Tag: Porsche Carrera Cup GB

Tom Ingram, Ash Sutton and Dan Rowbottom share Thruxton BTCC spoils

Tom Ingram, Ash Sutton and Dan Rowbottom emerged as the big winners on a weekend to remember at Thruxton Circuit as a bumper crowd flocked through the gates for the annual visit of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

In what is one of the standout events of the year at the high-speed Hampshire venue, the UK’s premier motorsport series delivered three blockbuster contests that were ultimately won by the top three in the overall standings.

Despite the contrasting weather conditions – which saw heavy rain on Saturday make way for bright sunshine on Sunday – those in attendance had the opportunity to experience the brand-new Woodham Hill spectator banking, which provided stunning new views of the action.

In addition to the wheel-to-wheel racing that was served up, fans also had an abundance of off-track activities such as live music, a dedicated kids’ zone, an array of food stalls, a supercar display, the Crazy Cart Championship and camping facilities to enjoy.

Four-time champion Sutton was the driver to beat in qualifying as he mastered the soaking wet conditions in his NAPA Racing UK Ford Focus to clinch pole position ahead of title rivals Tom Ingram and Dan Cammish.

Race one on Sunday would then see Team VERTU’s Ingram make it nine different winners from ten races of the season as he found a way past pole sitter Sutton and before streaking clear to triumph ahead of Cammish and One Motorsport’s Josh Cook.

For Cook, his charge from 14th to third was all the more remarkable after his car had to be rebuilt overnight following a sizeable crash in qualifying – one which resulted in the circuit’s most successful BTCC driver needing to go to hospital for precautionary checks.

After missing out on victory in race one, Sutton produced one of the finest opening laps in recent memory in race two to charge to a third victory of the season, with Ingram and Rowbottom trailing behind in second and third.

Rowbottom then capped off another strong weekend in his own Ford Focus ST by getting the better of reigning champion Jake Hill to secure his second win of the season in the reverse grid finale.

Contact with Sutton at the high-speed Noble Corner brought Hill’s charge to a premature end and in-turn allowed Ingram and Cammish to fight their way onto the remaining two steps of the rostrum.

Of course it wasn’t just the BTCC that had fans on the edge of their seats though as an action-packed support bill saw three other categories tackle the fastest circuit in the country.

The Wera Tools F4 British Championship certified by FIA showcased potential single-seater stars of the future and it was the trio of Martin Molnar, Leo Robinson and impressive debutant Salim Hanna that claimed a win apiece.

Will Martin and Sid Smith proved to be the cream of the crop when it came to the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain as they starred in the monstrous 911 category, snaring one win each to bolster their own championship challenges.

Closing out the action were three unmissable races from the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Trophy. EXCELR8 Motorsport’s Gabe Fairbrother prevailed in a wet opening bout before rookie Jenson Mason delivered a defensive masterclass to triumph in race two.

Westbourne Motorsport’s Olivier Algieri then got the better of team-mate Rhys Hurd to win an instant classic in the finale.

Thruxton’s next race event takes place in less than a fortnights’ time as the Thruxton Retro takes centre stage. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/thruxton-retro.

BARC welcomes the BTCC and TOCA package to Thruxton

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, organised by the British Automobile Racing Club is about to kick it up a gear this weekend as Britain’s premier racing series heads to Thruxton – the fastest race circuit in the UK.

Fans will be treated to spectacular action from breathtaking views – including the new Woodham Hill spectator area – giving race goers a new angle to see the wheel-to-wheel racing from.

Ash Sutton leads the way in the title race from a chasing Tom Ingram and Jake Hill and Thruxton could well shape the championship fight. Thruxton can be classed as the home circuit for the likes of Josh Cook, Sam Hall, Nick Halstead and recent race winner Mikey Doble – who will all be looking for some strong results in front of a home crowd this weekend.

Supporting the BTCC will be packed grids on a busy timetable across Saturday and Sunday. The Wera Tools F4 British Championship, Vertu MINI Challenge Trophy and Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain join the roster and prepare to do battle under the spotlight of crowd and the ITV cameras this weekend.

Elsewhere on the BARC schedule is the fifth event of the British Hillclimb Championship Presented by Nova Motorsport. The championship heads to the iconic Shelsely Walsh in Worcestershire. The flat out blast is one of the quickest and most difficult to master and provides a real test and thrill for the drivers. Defending Champion Matt Ryder leads the way in the points, but has a hard charging Wallace Menzies and Will Hall are hot on his heels.

