Author: Chris Ashby

British Schools Karting Championship title to be decided at Whilton Mill

The destiny of the 2018 British Schools Karting Championship will be decided at Whilton Mill this Saturday (June 30) as 26 schools and colleges battle it out for the coveted title across what are set to be ten high-octane races.

Following months of local and regional finals that have whittled down the competition, the fastest teams and drivers from around the country are primed to hit the track for one last time.

Of the finalists competing, many will have their sights set on stopping Brentwood School A from completing what would be a sensational hat-trick of wins. Triumphing in 2017 and 2017, the Essex school has been the benchmark for the past two years and were impressive on their path to this year’s final.

Other teams that have come to the fore in the run up to the final include Southend High School, Peter Symonds A and Wymondham College, who picked up victory in the Midlands and East Regional on their first appearance.

Beyond those that have been mentioned, this year’s crop of teams boasts a wealth of talent, all of which is set to be showcased at the Northamptonshire venue.

As has been the case in years gone by, a raft of prizes will be up for grabs for the winners this year. The three students from the winning team and one representing adult will be given the opportunity to enjoy a Heritage Tour of the Williams Grand Prix Collection.

Touring the state-of-the-art, multi-million pound Grand Prix Collection, the winners will be able to walk around the interactive museum that houses around 40 Williams Formula One cars dating from 1978 onwards.

Ginetta Cars will also offer entry into the prestigious 2019 Ginetta Junior Scholarship for the highest placed competition licence holder [whose date of birth falls between 1st January 2003 and 21st March 2005, and who has not previously competed in an MSA circuit car race].

Giving them the opportunity to battle for free entry onto the 2019 Ginetta Junior Championship grid, the prize is one that can spring board any junior race onto great things.

Super Green Racing’s Howard and Ben Green will also continue their support of the BSKC by offering a pair of tickets to an event that Ben competes at later in the year. Now riding high in the British GT Championship, Green is a former winner of the event having triumphed with Debden Park High School in 2014.

BSKC 2018 Finalists:

BGS A

BGS B

BRA A

Bancroft’s A

Barnet & Southgate College A

Bolton School

Brentwood A

Brentwood B

Bristol Grammar School

Bushey A

FHS A

George Heriot’s School

Gordon’s School A

Grange A

Grange B

Grange D

Hanley Castle A

Kingdown A

Kingham Hill A

Peter Symonds A

SHSB A

Sidcot

Williamwood

Woodmill High School

Wymondham College

Information on how your school or college can get involved in the 2019 British Schools Karting Championship can be found by visiting the BSKC website.
For more information click here

Classic Touring Cars and Coupe Cup serve up feast of action at Mallory Park

The British Automobile Racing Club’s bank holiday Monday (May 28) visit to Mallory Park proved to be a memorable one as the Classic Touring Car Championship and Hyundai Coupe Cup produced plenty of wheel-to-wheel thrills.

Basking under the bright sunshine, both categories dually entertained those in attendance as ten action-packed races were run on the day.

A majority of the encounters came from the Classic Touring Car Championship, which boasted bumper and diverse grids – of which some were amalgamated together.

The MRF Classic & Historic Thunder Saloons & Burton Power Blue Oval Saloon Series saw Dale Gent score a brace of victories at the wheel of his Subaru Impreza, each by more than six seconds to his nearest rival, which was Adrian Hawkins on both occasions.

Ray West notched a double of his own as he piloted his BMW M3 to two wins in the Envirotec Pre 93, YourITMan Pre 03 & Toyo Tires Pre 05 Touring Cars races. Steve Barden and Simon Ward were the nearest challengers to West in the end, each taking a second and third place finish each.

There was a win apiece for Alan Greenhalgh and David Heale in the two Paul Inch Pre 66 Classic Saloon & Historic Touring Cars races whilst Mark Osboure and Stephen Primett banked a victory each in the Pre 83 Group 1 Touring Cars races.

In the Hyundai Coupe Cup, spoils were shared between Steve Kite and Alex Cursley. Entering the weekend as the man to beat, winning a majority of the races from behind the wheel of his Misty Racing machine, Kite further established himself as the dominant force.

