Author: Chris Ashby

TCR UK champion to get prize TCR Europe entry for 2026

The winner of the TCR UK Championship for 2025 will receive a free, full-season entry in the 2026 TCR Europe season as part of their title-winning prize.

In what is a landmark announcement for the tin top series, the introduction of the new prize means that the 2025 Champion will be able to compete for the full season in one of TCR’s largest regional series, extending the ethos that TCR itself is built on.

This new incentive is designed to help drivers when it comes to the connection between the National and Regional levels of the TCR ladder.

“It’s great to make this announcement, awarding the 2025 TCR UK Champion a free full-season entry in TCR Europe. Progression has always been a key part of TCR, and this offers a fantastic chance for next year’s champion,” said Series Promoter Stewart Lines.

“This new incentive means that the championship-winning driver can then make the next step up the TCR ladder to one of the longest-running regional TCR series and take on the best touring car teams and drivers Europe has to offer.”

The 2025 TCR UK Championship campaign kicks off at Donington Park on March 22-23.

MINI CHALLENGE and Millers Oils launch JCW Challenger scheme

Millers Oils has announced a new Challenger Scheme that will see one lucky driver secure a free entry into the headline JCW class of the 2025 Vertu MINI CHALLENGE.

The new scheme will be open to every driver who has signed up to compete in the JCW class by the end of January, when a shortlist of four will be drawn up as finalists.

As well as having their entry fee for the 2025 covered, the winner will then have the opportunity to work with Millers Oils in an ambassadorial role throughout the season, which will include showcasing the Millers Oils brand on track across the seven events on the JCW calendar.

“We’re searching for a driver with talent, passion, and determination to carry the Millers Oils legacy forward,” Jody Ogden, Millers Oils Marketing and Communications Manager, said.

“You’ll be supported to race in a premier championship, gain unparalleled exposure, and represent a brand synonymous with engineering excellence and motorsport innovation

“This is a life-changing opportunity for one skilled and ambitious driver and if you’re ready to rise to the challenge, we want to hear from you!”

TCR UK to race at Spa-Francorchamps next year

The TCR UK Championship has announced a change to its 2025 calendar, with an overseas trip to Spa-Francorchamps replacing a visit to Silverstone.

A visit to the Home of British Motor Racing had been scheduled to take place on May 17-18 however the championship will now head to Belgium that same weekend for what will be the third event of the season.

The revised calendar means that next year’s competitors will join forces with the TCR Europe Touring Car Series to race on the classic Ardennes circuit.

“We’ve released the updated 2025 TCR UK Calendar today, providing our competitors with the chance to race on the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit,” said Stewart Lines, TCR UK Championship Promoter.

“Joining TCR Europe will offer the experience of racing with a Regional TCR Series and providing plenty of TCR action across the weekend.”

British F4 launches new Challenge Cup for 2025 campaign

The ROKiT British F4 Championship certified by FIA will introduce a new class for the 2025 season in the shape of the Challenge Cup, which is designed to help drivers who cannot commit to a full ten round championship in the UK’s premier single-seater series.

In what is an exciting addition to what is already looking to be another ultra-competitive 2025 championship, Challenge Cup competitors will battle it out for a prize equivalent to £25,000 that will go towards full-season British F4 entry fees of the winner for the following year.

To be eligible for the Challenge Cup, drivers will be limited to competing in a maximum of seven pre-selected rounds that form the main 10 event championship. Prior to the start of the season those competing drivers must nominate their chosen rounds at which they wish to race.

Points will be awarded for each race, with the Challenge Cup having its own separate points table. In addition to the new-for-2025 class, drivers will be eligible to score points in the overall championship and if applicable, the Rookie Cup.

With Challenge Cup participants featuring at selective rounds over the course of the campaign, restrictions will be placed on in-season testing to maintain fairness.

Challenge Cup competitors will be able to attend all pre-season collective tests, regardless of whether they are a nominated circuit at which they will compete. However, they may only participate in official in-season tests and free practice sessions at circuits which they have nominated to race.

Eve Lake-Grange, British F4 Championship Manager, said: “British F4 often see drivers who, for various reasons, are unable to compete in a full season of the championship.

