Author: Chris Ashby

BTCC announces regulation changes for 2023 season

British Touring Car Championship organisers TOCA have announced a number of changes to next year’s sporting regulations. 

Following the annual end-of-season meeting between TOCA and all participating BTCC teams, the headline amendments include the return of the ‘Top Ten Showdown’ qualifying format, the reintroduction of the ‘Option’ tyre and changes to Hybrid deployment.

The ‘Top Ten Showdown’ – which was introduced in 2020 and expanded in 2021 – will be adopted at five of the ten events.

All drivers will take part in the normal 30-minute qualifying session to record their lap times before taking a short five-minute break. The fastest ten competitors will then progress into a ten-minute pole position session to determine the top ten positions on the grid. 

Qualifying sessions at Donington Park (April 22/23), Brands Hatch Indy (May 6/7), Oulton Park (June 17/18), Knockhill (August 12/13) and Silverstone (September 23/24) will all feature the format.

The reintroduction of the Goodyear ‘Option’ tyre will take place at all events with the exception of Thruxton, where only the hard tyre will be used due to the high-speed and more abrasive nature of the track.

A majority of events will see two of the three compounds – hard, medium or soft – where the ‘Option’ tyre must be used at least once during race one, race two or race three – ensuring a variety of strategies. At Snetterton and Croft, all three tyre choices must be used across the three races.

Teams will not have to specify before qualifying or the race in which they will use their ‘Option’ tyre, with all choices being declared upon cars leaving the pit lane.

Following the successful introduction of Hybrid power into the BTCC in 2022, several enhancements have been made to ensure deployment carries a greater impact from 2023 onwards.

From next year, the top seven cars in the championship and/or top seven cars on the grid will have a reduced Hybrid time during qualifying and the races on a sliding scale, whilst the minimum speed at which the system can be deployed for those top seven has been increased.

Cars from eighth place onwards will be able to deploy Hybrid power from a reduced minimum speed, ensuring these drivers can utilise the additional power quicker than the leading order. Those cars will only have deployment for 50% of the racing laps.

Hybrid will be available to be deployed on the first lap after the safety car too, with the minimum time between deployments has been increased to five seconds, preventing drivers from staying on the power at the conclusion of one lap and heading into another.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “The changes we have made for 2023 have been done solely to keep to the core values of the championship – and that’s to make the BTCC as competitive, unpredictable, exciting and entertaining as possible.

“All year I’ve been asked by teams and drivers to bring the option tyre back for 2023, as they really enjoy the challenge it provides. So, we thank Goodyear for accommodating this and producing the three different specifications of tyres needed.

“As well, after the data-gathering and learnings from the first season using Hybrid, we identified ways in which to tweak how the Hybrid is deployed in order to better suit the competitive nature of the BTCC. Drivers throughout the field will now have to be more strategic as to when, where and how they use Hybrid.”

Legends Cars Championship secure three-event BTCC support slot for 2023

The Legends Cars Championship is poised to embark on a ground-breaking new era next year after confirming it has secured a spot on the British Touring Car Championship support bill for 2023. 

Britain’s renowned 5/8 scale pocket rockets will stage six rounds across three of the BTCC’s high-profile events, taking centre stage in front of the biggest motor racing audience in the UK.

Appearing at Brands Hatch on May 6/7, the fast-paced one-make series will then run at back-to-back race meetings during mid-season – firstly at Croft on July 29/30 before moving on to Knockhill on August 12/13.

Phil Cooper, Legends Cars Championship Owner, said: “Announcements don’t come any bigger than this in the world of Legends Cars racing, we are absolutely elated with the developments for 2023 which will undoubtedly take our category onto another level. We’ve been working hard for some time on the plans which we’re now able to confirm. 

“The opportunity to run alongside the British Touring Car Championship at three events next year, six rounds of Legends racing, is incredible and something I know our drivers and teams are going to make the most of. For a very long time people have said to us we ought to be racing with the BTCC – next year I am delighted to say we will be!”

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, added: “Legends Cars provides incredibly entertaining racing with their short, sharp, action-packed format. So, I’m sure they will very quickly prove to be a huge hit with our spectators and TV audiences when they appear at our Brands (Indy), Croft and Knockhill events.”

Further news in regard to the fuller 2023 Legends Cars Championship season will be announced in due course. 

