Tag: Porsche Sprint Challenge GB

Champions triumph on TOCA support bill at Brands Hatch

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TOCA support championships serve up Silverstone spectacular

The battle for supremacy on the support package of the British Touring Car Championship intensified at Silverstone this past weekend (September 16/17) to set up what promises to be a grandstand finish at Brands Hatch in less than two weeks’ time. 

Taking centre stage at the Home of British Motor Racing, thrills and spills played out across a total of four support categories, with one title – the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain – being wrapped up with a round to spare.

Having been the form driver for much of the season, Team Parker Racing’s Adam Smalley converted his commanding advantage at the top of the standings into an unassailable lead after producing an exemplary performance. 

Narrowly missing out on pole position in qualifying, the Porsche GB Junior driver shadowed NAPA Racing UK’s Gus Burton in the opening race – which was hit by mixed weather conditions – to put himself on the cusp of glory.

A few hours later, Smalley clinched things with a measured drive onto the third step of the podium whilst his team-mate Harry Foster led home Huge Ellis to take victory.

Dan Zelos edged ever-closer to becoming a multiple champion in the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE JCW as he guided his EXCELR8 Motorsport machine to a commanding pair of race wins around the 1.64-mile National circuit. 

Blasting to pole position in qualifying, Zelos could do nothing to stop Will Orton from reigning supreme in the weekend’s opening bout before he struck back in style during Sunday’s two action-packed races.

Team Parker Racing’s Joe Warhurst was perfection personified in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain as he claimed a stunning hat-trick of race wins to open up a five-point lead at the head of the championship standings. 

Proving to be the driver to beat from the get-go, Warhurst hustled his rear-wheel-drive machine onto pole position in qualifying and from there he didn’t put a wheel wrong to claim a remarkable clean sweep. 

Rounding out the weekend’s track action – and making its first-ever appearance on the BTCC support bill – were three races from the Avon Tyres Caterham Seven UK Championship. 

Concluding their campaign with what was arguably one of the biggest events in the series’ history, the all-action one-make category had the bumper crowd on their collective feet as they served up a feast of wheel-to-wheel entertainment. 

Just 0.064s separated Gordon Sawyer and Stephen Lyall in a frenetic opening contest before Aaron Head came to the fore in race two, prevailing from an almighty battle for outright honours which included Jake Swann and Angus Maclaine.

Head was declared the winner in the weekend’s shortened third and final contest too following a sizeable accident just six laps in. 

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

BARC TV: What’s On This Weekend – September 23/24

The end is in sight for the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship and it is all to play for at Silverstone this weekend as Rounds 25, 26 & 27 of the 2023 campaign take centre stage at the Home of British Motor Racing.

With just two events remaining, the battle for supremacy for the biggest prize in UK motorsport is intensifying and it’s all to play for as the series hits the National layout.

Support race action from the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, Porsche Sprint Challenge GB, Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE JCW and Avon Tyres Caterham Seven Championship UK will also feature over the course of the weekend. 

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

Saturday 23rd September // 15:30 – WATCH HERE

Sunday 24th September // 11:00 – WATCH HERE

To find out more information about this weekend’s race meetings, CLICK HERE.

Blockbuster entertainment runs throughout TOCA support bill at Croft

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TOCA support package makes a splash at Donington Park curtain-raiser

Donington Park provided the backdrop to a memorable 2023 season-opener for championships competing on the TOCA support bill this past weekend (April 22/23).

Taking centre stage alongside the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship for another season, four all-action categories delighted fans with two blockbuster days of wheel-to-wheel entertainment under the flightpath of East Midlands airport. 

Dan Zelos’ pursuit of a second Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE JCW title got off to the perfect start as he blasted his way to pole position and two wins. 

Embarking on another season in the one-make tin top category, the former champion laid down his marker to the rest of the field with a commanding brace of victories, one in the dry on Saturday and the other in the wet on Sunday morning.

It wasn’t to be a hat-trick for Zelos though as he found himself caught up in a scary accident with Sam Smith that brought out the red flags. The high-speed incident – which took place on the run down to Redgate – saw Zelos walk away unhurt whilst Smith was extricated from the car and transferred to hospital for precautionary checks. 