Finally, it’s also the BARC Wales Summer Sprint Weekend at Pembrey. Lots of motorsport to enjoy as we kick off June.

When is the next BARC weekend?
The next events will be this weekend – 7th/8th June

Where are the events being held?

Thruxton Circuit
Address: Thruxton Circuit, Andover SP11 8PN

Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb
Address: Shelsley Walsh, Worcester WR6 6RP

Pembrey Circuit
Address: Pembrey, Llanelli SA16 0HZ

What is racing this weekend?

Thruxton – Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, Wera Tools F4 British Championship, Vertu MINI Challenge Trophy, and Porsche Carrera Cup GB

Shelsley Walsh – British Hillclimb Championship

Pembrey – BARC Wales Summer Sprint

How can I watch?

At the Track

Wanting to soak up the on-track action in person at Thruxton? As well as the racing there is lots to do for the whole family. Tickets are available on the day or on the Thruxton website from ÂŁ22 for a Saturday ticket or ÂŁ38 for a Sunday ticket – with weekend options available from ÂŁ55. Children under 13 go free with discounts or teens.

Tickets can be purchased here: https://thruxtonracing.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/btcc

Hillclimb fans can head to Shelsley Walsh with tickets from ÂŁ13 for Saturday and ÂŁ18 for Sunday online now – or you can pay on the gate from ÂŁ15 for Saturday or ÂŁ20 for Sunday.

At Home
The TOCA Thruxton race weekend package will be broadcast live and for free on ITV4 and ITVX on Saturday and Sunday in the UK.

Qualifying will be available to all on ITVX on Saturday while race day will move to ITV4 in the UK, with International audiences able to watch the action on YouTube with races live on the RACER network in the US and Canada.

The uninterrupted coverage will feature all the on track drama with commentary, analysis and features throughout Sunday with coverage starting just ahead of the first BTCC race at 11:00

The British Hillclimb Championship action from the home of hillclimbing in the UK will be streamed on the Hillclimb.tv YouTube Channel on Sunday. It’s well worth a watch!

What time are things happening on track?

Track action at Thruxton begins at 09:00 on Saturday and 10:50 on Sunday, with BTCC races at 11:45, 14:35 and 17:05 on Sunday. Over at Shelsley Walsh, the course opens for practice early morning until early evening on Saturday with official timed runs to be held on the Sunday.

Do you have any more information?

We have a few handy links that might be useful to help you enjoy your weekend.

Thruxton
Tickets: https://thruxtonracing.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/btcc
Live Timing and Commentary: https://www.tsl-timing.com/event/252303
Timetable*: https://www.barc.net/event/toca-race-meeting-thruxton-june-7-8/

Shelsley Walsh
Watch Link: https://www.youtube.com/live/xmy7mI6vYic?si=w5l7y4TRuxh3Ezta
Event Information and Tickets: https://www.shelsleywalsh.com/
Championship Information: https://www.britishhillclimb.co.uk/

* Subject to adjustments prior and during the race meeting

Such amazing variety on display this weekend! Enjoy!

Need For Speed: BTCC sets course for Thruxton

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) is poised to speed into Hampshire this weekend (June 7-8) as Thruxton Circuit prepares to host Rounds 10, 11 & 12 of the 2025 season.

Renowned for producing edge-of-the-seat entertainment around the the fastest circuit in the country, the UK’s premier motorsport series will headline what promises to be a weekend to remember at the home of the British Automobile Racing Club with three colossal tin top contests.

Despite there having only been three events, this season is already shaping up to be an instant class with the opening nine races producing eight different race winners – three of which were first-time winners.

NAPA Racing UK’s Ash Sutton has been at his brilliant best so far and he arrives sitting atop the Drivers’ Championship – although circling behind him are a number of heavy hitters that are all ready to pounce if given the chance.

Seven podium finishes have provided the backbone to Tom Ingram’s charge so far however it is the top step that the 2022 title winner would love to scale this weekend – especially given Team VERTU have never won around Thruxton.

Reigning champion Jake Hill has endured a rollercoaster campaign to-date but the BMW driver can never be counted out and after all, he was twice a winner at this event last year.

Elsewhere, Dan Rowbottom and Dan Cammish both triumphed last time out at Snetterton while the Hyundai pairing of Adam Morgan and Tom Chilton have shown relentless speed and consistency.