British Endurance Championship to introduce Ginetta SuperCup class next year

The British Endurance Championship will introduce a new Ginetta SuperCup class next year, providing an exciting new home for Ginetta G56 and G55 GT4 cars. 

In what is the latest chapter of a relationship between Britcar and the Yorkshire manufacturer that has spanned nearly two decades, customers will get the opportunity to continue competing in the thoroughbred GT racers that have dazzled fans on the BTCC support package. 

The SuperCup class is poised to be the second standalone Ginetta category within Britcar’s stable of championships, following on from the successful addition of the Ginetta G40 Cup to the Britcar Trophy grid this year. 

Mike Simpson, Ginetta Head of Motorsport, said: “Ginetta have a near 20-year racing relationship with Britcar and we are elated to find a new home for our G55 and G56 SuperCup GT4 cars.

“This year marks our 500th GT chassis milestone in 15 years and with thanks to Britcar we can still see many more years of good competitive value, yet very competitive competition for our customers in one of the UK’s longstanding GT Endurance Championships.”

“We are very pleased to be working with Ginetta again,” added Claire Hedley, Britcar Managing Director. “As Mike said, we do have a long-standing working history. We’d like to thank Andy Johnson from SVG Motorsport for all his help in putting these ideas together.”

To find out more information on the British Endurance Championship, visit https://www.british-endurance-championship.com/. 

New format revealed for 2023 Thruxton Historic

Thruxton Circuit has announced exciting new plans for the 2023 Historic meeting to deliver a wider cross-section of racing machinery and a greater on-track spectacle for the crowd.

In recent years, the Thruxton Historic has carved out its own place in the congested historic and classic racing calendar thanks to the support of Motor Racing Legends. For 2023, Thruxton will curate the race meeting content itself and the circuit has been overwhelmed by the interest shown from a number of series before any official announcement has been made.

Taking place on the 17/18 June, the Thruxton Historic will feature an array of evocative machinery including single-seaters, saloon cars and touring cars.

The first series to confirm is the spectacular Jochen Rindt Trophy for single-seat race cars from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Featuring early Formula 2, Historic & Classic F3s, Formula Atlantic, FF2000 and other invitation-class cars, the JRT was undoubtedly the star of the event this year and will return with its burgeoning grid.

Circuit Manager, Pat Blakeney, confirms the draw of the Hampshire venue:
“We are only able to host six meetings at year at Thruxton, so the opportunity to race here doesn’t come along all the time. As a result, we have had some really exciting approaches from championships, series and also groups of people who would like to come here next year as a one-off.

“We’re not so concerned with the ‘Historic’ label; we’re being open-minded about the content. It’s more important to get a quality retro event together that provides great racing for the competitors, and a brilliant spectacle for the crowds. We will also put a lot of effort into getting the entertainment package right off the circuit to make it a special atmosphere for the weekend.”

Further details of confirmed grids will be announced shortly. Interesting and serious enquiries will be welcomed to pat@thruxtonracing.co.uk

Chase Fernandez wins 2023 Ginetta Junior Scholarship

Chase Fernandez has won the 2023 Ginetta Junior Scholarship, securing a fully-funded season in the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship for next year.

In what is one of the biggest prizes in UK motorsport, a total of 60 drivers completed a number of driving, fitness and media assessments over the course of the three-day event at Blyton Park this week, however it was karting ace Fernandez that was eventually declared the winner.

No less than 28 drivers advanced to the final day of the competition where they faced more evaluations, before the field was narrowed down to a top 13, a top eight and then a final four.

Following one last run in a Ginetta G40 around the Gainsborough-based venue with Ginetta factory driver Charlie Robertson in the passenger seat, Fernandez’s talent and potential shone through for the judging panel, who named him the 14th different winner of the coveted prize.

Fernandez’s full prize package include all entry fees, use of a G40 Junior race car for the whole season including consumables, insurance and a season supply of race tyres and fuel, and professional car preparation from an experienced team for the duration of the 2023 campaign.

“I’m speechless,” said Fernandez. “I never expected to be here as the winner, it’s an incredible feeling. The competition has been really high this year with some great drivers taking part, so to win against such a talented entry is just amazing.

“I’m going to be making be racing debut in the Winter Series next month, which will be a great taster for what’s to come next year. I’m going to put everything I’ve got in to 2023 and I’m going to do the best I can to represent Ginetta and have a successful season.”