With the race not restarting, Will Orton was declared the winner ahead of Joe Tanner and last year’s MINI CHALLENGE Trophy champion Nelson King. 

Louis Sharp put his stamp on the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by the FIA with a near-perfect weekend in the single-seater category. The New Zealander – who was one of the series’ leading lights in 2022 – claimed two impressive victories to grab the early points lead.

After narrowly missing out on pole position, the Rodin Carlin driver took a commanding win in the season-opener before then showcasing his overtaking prowess in a thrilling full reverse grid contest.

Starting 20th, Sharp carved his way through the order to clinch a famous victory before then capping off his weekend with a drive to sixth place as Noah Lisle triumphed in race three.

Spoils were shared in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB as pre-season favourites Robert De Haan and Adam Smalley claimed a win apiece. 

Touted as one’s to watch prior to the new campaign beginning, both drivers produced assertive performances to each stand on the top step of the podium. Joining them on the rostrum across the two races was Gus Burton and Matty Graham.

Concluding the weekend’s action were three races from Porsche Sprint Challenge GB, which had secured a full-time spot on the TOCA for this season after recently making sporadic appearances in previous years.

Second-year racer Toby Trice claimed the early bragging rights as he edged out Joe Warhurst and Steve Roberts in a frenetic opener. Roberts would then prove to be the driver to beat in the remaining two contests as he cruised to victory to establish an early championship lead.

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

Brands Hatch provides the next step on the calendar for three of the four championships – who’ll also be joined the Legends Cars Elite Cup with JLM – on May 6/7.

Porsche extend TOCA deal until at least 2026

Series organisers of the British Touring Car Championship, TOCA, have confirmed that the Porsche Carrera Cup GB and Porsche Sprint Challenge GB will remain on the BTCC support package until at least 2026.

With the 2023 campaign set to mark 20 years since the Porsche Carrera Cup GB joined the support bill, this new three-year deal comes into effect at the end of the current term, with a further one-year option taking the agreement to the end of 2026.

Recently, Porsche Motorsport GB and TOCA announced an increased presence with the Porsche Sprint Challenge GB joining the Porsche Carrera Cup GB as regulars on the BTCC package from next year.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “Having already announced that the Porsche Sprint Challenge GB would be expanding its presence on the BTCC support bill in 2023, I’m delighted to further cement its future and that of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB as it celebrates its 20th anniversary.

“This new contract underlines how the Porsche GB and TOCA partnership keeps going from strength to strength and, with both championships having already provided highly entertaining races for fans both trackside and at home via ITV’s free-to-air coverage, I’m very much looking forward to continuing our close relationship.”

James MacNaughton, Porsche Cars Great Britain Marketing Manager, said: “Porsche is delighted to further strengthen its relationship with TOCA. The TOCA package has been home to Porsche Carrera Cup GB since its inception 20 years ago and, from 2023, Porsche Sprint Challenge GB will also race exclusively alongside the BTCC – and at four events we will showcase both championships on the same billing. 

“The TOCA platform really is a modern sporting phenomenon, delivering exciting action on track, exceptionally strong crowds across each race weekend, incredible live TV coverage and broad media appeal. We extend our thanks to Alan Gow and his team in fostering our continued relationship.”

Porsche Sprint Challenge GB to race exclusively with TOCA in 2023

Porsche Motorsport GB has confirmed that the Porsche Visit Cayman Islands Sprint Challenge GB is poised for a series of exciting evolutions in 2023 – one of which includes the championship racing exclusively alongside the British Touring Car Championship.

Entering its fourth season and retaining the use of the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport, the one-make series will continue to offer drivers two competitive classes to compete in; Pro and Am. 

Starting in 2023 as part of a three-year agreement, the category will enjoy a larger presence than ever before as it features on the TOCA package across six weekends in support of the BTCC, four of those being alongside the Porsche Carrera Cup GB. 

Furthermore, the series will expand its calendar from 15 to 18 races next year, with each weekend comprising of three races.

James MacNaughton, Porsche GB Motorsport Manager, said: “Porsche Sprint Challenge GB enters its fourth and biggest season yet in 2023. As it has since its inception in 2020, the championship will continue to represent an important level of the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid with the 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport. However, we are excited we’re taking it one step further by growing its presence on the UK motorsport scene year on year.

