Author: Chris Ashby

BTCC to broadcast all races LIVE on TikTok in world-first deal

TOCA – organisers of the British Touring Car Championship – has today (March 27) announced that every race of the 2024 season will be streamed LIVE around the globe via TikTok, thanks to a world-first agreement with its partners at ITV Sport.

This ground-breaking agreement is in addition to the BTCC’s expansive and existing UK television contract with the ITV network, which sees around eight hours of broadcast – live and free – from each event across ITV4 and ITVX, as well as the continued highlights and catch-up offerings across the network.

As the UK’s premier motorsport series continues to look to bring the championship to a new audience, an agreement has been finalised to ensure that EVERY race will also be streamed LIVE and IN FULL via the ITV Sport TikTok channel – both in the UK and globally.

The deal marks the first ever sport to be streamed live via TikTok by ITV Sport, and it is also thought that it is the first major sporting organisation to stream its entire competition all season across the giant social media platform.

The announcement is also fantastic news for the BTCC’s loyal global fanbase, as this agreement will see every race in the UK’s premier motorsport championship broadcast live right around the world for the first time in its illustrious 66-year history.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “This is a truly ground-breaking move for the BTCC. I’m incredibly proud that we will be the first major motorsport championship in the world to have its entire race season streamed live on TikTok. It’s the real ‘cherry on the top’ of our ongoing and vast UK coverage, which is live and free on ITV4 and ITVX.

“Most importantly, this agreement will introduce the BTCC to a massive new and completely different demographic – a younger and more diverse audience – which is exactly what we, and in fact all of motorsport, are looking to achieve. This is very big news for the BTCC, our teams and our partners as we cement the future of the UK’s most prestigious motorsport championship.”

Andrew Hill, Senior Producer at ITV Sport, added: “This is a hugely exciting and innovative development in ITV’s production of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship. Live streaming BTCC races on TikTok, alongside our regular ITV4 and ITVX coverage, will help us to reach a much wider audience and enable a new generation of fans to enjoy the thrills and spills of the number-one championship in British motor racing.”

Issue 1 of 2024 BARC Magazine hits doorsteps for the first time in 2024

Issue 1 of the British Automobile Racing Club’s official magazine, APEX, is now available to read, with copies having hit doorsteps of its members this week for the first time in 2024.

Packed with the latest news and centre reports, as well as Martin Hunt’s Marshal Matters and the customary transcript from The Intercooler, the bumper edition also includes a number of must-read features too.

This latest issue sees the Club look back on a momentous night of celebrations at our annual Awards Evening back in February whilst Will Fewkes and Rob Huff delve into the importance of motorsport management, and in particular their company Fewkes Sport Management. 

To become a member of the BARC and to receive a copy of the magazine, head to https://www.barc.net/membership/.

Adrian Flux Insurance named as new title sponsors of MGOC Championship

Adrian Flux Insurance – one of the UK’s largest specialist motor insurance brokers – has been named as the new title sponsor of the MG Owners Club Championship this year.

Running under the new name of the ‘Adrian Flux Insurance MGOC Championship’ for 2024 and beyond, the much-loved series has welcomed in a new era as it prepares to hit the track for another year of captivating wheel-to-wheel racing.

The agreement with Adrian Flux brings to an end its previous long-standing relationship with Lancaster Insurance, who had been a title sponsor for a number of years. 

Offering a cost-effective route into motorsport, the MGOC Championship is a haven for enthusiasts of the famous marque as it pits models from a variety of decades against each other at the same time.

The 2024 season commences at Brands Hatch across the Easter bank holiday weekend (March 31/April 1) before then going on to compete at Cadwell Park, Mallory Park, Castle Combe, Thruxton, Donington Park and Snetterton. 

BARC announces bumper live stream schedule for 2024 season

The British Automobile Racing Club will continue its long-standing partnership with leading sports production company 247.TV this season, with no fewer than 14 race meetings set to be streamed live and online for free.