Other names to look out for include the newest additions to the BTCC winners’ club – Mikey Doble, Daryl Deleon and Charles Rainford – as well as three-time champion Gordon Shedden, who is back in the series with Speedworks Motorsport.

Of course, one driver that can never be discounted from being in the mix towards the sharp end of the grid is the undisputed ‘King of Thruxton’ Josh Cook. The One Motorsport driver has a record 10 wins around his home circuit and he’ll be hungry for more in his Honda Civic Type R.

As always, it won’t just be the BTCC that takes centre stage though this weekend as a bumper supporting cast of categories is also revved up to put on a show for the expected bumper trackside crowd.

Expect full-throttle thrills from the Wera Tools F4 British Championship certified by FIA, Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain and Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Trophy – all of whom make up the support bill.

Away from the on-track entertainment there will be plenty to see and do around the venue with a bustling trade village, supercar display, food stalls, mini karts, bouncy castle, bungee trampolining and face painting.

There will also be live entertainment on Friday 6th June and Saturday 7th June in the paddock, while the Crazy Cart Championship, which features a mix of drivers and special guests, is always a must-watch attraction.

The Thruxton Centre will be open all weekend to visitors, with food and drink being served across both days. Programmes will also be available to purchase from locations around the venue from ÂŁ7.00.

Tickets for the weekend can be purchased via https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/btcc.

Dan Cammish, Dan Rowbottom and Mikey Doble share Snetterton spoils

Dan Cammish, Dan Rowbottom and Mikey Doble triumphed at Snetterton this past weekend (May 24/25) to make it eight different winners from the opening nine races of the 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season.

Taking centre stage in Norfolk for the third event of what is already one of the most competitive campaigns in recent memory, the trio of Cammish, Rowbottom and Doble reigned supreme in style – much to the delight of the huge trackside crowd.

NAPA Racing UK’s Cammish proved to be the man to beat in qualifying on Saturday as he snared a second pole position of the season after setting the fastest ever lap around the Snetterton 300 layout.

Blasting away from the front row, Cammish duly delivered in race one as he didn’t put a wheel wrong on his way to tallying a first win of the season. Behind him, Tom Ingram and Ash Sutton had everyone on the edge of their seats as they scrapped for second and third.

Race two saw Rowbottom come to the fore in his NAPA Racing UK Ford Focus ST as he made the most of being the highest placed car on soft tyres to take a long overdue victory in the UK’s premier motorsport series.

The multiple race winner wasted no time in hitting the front however he soon faced an onslaught of pressure from several Hyundais. Soaking up everything they could throw at him, Rowbottom hung on to take finish ahead of Adam Morgan and Tom Chilton.

Without doubt the most popular win of the day came in the reverse grid finale as Mikey Doble clinched a memorable maiden win. Starting from pole position, the Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing driver was wheel-perfect throughout to take the chequered flag.

Four-time champion Sutton had closed onto the back of Doble late on but unable to find a way past he settled for second while Josh Cook claimed a first podium of the season in his One Motorsport Honda Civic Type R.

Not only was it a first-ever win for Doble but it was also the first time an Independent entry has won a race outright in the BTCC in 1001 days. The victory was also the first since 2019 for the Vauxhall Astra squad.

Leaving Snetterton, Sutton holds a 15-point advantage at the top of the BTCC Drivers’ Championship while EXCELR8 / Team VERTU head the way in both the Manufacturer / Constructors and Teams’ Championship’s.

In addition to his maiden win, Doble leads the Independent Drivers’ Championship whilst Restart Racing top the Independent Teams’ category. Daryl Deleon and Charles Rainford remain the benchmark in the Jack Sears Trophy.

Elsewhere, fans also had a bumper bill of support race action to soak up and in the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW those in attendance witnessed another near-perfect showing from Jamie Osborne.

Hot on the heels of winning all three races at the season-opener, the NAPA Racing UK driver was back in the winners circle again as he claim two wins and a third place finish. Stopping him from completing another clean sweep was Tom Ovenden who triumphed in race one.

The Wera Tools F4 British Championship certified by FIA has a new points leader after Red Bull Junior Fionn McLaughlin claimed a double podium and a first-ever win to move to the summit of the standings.

The Hitech TGR had looked on course to winning the opening encounter before damage sustained on a bollard broke his front wing and forced him into the pits. That opened the door for Adam Al Azhari to triumph before August Raber was victorious in race two.

Rounding out the weekend’s action were two full-throttles race from the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain, which was celebrating milestone weekend with race one being the series’ 400th contest.