Qualifying third behind Cursely and fellow front-runner Wayne Rockett, Kite scythed his way to the front of the field, bringing the aforementioned duo with him. As the top three scrapped to the chequered flag, Kite held on to score another victory whilst Rockett and Cursely followed.

A mere 0.639s separated the trio as they crossed the line, with the next driver on the road trailing them by more than 12 seconds.

Race two saw Cursely finally land his maiden win of the 2018 campaign. Like Kite, Cursely started the race from the second row of the grid but was not to be denied as he stormed to the front of the field, and on to victory, with less than a second covering himself, Kite and Rockett by the end of it all.

For the full classification of results, click here.

The Classic Touring Car Championship is next in action at Rockingham on June 16 whilst the Hyundai Coupe Cup visits the same venue on August 4.
For more information click here

Britain’s premier motor racing championship poised for high-speed thriller at Thruxton

Thruxton will be the next port of call for what is already proving to be a Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship campaign to remember, with 32 of the best tin-top stars set to take on the UK’s fastest race circuit, 19-20 May.

The BTCC is celebrating its 60th, Diamond Jubilee, anniversary in some style so far this year, with typically fierce competition evidenced at two storming weekends at Brands Hatch and Donington Park – producing five different winners from the opening six rounds. There have been a host of new faces take to the podium, and somewhat of a changing of the guard in the Drivers’ standings with the top eight’s drivers harbouring an average age of just a little over 25.

Thruxton is set to celebrate what is all set to be a special weekend’s racing by offering one lucky winner the chance to wave the chequered flag on the opening BTCC race – with anyone who has purchased or is set to purchase advance race day or weekend tickets for the meeting entered into the prize draw.

Last year at the Hampshire Speedbowl, as Thruxton is affectionately known, BMW secured a landmark 100th victory in the BTCC at the hands of Rob Collard and Colin Turkington, who took a round apiece, while Matt Neal sealed a win on home turf for Honda.

This year, though, the form-book certainly looks to have swung the way of the young-guns – headed at the top of the table by Speedworks Motorsport’s Tom Ingram in the Toyota, who secured a pair of rostrum finishes at Thruxton last time around, and is also the only double winner so far this season.

Incumbent champ Ash Sutton was quickest back at the annual TOCA test-day a month ago and, currently fifth in the standings, he’ll be looking to fire his Subaru Levorg to a maiden top-step appearance of 2018 and the start of his title defence proper. Judging by his pace back at that test, he’ll be one to look out for.

The WIX Racing with Eurotech-run FK2-generation Honda Civic Type Rs have historically gone well around Thruxton’s high-speed sweepers and if the outfit’s start to the season is anything to go by, it would take a fool to doubt their race-winning credentials, especially given Jack Goff has already notched a victory this year and is sitting pretty in fourth in the overall standings.

The Mercedes-Benz A-Classes are perfectly suited to the balance and poise required around the Hampshire racetrack. Adam Morgan is hot on the heels of standings leader Ingram in second spot after his victory at Donington Park and the Lancashireman is twice a winner at Thruxton – it’s shaping up nicely for Ciceley Motorsport. Aiden Moffat, in one of the sister Mercedes’, is a man on a charge, too, after a podium double back in Leicestershire.

A host of other names are vying for top honours, with the intense competition of Britain’s biggest motor racing spectacle making predicting the outcome of any one race, let alone the three that take place over a race weekend, an impossible task. Whatever the outcome, it’s sure to be a day of unmissable action.

Thruxton itself celebrates its 50th Anniversary, and the beloved circuit, a favourite of many a driver, always yields unparalleled racing. In addition to the three touring car races, there are nine more top-tier encounters on the TOCA package – the Renault UK Clio Cup, the Ginetta championships and the F4 British Championship.

Visitors will also get their first proper look at the circuit’s brand-new, industry-leading £2 million hospitality facility – The Thruxton Centre – ahead of an official opening on Sunday 3 June amid a weekend of 50th Anniversary celebrations.

Highlights there include 15 special races as well as high-speed demonstrations from Williams’ 1983 FW08C, wielded by ex-F1 star Karun Chandhok, and a number of other iconic racing cars and bikes. There will be appearances, too, from a number of high-profile guests including Murray Walker and Nigel Mansell.