“With the introduction of the British F4 Challenge Cup, we are now able to provide drivers the opportunity to compete towards a trophy, while still being able to accommodate their other commitments, all at a reduced season budget.”

The 2025 ROKiT British F4 Championship certified by FIA commences at Donington Park on the 26-27 April.

Touring Cars set to headline bumper 2025 season at Croft

Croft Circuit is set for another bumper extravaganza of motorsport in 2025 after confirming its event calendar for next season recently.

The popular North Yorkshire venue will host 12 events which will see action on two, three and four wheels from February to October, including the annual visit of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship in August, with tickets now on sale.

The season kicks off on Saturday 1st February with the return of the Jack Frost Stages Rally organised by Darlington and District Motor Club for the first time since 2020 with the circuit racing season starting on March 22/23 with the annual visit of the North East Motorcycle Racing Club.

The 750 Motor Club host the first of their two visits to Croft on April 26/27 followed by more motorcycle race action with the No Limits Race Meeting on May 31/June 1. The popular TCR UK Touring Car Championship features in the BARC race weekend on June 14/15, followed by the BARC Caterham Racing weekend on June 28/29.

The North East’s premier race circuit then hosts the British Racing and Sports Car Club meeting on 12/13 July before preparations get underway for the biggest event of the year where the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship speeds into Croft on August 2/3.

Britain’s premier four-wheeled motorsport series is undoubtedly set to be one of the headline events of the year in the region with three blockbuster encounters featuring a capacity grid and a number of exciting new rules for this season, as well as the usual thrills and spills from the TOCA support package.

Darlington and District Motor Club host the traditional Battle of Britain race meeting on August 23/24 which will feature cars and sidecars, as well as competitors contesting the local championships, including the well-supported Northern Sports and Saloon Car series.

The British Racing and Sports Car Club return for their meeting on September 6/7 with some exciting plans for that weekend set to be announced in the New Year followed by the 750 Motor Club who will host another weekend of packed grids on September 20/21. The season is concluded with a first visit of MSVR for their car race meeting on October 18/19.

Croft Circuit also hosts various track days for bikes and cars during the season, is available for testing and corporate hire, including the new centrally located Hanger 50 Café and Hospitality Suite.

Tickets for the 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Croft in August are now available from as little as £15 and 2025 season passes are also available starting at £45.90. Also available are Thruxton Driving Experiences held at Croft, as well as the New Starter Driving Experience, all of which make ideal birthday or Christmas gifts, including 25% savings on selected packages.

More details are available on the website www.croftcircuit.co.uk or by calling 01325 721815.

Croft Circuit 2025 Calendar
February 1 – Jack Frost Stages Rally
March 22/23 – North East Motorcycle Racing Club Bike Race Meeting
April 26/27 – 750 Motor Club Car Race Meeting
May 31/June 1 – No Limits Motorcycle Club Race Meeting
June 14/15 – BARC TCR Car Race Meeting
June 28/29 – BARC Caterham Racing Weekend
July 12/13 – British Racing & Sports Car Club Car Race Meeting
August 2/3 – Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship Meeting
August 23/24 – Darlington & District Motor Club Battle of Britain Race Meeting
September 6/7 – British Racing & Sports Car Club Car Race Meeting (details to be confirmed)
September 20/21 – 750 Motor Club Car Race Meeting
October 18/19 – MSVR Car Race Meeting

BTCC entry list swells to 24 cars for 2025 season

Organisers of the British Touring Car Championship – TOCA – have today (December 2) released the list of TOCA BTCC Licences that have been allocated to teams for the 2025 season.

Following the entry approval date of December 2nd 2024 for all TOCA BTCC Licences (TBLs), the grid of the UK’s premier motorsport series will expand to 24 cars next year – having stood at a maximum of 21 during the recent 2024 campaign.

Alliance Racing, EXCELR8 Motorsport and Speedworks Motorsport continue to hold four licences and they have been joined by reigning Manufacturer-Constructor champions West Surrey Racing, who will look to expand back to four cars on a full-time basis.