Steph Bush, Ginetta Championship Manager, added: “Every year we are hugely impressed by how talented the young drivers contesting the Ginetta Junior Scholarship are, and this year was no exception with a high standard being set across all the assessment areas on both qualifying days.

“We ended up with a high number of finalists and they continued to raise the bar. It was a close call between the last four drivers in particular, but Chase stood out to our judging panel and is a hugely deserving winner. We’re very excited to have him racing with us next season.”

The Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship will feature exclusively on the British GT support package in 2023.

Silverstone Grand Prix circuit features on final 2023 ROKiT British F4 calendar

The ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA will make a first ever visit to the full Silverstone Grand Prix circuit next year after revealing its final 2023 calendar.

Continuing to support the British Touring Car Championship at nine of the ten scheduled events next season, the championship will break new ground as the first ever FIA-certified Formula 4 series to hold a race meeting around the full, 3.6-mile Grand Prix layout, held in support of the British Endurance Championship on 23-25 June 2023.

The championship’s usual format – two practice sessions, qualifying and three 20-minute races – will be adhered to, ensuring competitors retain the same 30-race schedule, with plenty of track time to aid their driver development.

Hugh Chambers, Chief Executive Officer of Motorsport UK, said: “It’s another excellent step forward for ROKiT British F4 to visit the full Grand Prix circuit at Silverstone as part of the 2023 calendar.

“With additional trips to Donington and Brands Hatch’s Grand Prix circuits, as well as the other premier circuits in the UK, the calendar will serve as an excellent learning platform for young drivers.

“We have always placed a great deal of importance on listening and engaging with the paddock, and we know all the teams will be excited by the make-up of the series for next year.”

Caterham Seven Championship UK to support BTCC at Silverstone in 2023

Caterham has announced that its top-tier racing series, the Caterham Seven Championship UK, will join the British Touring Car Championship support bill at Silverstone on September 23/24 next year. 

Having already announced that it will race with the British Automobile Racing Club in 2023, Caterham will write the latest chapter in the illustrious motorsport history by competing on the TOCA package for the first-ever time. 

In what is poised to be the championship finale for the one-make series next year, a highly skilled grid of Caterham competitors will have the opportunity to showcase their talents not only in front of a bumper trackside audience but also live on ITV4.

Simon Lambert, Caterham’s Chief Motorsport & Technical Officer, said: “To be able to associate ourselves with one of the most prestigious racing series on the planet is an historic landmark moment for our brand.

“Our racers will not only get the opportunity to race at Silverstone, they’ll also be competing on mainstream television and in front of the fantastic crowds that attend BTCC events.”

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, added: “It’s a great opportunity for the Caterham Seven Championship UK to join the TOCA package for our event at Silverstone next season. 

“I’m sure they will enjoy the great atmosphere and exposure that the BTCC brings with it, whilst our loyal fanbase will enjoy the fantastic entertainment that Caterham racing so often delivers!”

Champions crowned in contrasting conditions at Donington Park

Champions were crowned in contrasting conditions this past weekend (October 22/23) as the British Automobile Racing Club took centre stage at Donington Park. 

On what proved to be an action-packed title decider under the flightpath of East Midlands airport, five championships put on a feast of entertainment for those in attendance in both wet and dry conditions. 

The British Endurance Championship concluded its inaugural season in dramatic fashion, with the destiny of the title being decided in the final few laps of what was a captivating two-hour contest.

After a frenetic start – which saw the safety car make three appearances in the opening 15 minutes – the finale of what has been a year to remember soon settled down, with a number of different teams hitting the front. 

Heading into the final half hour, title contenders Wayne Marrs and Tom Jackson put their Rob Boston Racing Mercedes GT3 to within touching distance of the crown as they assumed a lead they would ultimately never lose.

Needing to overturn a slender two-point deficit, Marrs and Jackson did all they could do up front and behind, things were soon set to fall their way to ensure they wrote their name in the history books as not only race winners but champions. 

On course for victory in Class C and the overall title, a small mistake by the RNR Performance Ferrari 458 Challenge – driven by Chris Goddard, Charlie Hollings and Jamie Stanley – in the closing stages ensured victory for the Mercedes pair.

Team BRIT wrote the latest feel-good chapter in their ever-growing story by clinching the overall title in the Britcar Trophy. Heading into the final round of the year holding a narrow advantage in the points, Chris Overend and James Whitley did enough to guide their BMW M240i to championship glory.