Arguably written in the stars, Porsche GB Junior James Wallis – who was running the number 400 for one weekend only – produced a virtuoso performance to claim his maiden victory in the one-make category.

Fan favourite Max Coates then guided his Duckhams Yuasa Racing by Graves Motorsport machine to the top step of the podium in race two after holding off the JTR duo of Ollie Jackson and Josh Stanton.

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

BTCC stages spectacular 2025 season-opener Donington Park

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship blasted back into life in spectacular style this past weekend (April 26/27) as four-time champion Ash Sutton and the experienced Tom Chilton made a winning start to the 2025 season.

Taking centre stage at the Leicestershire venue in front of a packed crowd, the UK’s premier motor racing series delivered three blockbuster contests to kick-start what promises to be another vintage year of tin top action.

After narrowly missing out on clinching pole position to his team-mate Dan Cammish on Saturday, NAPA Racing UK’s Sutton was wheel-perfect in races one and two as he claimed successive lights-to-flag wins ahead of his long-time rival Tom Ingram.

Bidding to become the first driver in BTCC history to win the title five times, Sutton didn’t have things his own way in either contest however as he was forced to provide a resolute defence as Ingram applied pressure throughout.

The pace of the NAPA Ford Focus ST was further bolstered as both Dan Rowbottom and Cammish snared silverware as they claimed a third-place finish apiece in the aforementioned opening two bouts.

Race three – the reverse grid contest – saw Team VERTU’s Chilton drawn onto pole position and with the soft tyre at this disposal, he showcased all of his experience as he streaked clear to claim a deserved victory.

While Chilton romped to a 17th career triumph, the battle for the remaining podium positions had everyone on the edge of their seats as Ingram and Sutton renewed their tussle on-track – although this time it was Ingram that held on to complete a hat-trick of second place finishes.

Leaving Donington Park, Sutton holds an early advantage in the Drivers’ Championship over Ingram while just one point separates EXCELR8/Hyundai and Alliance/Ford in the Manufacturers’ Championship.

There is nothing to separate Team VERTU and NAPA Racing UK in the Teams’ standings whilst Chris Smiley and Power Maxed Racing are the early pace-setters in the Independent rankings. Over in the Jack Sears Trophy, Ronan Pearson leads the way after three races.

It wasn’t just the BTCC that put on a show under the flight path of East Midlands airport either as the support championship that feature on the TOCA bill also kick-started their campaigns.

The single-seater stars of the future that make up the Wera Tools F4 British Championship, certified by FIA delivered a trio of captivating contests that resulted in three different winners from three races.

Argenti Motorsport’s August Raber was the first to strike as he reigned supreme in race one before Chase Fernandez won a shortened reverse grid bout. Rodin Motorsport’s James Piszcyk then came to the fore in the feature race as he won after the top two were hit with time penalties for exceeding track limits late on.

NAPA Racing UK’s Jamie Osborne was perfection personified in the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW as he clinched a clean sweep of race wins. Despite missing out on pole position in qualifying, Osborne was unstoppable in race one as he charged to victory in commanding fashion.

Race two was arguably even more impressive as, starting ninth, he scythed his way to the front of the field to triumph by more than four seconds. Osborne capped off his weekend with another brilliant display in race three as he pipped Tom Ovenden to the chequered flag.

The Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain made a flying start to the new season with Will Martin and Andrew Rackstraw walking away with a share of the spoils that were on offer.

Tipped by many as one of the favourites for the title in the off-season, Martin produced an exemplary drive in race one as he held off Sid Smith to triumph – with Angus Whiteside completing the podium in third.

Race two saw Rackstraw then convert his pole position start into an impressive lights-to-flag victory as he headed Century Motorsport’s Whiteside and Porsche Junior Driver James Wallis.

Rounding out the weekend’s action were three races from the Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain which saw Toby Trice stake his claim as one to watch in the battle for supremacy as he chalked up a brace of wins.

Had it not been for some misfortune in the opening encounter Trice could well have scored a hat-trick of wins. Instead, the spoils of the opening bout went the way of Toro Verde GT’s Tom Bradshaw.

To view the full classification of results from Donington Park, CLICK HERE.

Titles decided across action-packed 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 5/6), as two more titles were also decided in the 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.

George Gamble came out on top of a thrilling Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain finale to be crowned champion after the Rosland Gold By Century Motorsport driver went into the final race as one of three drivers that could triumph.

