Author: Chris Ashby

BARC’ing Mad Podcast: Episode 3 – July 14th 2023

Episode 3 of the British Automobile Racing Club’s new-for-2023 podcast, BARC’ing Mad, is now live and available to listen to.

In partnership with BP Fleet Solutions UK, the fortnightly podcast – which is hosted by Alan Hyde and Ian Waterhouse – is packed with full-throttle news, reviews and unmissable interviews.

The series’ third episode sees the hosts discuss the latest news and results from around the Club with David Wheadon before delving into some of the biggest topics in world motorsport with Motorsport News Editor Matt James.

They’re also joined by BARC President, the Duke of Richmond & Gordon, to talk about all things Goodwood ahead of this year’s milestone-filled Festival of Speed; gaining insight into behind the scenes stories and standout moments.

BARC’ing Mad is available to listen to across all popular podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Super Touring Power 2 confirmed at Brands Hatch for 2024

Brands Hatch and the Classic Touring Car Racing Club have confirmed that Super Touring Power, which debuted at the Kent circuit in early July this year, will return for a second edition in 2024 on June 29/30.

The new event, which transported fans back to a golden era of the British Touring Car Championship, looks set to build on this year’s success with another bumper programme of racing set to be complemented by a selection of special displays, demonstrations and guest appearances.

Competitive action will again be primarily curated by the Classic Touring Car Racing Club and the British Automobile Racing Club – which played a pivotal role behind the scenes of the 2023 edition – and will take place across both the longer Grand Prix and more compact Indy circuit layouts.

Whilst Super Touring machinery will form a focal point of the two-day meeting, Super Touring Power 2 is set to see a much broader celebration of touring car history with a new highlight for next summer being a planned Group A race for the likes of Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500s and BMW M3 E30s.

“The response from the CTCRC drivers has been phenomenal,” said Stuart Caie, Classic Touring Car Racing Club Chairman. “None of us could ever have expected how well the event would be received by the fans.

“I am sure a lot of you have seen on social media people asking for it to happen again and of course once Autosport published the ‘super idea too good not to be repeated’ article, so how could we not?

“In 2024 we will add a Group A race as we feel the crowd would like nothing more than to see the fire breathing RS500s and BMWs fighting it out on the GP circuit as they did in period!”

Further details of Super Touring Power on 29/20 June 2024, including special content, the complete race line-up and other details will be revealed over the course of the coming months.

Bumper crowd savours blockbuster Convoy on the Plain at Thruxton

Thruxton Circuit provided the setting for an unmissable two days of on and off-track entertainment this past weekend (July 8/9) as the British Automobile Racing Club took centre stage on home turf for Convoy on the Plain. 

Living up to its promise of being a festival for all things trucking, a bumper crowd flocked through the gates of the Hampshire venue to soak up everything from wheel-to-wheel racing and dazzling show trucks to real life transformers and live music – plus much more. 

Whilst there was plenty to see and do off-track, edge-of-the-seat thrills were in full force on it as no less than seven championships tackled the fastest circuit in the UK; with the British Truck Racing Championship topping the bill.

Returning to action after a near two-month hiatus, the heavyweight behemoths left a lasting impression as they produced four blockbuster contests around the 2.356-mile layout.

Division 1 spoils were split between Ryan Smith, Stuart Oliver and John Bowler while Paul Rivett and John Powell claimed a pair of wins apiece in Division 2. Those triumphs however were somewhat overshadowed by a scary incident that took place in the weekend’s fourth race on Sunday afternoon.

Approaching mid-distance in the contest, series newcomer Neil Yates suffered a throttle pedal jam upon entry into Allard which resulted in his DAF hitting the armco barrier and rolling over the catch fence. 

Thankfully, nobody was injured in the incident however the lengthy clean up operation resulted in the BTRC’s final bout – as well as the Pickup Truck Racing Championship’s third race – being cancelled.

Prior to the Pickup Truck Racing Championship’s finale being canned, the series had enjoyed a memorable outing with defending champion Reece Jones bolstering his title charge with a near wheel-perfect double-winning performance.