Power Maxed Racing and Restart Racing will again look to field two entries while Un-Limited Motorsport has acquired an additional TBL to take its total to two.

After a year on the sidelines, One Motorsport look set to make a triumphant return to the BTCC too with two TBLs being allocated to the Brackley-based squad.

Teams will announce full details regarding their respective entries (drivers, team names and sponsors) over the coming weeks and months, prior to the release of the finalised entry list for the forthcoming season in April.

2025 TOCA BTCC Licence Allocation
EXCELR8 Motorsport – 4
West Surrey Racing – 4
Alliance Racing – 4
Speedworks Motorsport – 4
Power Maxed Racing – 2
Un-Limited Motorsport – 2
Restart Racing – 2
One Motorsport – 2

The 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season commences on April 26/27 around the Donington Park National circuit.

Star studded entry for Croft Christmas Stages Rally

Rallying returns to Croft Circuit this forthcoming Sunday (November 24) when the Swift Signs & Shirts Christmas Stages Rally takes place with a top-quality entry assembled at the North Yorkshire track.

After a break of a year, organisers Northallerton Automobile Club have attracted a near-capacity field of over eighty cars for the event including a host of national champions to take on a strong local contingent over eight stages.

Leading the way is triple and reigning BTRDA champion Elliot Payne in his Ford Fiesta Rally2 who is making his debut on the event. Along with co-driver Liam Whiteley, the young Harrogate driver will be the man to beat but faces stiff opposition from a number of rivals.

Triple British Rallycross champion and 2024 European Rallycross champion Patrick O’Donovan will be in action in a Ford Escort Mk2 with local Richmond co-driver Sam Clennel on the maps whilst his dad Ollie is no stranger to Croft from his Rallycross days and the former British Rallycross champion will also be in action in the Hyundai i20R5 he’s sharing with Northallerton’s Callum Spoors.

Former National Rally champion, Lancastrian John Stone is a former winner at Croft and will be out in his Ford Escort whilst a strong Scottish contingent is headed by Joe McKeand and Lee Hastings, both in Subarus. David White (Ford Fiesta R5), Mike English (Ford Fiesta Rally2), Mark Holmes (Ford Fiesta R5) and Nigel Worswick (Ford Fiesta S2000T) will also be in the mix.

However, local crews will have a major say in the outcome, headed by eight-times winner Kevin Procter from Scruton. Along with Northallerton co-driver Ian Windress in the Ford Fiesta S2000, Procter will be aiming to land the winner’s trophy which he last claimed in 2018.

Team-mate Joe Cunningham from Aiskew will be hoping to improve on his third place at the 2022 event, this time at the wheel of the Ford Fiesta WRC loaned to him by his uncle Kevin for the event which he’ll share with Bedale’s Josh Beer, whilst in the smaller classes, local hopes are abundant.

Witton Gilbert driver Ed Todd and Durham co-driver Andy Brown are one of the favourites for the two-litre class in their Darrian T9 but will face stiff opposition including from Mickleton’s Alistair Hutchinson and Staindrop co-driver St. John Dykes in their LPG-powered Renault Clio Maxi.

In the 1400cc class, it will be the usual battle between Catterick’s Mark Constantine, with brother Andrew from North Cowton on the notes in their Vauxhall Corsa, and the Durham pairing of Andrew Fawcett/Chris Purvis in their Vauxhall Nova.

North Yorkshire brothers Tom and Luke Constantine will be debuting a pair of Opel Adam R2s in the 1600cc class with 2024 MG3 Challenge champion Luke, with Richmond’s Antony Coates co-driving, and MG3 Challenge runner-up Tom, with Mickleton co-driver Tony Walker on the notes, renewing battle.

Spennymoor’s Steve Sawley, and co-driver Rob Johnson, head Class 4 in their powerful Ford Escort whilst the international flavour is provided by Jamaican Tarik Minott with Saltburn’s Neil Colman on the maps in their Ford Fiesta Rally2.