Eden Race Drive ace Harry Foster reigned supreme in the weekend’s opening encounter however all eyes were on race two as Gamble, Charles Rainford and Hugo Ellis battled each other, and the elements, in a bid for title glory.

With the pendulum swinging back and forth as the laps ticked by, Gamble took the fight by the scruff of the neck and began carving his way to the front of the field, ultimately dominating proceedings to clinch the Drivers’ Championship.

Things were just as tense in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain where three drivers were also battling tooth-and-nail for the right to call themselves 2024 champion.

Team Parker Racing’s Will Jenkins arrived as the outside bet for the crown and he did everything that he could to overturn the deficit to the top two by winning all three races in commanding fashion.

While Jenkins threw everything he had at it, Sebastian Hopkins kept a cool head to ensure that he was scoring what was required and he ultimately pippex Max Coates to the crown by one point, with Jenkins a further eight in arrears.

In the ROKiT British F4 Championship certified by FIA, the pressure was very much off Deagen Fairclough after he secured an unassailable lead in the single-seater series last time out at Silverstone.

Becoming the tenth different driver to lift the coveted crown, the Hitech Pulse-Eight drivers record-breaking campaign saw a fitting final chapter written as he powered his way to two more race wins – taking his final season tally to 14.

JHR Developments’ Leo Robinson claimed the spoils in the re-run reverse grid contest that was cancelled at Silverstone while series runner-up Alex Ninovic capped off a fine season with his fifth win of the season in the other bout.

Like British F4, the destiny of the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW crown was already decided with Dan Zelos having claimed a historic third title when the tin top category was last in action back in August at Knockhill.

Rookie Cup champion Max Hall charged to victory in the weekend’s opening bout before Nathan Edwards underlined his talents with a superlative performance that included a brace of race wins.

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 2025, with the new season scheduled to get underway at Donington Park on April 26/27.

History-making weekend for TOCA support bill at Silverstone

The fight for front-running supremacy on the support bill of the British Touring Car Championship intensified at Silverstone this past weekend (September 21/22) to set up what promises to be a grandstand finish at Brands Hatch in less than two weeks’ time. 

Taking centre stage on the National layout of the Home of British Motor Racing, thrilling wheel-to-wheel racing played out across four categories with one title – the ROKiT British F4 Championship certified by FIA – being wrapped up with a round to spare. 

Having been the driver to beat for much of the season, Hitech Pulse-Eight’s Deagen Fairclough converted his commanding advantage at the top of the standings into an unassailable lead after producing another superlative performance in the single-seater series.

Fairclough became the latest leading light to claim the coveted trophy in emphatic fashion as he blasted his way to pole position in qualifying before then claiming two commanding lights-to-flag race wins. 

In addition to becoming the tenth champion of the series, Fairclough also set a brand-new record for the championship as he eclipsed Alex Dunne’s record for the most race wins in a single season, raising the benchmark to 12.

Only two of the weekend’s three races took place at the Northamptonshire venue however as two red flags in race two led to the contest being postponed. It would later be cancelled altogether due to heavy rainfall. 

History was made in the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain as Team Parker Racing’s Abbie Eaton took centre stage to become the first-ever female driver to win an outright race in the ultra-competitive series. 

Showing plenty of pace around the 1.64-mile circuit during practice, Pro-Am entrant Eaton clinched a sensational pole position in qualifying and then shadowed Charles Rainford in race one after making a small mistake while in the lead. 

Race two was where Eaton made history though as the right tyre call saw the accomplished racer blast into the lead at the start and from there she never looked back, leading all 29 laps to triumph ahead of George Gamble and Daniel Lloyd. 

Max Coates continues to lead the Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain standings, despite the fact he didn’t stand on the top step of the podium across any of the series’ three races during the weekend. 

Coates’ nearest challenge Sebastian Hopkins claimed victory in race one before Thomas Bradshaw and Will Jenkins then went on to claim a win apiece. With three races remaining, Coates holds a ten-point lead going into Brands Hatch. 

The Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Trophy made its last appearance of the season on the TOCA support bill and it too didn’t disappoint with three action-packed races that had fans on the edge of their seats. 

Chandler Motorsport’s Rhys Hurd continued his recent streak of winning the opening race of the weekend before there was a maiden victory in the tin top category for Graves Motorsport’s James Black in race two.