In the Kumho BMW Championship, Jason West and Michael Vitulli chalked up a win each whilst Ross Alexander and Freddie Hewitt did the same in the MINI CHALLENGE Clubsport with Airtec Motorsport. 

Elsewhere, Scott Bugner and Steve McDermid’s captivating back-and-forth battle for supremacy in the Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship further intensified as the pair enjoyed a share of the spoils on Sunday. 

Fine margins proved to be the difference when it came down to the Morphmy Caterham Graduates Championship. Richard Groom and Ben Wheatley scored a victory each in the two Sigma 135 bouts whilst Amanda Anderson and Harry Senior topped the rostrum in the amalgamated Sigma 150/Sigmax races.

The weekend also saw a triumphant return for OT Publishing Coupe Cup with Toyo Tires stalwart Wayne Rockett. Having previously announced he was stepping back from the popular single-make series, a resurgent Rockett reigned supreme around his home track to win twice.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Thruxton, CLICK HERE.

All of the weekend’s action from Thruxton is also available to watch on the BARC’s official YouTube channel HERE.

North West Centre delivers action-packed Oulton Park outing

The British Automobile Racing Club delivered a memorable day of blockbuster wheel-to-wheel action at Oulton Park this past Saturday (July 8) as five championships continued their 2023 campaigns. 

Organised and run by the Club’s North West Centre, the one-day meeting – which took place around the 2.692-mile International layout – saw the likes of the Junior Saloon Car Championship, Classic 2CV Racing Club and others take on starring role at the picturesque Cheshire venue.

Undoubtedly one of the headline acts to come from the day was the North West Centre’s flagship category, the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship.

Boasting a bumper entry list which exceeded 30 cars, the multi-class series produced a pulsating encounter which saw former champion Paul Rose reign supreme at the wheel of his Sakar S1-500.

Blitzing the opposition to clinch pole position in qualifying, Rose punched in a superlative performance to triumph by more than half a minute ahead of Roddie Patterson in his Caterham C400 and Arron Armiger in his Vauxhall Astra. 

Those in attendance also witnessed a feast of thrills and spills when it came to the Junior Saloon Car Championship, which is renowned as being one of the UK’s premier one-make categories for teenage racing drivers.

On what was an action-packed outing for the series, Cameron Pratt-Thompson and Daire Flock scored a win apiece however due to a number of on-track incidents and technical infringements, both race results currently remain provisional until all Motorsport UK Judicial’s have been heard.

The Classic 2CV Racing Club’s penultimate meeting of the season had everyone on the edge of their seats as they served up a brace of captivating contests to set the scene ahead of next month’s 24-hour season finale at Snetterton.

Kristopher Tovey emerged as one of the series’ leading lights as he produced a clinical display to claim an emphatic lights-to-flag victory in the day’s opening encounter; a feat that he then came oh-so close to repeating a few hours later in race two.

Locking horns with experienced multiple champion Pete Sparrow, Tovey missed out on clinching a clean sweep of victories to the former title winner by less than half a second whilst reigning champion David O’Keeffe completed the podium in third.

The Track Attack Race Club welcomed one of its largest entries of the year and it didn’t disappoint with a glittering array of tin top machines all going bumper-to-bumper in a pulsating 20-minute bout. 

At the wheel of his Honda Civic, there was no stopping Ben Griffiths as he lit up the timesheets in qualifying and then followed it up with a commanding race-winning performance ahead of Paul Roddison and Tim Evans,

Concluding the day’s action were two races from the Adrian Flux Insurance Caterham Academy. Nick Highton narrowly edged out Jonathan Emery to win the ‘Green’ race while Daniel Neale comfortably triumphed in the ‘White’ contest.

To view the results of all sessions at Oulton Park, CLICK HERE.

BARC Annual General Meeting Notice: July 2023

NOTICE

The Annual General meeting of the British Automobile Racing Club will be held in the Committee Room of the Royal Automobile Club, 89, Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5HS 0n 26th July, 2023 at 7.00pm.

The Agenda for the meeting is as follows.

