The British Automobile Racing Club broke new ground in 2020 with the launch of an innovative set of Open Sports/Saloon Car races at three different race meetings.

Open to competitors who drove open/closed roof Sports & Saloon cars, regardless of what championship or racing club they compete in and providing they met current Motorsport UK safety regulations, the format garnered plenty of attention from the outset and duly delivered.

Formatted to feature a 20-minute qualifying session and two 20-minute races over the course of a weekend, entries were accepted with a pre declared lap time for the specific circuit upon which competitors have entered into.

A variety of classes were structured and the format guaranteed that everyone raced against those doing similar lap times, irrespective of the car they are driving, leading to much closer competition. Classes were changed post-qualifying and post-race if competitors ran two or more laps faster in a qualifying session or race than their nominated class allowance stipulates.

Blasting into life at Mallory Park, Joss Ronchetti became the inaugural race-winner as he powered his Talbot Sunbeam Lotus to a brace of victories before the category then traveled to the fastest circuit in the UK, whilst continuing to grow in stature as well.

Back-to-back weekend’s at Thruxton then followed with Jamie Sturges triumphing twice before  Clive Wood would dominant proceedings during the second event around the fastest circuit in the UK, piloting his Mallock to victory on two occasions.

With more races planned for 2021, the Club’s Open Sports/Saloon races and its unique format look set to flourish even further.