In what will be a fourth consecutive season of broadcasting on the Club’s YouTube channel, the 2024 campaign will once again showcase some of the best edge-of-the-seat racing that the UK national motorsport scene has to offer.

Encompassing all manner of production values, viewers will again be again to soak up the action courtesy of live commentary and presenting by the likes of Ian Waterhouse and Ewan Dunlop. 

Last year proved to be another successful one for the Club’s live platform with more than half a million views being amassed over the course of the season.

The British Endurance Championship, British Truck Racing Championship, Classic Touring Car Racing Club, Caterham Motorsport and Junior Saloon Car Championship are just some of the categories that are set to feature throughout the year. 

BARC 2024 Live Stream Schedule

March 29/30 – Donington Park (GP)

March 31/April 1 – Brands Hatch (Indy)

April 13/14 – Snetterton (300)

May 18/19 – Pembrey 

June 15/16 – Silverstone (GP)

July 6 – Oulton Park (International)

July 6/7 – Thruxton

July 13/14 – Cadwell Park

August 3/4 – Knockhill

August 10/11 – Donington Park (National)

August 31/September 1 – Brands Hatch (Indy)

September 14/15 – Snetterton (300)

October 19/20 – Donington Park (National)

November 2/3 – Brands Hatch (Indy)

Note that these dates remain provisional and can change.

British Truck Racing Championship partners with MANUP?

Raising funds and awareness for men’s mental health has become a focus for the British Truck Racing Championship this year, with the heavyweight series having today (March 8) announced it will align itself with the charity MANUP?.

Identifying that the stigma around men’s mental health remains a major issue, the MANUP? charity exists to raise awareness on the subject by encouraging openness, which will in turn promote the conversation.

Started in 2019, the organisation has grown exponentially in recent years and that trend looks set to continue throughout 2024 as a raft of fundraising concepts are brought to life through the championship.

The BTRC is no stranger to working alongside charities and the hope is that the heavyweight series will be able to use its sizeable platform – both on and off the track – to raise vital awareness and funds.

“As part of my commitment to breaking the stigma around men’s mental health, I’m proud to be partnering with the British Truck Racing Championship,” said Dan Somers, MANUP? Founder and Chief Executive. 

“At MANUP?, we reach men where they are, and BTRC offers a unique opportunity to amplify this message. Despite the fact that we are competing on the track, we are also driving a crucial conversation that illustrates mental health awareness has no boundaries.”

Gordon Snell, British Truck Racing Championship Manager, added: “We’re excited to have partnered up with MANUP? as the work they have been doing to promote the discussion around men’s mental health so far is to be really commended.

“We are using our platforms to push that conversation further and as has been proven, our fantastic fans are not only passionate about the sport but also supporting great causes. Raising awareness for men’s mental health is extremely important to all of us.”

To find out more information about MANUP? and how you can either donate or become involved in their initiatives, head to https://www.manup.how/.  

Thruxton rolls out winter upgrades ahead of new season

Work never stops when it comes to the British Automobile Racing Club and at Thruxton, a range of improvements have been taking place over the winter, all with the aim of ensuring the venue is in the best possible shape for a busy season.

A number of large projects – in addition to general maintenance – have kept the team busy at the Hampshire track, with the biggest of them being the implementation of a brand-new tyre wall at the Chicane.

No less than 800 tyres have been removed from the site and replaced, helped no less by long-time partners Pirelli. 

In an effort to maintain the circuits sustainability ambitions, the tyres that were removed from the Chicane have been re-purposed by extending the existing tyre wall on the exit of Church Corner, which now stands proud at an extra 70 metres long. 

Race control has also undergone a renovation, with more space being created to accommodate for the larger race meetings that take place at the Hampshire venue, moving forward. 

The wall between race control and the timekeepers has been moved back 1.5 meters, and the PA system relocated to the media centre, meaning the dividing wall that once housed it has been removed completed.

Rounding off the the ‘off-season checklist’ has been the acquisition of a new fire truck, lawn mower and radios, whilst the Kart Centre has had new barriers and fencing installed.