1.  Welcome

2.  Receive the Report of the Council

3.  To consider and if thought fit to pass the following resolutions.

a)  Special Resolution:

THAT the draft set out below be adopted as Article 30.1 of the Company’s Articles of Association in substitution for and to the exclusion of the existing Article 30.1:

30.1  No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum is present.

Save as herein otherwise provided ten members present in person or by proxy shall be a quorum.

b)  Ordinary Resolutions:-

   1)     To receive and agree the accounts of the Club for the year ended 31st. December, 2022

   2)      To re-appoint Moore (South) LLP as auditors and to fix their remuneration.

   3)      To elect His Grace The Duke of Richmond and Gordon as President

   4)      To elect Mr John Holroyd and Mr Dennis Carter as Vice Presidents

   5)      To elect as Honorary Treasurer Mr Peter Chubb

   6)      To elect as Honorary Legal Advisor Mr Tony Scott Andrews

In accordance with the provisions of Article 10.8, there being no other nominations for membership of the Council, the retiring members of Council are deemed to have been duly elected and no vote shall be taken.

Please note that:

A Member is entitled to appoint another person as his or her proxy who may carry out, such members right to attend the meeting, to speak and to vote.

The form of proxy notice is available at the Company’s registered office upon request and upon completion must be delivered to the Registered office by post or e-mail not less than 48 hours (excluding any part of a day which is not a working day) prior to the start of the Annual General Meeting.

At the conclusion of the AGM, time permitting, there will be an opportunity for members to raise questions on matters of interest to them should they so wish.

BARC TV: What’s On This Weekend – July 8/9

The British Automobile Racing Club is poised to take centre stage on home turf this weekend (July 8/9) as the British Truck Racing Championship and Convoy on the Plain rumbles into Thruxton.

In what is always one of the most popular events on the UK motorsport calendar, the annual visit of the heavyweight behemoths to the high-speed Hampshire venue is not to be missed – especially as there are five races from the titans of truck racing scheduled to play out.

Also starring on the support bill over the course of Saturday and Sunday is the Morphmy Caterham Graduates Championship, Pickup Truck Racing Championship, Kumho BMW Championship, Lancaster Insurance MGOC Championship, OT Publishing Coupe Cup and MINI CHALLENGE Clubsport.

Below is all the information you’ll need to know to keep up-to-date with all the action that is being broadcast live:

Thruxton Circuit

Saturday 8th July // 12:30 – WATCH HERE

Sunday 9th July // 10:30 – WATCH HERE

Super Touring Power serves up weekend to remember at Brands Hatch

Fans of the British Touring Car Championship were taken on a trip down memory lane this past weekend (July 1/2) as Brands Hatch blasted back to the 90s to celebrate one of the series’ most fondly remembered eras at Super Touring Power.

The two-day event, which was running for the first-ever time, transported those in attendance at the Kent venue to a much-loved period of national saloon car competition, with races, demonstrations and displays.

One of the many highlights across the weekend were the blockbuster races from the Classic Touring Car Racing Club, in particular the quartet from the Laser Tools Super Tourers which featured a strong field of 20 cars.

Included on the entry list were legendary Super Touring stars such as Paul Radisich (Ford Mondeo), Anthony Reid (Nissan Primera), Greg Murphy (Nissan Primera) and Steven Richards (Volvo S40) however, none of them could stop current BTCC star Jake Hill who claimed a clean sweep of victories at the wheel of an ex-Laurent Aiello Nissan Primera. 

Hill was wheel-perfect as he led home the ex-Tom Kristensen Honda Accord of Stewart Whyte in the first three races before then reigning supreme ahead of former BTCC driver Jason Hughes and his Vauxhall Vectra in the finale. 

In addition to the nostalgic racing, the weekend also saw demonstration runs which included the iconic 1997 Williams Renault Laguna of Alain Menu, who was in attendance as a guest, Steve Soper in a Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500 and Ash Sutton in his 2023 Ford Focus ST – to name but a few.

Around the venue, cars such as Rickard Rydell’s 1998 title-winning Volvo S40 and Joachim Winkelhock’s BMW, amongst many others, were on display for all to see with stars such as Menu, Radisich, Andy Rouse, Tim Harvey and Patrick Watts also featuring on the Autosport Interview Stage. 