“We’re always thrilled to host what is undoubtedly the premier four-wheeled series in the country,” said Thruxton Group Managing Director, Bill Coombs. The BTCC has storied history – spanning 60 years – and the championship never fails to come up with the goods over a race weekend.

“As we’ve seen this season, it’s entirely unpredictable. You don’t head into a BTCC race weekend knowing who will be coming out on top – it’s just too close to call, and that makes for some of the best doorhandle-to-doorhandle racing around with 32 cars all racing within a second or so.

“The test day a month ago gave us an insight into just how competitive it’ll be come race day. Some of the times were quicker than we’ve ever seen before here from BTCC machinery – it really whetted the appetite.

“The beauty of the TOCA package means that not only do you get the three headline BTCC races, but nine further races of the highest quality across a number of leading championships.”

Advance tickets for the BTCC’s visit, 19-20 May, are available from £12, with weekend passes with paddock access running to just £40. Saturday grandstand seats are an additional £5. Accompanied children aged 15 and under will be admitted free of charge.

Bumper two days of action lie ahead at Rockingham

Rockingham is set for a blockbuster weekend (April 14/15) as the British Automobile Racing Club as a host of championships descend on the Corby venue for two days of flat-out action.

Marking the first of several visits the Club will make to the circuit during the course of the 2018 season, fans are set to be treated to a diverse range of pulsating races over the course of the event.

Boasting a variety of jaw-dropping machinery, Britcar’s Dunlop Endurance Championship is back for another season and the curtain will raise on the 2018 campaign at Rockingham.

With marques such as Ginetta, Ferrari, Porsche, Radical and BMW, to name a few, being represented on the grid, there is something for everyone as the championship roars into life with a 50-minute sprint race and two hour endurance encounter.

The Renault UK Clio Cup Junior Championship continues at Rockingham with rounds three and four taking place. A four-car grid will duke it out this weekend with Nicholas Reeve the man everyone is chasing after enjoying a dream debut at the season-opener.

Bagging both victories, Reeve and the Specialized Motorsport squad enter the event as the ones to beat however Lorcan Hanafin, Louis Doyle and Gus Burton will all be hoping to topple the youngster.

There will be tin top action for drivers aged 14 to 17 in the Junior Saloon Car Championship this weekend too. Renowned for how cost effective it is and giving drivers the perfect stepping stone from karting, the JSCC has long been a proving ground for racers to go on to big and better things.

With some familiar names and returning faces making up the class of 2018 this year, it is all to play for however the early title contender is Ben Kasperczak, who bagged a pair of wins at Silverstone in late March. Whilst the likes of Jemma Moore, Tony Rodriguez and others will be aiming to beat the rapid youngster, Kasperczak sits in the box seat as it stands.

Reigning Michelin Clio Cup Series champion Ben Palmer finds himself in a similar position too after coming off the back of two wins at Silverstone. Securing a late deal to be on the grid, Palmer asserted his dominance early on and will be a favourite for sure at Rockingham.

The Lancaster Insurance MG Owner’s Club Championship is another series that is hitting the track for a second time this season at the weekend. Bringing together some of the most iconic cars that the illustrious brand has produced over countless decades, there is something for everyone during

Iconic is one word to describe the Mini brand and in the Mighty Mini Championship, the popular car is celebrated with edge-of-the-seat thrills ’n’ spills. Pitting the Mighty and Super Mighty classes together on the same grid, wheel-to-wheel battles are the norm with notable names such as Scott Kendall and Jo Polley being drivers to look out for.

Capping off what is set to be a frenetic two days of racing this weekend is the BARC Saloon Series, Honda VTEC Challenge and Classic VW Cup. Sharing grids throughout Sunday, these trio of categories are set to provide some of the best saloon races around, with a diverse range of cars and models going head-to-head with each other.

Ultra-competitive BTCC set for Brands Hatch curtain-raiser

The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship returns this weekend (April 7/8) at Brands Hatch with arguably one of the most competitive grids in the modern era set to do battle.

In what is a milestone year for the series as it celebrates its 60th anniversary, another capacity 32-car grid will duke it out for the most coveted prize in British motorsport, starting at the Kent venue where three races will be run.

An unparalleled five champions, four manufacturer entrants and 17 race winners make up the bumper line-up, which will hit the track in anger for the first time.