Whilst many eyes were transfixed on the battle for title supremacy, Rob Boston Racing took a clean sweep of endurance wins over the course of the weekend. William Stacey piloted the stunning Lotus Elise to a brace of wins in significantly different conditions, with the first coming in torrential rain and the second just as the sun set on a dry track. 

Jimmy Broadbent and Gordie Mutch wrapped up the Praga Cup title in emphatic fashion, claiming two commanding victories. Arriving at the Leicestershire track firmly in control at the summit of the standings, the Fanatec Team 87 pairing laid down their marker to the rest of the field with a superlative lap in qualifying to clinch pole position. 

From there, Broadbent and Mutch reigned supreme – and in some style too – as they charged to victory in race one, giving them an unassailable lead in the series. With the championship sorted, Sunday’s second bout saw them put the explanation point on a dominant campaign by scoring yet another race win. 

The Classic Touring Car Racing Club produced an abundance of edge-of-the-seat entertainment as expected, with no less than eight races of nostalgic saloon car action playing out around Donington’s Grand Prix layout.

Barry Sime and James Ibbotson scored a win apiece in the Poultec Classic Race Engines Pre-66 Touring Cars contests whilst Colin Philpott and newly crowned Jaguar champion Tom Robinson did the same in the amalgamated Shell Oils Pre 83 Touring Cars and Berkshire Jags Jaguar Challenge races.

Elsewhere, spoils were shared between Andrew Wilson and Kirk Armitage in the Classic & Historic Thunder Saloons/Blue Oval Saloons Series races. Rounding out the tin top fun were two bouts from the combined Laser Tools Pre 93 & Super Tourers and Burty Haulage Pre 03 Touring Cars, where Jason Hughes and Stewart Whyte ran out as the overall winners. 

Matt Hammond ensured that the title fight in the Quaife MINI CHALLENGE Trophy will go down to the wire at Brands Hatch next month after scoring two impressive wins. 

On a weekend that could have seen Nelson King secure an unassailable lead in the standings, the reigning champion dug deep to keep the championship battle rolling on and maintain his faint hopes of securing back-to-back crowns. 

Hammond tip-toed his way round a sodden track to score victory in race one before then adding to his silverware collection in a frenetic finale. In-between those victories, Joe Wiggin came to the fore to score victory in race two.

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

Where To Watch BARC LIVE: Donington Park – October 22/23

Champions will be crowned at Donington Park this weekend (October 22/23) as the British Automobile Racing Club takes centre stage at the Leicestershire venue for an action-packed two days.

On what promises to be a title deciding spectacle under the flightpath of East Midlands airport, the gloves are set to come off as the battle for supremacy further intensifies.

The British Endurance Championship will conclude its inaugural season with a two-hour contest whilst both the Britcar Trophy Championship and Praga Cup will also look to sign off their campaigns in style.

Thrills and spills will undoubtedly be served up by the Classic Touring Car Racing Club, with the MINI CHALLENGE Trophy also joining the bill for the penultimate event of their season.

Make sure you don’t miss any of the on-track entertainment by using the key timings and links below:

Saturday Race Show – Starting from 13:00 – Facebook | YouTube

Sunday Race Show – Starting from 09:30 – Facebook | YouTube

To find out more information on this weekend’s race meeting at Donington Park including the official entry lists and timetable, CLICK HERE.

Don’t miss any future BARC LIVE events either by subscribing to our YouTube channel HERE.

Goodwood reveal 2023 dates for Festival of Speed & Revival events

Goodwood has announced its dates for the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by MasterCard and 2023 Goodwood Revival meetings.

With the dust having now settled on another successful year in West Sussex, Goodwood has completed its calendar for 2023, having previously confirmed that the 80th Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport will take place on 

Following the season opening in April, attention will turn to the Festival of Speed on July 13-16 before concluding with the Revival meeting, which retains its annual mid-September slot, taking place on September 8-10.

It’s set to be a milestone year for all 2023 will see the famous venue commemorate 75 years of motorsport at Goodwood. It will also signify 30 years of the Festival of Speed, 25 years of the Revival and 25 years of the Goodwood Road Racing Club.

Commenting on the announcement of next year’s events, The Duke of Richmond, said: “Following a spectacular season at Goodwood, we’re delighted to announce the dates of our 2023 motorsport events, as we start preparing for an exhilarating year both on and off the track.

