pembrey on September 12/13 cancelled

The British Automobile Racing Club is disappointed to have to announce the cancellation of the first scheduled race meeting since lockdown at Pembrey Race Circuit on 12/13 September.

The current regulations from the Welsh Government prevent the organisation of outdoor sporting activities for more than 30 people. In spite of the 200 acre site and geographical remoteness of the Pembrey Circuit, it has been confirmed that the regulations apply to all organised events, leaving the BARC with no option but to cancel.

“This is incredibly disappointing news,” said Ben Taylor, BARC Group Chief Executive. “We have been working closely with Welsh Government officials, the local council and Motorsport UK to try to find a solution, but there is simply no movement with the regulations. The Welsh Government have set up three ‘test’ events at the start of next month, but the First Minister won’t be making a further update until 11 September and that’s way too late for us.

“We know that all sports are suffering from the same 30 person restrictions in Wales; setting an arbitrary figure across the board is simply not a properly conceived policy, whether it is 30 or 100 or 500. We are not expecting special dispensation, but it is difficult to think of a more suitable activity for social distancing than motor sport, where everyone is in their own cars, in an outdoor environment across hundreds of acres.

“Social distancing protocols are all in place at the circuit, including signage, screens, sanitising stations, one-way routes, take-away food facilities and outdoor seating. The venue’s protocols have all been amended in keeping with the official guidelines and the circuit already provides its own medical cover.

“What is particularly galling is that we know of ‘unofficial’ events that are being held on private land for hundreds of participants in parts of Wales, but because we follow the rules of the governing body and the Welsh Government, it is our business that suffers and by extension that of our suppliers.

“Pembrey Circuit is a major business and employer in an area of social and financial deprivation, with a financial impact of around £10m on the local economy. It employs 20 people on full and part-time contracts, attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the area each year and has a long and local supply chain, including butcher, baker, brewery, marquee supplier, etc. All of these benefits will be lost to the region and the country if the venue is continually prevented from hosting its events.”

The first race meeting now scheduled for Pembrey Circuit is the Classic Motorcycle Race Meeting on 26/27 September, followed by the BTRA British Truck Racing Championship the following week, 3/4 October.

Pembrey Circuit completes build of new garage complex

Pembrey Circuit has continued its preparations ahead of motor racing’s return to South Wales by completing the build of a brand new garage complex.

In what is a milestone year as the venue celebrates its 30th Anniversary of being associated with the British Automobile Racing Club, the picturesque track has been a hive of activity.

Despite the global coronavirus pandemic having prevented any race meetings from taking place so far this year, plenty of work has happened behind the scenes.

Situated down the pit lane next to the circuit’s control tower, the new complex is comprised of 12 double garages with capacity to hold 24 cars. In addition, vast paddock space behind the garages will also prove beneficial for competitors, spectators and customers.

Away from the track, further improvements have been made around the venue, including upgrades to the toilet facilities in the paddock.

Phil Davies, Pembrey Circuit Manager, said: “These past few months have been a testing time for everyone but I’m delighted that we have been able to come out the other side in an even stronger position.

“Whilst we haven’t been able to stage motorsport events or welcome spectators, we have been able to continue with our planned improvements to the venue and built our new garage complex.

“I personally think the new garages look fantastic and they are a welcome addition. They will significantly improve the experience for competitors and spectators alike.

“We are working closely with the Welsh Government and Carmarthenshire County Council and we are hopeful that we will be able to open our doors and stage top-draw motorsport in the coming months.”

Pembrey is scheduled to play host to its first race meeting since the UK’s lockdown on August 8/9 when the Autosport International BTRDA Clubmans Rallycross Championship in association with Cooper Tires speeds into Wales.

At this moment, all dates and events remain provisional and subject to change whilst spectators are currently not permitted to attend.

Pembrey Circuit reveals action-packed 2020 events calendar

Pembrey Circuit is set to once again absorb the sights, sounds and smells of high-octane motorsport in 2020 with the South Wales-based venue boasting a bumper events calendar for the forthcoming season.

Celebrating what will be its 30th anniversary in association with the British Automobile Racing Club, the home of Welsh motorsport will hit new heights as it stages no less than 15 race meetings over the course of the year.

Kicking the season off in late March, two-wheeled thrills and spills from the NGRR Motorcycle Championship will set the scene for a frenetic feast of entertainment in the months to follow.

With the picturesque hills surrounding circuit set to reverberate to the sounds of horsepower, Pembrey will welcome the likes of the BARC, BTRDA Rallycross Championship, British Minibike Championship and Welsh Tarmac Rally’s also.

Arguably two of the headlines acts of the year will come in the shape of the MV Commercial BTRA Championship and British Rallycross Championship. Huge crowd pleasers in recent years, both categories will make two visits during the course of the season and will undoubtedly deliver unrivalled action.

The Historic Sports Car Club will take those in attendance on a spirited trip down memory as it makes a long overdue return to Pembrey in June; whilst the likes of the British Sprint Championship, Welsh Drifting Championship and Classic Motorcycle Racing Championship will also star.