Heading up this year’s entry list is reigning champion Ashley Sutton, who will adorn the prestigious number one on the side of his Subaru Levorg. Remaining with Adrian Flux Subaru Racing for a second successive season, the 24-year-old will look to make it back-to-back triumphs with BMR Racing and is joined once again by double champion Jason Plato.

The manufacturer-backed team are down to three entrants this year with Josh Price filling the final seat, running under the Autoglym Racing Academy banner.

West Surrey Racing are back with the BMW 1-Series and a unchanged line-up with Colin Turkington, Rob Collard and Andrew Jordan flying the flag for the Sunbury-based squad.

Elsewhere it is all change at Halfords Yuasa Racing as the brand new Honda Civic Type R makes its debut in the BTCC. Triple champion Matt Neal remains at the helm of the championship-winning outfit but has a new team-mate in the shape of Daniel Cammish, who replaces three-time title winner Gordon Shedden.

The final Manufacturer/Constructor entrant for the forthcoming season is Power Maxed Racing, who once again fields a pair of Vauxhall Astra’s for reigning Jack Sears Trophy holder Senna Proctor and the returning Josh Cook.

A number of Independent entries will run Honda Civic Type R’s this year too with Jack Goff and Brett Smith locked in at Eurotech Racing, now with WIX sponsorship. Matt Simpson will join them both after switching from Team Dynamics.

BTC Norlin Racing have swapped their Chevrolet Cruze’s for Type R’s and have secured the services of the former Independents champion James Nash, who returns to the series for the first time since 2011. Northern Irishman Chris Smiley remains with the squad for a second full season.

Motorbase Performance will once again run three cars, albeit slightly different to last year. The iconic RS badge has returned to the BTCC on the Ford Focus’ with Tom Chilton and James Cole running under the Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher banner. After a one year sabbatical, 2016 runner-up Sam Tordoff is back and will pilot the third car for Team GardX Racing.

Finishing third overall and wrapping up both Independent titles for Speedworks Motorsport last year, Tom Ingram is set to be one to watch as he bids for outright glory in his Toyota Avensis. Ingram will be the only Toyota on the grid as Rob Austin and HMS Racing switch to the eagerly anticipated Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

AMD Tuning have expanded to four cars this year having acquired the two MG6 GT’s formerly run by Triple Eight Racing. Rory Butcher and the returning Tom Boardman will drive the race-winning machines whilst Ollie Jackson and rookie Sam Smelt will drive the teams Audi s3’s.

Another outfit that expands to four cars this year is Team HARD with their quartet of Volkswagen CC’s. Renault UK Clio Cup champion Mike Bushell, Jake Hill, Bobby Thompson and Michael Caine will spearhead Tony Gilham’s quest for silverware.

Podiums will be expected from Ciceley Motorsport this year too as Adam Morgan returns in his Mercedes Benz A-Class, and the former race winner has a team-mate in the shape of Tom Oliphant. Aiden Moffat will also be back in his Mercedes with Laser Tools Racing.

Rounding out the capacity entry list for this year is Stephen Jelley, who has remained with Team Parker Racing. Embarking on his second season with the Independent squad, Jelley will return to his BTCC roots and drive a BMW – a former West Surrey Racing 1-Series.

Julian Godfrey leads British Rallycross standings into Lydden Hill

The Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship returns to action this bank holiday Monday at Lydden Hill with Julian Godfrey holding the early advantage.

In sub-zero conditions a little under two weeks ago, the 2018 season roared into life with a history-making event at Silverstone. Tackling the Northamptonshire venue’s all-new rallycross circuit

Whilst FIA World Rallycross Championship stars Sebastian Loeb, Timmy Hansen and Andreas Bakkerud locked out the podium, Godfrey flew the flag for the British contingent, finishing best of the rest.

Remaining at the wheel of the Spencer Sport Mitsubishi Mirage RX, five-time champion Godfrey will look to extend his advantage at the summit of the points at the iconic Kent venue.

Godfrey will have challengers from all angles however with Steve Hill, also in a Mitsubishi, keen to been on what was a strong curtain-raiser for himself and look to progress from second in the standings, where he currently sits.