Will Crewdson wins 2024 Junior Saloon Car Championship Scholarship

Will Crewdson has been crowned this year’s winner of the Junior Saloon Car Championship Scholarship, winning a fully-funded season in the popular one-make series for 2024.

Taking place at Croft on Saturday 17th February, Crewdson emerged victorious from an ultra-competitive competition that saw a number of teenage hopefuls all battling to clinch a career-starting prize worth more than £30,000. 

Over the course of the day at the North Yorkshire venue, budding competitors took part in a pitstop challenge, fitness challenge, autotest challenge, media presentation and driving assessment; all while an esteemed judging panel whittled down the contenders.

As the competition entered into its final stages, Crewdson emerged as one of the leading lights and was subsequently declared the winner to follow in the footsteps of previous victors such as Will Fallon, Jack James, Chloe Grant, Harry Rice and Scott McIntyre.

“It’s great to able to give the trophy to a well-deserved winner in Will in what is set to be our tenth year,” said Dave Beecroft, Junior Saloon Car Championship Coordinator. “We’re looking forward to working with this young man in 2024; a super scholarship winner!”

The opening rounds of the 2024 Junior Saloon Car Championship are scheduled to take place across the Easter bank holiday weekend of March 31/April 1 at Brands Hatch.

TOCA and Cosworth Electronics awarded Adrian Reynard Motorsports Medal

TOCA and Cosworth Electronics have claimed first prize for Outstanding Achievement in the field of Motorsport Engineering for their application of Hybrid Technology in the British Touring Car Championship. 

The IMechE’s Automobile Division recently held its annual presentation of the Adrian Reynard Motorsports Medal, an award that recognises an individual or a team of people, working in the field of motorsports engineering, who have demonstrated an outstanding technical achievement or have made a significant contribution to the advancement of engineering in motorsports.

This year saw the award go to both TOCA – who are operators of the BTCC – and Cosworth Electronics Ltd for their joint effort on the implementation of hybrid power into the Championship.

Hybrid technology was introduced into the UK’s premier motorsport series in 2021, before its competitive debut the following season, which now sees each car provided with a certain amount of additional ‘boosts’ to use during qualifying and the races.

“We are extremely proud that TOCA – alongside its trusted partner in Cosworth Electronics – has been recognised for an outstanding achievement in the field of motoring engineering,” said Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive.

“It required a huge effort after announcing the project back in 2018 – becoming the first major touring car championship to do so – with everything that then happened in the world significantly adding to that challenge.

“The introduction of hybrid technology has been widely praised and a huge success and we are delighted that its engineering advances have also been rewarded today. Incorporating hybrid ensures the BTCC remains absolutely relevant to manufacturers, sponsors and the public, as well as further enhancing our great racing.

“It’s important that I acknowledge and thank the outstanding work from Cosworth, the teams, our suppliers and my TOCA Technical Team for playing their part in winning this fantastic award.”

Richard Woodgate, Lead Applications Engineer at Cosworth Electronics, added: “The requirements given by TOCA to Cosworth, to supply the first ever cost-effective Hybrid system for touring car competition was a huge challenge. 

“Using our expertise in the knowledge of drivetrain technology and electronics, we are thrilled to have achieved just that, a turn-key solution that could be used by any formula, with practicality, costs, ease of use and performance at the fore.

Former BARC Press Officer Enid Smith passes away

It is with great sadness to announce the passing of a long serving and continuous stalwart of the British Automobile Racing Club, Enid Smith.

Enid began working for the BARC as secretary to the Press Officer and in 1981 was appointed Press Officer herself. Not only dealing with the press and media, but also producing all the race programmes for Thruxton and Pembrey and later Croft. She also produced the Club magazine at the time, ‘Startline’.

Although being retired since 2005, she often volunteered in her later years to man the media centre during race meetings and support the present Press Officer at Thruxton during the week. 