Sam Gornall concluded the action as he led home a Westbourne Motorsport 1-2-3-4 and with it, opened up a commanding lead at the head of the standings with just one race meeting now remaining. 

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

Championship twists and turns play out across TOCA supports at Donington Park

Championship battles took further twists and turns on the support bill of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Donington Park this past weekend (August 24/25) – setting up what promises to be a tantalising title showdown for a number of one-make categories.

With the business end of the 2024 campaign now very much in sight, the legendary Grand Prix layout of the Leicestershire venue was the battleground for a pulsating two days of wheel-to-wheel action, all in front of a bumper trackside crowd.

One of the undoubted leading lights under the flightpath of East Midlands airport was the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Trophy, which staged three captivating races and served up three different race winners.

Renowned for producing close-quarter racing, the tin top series returned to action after a near three-month hiatus and wasted no time in making its mark. Rhys Hurd hit the ground running in the opening encounter as he scored a narrow victory to bolster his title aspirations.

Harry Hickton came to the fore in the weekend’s reverse grid race as he converted pole position into what was a relatively commanding lights-to-flag triumph before his Westbourne Motorsport team-mate Sam Gornall capped things off with victory in a thrilling finale.

Deagen Fairclough moved another step closer to securing an unassailable lead in the ROKiT British F4 Championship certified by FIA after powering his way to a sensational tenth win of the campaign.

Having been the benchmark driver for much of the year, the Hitch Pulse-Eight ace was wheel-perfect in the the weekend’s final race – having claimed runners-up honours in the previous three contests.

Despite his best efforts, Faircloiugh could do nothing to stop Rodin Motorsport from claiming three wins on the bounce, the first of which was scored by Alex Ninovic before James Higgins came to the fore to win back-to-back races.

Over in the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain, Hugo Ellis moved to the top of the championship standings are clinching a crucial win – his third of the season no less – in the ultra-competitive GT series.

The Team Parker Racing driver took advantage of Will Martin’s struggles in race one to assume control at the summit of the leaderboard as he beat to Angus Whiteside and Will Burns to outright honours in a pulsating opening race.

Ellis then added a har-fought podium later in the day as he shadowed George Gamble and brand-new winner Harry Foster across the line in a thrilling second contest.

Rounding out the weekend at Donington Park were three races from the Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain, which saw Max Coates continue to head the standings despite not standing on the top step of the podium this time around.

Instead, that honour went the way of Joe Marshall who claimed a victory either side of Thomas Bradshaw, who also triumphed.

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

The Home of British Motor Racing, Silverstone, provides the penultimate stop on the calendar for the TOCA package on September 21/22.

Title races heat up across TOCA support championships at Knockhill

Blockbuster entertainment proved to be the overriding theme for the TOCA support package this past weekend (August 10/11) as four championships ventured north of the border to dazzle fans Knockhill.

Making the annual trip north of the border alongside the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, 

Stealing many of the headlines around the undulating Fife circuit was EXCELR8 Motorsport’s Dan Zelos, who claimed a historic third Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW title with one round still remaining. 

Zelos entered the weekend retaining a slim chance of securing an unassailable lead in the standings but after triumphing in race two and then seeing his main title rival Max Hall retire from the finale, the record-breaking feat was achieved. 

“I’m not really sure what to say as no-one told me it was possible going into that race,” said Zelos. “Of course I didn’t want to win the title like that with Max at the side of the road, particularly through no fault of his own, and it’s a shame that we couldn’t battle it out on the track.

“However, the team has done a fantastic job this season to help give me the buffer in the points to wrap things up early, and it might not have been the most flattering way to win the crown, but we’ve got it done with three races to go.”

Zelos wasn’t the only one that had plenty to celebrate as both Dominic Wheatley and Nathan Edwards also scored race wins over the course of the weekend in the ultra-competitive tin top series. 

In the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA, Hitech Pulse-Eight’s Deagen Fairclough took a substantial step closer to lifting the coveted crown as he clinched his eighth and ninth wins of the campaign.

Having been the benchmark since the season began, Fairclough was in superlative form as he dominated proceedings in races one and three, claiming lights-to-flag victories and the fastest laps in both contests. 

Had he had a few more laps, there was every chance that Fairclough could have triumphed in the reverse grid contest too as he fought his way from outside the top ten to sixth at the finish. JHR Developments Leo Robinson would instead emerge victorious after overhauling Ella Lloyd. 

The Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain delivered two captivating contests with a monstrous grid of 911 GT3 machines putting fans firmly on the edge of their seats. 

