The Old Thorns Hotel in Liphook, Hampshire played host to the British Automobile Racing Club’s annual Championship Awards Evening this past Saturday (February 1) where deserving title winners, volunteers and officials converged to celebrate the year that was.

Officially bringing the curtain down on what was a momentous 2024 season, the glittering black tie event saw more than 230 guests in attendance for an unforgettable night of commemoration and recognition.

Hosted by the superlative Alan Hyde, guests not only had the opportunity to look back on last year’s campaign, but they also heard from BARC Chairman Tony Scott Andrews, BARC Chief Executive Ben Taylor and Motorsport UK Chief Executive Hugh Chambers.

Champions – including Deagen Fairclough, Dan Zelos, Stephen Primett, John Powell, Harry Hickton, Paul Goldstein, Stuart Waite and Steve McDermid – all took to the stage throughout the night while a number of other honours were also bestowed on some deserving recipients.

Chris Davenport scooped The Sir Clive Bossom Trophy for conducting the most volunteering days in 2024 whilst Simon Morris was announced as the BARC Marshal of the Year, which is named in memory of Dennis Harris. Matt Jennings was named the Trainee Marshal of the Year, collecting The Peter Harris Trophy in the process.

Multiple Classic Touring Car Racing Club champion and race winner Piers Grange was another to triumph as he claimed the coveted President’s Cup.

Elsewhere, F1 Academy champion Abbi Pulling was honoured with The Peter Collins Trophy – which recognises junior drivers – while Abbie Eaton’s efforts in the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain were rewarded in the shape of The Densley Trophy.

Rounding out the winners was Rob Manger, who picked up The Gerry Marshall Trophy for his long-standing service to Thruxton and for being the driving force behind the hugely successful Jochen Rindt Trophy.

“It was a fantastic evening – as it always is,” said BARC CEO Taylor. “Although the event is to honour our champions, it’s also a great opportunity to celebrate our members and the people that play their part in making the BARC what it is.

“When you think that we organise 25 race events, ten TOCA meetings, three Goodwoods and multiple hillclimbs you realise that there are a huge number of people that are involved in making everything happen.

“It’s a massive organisation – more than 1000 marshals and 1000 competitors – so when you add everyone else into the mix and take a step back you see that we’ve got a community of more than 3000 people that make the BARC what it is.

“The 2024 season was brilliant. Of course it had its challenges along the way but it was a big success and we’ve got some exciting things lined up for 2025 too; great championships, great events and our venues will be going great guns too.”

Speaking of the venues, before the night was out a special presentation was made to Thruxton Operations Manager Pat Blakeney who, after almost four decades, is set to embark on semi-retirement from the Hampshire track.

Blakeney said: “It was a little bit of a shock so thank you for that lovely surprise. It has been an enjoyable journey at Thruxton and I’ve made so many friends along the way – I’ve done just about every job at the circuit and while I’m stepping away on the day-to-day things, I’ll still be involved with the race meetings and a few other bits.”

In addition to the prize-giving, more than £1200 was raised during the annual raffle for the BARC Marshal and Rescue Fund – which included prizes such as tickets to the British Touring Car Championship, Thruxton Driving Experiences and subscription to EVO Magazine.