She was also a well-known figure within motorsport in general, running the press and sign-on offices at the two main Goodwood events and the Silverstone Grand Prix with many ex-F1 drivers still enquiring as to how she was years after stepping down from her roles.

Being quite a private person, she, in her later years, continued to be active helping out at her local church with-in the village of Grateley which is only a couple of miles from Thruxton. 

Our condolences go out to her family at this very difficult time.

BTCC announces dates for 2024 Season Launch and official test days

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship has announced the venue and date for its official 2024 Season Launch, as well as a total of three official test days ahead of the new season commencing. 

Donington Park will play host to the 2024 Season Launch on Tuesday 16th April, with the general public set to be granted free of charge access to the entire day from 10:00.

Television and photography obligations will take up the early morning activities at the Leicestershire venue before the grid embarks on a bumper day of testing made up of two three-hour sessions and a pitlane walkabout during the lunch break. 

Additional off-circuit media duties will take place at the circuit on Monday 15th April for the likes of the championship, ITV and Kwik Fit. 

Prior to the Season Launch, official testing for the ‘Class of 2024’ will begin at Brands Hatch on April 3 before the UK’s premier motorsport series move on to Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire on April 10. 

The 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship campaign begins around Donington Park’s National layout on April 27/28.

Best of BARC Audio: BARC Awards Evening 2023

Championship winners, organisers, officials and volunteers converged on the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon this past Saturday (February 3) for the British Automobile Racing Club’s annual Awards Evening – and it proved to be a night to remember.

Celebrating the accomplishments of 2023, we sat down to talk to some of the key personnel from the Club and some deserving winners. Listen here: 

Ben Taylor – BARC Chief Executive: The Club’s Chief Executive sat down to chat about a momentous season 2023 was, honouring the champions of last year and what is to come for the organisation as preparations ramp up for the 2024 campaign.

Mark Turner – BARC Sporting Manager: The Club’s Sporting Manager sits down to reflect on 2023 as a whole as well as a shine a light on some of the highlights that the Competitions Department is set to offer up this year.

Paul Graham-Fielding – BARC Group Head of Marketing & Communications: Now a year into the role, we caught up with the Club’s Group Head of Marketing & Communications to discuss how he’s settled in, what he’s focused on over the past 12 months and what is still to come.

Steve Bemrose – BARC Marshal of the Year: Awarded by the BARC Marshals Core Group, Steve was a standout recipient for this accolade having volunteered for a number of events, as well as also providing critical life-saving medical care at the scene of an accident.

Adam Weeden – Winner of The Sir Clive Bossom Trophy: Awarded to the marshal that completed the most volunteering days in 2023, Adam was a regular attendee to events last year and clocked no less than 36 days in total.

Dan Zelos – Winner of The President’s Cup: Awarded to the most successful BARC member competing under international level, Dan Zelos was unstoppable in the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE JCW last year as he lifted the title for the second title.

Louis Sharp – Winner of The Peter Collins Trophy: Awarded to the most promising junior driver, the New Zealander was deemed a worthy recipient having charged to the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA title with Rodin Carlin.

Dave Beecroft – Winner of The Gerry Marshall Trophy: Awarded to the person that the BARC believes epitomises Gerry Marshall’s philosophy of motorsport, Dave has enjoyed a diverse career in the sport and has been the driving force of the Junior Saloon Car Championship for the past decade.

Sonia Gibbons – Winner of The Densley Trophy: Awarded to the female in the Club that has enjoyed a successful year, Sonia has played a pivotal role in the success of the Classic Touring Car Racing Club from an organisational standpoint for a number of years.

Claire Hedley – Britcar Managing Director: It was once again another busy year for Claire Hedley as she ran both the Britcar Trophy Championship and British Endurance Championship. And she’s set to do the same again for 2024.

Additional audio interviews from the British Automobile Racing Club Awards Evening can be found HERE.