Charles Rainford did a masterful job in fending off Hugo Ellis to win race one before ex-BTCC race winner George Gamble claimed a long overdue – and comfortable – win in the weekend’s remaining contest. 

Rounding out the weekend’s action at Knockhill was the Legends Cars Elite Cup with JLM. Never short of entertainment, the 5/8 scale series saw drama play out all the way until the final chequered flag being dropped. 

Among the race winners across both days was Jack Parker, Oli Schlup, Will Gibson and Tyler Read. 

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

The Kwik Fit 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 24/25.

TOCA support championships soak up the sun at Croft

Croft Circuit saw no shortage of entertainment this past weekend (July 27/28) as the Classic Touring Car Racing Club, Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW, Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain and Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain took centre stage on the TOCA support package.

Featuring alongside the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship for what is one of the biggest events on the calendar at the North Yorkshire venue, each championship served up a feast of edge-of-the-seat entertainment.

One of the stars of the show was undoubtedly the Classic Touring Car Racing Club and its Pre-’66 Touring Car Championship, which was making its first-ever appearance on the support bill of the BTCC.

As part of the CTCRC’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, the Pre-’66 contingent rolled back the years to a bygone era of tin top racing as they staged three non-championship races around the challenging 2.13-mile circuit.

Former BTCC race winner – and Yorkshireman – Sam Tordoff proved to be the driver to beat over the course of the weekend as he guided his monstrous Ford Falcon to a hat-trick of commanding victories.

David Dickerson and Guy Smith emerged as the closest challengers to Tordoff but both had to settle for the remaining spots on the podium. Also picking up some silverware was former Formula 1 driver Max Chilton, who was competing in a Ford Cortina prepared by Team Dynamics.

Spoils were shared in the latest rounds of the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW as EXCELR8 Motorsport team-mates Maximus Hall and Tom Ovenden claimed a win apiece, while Dan Zelos maintained his advantage in the championship.

Hall’s triumph came somewhat unexpectedly as a gaggle of cars ahead of him – including Ovenden, Dominic Wheatley and Nelson King – encountered their own troubles in the latter stages, which led to Hall picking up the pieces for his fourth win of the year.

Ovenden would bounce back from the heartache of losing an almost certain win in race two as he got the better of pole sitter Jamie Osborne and then cruise to victory, reigning supreme ahead of the NAPA Racing UK duo of Osborne and Lewis Selby.

Local driver Max Coates had a weekend to remember as he won two of the three races in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain. Always a popular draw at his home circuit, Coates was near-perfect in the one-make series as he ignited his championship challenge in style.

The Team Omologato with Graves Motorsport driver dominated proceedings in the opening encounter, winning by more than eight seconds, before Sebastian Hopkins came to the fore in race two as he tallied his latest win of the season – with Will Jenkins and Coates not far behind.

Hopkins had looked on course to double up in the weekend’s third and final race however he was hit with a five-second time penalty for exceeding track limits late on, which therefore promoted Coates onto the top step of the podium.

In the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain, Hugo Ellis and Matthew Rees bolstered there individual seasons by snaring a win apiece. Ellis was in a league of his own in the opening encounter to triumph before Rees came to the fore in a captivating finale. Will Martin continues to lead the standings as the series heads north of the border to Knockhill.

To view the full classification of results from all TOCA support championships that competed at Croft, CLICK HERE.

Sun shines on TOCA support championships at Brands Hatch

Brands Hatch played host to a spectacular two days of TOCA support championship action this past weekend (May 11/12) as four categories continued their 2024 campaigns in style around the challenging 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 scorching weather conditions.

History was made in the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA as Rodin Motorsport’s Abbi Pulling became the first-ever female driver to win a race in the highly competitive single-seater series.

Just a few days on from claiming a double F1 Academy win at the Miami Grand Prix, Pulling didn’t put a wheel wrong in the reverse grid contest as she converted pole position into a flawless lights-to-flag victory. 

Championship leader Deagan Fairclough emerged victorious in the remaining two British F4 contests, strengthening his advantage at the summit of the standings in the process. 

Fairclough edged out Alex Ninovic and Rowan Campbell-Pilling to overall spoils in race one before he then led a Hitech Pulse-Eight 1-2-3 in the finale, as Mika Abrahams and Reza Seewooruthun completed the podium. 

There was plenty of entertainment in the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain too, which staged three races over the course of the meeting – one of which was the postponed bout from Donington Park last month. 