“TOCA weekends have always formed an essential part of the Sprint Challenge GB calendar and, from 2023, Porsche Cars Great Britain is delighted that the championship will amplify its profile by appearing exclusively on the TOCA package. As part of a larger presence at every TOCA meeting for Porsche, four weekends will see the championship operate alongside Carrera Cup GB, underlining the development available to both competitors and teams.

“Porsche Carrera Cup GB’s traditional position as part of the TOCA package – running in support of the British Touring Car Championship – has taught us that the combination of live terrestrial television coverage and a paddock packed with motorsport enthusiasts provides drivers and teams with an unrivalled platform. For Porsche, the opportunity to expand Sprint Challenge GB’s relationship with TOCA was unmissable.”

TOCA support championships serve up Croft cracker

Croft Circuit played host to a memorable two days of TOCA support championship action this past weekend (June 25/26) as the 2022 season reached the halfway point. 

Sharing the bill with the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship in North Yorkshire, five one-make categories served up a feast of entertainment for the bumper crowd that was in attendance. 

After missing Oulton Park, the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship made a triumphant return, delivering a pair of exciting contests. Race one saw Sonny Smith come out on top of a spectacular multi-car battle for the lead before Will Macintyre claimed his second win of the season in a calmer second race.

Alex Dunne continued his dominance in the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA by chalking up a seventh win of the season to cement his position at the top of the standings.

Saturday’s two races saw Aiden Neate – who was celebrating his 16th birthday – score a commanding pole-to-flag victory in race one before Dunne came to the fore in the second contest, storming to victory in style after grabbing the lead off the line. 

Williams F1 Junior Oliver Gray then made it three different winners from three races as he triumphed in a shortened final race, his first of the season.

Tin top thrills and spills were in full force in the Quaife MINI CHALLENGE Trophy as a capacity grid went wheel-to-wheel in two frenetic encounters. Championship leader Nelson King reigned supreme in Saturday’s bout before then going onto double his account for the weekend on Sunday.

The Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge made its final appearance of the season on the TOCA package and true to form it didn’t disappoint, with two pulsating contests getting fans on the edge of their seats. 

Entering the business end of the title battle, Harley Haughton continued his scintillating form of recent rounds by storming to a pole position double and then backed it up with a pair of commanding race wins. That clean sweep has now moved the Elite Motorsport driver to the summit of the drivers’ standings with two events to go. 

Bringing the curtain down on the support race action over the course of the weekend was two races from the Porsche Visit Cayman Islands Sprint Challenge GB. Boasting an ultra-competitive grid, Matthew Armstrong emerged as the driver to beat, winning both races.

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

Knockhill provides the next stop on the calendar for the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship and TOCA support categories, with the annual trip north of the border for the sixth event of the season taking place on July 30/31.

Thruxton thrills for TOCA support championships

It wasn’t just the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship that had fans on the edge of their seats at Thruxton Circuit this past weekend (May 28/29) as the TOCA support championships also shared the headlines. 

Marking the first of two visits to the fastest circuit in the UK this year, five one-make categories took centre stage in Hampshire to write the latest chapter in what is already shaping up to be a blockbuster season across the board. 

The Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge made their second appearance on the BTCC support bill and like their Junior counterparts, they didn’t disappoint. 

Harley Haughton – who has been one of the standout performers in the series thus far – was the driver to beat in Saturday’s opening bout as he charged from third on the grid to claim a well-deserved maiden victory. Haughton then repeated the feat on Sunday with a similarly commanding drive.

Elsewhere, Josh Rowledge and Ian Aguilera enjoyed a share of the spoils in what were two blockbuster Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship races – the second of which ended prematurely

There was plenty of wheel-to-wheel entertainment in the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA as Alex Dunne and Aiden Neate stood on the top step of the podium.

Despite starting on pole position, Dunne had to secure victory the hard way in race one as he battled back past Ugo Ugochukwu on lap four after losing the lead off the line. Once back in front, the Irishman powered clear to win and strengthen his title challenge. 

Dunne would go on to prevail in race three after Neate led an Argenti Motorsport 1-2 in an enthralling reverse grid contest on Sunday.