Dan Zelos, Louis Sharp & Steve Bemrose top list of special accolade winners at BARC Awards

The British Automobile Racing Club’s annual Awards Evening didn’t just see the championship winners of 2023 celebrated on Saturday (February 3) as a number of other special accolades were bestowed upon hugely deserving winners too.

Leading the list of prestigious recipients was newly-crowned double MINI CHALLENGE JCW champion Dan Zelos who claimed The President’s Cup; which is awarded to the most successful BARC member competing under international level.

Becoming the first driver in the modern era of the ultra-competitive tin top series to clinch the coveted crown for a second time, Zelos chalked up an impressive ten victories and a further two podiums on his way to championship superstardom.

Zelos lauded: “It was totally unexpected and a complete honour to pick it up. We had an amazing year in 2023 and sometimes when your in the middle of getting deals together in the off season you forgot how much you may have achieved – so to be rewarded with a trophy like this has left me lost for words.

“Me, my Dad and the rest of the family have and continue to work incredibly hard to go racing and this is a fantastic accolade to receive. I think I’ve been part of the BARC for more than a decade now too.”

One of the biggest raptures of applause deservedly went the way of this year’s BARC Marshal of the Year, Steve Bemrose. In memory of Dennis Harris and designed to recognise the dedication and special efforts of the Club’s marshals, Bemrose was worthy winner after being selected by the Marshals Core Group.

Attending a multitude of race meetings over the course of last year, his actions in particular at the BTCC season-opener at Donington Park played their part in saving the life of a driver following a high-speed accident.

“It is a complete shock I must admit,” he said. “I’ve always been a fan of motorsport and I remember reading a review about being a marshal, what it entails and I never really comprehended how close you could get to the action, etc. 

“After I had done my taster day my love for it grew and I’ve never looked back. The marshal community is incredibly tight-knit and if there is anyone out thinking about getting involved then do it, because it is just fantastic.”

Elsewhere, Junior Saloon Car Championship and Track Action Coordinator Dave Beecroft saw his diverse and distinguished motorsport career be celebrated as he scooped The Gerry Marshall Trophy, having epitomised the philosophy for motorsport that Gerry once had.

He said: “This award really means a lot to me because Gerry Marshall was a childhood hero of mine; I remember watching him at Oulton Park and was fortunate enough to meet him several times – so it was touching to be this year’s recipient.

“I love everything about this industry and its nice to be kicking off the year like this; especially because we’ll be celebrating our 10th anniversary in the Junior Saloon Car Championship, which is an incredible achievement.”

For the second year in succession, The Densley Trophy – which is bestowed upon the female in the Club that has been deemed to have a successful year – was handed out, with the Classic Touring Car Racing Club’s Sonia Gibbons claiming the prize. 

“I never ever expected to be given this award,” she admitted. “I didn’t even think I would be up for it so I am extremely proud to have won. At the Classic Touring Car Racing Club we are all volunteers but it is a real family. It’s a wonderful Club and I’m honoured to be a part of it.”

Louis Sharp’s charge to the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA title didn’t go unnoticed as he was honoured with The Peter Collins Trophy, which is awarded to the most promising junior drive competing in a BARC championship.

After enjoying a hugely encouraging debut campaign in 2022, the New Zealander lived up to the mantel of being a title favourite by edging out Will Macintyre to the single-seater crown in the final race of the season.

“It came as a complete surprise to me and it’s a massive privilege to receive it so thank you to the BARC for recognising me – it was a nice end to a really special night,” he said. “This award is a fantastic reward for everyone that has supported me. 

“My ambition is to one day get to Formula 1 and while it has been a good start to that journey I’m well aware that there is a long way to go and that it will continue to get more competitive. I’m loving the challenge though and can’t wait to see what is next!”

Rounding out the list of special award winners was Adam Weeden, who completed the most volunteering days to lift The Sir Clive Bossom Trophy, and Zena Wooller who was named BARC Trainee Marshal of the Year.

“I’m delighted,” said Weeden. “This award goes to show how much marshals are appreciated because we give our time, which is very precious to us, to show support to the drivers and the championship.”