Runner-up in the Porsche Sprint Challenge GB this year, Scorton’s Max Coates swaps his racing overalls to make his co-driving debut in Northallerton driver Larry Carter’s Peugeot 206 whilst other locals to keep an eye on include Brompton on Swale driver Geoff Wright (Ford Fiesta S2000), Mickleton pair David and Andrew Hutchinson (Renault Clio), South Kilvington publican Nick Kitching (Ford RS1800) and North Cowton brothers James and Ollie Constantine (Suzuki Swift) amongst many others.

Gates open at 8am with the first stage getting underway at 9am and running throughout the day with the final couple of stages expected to be in darkness. There will be full commentary, and an event programme is on sale. Extensive free parking on hard standing is also available along with trade stalls and food outlets, including Croft’s very own café, Hangar 50, which will be open throughout the day serving hot food and drinks.

Adult admission costs £13 via e-ticket and are available at www.croftcircuit.co.uk or on the gate priced at £15 per adult. Accompanied children aged 15 and under are admitted free.

Pembrey to stage 2025 JSCC Scholarship next February

The Junior Saloon Car Championship has also announced that its 2025 Scholarship will take place at Pembrey Circuit on Saturday 22nd February.

Up for grabs at the Welsh venue will be a life-changing prize for one aspiring teenager in the shape of a fully-funded season in the series, worth more than £30,000.

Over the course of the day, drivers will face the media, partake in a fitness test and then showcase their attributes behind the wheel on-track. A judging panel made up of championship’s organisers and partners will then whittle down the competition before selecting a winner.

Previous winners of the competition include former overall champion Scott McIntyre, British F4 title winner Deagan Fairclough and last year’s victor Will Crewdson.

To find out more information on the JSCC Scholarship, visit HERE.

BARC announces 2025 Marshal Training dates

The British Automobile Racing Club can confirm that it will run a total of seven marshal training days prior to the start of the 2025 motorsport season.

Croft, Pembrey and Thruxton will host the aforementioned training days across the months of January, February and March next year.

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 that are heading trackside for the forthcoming season.

2025 BARC MARSHAL TRAINING DATES

Saturday 20th January – Thruxton [Speed Training, all grades]

Sunday 21st January – Thruxton [Registered Marshals – fewer than five days attended]

Sunday 9th February – Pembrey

Saturday 15th February – Croft

Sunday 16th February – Croft

Saturday 1st March – Thruxton

Sunday 2nd March – Thruxton

Link to Volunteering Forms

Champions crowned! Full list of 2024 BARC title winners confirmed

The British Automobile Racing Club revelled in another momentous year of motorsport in 2024 and with the dust now beginning to settle, we’re delighted to be able to reveal who reigned supreme across our wealth of championships:

2CV Championship
Alex Cockhill

BARC Connaught Speed Championship
Matt Bramall

Britcar Trophy Championship
Maurice Henry & Hadley Simpson and Mark Jones, Rob Ellick & Craig Fleming

British Endurance Championship
Peter Erceg and Marcus Clutton

British Truck Racing Championship – Division 1
Ryan Smith

British Truck Racing Championship – Division 2
John Powell

Caterham Academy Championship – Green
James Hall

Caterham Academy Championship – White
Paul Ogglesbury

Bilstein Caterham Roadsport Championship
Paul Goldstein

Mission Motorsport Caterham Seven 270R Championship
Ben Timmons

Motul Caterham Seven 310R Championship
Harry Cook

Vertex Caterham Seven UK Championship
Lewis Thompson

Classic Touring Car Racing Club – Everard Pre-66 Touring Cars
Ian Thompson

Classic Touring Car Racing Club – Pre-83 Group 1 Touring Cars
Stephen Primett

Classic Touring Car Racing Club – Laser Tool Pre-93 Touring Cars
Stuart Waite

Classic Touring Car Racing Club – Burty Haulage Pre-03 Touring Cars
Gary Prebble

Classic Touring Car Racing Club – Burton Power Blue Oval Saloon Series
Tim Mizen

Classic Touring Car Racing Club – Edmundson Electrical Classic Thunder
Josh Lawton