The experienced Ollie O’Donovan and Kevin Proctor will be keen to get back towards the sharp end after both enduring difficult opening rounds. Elsewhere, Albatec Racing’s Mark Higgins will be another driver that is keen to continue making strides after showing glimpses of pace at round one.

Mad Mark Watson endured his fair share of bad luck at Silverstone in his Citroen so he will be another to watch as he bids to make his way up the pecking order.

Arguably the most notable additions to this Monday’s entry list are the two LD Motorsport entrants of Jake Harris and Liam Doran. Both piloting Citroen’s, Harris and Doran are proven front runners in the championship and will likely be in the mix from the outset.

Also on the billing on Monday is the MSA Junior Championship, MSA Supernational Championship, Retro Rallycross Championship, RX150 Championship, BMW Mini Rallycross Championship, Super1600 Rallycross Championship and Swift Sport Rallycross Championship.

Goodwood roll back the years at memorable 76th Members Meeting

Goodwood wound back the clock this past weekend (March 17/18) to produce a mesmerising two days of historic racing at the 76th Members Meeting.

Bringing together some of the biggest names in motorsport and pairing them with a host of iconic machines, the Sussex venue battled the elements as a huge crowd flocked trackside.

One of the marque events of the weekend was the popular Gerry Marshall Trophy two-part race. Open to some of the most illustrious touring cars from yesteryear, the opening encounter saw the pairing of Kerry Michael and Mark Blundell take victory at the wheel of the mighty Ford Escort RS2000.

Pipping the Capri of Mike Whittaker and Mike Jordan by just over a second, the duo were perfection personified. The shorter 15-minute race, which took place on Sunday, was won by Pantelis Christoforou, also in a Ford Escort RS2000. Blasting from pole position, Christoforou was unchallenged as he battled a lengthy safety car period and then charge to the line.

Elsewhere, former BTCC champion Andrew Jordan piloted his Ford Lotus Cortina to a memorable victory in the Sears Trophy. Jordan led home fellow Cortina drivers Andrew Wolfe and Mark Sumpter to make it an all-Ford podium.

Martin Shetton was the winner of the Salvadori Cup in a Lister-Jaguar whilst Tim Llewellyn emerged as the victor in the Bolster Cup race.

The pairing of Minshaw and Keen proved too much for their rivals in the Moss Trophy as they stormed to top the rostrum in their Jaguar E-Type.

Tony Wood drove his Cooper-Bristol Mk1 to victory in the Hawthorn Trophy with the Derek Bell Cup going the way of John Milicevic.

Rounding out the List of race winners were Patrick Blakeney-Edwards, David Hart and James Cottingham who won the Caracciola Sportwagenrennen, Gurney Cup and Ronnie Hoare Trophy respectively.

In addition to the racing, a tribute was also paid to long-time Goodwood stalwart Henry Hope-Frost, who tragically passed away earlier this month.

Star-studded entry list confirmed for British Rallycross season-opener

A star-studded entry list has been confirmed for the opening round of the 2018 Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship on March 17.

Taking place at the brand-new rallycross circuit at Silverstone, no less than 14 Supercars will battle it out for supremacy as they bid to get the upper hand early on.

Leading the line-up are stars from the FIA World Rallycross Championship, with Team Peugeot Total fielding cars for nine-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb and his team-mate Timmy Hansen.

In addition, fellow WRX competitor Guerlain Chicherit will also be in action at the wheel of a Renault Clio RS.

Flying flag for Great Britain are a host of big names with seven of them having won a British Rallycross Championship event in the past. With 2017 champion Nathan Heathcote moving on to the world stage, the battle for the coveted title is set to be even more fiercely fought over.

Julian Godfrey, Kevin Proctor and Ollie O’Donovan are set to lead the charge whilst the likes of Mark Higgins, Mark Watson and Steve Hill are amongst others that can’t be overlooked.

Elsewhere in the two-wheel drive MSA Supernational Rallycross Championship a diverse 16-car grid will compete whilst there will be seven young drivers are targeting MSA Junior Rallycross Championship glory.

Bumper entries in the one-make Swift Sport and BMW Mini Championships, as well as the Retro class, also add to the spectacle with World RX commentator Andrew Coley once again getting back behind the wheel, this time in Swifts.

To view the full entry list, click here.