“Twenty twenty-three is already set to be very special as we celebrate 75 years of motorsport at Goodwood, encompassing 25 years of the Goodwood Road Racing Club, 30 years of the Festival of Speed and 25 years of Revival – it’s certainly going to be an unmissable year.”

BARC North West Centre concludes season in style at Oulton Park

The British Automobile Racing Club’s North West Centre concluded its 2022 season this past Saturday (October 15) with an action-packed one-day meeting at Oulton Park.

Basking in the autumnal sunshine at the Cheshire venue, three of the Club’s championships took centre stage to bring the curtain down on their own campaigns and serve up plenty of edge-of-the-seat entertainment to those that had flocked trackside.

Headlining the action was four blockbuster encounters from the Caterham Graduates Championship. After a season of big grids and close-quarter racing, the single-make series capped off a year to remember with yet more thrills and spills around the International layout.

In the amalgamated Sigmax and Sigma 135 races, nobody could stop Harry Senior. Having wrapped up the Sigmax crown prior to the finale, you could be forgiven in thinking that Senior might have taken his foot off the throttle but that wasn’t to be the case at all.

Storming to pole position in qualifying, Senior led home Stephen Arnell and Jamie Winrow by more than seven seconds in the opening contest before edging out Max Haynes and Andy Molsom by the larger margin of 35 seconds in race two.

The Sigma 150 races had everyone captivated too as Ben Winrow and Stephen Clark put on a show. They could hardly be separated in a pulsating first bout, where Winrow triumphed by a little over three tenths of a second. Clark would then strike back in race two as he scored a victory of his own, this time from Jamie Ellwood and Harry Cramer. 

Spoils were shared in the North West Centre’s flagship category, the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship, which boasted an impressive entry list of more than 30 cars. 

Jon Woolfitt – who has been one of the leading lights in the championship this year – guided his Spire GTR to victory lane in race one before Roddie Paterson scored a memorable win at the wheel of his Caterham C400 in the day’s second and final contest.

The Kumho BMW Championship also saw two different drivers stand on the top step of the podium over the course of their finale. Russell Dack reigned supreme ahead of Bryan Bransom and James Card in the day’s opening race before Jason West led home Card and Dack in race two. 

Rounding out the track action around the picturesque 2.692-mile circuit was three full-throttle races from The Super Series by the British Superkart Racing Club. Andy Gulliford, Matt Robinson and Paul Platt claimed top honours, chalking up a win apiece. 

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

Porsche Sprint Challenge GB to race exclusively with TOCA in 2023

Porsche Motorsport GB has confirmed that the Porsche Visit Cayman Islands Sprint Challenge GB is poised for a series of exciting evolutions in 2023 – one of which includes the championship racing exclusively alongside the British Touring Car Championship.

Entering its fourth season and retaining the use of the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport, the one-make series will continue to offer drivers two competitive classes to compete in; Pro and Am. 

Starting in 2023 as part of a three-year agreement, the category will enjoy a larger presence than ever before as it features on the TOCA package across six weekends in support of the BTCC, four of those being alongside the Porsche Carrera Cup GB. 

Furthermore, the series will expand its calendar from 15 to 18 races next year, with each weekend comprising of three races.

James MacNaughton, Porsche GB Motorsport Manager, said: “Porsche Sprint Challenge GB enters its fourth and biggest season yet in 2023. As it has since its inception in 2020, the championship will continue to represent an important level of the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid with the 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport. However, we are excited we’re taking it one step further by growing its presence on the UK motorsport scene year on year.

“TOCA weekends have always formed an essential part of the Sprint Challenge GB calendar and, from 2023, Porsche Cars Great Britain is delighted that the championship will amplify its profile by appearing exclusively on the TOCA package. As part of a larger presence at every TOCA meeting for Porsche, four weekends will see the championship operate alongside Carrera Cup GB, underlining the development available to both competitors and teams.

“Porsche Carrera Cup GB’s traditional position as part of the TOCA package – running in support of the British Touring Car Championship – has taught us that the combination of live terrestrial television coverage and a paddock packed with motorsport enthusiasts provides drivers and teams with an unrivalled platform. For Porsche, the opportunity to expand Sprint Challenge GB’s relationship with TOCA was unmissable.”