PEMBREY CIRCUIT 2020 CALENDAR

March 28/29 – NGRR Motorcycle Championship

April 12 – Welsh Drifting Championship

April 25/26 – Toyo Tires BTRDA Clubmans Rallycross Championship

May 9/10 – British Truck Racing (Pembrey Spring Truckfest)

May 24/25 – British Rallycross Championship

May 30/31 – British Minibike Championship

June 6/7 – British Sprint Championship

June 13/14 – Classic Motorcycle Racing Championship

June 27/28 – Historic Sports Car Club

July 25/26 – VMCC Historic Motorcycle Championship

August 8/9 – Toyo Tires BTRDA Clubmans Rallycross Championship

August 16 – British Sprint Championship

August 29/30 – ACU British Supermoto Championship

September 6 – Welsh Drifting Championship

September 12/13 – BARC Citroen C1 Endurance

October 3/4 – British Truck Racing (Pembrey Autumn Truckfest)

October 11 – Welsh Tarmac Rally Championship

October 18 – British Rallycross Championship

December 28 – ‘Jaffa’ Christmas Rally Stages

All 2020 dates listed at Pembrey Circuit are provisional and subject to change.

Tickets for the 2020 season will be available to purchase in the coming weeks. Head to https://pembreycircuit.co.uk/racing to find out more.

Pembrey Circuit reveals blockbuster 2019 events calendar

Pembrey Circuit is set for another blockbuster motorsport season in 2019 following confirmation of what is a bumper events calendar for the forthcoming year.

Coming off the back of a hugely successful 2018 campaign for the South Wales-based venue which saw a glittering array of events take place and spectators line the bankings each weekend, the British Automobile Racing Club is track is gearing up for more of the same.

The new season will kick off in early April with the Drift Championship making the first of what will be two visits during the year. The British Racing & Sports Car Club will then make a long overdue return to the venue for an Easter extravaganza later in the month.

High-octane thrills will be provided by the Classic Motorcycle Racing Championship in early May before the heavyweight behemoths of the British Truck Racing Association Championship descend on Pembrey.

Always a highlight of the year, the five-tonne mega-machines will likely dazzle over the weekend of May 11/12 and will be joined by a stellar supporting cast.

Sideways action will come in the shape of the BTRDA Clubmans Rallycross Championship before the BARC stages back to back weekends in early June.

Those will be shortly followed up by two frenetic days of enthralling entertainment from the Toyo Tires British Rallycross Championship. As the summer months pass, the action shows no sign of letting up with event after event taking place.

August 17/18 will be one to watch as the British Supermoto Championship tackles the challenges of Pembrey before both the British Truck Racing Association Championship and Toyo Tires British Rallycross Championship visit once more.

The CMC Tarmac Rally Stages will wind down the action before the CMC ‘Jaffa’ Christmas Rally Stages will bring the curtain down on what is expected to be another memorable year of competition.

2019 Calendar

Drift Championship – April 7

British Racing & Sports Car Club – April 20/21

Classic Motorcycle Racing Championship – May 4/5

British Truck Racing Association Championship – May 11/12

Autosport International BTRDA Clubmans Rallycross Championship in partnership with Toyo Tires – May 18/19

BARC Wales Sprint – June 1/2

British Automobile Racing Club – June 8/9

Toyo Tires British Rallycross Championship – June 22/23

NGRR Motorcycle Championships – July 13/14

VMCC Motorcycle Championships – July 27/28

Autosport International BTRDA Clubmans Rallycross Championship in partnership with Toyo Tires – August 10/11

British Supermoto Championship – August 17/18

Drift Championship – September 1

Toyo Tires British Rallycross Championship – September 21/22

British Truck Racing Association Championship – October 5/6

CMC Tarmac Rally Stages – October 20

CMC ‘Jaffa’ Christmas Rally Stages – December 29

Tickets for all events at Pembrey Circuit will be available to purchase online or by phone in the New Year.

Five BARC marshal training days confirmed for early 2019

The British Automobile Racing Club can confirm that it will run a total of five marshal training days prior to the 2019 motorsport season roaring into life.

Pembrey, Croft and Thruxton, all BARC venues, as well as the infamous Chateau Impney will provide the backdrop to the training days between the end of January and early March.

Every event organised and run by the BARC needs marshals and all marshals, whatever they are doing, are contributing to the success and smooth running of the meeting.

With training provided to cover a wide range of topics such as fire safety to pit lane operation and teamwork; marshal training covers a wide variety of key attributes in preparing those heading trackside for the forthcoming season.

For more information on how to take part and be involved regarding marshal training for 2019 (dates listed below) then please contact BARC Marshals Secretary Paula Brown via pbrown@barc.net.

2019 MARSHAL TRAINING DATES

Pembrey – January 27

Chateau Impney – February 2

Croft – February 16

Thruxton – March 16/17

More information on each respective training day is expected to be confirmed in due course.

Providing an outlet to become actively involved and contribute to the sport, marshalling has become an integral part of motorsport within not only the BARC but also around the world with several UK marshals being selected for worldwide events.