The Quaife MINI CHALLENGE Trophy – which boasted a bumper 30-car entry list – led the way with two frenetic races. Nelson King continued his sensational start to the season as he narrowly prevailed in the opening contest after pipping Louie Capozzoli and Matt Hammond in a drag to the line.

Capozzoli struck back in the second bout as he chalked up his first win of the year after fending off the advances of Alfie Glenie. King was declared the winner of the third race, which was twice affected by red flag stoppages. 

Rounding out the weekend’s track action was a pair of pulsating races from the Porsche Visit Cayman Islands Sprint Challenge GB. Now in its third season, the one-make series made its first appearance on the TOCA support package for this season with Harry Foster winning both bouts. 

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

Oulton Park provides the next stop on the calendar for the TOCA support package on June 11/12 where the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, MINI CHALLENGE JCW and Ginetta GT4 Supercup all return to action.

TOCA support package readies itself for Thruxton return

After providing the backdrop for the start of what has gone on to be a captivating 2021 season back in May, the championships that make up the TOCA support package are all set for a return to Thruxton this weekend (August 28/29).

Taking centre stage alongside the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, the expected bumper crowd that is set to flock to the fastest circuit in the UK is in for two days of full-throttle entertainment from the five championships that join the BTCC.

Just six points separate the top two in the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship as the second half of the season kicks into life. After a fraught few events, Aston Millar holds the advantage at the standings summit having finished every race inside the top six so far – with a breakthrough two wins at Knockhill last time out being the highlight.

Liam McNeilly is the closest challenge to Millar with three wins of his own and he’ll be keen to return to the top of points. Meanwhile, the likes of Seb Hopkins, Josh Miller, Callum Voisin and Will Jenkins will all be worth keeping an eye on during the weekend’s three races as they aim to close the gap to the top two.

An impressive 10 podiums from 11 races sees Tom Hibbert head to Hampshire in the lead of the Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup. The Rob Boston Racing driver has his sights set on the title and with the form he has been showing you’d be hard pressed to bet against him.

Hibbert’s chief rival – both in the championship and over the course of the weekend’s three contests – is Adam Smalley. Closing the gap to Hibbert after a double win at Knockhill, the Elite Motorsport ace will be confident of success having won at Thruxton in both Ginetta Juniors and GT5 Challenge down the years.

The Porsche Visit Cayman Islands Sprint Challenge GB returns to the BTCC support bill for the penultimate event of their 2021 campaign. Starring back in May, the one-make series has dazzled fans at every turn this year and more are expected at Thruxton.

Theo Edgerton leads the Pro category fight from Jack Bartholomew, but a strong weekend for Bartholomew could set the scene for a nail-biting title showdown between the pair at the season finale.

Another series that will undoubtedly take on a starring role is the Quaife MINI CHALLENGE Trophy, where things couldn’t be tighter in the battle for title supremacy. Dominic Wheatley has moved into the lead of the points however when dropped scores are applied, he holds a slender single point advantage over Matt Hammond.

Reigning champion Harry Nunn is not to be discounted either having brought himself into contention following a brace of podiums at Croft earlier in the month. With three races and plenty of points up for grabs, it’s set to be an intriguing weekend for the tin top racers.

Rounding out the weekend, as always, will be a trio of races from the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost. Matthew Rees is the new points leader following a nightmare Knockhill for James Hedley, however the latter has enjoyed great success at Thruxton in the past, making it the perfect place for him to try and get things back on track.

Tickets for Thruxton’s second dose of touring car thrills ’n’ spills will be available to purchase on the gate across the weekend. Head to https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/btcc-august for the full list of admission prices.

To find out more information on this weekend’s event, including links to live timing and the event timetable, CLICK HERE.

Action aplenty as TOCA support package roars into life at Thruxton

There was no shortage of entertainment on the TOCA support package this past weekend (May 8/9) at Thruxton as a number of championships lifted the curtain on their 2021 campaigns.

On what proved to be an action-packed two days around the high-speed Hampshire venue – headlined by the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – the journey to crown a champion in each category began in exciting fashion.

Boasting its biggest ever entry list for a season opener, the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship underlined why it is the place to be for aspiring drivers graduating from karting. Staging two pulsating encounters around the 2.36-mile circuit, the one-make series showed that it looks set to be another ultra-competitive year.