Classic Touring Car Racing Club – Super Tourers
Alexander Morgan

CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship
Steven Parker

Junior Saloon Car Championship
TBC

Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship
Jake Hill

Adrian Flux Insurance MG Owners Club Championship
Steve McDermid

MINI CHALLENGE Clubsport with Airtec Motorsport
Ross Alexander

Motorsport UK British Hillclimb Championship presented by Nova Motorsport
Matthew Ryder

OT Coupe Cup with Toyo Tires
Dan Munro

Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain
George Gamble

Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain
Sebastian Hopkins

Pickup Truck Racing Championship
Dale Gent

ROKiT British F4 Championship certified by FIA
Deagen Fairclough

SIM Motorsport Caterham Graduates Championship – Sigma 135
Paul Goldstein

SIM Motorsport Caterham Graduates Championship – Sigma 150
Jamie Ellwood

Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW
Dan Zelos

Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Trophy
Harry Hickton

TCR UK to host Donington Park taster day

The TCR UK Championship has released details regarding its upcoming Taster Day, which is scheduled to take place at Donington Park on Friday 22nd November.

Following the news that the tin top series will join the British Automobile Racing Club next year, preparations are already afoot for the 2025 season.

The taster vent will provide  interested parties the opportunity to test drive a TCR car, specifically an Audi RS3 LMS TCR Gen 2, at the Leicestershire venue.

Drivers who are already experienced in piloting TCR cars will be on hand during the event to provide guidance and knowledge of the car.

Championship officials will also be on hand during the day to provide further information about the 2025 season and to answer any queries that customers may have.

“I’m excited to offer this chance to anyone who is interested in moving up to TCR UK for 2025. This is the best way to find out how good a TCR car is at one of the best circuits in the UK,” said Stewart Lines, TCR UK Championship Promoter.

“TCR is the ideal platform for those looking to make the step up to touring car racing, and this event will provide more knowledge and insight for those looking to take the next step up in their motorsport careers.”

Anyone interested in the Taster Day can register their interest by clicking HERE.

To find out more about the TCR UK Touring Car Championship, visit https://www.tcr-uk.co.uk/.

BTCC locks in additional rule changes for 2025 season

Series organisers of the British Touring Car Championship, TOCA, have confirmed further changes to its latest regulations ahead of the 2025 season. 

Following the ground-breaking announcement that the UK’s premier motorsport series will introduce 100% sustainable fuel next year, a number of other amendments have now been ratified between TOCA and all competing teams. 

As of April 1st 2025, a two-year engine freeze will come into effect, so that no further developments can be made to the homologated engines for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.

This decision ensures that the highest-level of competitiveness of each engine will remain but will also significantly save costs to the teams over the next two years.

On the topic of tyres, it will now be mandatory for the three overall podium finishers in Race 1 to run the hardest Goodyear tyre compound available in Race 2 – as opposed to the previous top ten finishers.

A new safety car procedure will be also introduced to ensure a smoother, closer and safer restart to all sessions.

When the Safety Car lights are turned off – indicating it will accelerate away from the pack and return to the pit-lane – all cars must cease weaving, braking and/or accelerating and stay no more than two car lengths from the car ahead of them.

The race leader will be required to maintain approximately the same speed the safety car was using when it extinguished its lights, until the leader has passed the new ‘Restart Point’ – designated at each circuit by TOCA and to be positioned between the final corner and the start/finish control line – after which the leader can then accelerate up to racing speed.

In the battle for the coveted Jack Sears Trophy, drivers that have either previously won the competition or have scored more than one outright podium in the BTCC will not be eligible for the Jack Sears Trophy from next year.

Finally, the qualifying format has been looked at with the grid positions for cars that do not progress from both groups in the first Part of the Qualifying session undergoing a change for 2025.

Those from Group 1 who do not progress into Part 2 will line up on the even numbered side of the grid and those from Group 2 on the other side – thus preventing a change in track or weather conditions having an adverse effect on those groups and their subsequent grid positions.

“Of course, the introduction of 100% sustainable fuel has been the headlining change for the 2025 BTCC season, but we always look at every aspect of our championship each year to see what can be improved,” said BTCC Chief Executive, Alan Gow.

“I’m sure that these tweaks will all have a positive effect and will further add to the great racing that is the hallmark of the BTCC.”