Elsewhere, bumper grids featured throughout the remaining Classic Touring Car Racing Club categories shared the spotlight in front of the huge crowds that had flocked trackside to soak up the vintage tin top action, starting on the Grand Prix layout on Saturday.

Charles Rainford – who can usually be found competing in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB – swapped his 911 for a Ford Capri and didn’t put a wheel wrong as he won two highly entertaining Poutltec Pre-66 Touring Cars and Orange Aero Pre-83 Touring Cars races.

More than 40 cars went bumper-to-bumper in a pair of entertaining amalgamated Laser Tools Pre-93 Touring Cars, Burty Haulage Pre-03 Touring Cars and Burton Power Blue Oval Saloon Series races, with Paul Mensley and Martin Reynolds claiming a win apiece.

Samuel Wilson and Alex Sidwell rounded out the list of winners on the legendary 2.433-mile circuit as they each made it onto the top step of the podium in the Edmundson Electrical Classic Thunder and Berkshire Jag Components Jaguar Challenge races.

Switching to the more compact Indy circuit on Sunday, Grant Williams narrowly held off Ian Curley to claim a brace of Pre-66 race wins whilst Stuart Waite emerged as the driver to beat in the merged Pre-83 and Pre-93 contests.

Mensley and Reynolds continued to be the cream of the crop in the combined Pre-03 and Blue Oval Saloon Series bouts, with Mensley charging to a double triumph whilst Wilson and Nick Vaughan shared the spoils in the Classic Thunder and Jaguar Challenge races.

To view the full classification of results from Super Touring Power at Brands Hatch, CLICK HERE.

Those wanting to watch back the action from Sunday can do so by visiting the Classic Touring Car Racing Club YouTube channel HERE.

Team Dynamics founder Steve Neal passes away aged 82

The British Automobile Racing Club is saddened to hear that Steve Neal, the founder of multiple British Touring Car Championship title winners Team Dynamics and father of three-time champion Matt, has passed away at the age of 82. 

First competing in the series – then known as the British Saloon Car Championship – during the 1960s at the wheel of a Mini Cooper, Neal established himself as a front-runner in his class during a five-year spell on the grid and scored an overall win at Crystal Palace. 

Setting up Team Dynamics in the early 1990s, the squad – with Neal at the helm – became a household name during the BTCC’s Super Touring era as they claimed a number of Independent titles and famously ÂŁ250,000 for becoming the first Independent team to secure an outright win in 1999.

Over the next two decades, multiple Drivers’ titles for Matt and Gordon Shedden, as well as a number of Manufacturer-Constructor and Teams’ Championship crowns would follow.

“It is with great sadness we report the passing of our leader Steve Neal, the visionary founder of Team Dynamics Motorsport and a larger-than-life character who left an indelible mark on the racing world,” a statement issued by Team Dynamics read.

“Steve’s passion for motorsports was contagious, and his leadership guided the team to numerous victories and championships.

“With his relentless drive and unwavering determination, he transformed Team Dynamics into a powerhouse, earning the respect and admiration of fans and competitors alike.

“Steve’s infectious personality, combined with his unparalleled knowledge of the sport, made him a beloved figure in the racing community. His legacy will forever be remembered as he takes his final lap, soaring to new heights.”

Our condolences and thoughts go out to Steve’s family, friends and everyone at Team Dynamics at this difficult time.

BARC’ing Mad Podcast: Episode 2 – June 30th 2023

Episode 2 of the British Automobile Racing Club’s new-for-2023 podcast, BARC’ing Mad, is now live and available to listen to.

In partnership with BP Fleet Solutions UK, the fortnightly podcast – which is hosted by Alan Hyde and Ian Waterhouse – is packed with a plethora of motorsport related chats.

The series’ second episode sees the hosts discuss the latest news and results from around the Club with Chris Ashby before delving into some of the biggest topics in world motorsport with The Intercooler Co-Founder Andrew Frankel.

They’re also joined by GT racing legend Ian Flux, who was on hand to recount some of the highlights of his glittering career and a number of the many tales from his new book ‘For Flux Sake: Beers, Fags and Opposite-Lock’.