To find out more about marshalling with the BARC and how to get involved, click here.

BARC championships battle Storm Callum on memorable Pembrey weekend

The British Automobile Racing Club faced rain, wind and bright sunshine at Pembrey this past weekend (October 13/14) as Storm Callum made its presence felt at the venue’s Autumn Truckfest meeting.

On what is one of the standout events for the Welsh venue, not even torrential rain and high speed winds on Saturday could stop a hearty crowd from flocking trackside to witness a flat-out two days of track action.

Circuit staff, officials and marshals met be credited b their determination and hard work at the start of the weekend as they battled the treacherous conditions to ensure racing could go ahead, albeit later than originally scheduled.

When the action did get underway the British Truck Racing Association Championship lived up to its billing by taking centre stage. With the battle for supremacy in Division 1 and Division 2 approaching an exciting climax, the penultimate event of the season served up a feast of entertainment.

Reigning champion Ryan Smith proved to be the benchmark driver in Division 1 once again as he scored a pair of victories however the MAN driver didn’t have things all his own way. Chief title rival David Jenkins scored a win of his own in the premier class whilst Simon Reid also added his name to the winners list in the final race of the weekend.

In Division 2, spoils were shared between three drivers as the title battle heated up. Series leader Luke Garrett kicked off the weekend with victory but that was to be as good as it got for the multiple race-winner as he endured a rough ride from then on.

John Powell notched his first win since the season-opener at Brands Hatch and swiftly followed it up with a second victory not long after. Former champion Adam Bint meanwhile rounded off the Division 2 victors as he produced a defensive masterclass to score his maiden win of 2018.

The Pickup Truck Racing Championship is set to go down to the wire following an enthralling triple-header at Pembrey, with Lea Wood vaulting himself into title contention.

Bidding to chase down reigning champion Scott Bourne, former BTCC ace Wood did his championship charge no harm at all as he scored a pair of impressive victories around the 1.49 mile circuit.

Having triumphed twice, Wood capped off his weekend with a third place finish in race three as Dale Gent showcased what he has become known for in the Classic Touring Car Championship by clinching a narrow victory ahead of Bourne.

In the Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres, four drivers scored victory across the weekend as the series delivered a wealth of twists and turns. On Saturday, Sy Harraway wrote his name into the history books with a maiden win before Jack Parker and John Mickel each topped the rostrum too.

Harraway and Mickel would score a win apiece on Sunday too before Steve Whitelegg brought the curtain down on proceedings by taking the chequered flag in race six.

Joining the three BARC championships at Pembrey was also the Welsh Racing Drivers Association and the MSA Superkarts Championship.

For the full classification of results from all sessions and races, click here.

BARC descends on Pembrey for Autumn Truckfest

The British Automobile Racing Club heads to Pembrey Circuit this weekend (October 13/14) primed for two days of blockbuster track action, headlined by the British Truck Racing Association Championship.

In what is being billed as the ‘Autumn Truckfest’, a bumper crowd is expected to flock trackside to witness all manner of edge-of-the-seat thrills from a variety of categories.

Making their second visit of the year to South Wales, the British Truck Racing Association Championship will look to steal the show as they get set to stage eight races over the course of the weekend.

Sitting at the summit of Division 1 and on course to secure his third title in succession, Ryan Smith will likely be the man to beat at the wheel of his MAN. Having enjoyed plenty of success throughout the year, the reigning champion could well wrap up the title if things fall his way at the sharp end of the grid.

David Jenkins and Jamie Anderson will stand the best chance of haulting Smith’s charge albeit the likes of Stuart Oliver, Richard Collett and Simon Reid will also be in the mix no doubt too.

It is a similar story in Division 2 as well as Luke Garrett bids to put himself out of touch of his rivals at the summit of the standings. Having built up a comfortable lead with a string of victories, the MAN driver will need to replicate his pulsating form to remain control of the championship battle.

Leading the chase for Garrett are a host of experienced racers including Brad Smith, John Powell, Steve Powell and John Bowler, all of whom have showcased their credentials at some stage during the year.

The action is set to be similarly exciting in the Pickup Truck Racing Championship, with the battle for supremacy at the top of the standings firmly on. Reigning champion Scott Bourne finds himself leading the way after a resurgent run of form but he isn’t likely to have things his own way.

Season-long rivals David O’Regan and Lea Wood are hot on the heels of Bourne and the weekend’s three races will be pivotal in deciding the outcome of who walks away as champion.

The Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres will make its first visit to Pembrey since 2016 with a bumper grid and six sensational races lined up.

As it stands, John Mickel and Steve Whitelegg look destined to take the battler the title all the way to the wire and neither of them can afford a slip up around the challenging curves of Pembrey.

Eyes must also be focused on Jack Parker, Miles Rudman, Sean Smith and Paul Simmons, all race winners that on their day can take the fight to the top two.

In addition to the BARC action, Pembrey will also play host to the MSA British Superkarts and Welsh Racing Drivers Association throughout the weekend too.