Angus Whiteside withstood a torrent of pressure to win the rescheduled race however he went from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows as in race two he was tipped into a scary barrel roll exiting Druids. Thankfully he was able to walk away unharmed from the incident.

Following a lengthy red flag stoppage, Hugo Ellis produced a superlative performance to claim victory when the race restarted ahead of Charles Rainford and James Wallis before Will Martin reigned supreme in style in the final race.

Maximus Hall enjoyed a near-perfect weekend in the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW as he firmly announced himself as one to watch, clinching pole position in qualifying before then going on to score two impressive wins. 

The EXCELR8 Motorsport driver was on the pace during Friday practice and ultimately never looked back. In race one he made a late lunge at Druids to wrestle the lead from Zelos to win and then he held the double champion off throughout race three to triumph again.

Zelos would have his moment on the top step of the podium however as he claimed victory in race two, which allowed him to extend his advantage at the top of the standings.

Concluding the weekend’s action were six races from the 5/8 scale pocket rockets of the Legends Cars Championship, which was continuing its popular Elite Cup campaign after kicking off their season at Donington Park a few weeks back.

Reigning champion Will Gibson and now new championship leader Jack Parker claimed two wins apiece while there were also victories for Oli Schlup and Robert Barrable.

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

Snetterton provides the next stop on the calendar for a number of championship in less than two weeks’ time on May 25/26.

TOCA support package begins new season with all-out action

Donington Park provided the setting for a pulsating 2024 season-opener on the TOCA support bill this past weekend (April 27-28) as a total of five championships blasted into life in typically action-packed style. 

Taking centre stage alongside the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at the Leicestershire venue, the bumper crowd in attendance was treated to two days of blockbuster entertainment in at times challenging conditions. 

Saturday saw light showers briefly hit the track however action remained to time; something that wasn’t to be the case on Sunday as heavy downpours caused lengthy delays and a number of races having to be cancelled.

The Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain – which this year boasts one of its most competitive entry lists in recent memory – was one of the categories to run just one race however it made a flying start to the new campaign with Will Martin claiming a hard-fought win.

Matthew Rees had looked on course to covert his pole position into victory however a moment at the Old Hairpin allowed Martin to sneak by and once out front he wasn’t to be challenged as he claimed a memorable win.

Behind Martin, former BTCC race winner George Gamble battled a number of car issues to snare second place ahead of the charging Angus Whiteside, who had produced a sensational drive up the order. 

The ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA began its search for the next possible star of Formula 1 by staging two hotly contested single-seater races.

Pre-season title favourite Deagen Fairclough lived up to all expectations in the opening bout as he converted his blistering start from the second row into a flawless lights-to-flag victory ahead of James Higgins and Alex Ninovic. 

Fairclough could do nothing to stop his Hitech Pulse-Eight team-mate Mika Abrahams from triumphing in race two as he shadowed on-the-road leader Alex Berg to the chequered flag. Unfortunately for Berg, a time penalty for exceeding track limits dropped him from first to third. 

Dan Zelos began the defence of his Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW title in formidable form as he scooped a win and a second place to claim the early bragging rights in the championship standings. 

Zelos joined fellow former champion Ant Whorton-Eales in serving up a captivating battle for the win in the opening contest with Whorton-Eales initially triumphing. That was before officials deemed he had gained an unfair advantage and hit him with a time penalty.

Race two belonged to NAPA Racing UK’s Lewis Selby as his inspired move to switch to slick tyres while everyone else was on wets saw him go from dead-last to the top step of the podium, as he led home Zelos and last year’s Cooper champion Tom Ovenden.

The Legends Cars Championship garnered plenty of attention when it featured on the UK’s premier motorsport package in 2023 and the 5/8 scale machines are back for more this year, with a bumper grid all vying for glory in its Elite Cup.

Celebrating its 30th Anniversary season, the trio of Andy Bird, Jack Parker and Will Gibson reigned supreme on the opening day of track action before Gibson and Parker then added to their tallies 24 hours later.

Concluding the weekend’s action were two races from the Radical Challenge, which was another series to return to the BTCC bill after enjoying an impressive debut last year.

Tipped by many as one to watch prior to the weekend beginning, Chris Lulham duly lived up to all expectations as he powered his way to a brace of victories. 

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

Brands Hatch provides the next step on the calendar – where everything but the Radical Challenge will be in action – on May 11-12.