BARC’ing Mad is available to listen to across all popular podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

BARC delivers Silverstone scorcher on Grand Prix layout

The sun shone on the British Automobile Racing Club this past weekend (June 24/25) as a number of championships continued their 2023 campaigns around the world-famous Silverstone Grand Prix circuit.

Returning to the Home of British Motor Racing for the second time this year, the BARC took centre stage under the bright blue skies for a 13-race schedule across two days that was just as scorching on track as it was off it. 

Less than a week on from staging its milestone 250th race at Oulton Park, the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA was back in action and the latest instalment of their season saw more history made as the series competed around Silverstone’s 3.66-mile layout for the first time.

Ahead of its annual summer break, the single-seater series – which is the first step on the road to Formula 1 – served up a pulsating trio of races where slip streaming and wheel-to-wheel battles had those watching trackside and online on the edge of their seats.

Rodin Carlin’s Josh Irfan became the tenth different winner in a pulsating opener as his lightning start from row two saw him charge into a lead that he would ultimately never lose – with the rookie driver controlling proceedings out front to triumph ahead of Will Macintyre and James Piszcyk.

Race two then saw Irfan’s team-mate Noah Lisle strengthen his championship challenge with an impressive third victory of the season before James Piszcyk rounded things off by leading a Hitech Pulse-Eight top four lockout in race three.

The British Endurance Championship headed back to Silverstone with another strong entry list however nobody was able to stop the PB Racing Audi R8 GT3 duo of Peter Erceg and Marcus Clutton – who reigned supreme in commanding style.

Arriving at the Northamptonshire venue as the team to beat, Erceg and Clutton quickly established themselves out front as they blasted to pole position in qualifying by little under a second.

As the lights went out on Saturday afternoon’s two-hour bout, the striking black and orange R8 GT3 wasted no time in establishing an advantage out front. The multiple race winners soon broke clear of the chasing pack and began to stretch their legs, ultimately taking victory by two laps.

Best of the rest was the Scott Sport Lamborghini Super Trefeo Evo of Mikkel Mac and Keith Frieser in second and the Team HARD duo of Brad Thurston and Daryl de Leon in their Porsche 991 Cup in third.

Datum Motorsport’s Axel van Nederveen headed Ginetta dominance in the ROWE Britcar Trophy Championship as he charged victory in Sunday’s two-hour race. 

Having missed out on pole position in qualifying to the Assetto Motorsport duo of Jade Edwards and Mike West, van Nederveen had looked on course to follow the pole sitters to the finish – who were largely dominating proceedings – before a gearbox issue sadly scuppered their chances during the pit stop phase.

Going on to inherit top spot in the latter stages, van Nederveen was wheel-perfect for the remainder of the contest to take victory ahead of SVG Motorsport’s Neil Wallace and Ian Astley and his Datum team-mate Marco Anastasi.

Elsewhere, three of Caterham Motorsport’s five championships continued their 2023 campaigns by producing a quite sensational show of close-quarter racing.

Just 0.011 split the top two in the opening Vertex Caterham Roadsport Championship bout as Edward Cozzi edged Ben Timmons TO the chequered flag. Timmons would have his moment on the top step of the podium however as he charged to victory in race two.

Freddie Chiddicks took a clean sweep of victories in the Mission Motorsport Caterham Seven 270R Championship whilst Domenique Mannsperger, Harry Cook and Lars Alexander Hoffman shared the spoils in the Motul Caterham Seven 310R Championship.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Silverstone, CLICK HERE. 

Both race days around the Grand Prix layout can also be re-watched on the BARC’s official YouTube channel HERE.

BARC TV: What’s On This Weekend – June 24/25

The British Automobile Racing Club takes centre stage at the Home of British Motor Racing, Silverstone, this weekend (June 24/25) for a blockbuster two days of track action around the world-famous Grand Prix circuit.

On what promises to be a weekend to remember in Northamptonshire, the British Endurance Championship and its monstrous array of GT cars is poised to headline proceedings as it serves up a two-hour spectacular.

Elsewhere, the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA – which is fresh off the back of a milestone outing at Oulton Park – will continue its 2023 campaign with a trio of single seater contests.