Tom Edgar struck first as he powered his way to victory in race one ahead of Seb Hopkins and Josh Miller before Callum Voisin came to the fore, capping off his car racing debut with a superlative victory in the second contest.

The Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge made its customary appearance on the TOCA support bill and it too didn’t disappoint as a bumper grid went wheel-to-wheel over the course of both days. John Bennett and Josh Steed shared the spoils in the end, taking a win apiece.

In the Porsche Visit Cayman Islands Sprint Challenge GB, Theo Edgerton proved to be in a league of his own. Despite missing out on pole position in qualifying, the TCR driver made no mistake in either race to kick his season off on the right foot by netting a brace of race wins.

There were plenty of edge-of-the-seat moments from the MINI CHALLENGE Trophy as three different drivers stood on the top step of the podium. Matt Hammond picked up where left off from Snetterton a few weeks ago to notch his third win on the bounce before defending champion Harry Nunn ignited his title challenge with victory in race two.

Former Junior Saloon Car Championship front runner Alex Solley then closed out the show with a superlative display to score his first win the in the single make series.

Rounding off the weekend’s action were a trio of races from the F4 British championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost. After claiming a trio of race wins last year, James Hedley continued his inspired form around Thruxton by adding a further two wins to his resume before Joseph Loake triumphed in the finale.

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

TOCA support package aims to take centre stage at Thruxton opener

It won’t just be the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship that lifts the curtain on its 2021 season at Thruxton this weekend (May 8/9) as the TOCA support package turns a wheel for the first time.

Marking the start of what is set to be another frenetic season of racing, five categories will descend on the Hampshire venue to tackle what is the fastest circuit on the calendar – and it is not to be missed.

The Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship bursts into life with a mammoth grid of 27 teenage talents – the largest entry list for a season opener in the series’ history – aiming to take centre stage.

With a number of seasoned racers being joined by a raft of rookies, the battle for supremacy this year looks set to be as competitive as ever; especially as reigning champion Tom Lebbon has stepped up to BRDC British F3.

Returning drivers Tom Edgar, Freddie Tomlinson, Will Jenkins, Aston Millar, Josh Millar and Seb Hopkins will hope to utilise their previous experience however the frenetic nature of the championship could see anyone stake their claim to the crown early on over the course of the weekend’s two races.

The Juniors won’t be the only Ginetta representatives at Thruxton either as the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge kicks off its tenth season. The championship is renowned for producing some of the closest and most exciting one-make racing in the UK, and that’s sure to continue this year as the series embarks on a new four-class format after merging grids with the Ginetta G40 Cup.

Notable names to look out for include Josh Steed, Conner Garlick, Connor Grady, Magnus Kriklywi and Owen Hizzey, amongst many more.

Coming off the back of hugely successful maiden season last year, the Porsche Visit Cayman Islands Sprint Challenge GB will also be in attendance as it kick starts its 2021 campaign.

Home to the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4, the series looks set to grow in stature this year as it fields a grid of second and first year drivers. Some names to cast a watchful eye over include Theo Edgerton, Ethan Hawkey, Jack Bartholomew, Marcus Armstrong and Ambrogio Perfetti.

The Quaife MINI CHALLENGE Trophy heads for Thruxton for the second round of the season this weekend, with action aplenty expected from a packed grid of Cooper class cars.

Matt Hammond grabbed the early initiative at Snetterton two weeks ago and he will be keen to continue his strong start to the year across the weekend’s three races. The chasing pack of Dominic Wheatley, Lee Pearce and defending champion Harry Nunn will undoubtedly be keen to ensure that doesn’t happen.

Rounding out the weekend’s action will be a trio of contests from the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost. Home to the next generation of single seater stars, the series has garnered a reputation for spring-boarding the careers of many, the most popular being current F1 driver Lando Norris.

Boasting an entry list that encompasses drivers from right around the globe, this weekend looks to be closely fought with the likes of James Hedley, Abbi Pulling, Matias Zagazeta and Roman Bilinski all in the mix for outright honours.

To find out more information on this weekend’s BTCC opener, including the official entry list and timetable, CLICK HERE. Check out the official Digital Programme for the event HERE. You can watch all the action live on ITV4 from 10:50 on Sunday.