Also in action across Saturday and Sunday is the ROWE Britcar Trophy Championship, Vertex Caterham Roadsport Championship, Mission Motorsport Caterham Seven 270R Championship and Motul Caterham Seven 310R Championship.

Below is all the information you’ll need to know to keep up-to-date with all the action that is being broadcast live:

Silverstone

Saturday 24th June // 13:00 – WATCH HERE

Sunday 25th June // 09:20 – WATCH HERE

Tiff Needell closes in on 8000 passenger rides at Thruxton

Thruxton Circuit, the UK’s fastest circuit in the UK, is thrilled to announce a momentous milestone in its longstanding partnership with racing legend Tiff Needell.

Since 2009, Thruxton and Tiff have offered guests an extraordinary opportunity to experience Tiff’s legendary high-speed, sideways driving around the circuit on our exclusive driving experience days.

Tiff Needell, a name synonymous with motorsport, boasts an impressive racing career, which took him all the way to Formula 1. With a passion for speed, Tiff’s expertise behind the wheel has made him one of the most respected figures in the industry.

However, it was Tiff’s captivating presence on television screens that propelled him to international fame. From 1987 to 2001, Tiff was an integral part of Top Gear, where he showcased his expert driving skills and entertained audiences with his charismatic and humorous commentary. Tiff’s passion for motorsport and his infectious enthusiasm endeared him to fans worldwide, establishing him as a household name in the automotive industry.

Tiff has thrilled thousands of visitors with his exhilarating driving skills. With an astonishing 24,000 laps and almost 58,000 miles under his belt, mostly sideways, Tiff’s dedication to providing an unforgettable experience has astounded both guests and staff. Beyond the seemingly impossible oversteer slides, Tiff has consistently embraced the opportunity to educate his passengers about the capabilities of the BMW model they’re riding in and the history of Thruxton Circuit, making each ride an enlightening journey. A quick search on YouTube will give you a good idea of what passengers experience!

Reflecting on closing in on the 8000th ride. Tiff shared his thoughts: “I find it hard to believe I am about to take my 8,000th guest for a three-lap passenger experience around Thruxton. Something that started as a bit of fun in 2009 has turned out to be so popular I can’t seem to stop! I’ve strapped in anyone from four-year-olds on booster seats to 84-year-olds with Zimmer frames, and no one has ever been disappointed! Through a whole stream of BMWs that have suffered my treatment and the hundreds of Pirelli tyres that I’ve worn to the canvas, I’ve never been let down by either, and I’m not stopping now.”

At Thruxton Circuit, we are immensely proud to be associated with Tiff. The Tiff Needell BMW M2 Passenger Ride Experience has become an iconic offering, attracting motorsport enthusiasts from around the world to embark on this thrilling experience. Whether it’s the screams, the laughs, or the stoney silence emanating from the seat beside him, Tiff’s passengers are consistently amazed by what a road car can achieve on the track. His infectious passion for the sport continues to inspire and captivate audiences, fostering a new generation of motorsport enthusiasts.

As Tiff Needell gears up for his monumental 8,000th ride, we invite you to join us in celebrating this extraordinary achievement. Explore the Tiff Needell Experience at Thruxton Circuit and discover the unparalleled excitement of being driven by a true motorsport legend. Buckle up and hold on tight.

In honour of Tiff Needell’s incredible achievement of reaching his 8,000th ride, Thruxton Circuit is delighted to announce a special treat for the lucky individual who becomes the milestone guest. The 8,000th guest will receive an exclusive goodie bag filled with Thruxton merchandise and surprises, courtesy of two long-time supporters of the Tiff Needell Experience: Pirelli and Hendy Performance.

Pirelli, renowned for its high-performance tyres, has been an integral part of Tiff Needell’s journey at Thruxton since the beginning. As a tribute to this significant milestone, Pirelli has generously contributed to the goodie bag, providing a selection of merchandise.

Additionally, Hendy Performance a leading provider of high-quality performance parts and trusted partner of Thruxton Circuit, has provided a collection of exciting items to be included in the goodie bag.

Book your Tiff Needell Experience today, who knows, you might just be the lucky 8,000th guest to receive this exclusive and exciting prize pot, courtesy of Pirelli, Hendy Performance and Thruxton.